Well, it has been a while since my last posting, and a lot has happened. I made a move from the Coachella Valley Desert across the country to New England. Quite a change! I had only made it here on short visits and enjoyed my time, but never thought I would like living here. Well, Autumn has totally changed my view of things. There are a lot of cloudy/rainy days here on the East Coast, but when the sun comes out it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I had the good fortune of being able to go out and photograph on one of these 'perfect' days. This image is a reflection of some trees, in full fall color, along the Charles River. I spent hours wandering and exploring the river as well as the Boston Common, just soaking in the sun and the colors. It is amazing to see the natural world put on such a colorful show as it prepares to shut down for the winter months. As the leaves drop, the space changes. The city opens up and allows more light in. The tree lined streets that were like tunnels are now open to the sky. Can't wait until their first dusting of snow...I am told it is cold. We will see!

Desert Trout

Last Wednesday, I went out on a photo adventure. The theme turned out to be water, as I started at the Coachella Valley Preserve. This Preserve sits atop the San Andreas Fault. Its main feature is a native Palm grove set among and around an oasis. I sloshed through the sulphur laden air hoping to catch a glimpse of the endangered Fringe Toad lizard (I think I did, but the little things move so fast I can't be sure). It was a surprise to see a small lake and a riparian habitat in the middle of the desert, a place known to have average temperatures of 110 degrees in the summer. From here, I headed up to the Whitewater Preserve near the Banning Pass. I approached through a narrow canyon, and passed a dry waterfall whose origin was high above on the cliff. At the end of the road was the opening to a beautiful valley with a wild stream running through it. I read on the map that I could hike all the way to the top of San Gregornio Mountain. I choose to stay near the parking lot this first time. I walked through what used to be a trout farm, and is now a part of the preserve, on a well manicured path. From here I went exploring in and around the windmill farms, then back to Palm Springs and home. On my adventure, I brought along a new film to test. Some Ilford 3200. It had to be shipped to Los Angeles to be developed and I am excited to see what I captured. Of course I brought my digital camera so that I could have some instant gratification, but for me nothing compares to properly exposed negative film. I have lived here in Palm Springs for 7 years now, and am still surprised at how much water is in the desert. My hope is that nature will continue to surprise me for years to come.

Tree in the ground

It was Thanksgiving day and my Dad and I were out on a walk looking for geocaches. Unfortunately we made a wrong turn up a long hill; at least there was a nice view. When we discovered that we had traveled in the wrong direction we turned around and started to head back. Along the way I entertained myself by taking pictures of a rock wall covered in moss and leaves. Nothing too exciting, but it was interesting enough...As I was turning my little digital camera off I glanced at the view screen (it was pointing at the ground at the time). It caught my eye and made me pause. In the frame was a 'tree' in the asphalt. What a gift it was to see! I clicked a few frames and continued walking. There were several more 'trees' along the way, that I had walked right over the first time and did not even notice. It turns out that we didn't really go the wrong direction, just not the way we had planned....