Garden Diptych

I'm trying out a diptych format.  They don't always print up very well being an odd size. Everything is experimental and I'll eventually figure it out.  I like some of the combinations and they'll be coming up in the next few posts.

In bocca al lupo. m

Taking Wing...

In bocca al lupo.  m (no v)

Peaceful

A Willet at sunset.

In bocca al lupo.  m (no v)

Today 3/30/15 Apple Trees, Fog, and a Rescue

Sunrise in the apple orchards of Corralitos, California.

Fog along the jetty in Moss Landing

And a reminder that this is a world in crisis.

Warmer waters are possibly the cause for so many stranded sea lion pups this year; the most in recent memory.  Normally the cold currents infiltrate the bay, causing an upwelling of nutrients from the bottom which attract fish into the bay making for a cornucopia of delights for all manner of marine life. They also create the winds that we usually experience in the month of March.  No winds.  No replenished food for the marine animals and mother sea lions are having to travel further and further to sea to find nourishment. This is happening up and down the coast of California, not just the Monterey Bay. Marine Mammal Rescue was alerted to this little fellow's plight and hopefully he'll thrive under care.

In bocca al lupo.  m (no v)

Today 2/28/15

Just to show I do get out once in a while.

In bocca al lupo.  m (no v)

Today 2/23/15

Composition with red.  I just like the whimsy...

In bocca al lupo.  m (no v)

Whale Watching

"What should we do today?"

"Want to go whale watching?"

Oh yeah! One of the perks of being a volunteer is getting to take a ride on the Whale Watching boat for free if there is room and there was room today!  Not on the 9:00 morning boat, you know, when the seas are calm and the whales plentiful. But, there was room on the 2:00 when things are a bit choppier and the whales are a question mark.

While we waited, hanging around the wharf like wharf bums who drink Starbucks' lattes, I took some photos of a seagull who coasted in rather close to where we were hanging out.

Now for the whales.  The first shot has to be explained, I think.  This is not two whales taking a peek at us. This is one whale shooting straight up out of the water with its mouth open and gathering fish. 

And then, something I've waited, and wanted all my life to see:

Whoopie!  v had a great time, he felt very strong and happy at the end of our outing, but I noticed that he was quick to turn in after supper.  A few hours at sea can do that.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Morro Bay

Last week we took a really nice drive down Hwy 1 to Morro Bay and these are a few of the pictures.  I did a sunrise walk and the photo above is of our shadows at sunset.  It was so nice to just get away for a couple of nights and the drive down Hwy 1 from Carmel to Morro Bay is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.  Going down we drove late in the afternoon and coming home we chose early to mid-morning.  Perfect both ways. It's always best not to have the sun in your eyes.  We stopped at one of my favorite eateries, Linn's, in Cambria for dinner on our way down.

This is a Marbled Godwit I met while taking my sunrise photo walk on the beach.  He was working on his breakfast.

The birds were so intent on grabbing these hapless crabs that I didn't seem to bother them in the least.  The last shot for this post is the reflection of Morro Rock in the wet sand.  I was so fortunate to head out that morning. The next morning the coast was socked in with fog!

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Good News

Still working on some design ideas, this is part of the Beaches series.

CT results for v were very encouraging. They usually have been. However, this time the doctor made the comment "...of the tumors still remaining...".  Still remaining? Some have actually gone???  Yes, several per the doctor.  There are a few small ones outside of the liver area and a few remain in both lungs, however the largest (which had always been the largest) has diminished to around thumbnail size and had started out silver dollar sized.  Although the CT cannot perfectly visualize the esophagus it does show the area and that area appears normal.  So v is taking a break from chemo. He'll start again in September.  We took a celebratory getaway to Morro Bay to take some pictures for the current project.

We have now decided that both of us have gotten way out of shape.  Hiking sand dunes about did us in.  We've concentrated so much on his weight and preserving energy that we lost sight of something very fundamental; physical exercise.  So we see a lot of walking in our immediate future!

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Wetlands Series

Everyday I learn something.  I am working on several new images.  Egrets in the wetlands of Elkhorn Slough.

v and I are awaiting the results of his latest CT scan of last Friday. We'll find out what progress he's made since the last time.  He feels very sure that he is now in remission. His energy is outstanding. He's become our new head gardener here at home.  Our so sadly neglected gardens are making a comeback.  The gardening is new to him, he has heretofore been in charge of construction and I've done the planting and general layouts. So, his vision is coming through now.  They become his healing gardens.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Sunrise at the River

 Carmel River Beach in the early morning this past Sunday.  We wanted to avoid the weekend crowds, and we did.  Mostly ducks greeted us.

The clouds were just beginning to burn off 

For us it was a peaceful and pleasant ramble in the sand.  Afterwards we met a friend for coffee and were home before most folks were up and around.

It was lovely.  Now we start the next round of chemo.  v is doing so well, he is astounding.  Thin and losing his hair, he just remains cheerful and energetic.  He has no intention of giving in.  I am with him every step of the way.  We support each other.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Another Spring in the Garden

I headed out after breakfast to v's workshop to try to photograph the birds outside his window. Well, of course, today they saw me!  Any other time I can press my nose to the glass and dozens of birds will descend on this feeder and never notice me.  

However, it was time to share what the garden looks like this year.  It has been neglected, but sallies forth without my assistance anyway.

Look at the apricots!  Last year there were a total of two!  A late frost had taken the blossoms.  This year there should be bushels, as long as our neighbor doesn't reach over the fence with his long handle picker and clean me out again.  V watches closely.

Another guardian of the garden, Fortuna.  She never complains that the weeds are getting tall.  She is forever hopeful that one of the birds will alight amongst the blades.  Sadly, this does happen on a rare occasion.

This one is called Honey Scent and makes such a beautiful bouquet for the kitchen table.

I'm letting the nasturtiums clambor up the back steps as long as I can weave long strands between the posts.

I shall end here with the optimist awaiting her prey.  Of course, I don't wish her any luck...she has plenty.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v