Warner Center v2

A view through my eyes.

Warner Center

Late Fall in Southern California

The last of the leaves clutch to their branches before giving way to winter.

Good Morning!

As the sun began to rise on a foggy day, morning dew clings to a Cannas plant.

An Uncommon Site (1,000 Years Ago)

The ginkgo tree and pomegranate shrub both came from far away lands to find themselves feet apart in Southern California. The Ginkgo plant is said to have originated in the mountains west of Shanghai, while the Pomegranate is believed to have originated in in eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan region. It's amazing how places apart can come together and exist side by side. Provided the right circumstances and climate.


Ginkgo Leaf.


Dwarf Pomegranate Blossom.

Los Angeles County Arboretum

Small collection of images from my day at the LA County Arboretum. I specifically was looking for shots that were geometrically similar.

Fall in Southern California

Autumn is my favorite season of the year. Unlike our neighbors to the north that experience the real Fall Colors, we in Southern California have quite a different experience. Autumn in Southern California translates as "less hot" than the previous months. While further north, Autumn is apparent anywhere you go, you usually have to hunt for it in Southern California.






Note: The sky in this image has not been enhanced.

The Grid Blues

Surrounded by the Metropolis, with its streets and canyons of buildings, all designed in grids, the hustle and bustle of a city can bring many of us down, feeling so boxed in, detached from the natural world of our origins. This image reaches out to me as a literal representation of "The Grid Blues".

Mt. Wilson

A place visited often by myself in good times and bad. This is a special sanctuary for me where I can reminisce. It is quiet, remote, and peaceful.

Both of these shots were taken in full manual with slightly different techniques. The horizontal streaks in the sky are commercial aircraft. The shorter diagonal streaks are star trails due to the longer exposure.

El Matador Beach (Sunset & Twilight)

A wide shot of El Matador's coastline. Notice the gull that lined up perfectly for this shot? ;)


As the sun began to set, I snapped away at the rock formations with focus on the beautiful reflections in the sand.


As I begin my departure from El Matador, the twilight bids me farewell.

El Matador Beach (Day)

A local painter recreates a wonderful view of El Matador.


As you climb down to the beach the beautiful rock forms, amazing lighting, and interesting textures are all breath taking.


The intense oranges in the local rock formations create an intense contrast with the sky.


A tall formation side lit by the low angle sun.

The Lonely Leaf

A leaf lit directly by the sun providing a perfect black background.

Note: Click on the image for a larger version. The reduced thumbnail version does not do justice to the level of sharpness this image displays.

Grasshoppers & Mediterranean Praying Mantid

This grasshopper's eye is reminiscent of the tiger's-eye gemstone.




I prefer Mediterranean "Preying" Mantis. I understand that officially it is a Mediterranean "Praying" Mantis, but I am not quite sure how a bug can be religious.

Beelieve It!

A female worker bee pollinates the autumn blossom of the South American Pink Silk Floss Tree. As she collects the pollen, she stores it with her pollen basket.

I have posted these images near full resolution. Click on the image you would like to enlarge. These are an absolute must for viewing in full resolution!

Colors

Updated: 10/13/2006

Various plants that had intense, yet pleasing colors to the eye.

Ceratostigma Abyssinicum


Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe Thyrisflora)


South African Honeysuckle (Turraea Obtusifolia)

Harvest Moon

Click on the image for full resolution.

Fiery Skipper - Fighter Butterfly

The Fiery Skipper butterfly is named for the resemblence of its wing to the appearance of flames. The slightly curved "tail wing" also bears a striking resemblance to the dual vertical stabilizers of an F-14 fighter plane (pictured below).

F-14 - Images courtesy of United States Air Force.


The Fiery Skipper shows off his tongue. Butterfly tongues are really a hollow tube, like a straw. The flower responsible for all the beautiful purple is a Verbena Bonariensis which all insects alike seem to enjoy.


The Fiery Skipper begins a mid-flight refuel.

Early Evening in the Valley

As the sun dips lower into the horizon, beams of light peak through creating ideal illumination for these dramatic colors.

Vivid Dancer & California Spreadwing (Damselfly vs. Dragonfly)

The Odonata ("toothed ones") includes three groups of species. The two groups that interest us for this post are Zygoptera (which includes damselflies), and Anisoptera (which includes dragonflies).


The Vivid Dancer is a member of the Zygopetera. Observe how it's wings are held above the body while at rest. This is the quickest way to identify whether you are viewing a damselfly or dragonfly. The body of damselflies are also much more slender by comparison.



The California Spreadwing is a member of the Anisoptera. It's body is quite stout in comparison to the previous Vivid Dancer. We can also quickly identify it as a dragonfly by noticing that it's wings extend to each side of the dragonfly while at rest.