Flying Sea Rats

I fondly remember going to feed the seagulls with my dad when I was a little girl. As soon as we would pull into the parking lot, the gulls would start gathering. They knew my dad's little red Volkswagen well. I remember them being more mannered back then, less aggressive than they appear to me now.
I think just about everyone that grew up where I did consider seagulls a bit of a flying rat. They are bold birds that have stolen food right out from in front of people. They did that routine regularly at the schools I attended growing up. The lunch "arbor" was a buffet for the local seagulls. Many times over the years I've had to keep the gulls away from taking a unknowing tourist's bag of lunch off their towel while they were out for a swim. The first time I heard someone call a seagull a Flying Sea Rat (I think it was my sister), I knew I would always think of seagulls as Flying Sea Rats.
I was visiting Sunset Cliffs on the look out for big surf and surfers. A man came up and climbed a bit down the cliffs with a big bag of all kinds of junk. He threw the food in the air and the seagulls put their show on.

This gull got a goose with it's bread. Looks like a new species.

I uploaded 13 of the photos that I took in the 10 minutes standing there watching the man feed the seagulls. Here is a link to the rest: More seagulls from this day.

Exploring Sunsets

I've been told that sunsets are cliché. I ask you to do me a favor. If I ever get to the point that I can't enjoy capturing the colors of a beautiful sunset in a photograph because I feel it mundane, please call the undertaker. Cause I'm done if I can't find pleasure in a sunset. A colorful sunset just makes me feel good.

I am not the only one taking photos. Her rig is lighter though!

Most of the time I watch the sky for billowy clouds. I live in an area that doesn't get billowy clouds very often. Even though there were no billowy clouds on this day, I had the time and went to the shore for sunset. I visited the Ocean Beach pier. While I was there I was treated to watching a low fog move in as the sun set. I was pleased to find that the colors varied widely ranging from orange to pink as the sun got lower. The long shutter speed I was using enriched the colors even more.

A couple watches as the sun slips below the horizon.

The cafe lights come on





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Sunsets

A Walk to Clear My Head

Along the way I've been asked if I have a blog. It seems that facebook and twitter are not enough. Some of my clients and friends like a blog format and don't like the other social networking possibilities. So here I am, starting a blog for those of you who have requested. Now that I've finally set it up, I will try and post new content at the very least monthly, if not more often.
Yesterday was a beautiful day for visiting the Urban Tree exhibit along the embarcadero in San Diego. Determined to leave all of my worries at least for a little bit, I packed my camera and took advantage of the nice weather. First up is Bayside Dance, sculptor: Frank Lee Cota.

Of course I can never pass up anything reflective and shiny! This next Urban Tree puts two things dear to my heart together. A dolphin balancing a reflective ball on his nose! Precision by Ken Smith.

It didn't last long, but I am happy that I caught this pigeon rush around this sculpture. Handstand by Daniel Stern.

Read more about the Urban Trees here: Port of San Diego Urban Trees Exhibit
 
To view my gallery of images from the exhibit. My Urban Tree Gallery