Monthly Macro

So, after complaining about not wanting to have a photo project that was too consuming, I ended up with two.

 

Naturally.

 

Because I always make so much sense.

Or not.

 

Project One will be a monthly macro. 12 bugs. Hopefully 12 different bugs.

 

I really like doing macro stuffs, but it's not as easy or off-the-cuff as, say, just shooting the dogs while we are out hiking. You need to think and plan and not drink too much coffee before. It's also easy to get stuck with the pollinators since they are the easiest to deal with. They are everywhere so easy to find. They also tend to stay in one place for a while and don't run off. I am hoping that having a project will motivate me a bit. Maybe even find some springtails before the year is out.

 

January, though? Sorry, boring honey bee.

 

 

Project Two is a canine version of a Big Year. Try to photograph as many different breeds and/or dog sports as you can. k-Koira has started a flickr group and y'all are welcome to join us...

 

Dog Breed/Sport Challenge flickr group

 

Finally!

Something other than Robins on the fruit!

 

Waxwings!

 

Yay!

 

 

They really are a stunning bird, yes?

 

 

Of course, I had my macro lens on as I thought I would bug hunt whilst dog walking. I had to hide the dogs behind a dumpster so I could sneak up on the birds.

 

Apparently this is offensive.

 

 

To both of them

 

 

My good down-staying dogs

 

 

Kept entertained by grass eating and passer-by-er’s. Toddlers smell interesting.

 

 

Six in the bush!

 

 

I guess I need to try again tomorrow now that I know they are there.

So Much Yelling!

Get off me!

 

Get away from me!!

 

I have a baby!

 

Me, too!!

 

So do I!!!

 

I am yelling even though I am alone and no one is bothering me just because I can!!!!

 

Good god, right?

 

There was some peace.

 

Hola!

 

Emo seal has a sad

 

Not much peace, though, with the all the babies and testosterone laden males about.

 

Interesting time of year for ye old elephant seals. Interesting day to shoot, too. Light was weird to deal with. Foggy, then not, then foggy again, then sort of yellowish, more fog, some sun, more fog, etc. One minutes like this…

 

Then some this…

 

Then like that…

 

Not exactly an attractive bunch, right?

 

Even the babies are a little fugly

 

Nothing fugly about our coast, though.

 

Fog or not, it is an awesome place to be

 

Naturally, it cleared completely after the tour was over.

 

Anna’s hummingbird male showing off in the sun

 

Was perfect back in the parking lot for the line dancing blackbirds

 

If you are in the area and have a chance to do the tour at Año Nuevo State Park I would try to make that happen.

 

Awesome afternoon!

Indoor Birding

@ Mineta San José International Airport

The Terminal B flock of randy cowbirds

 

 

A stress-free way to pass the time

 

 

Southwest thinks of everything

 

Can't Be Good At Everything

Goofy Old Ladies

These pictures are awful. Still love them though. ‘Tis a rare occurrence. Even rarer to have some sort of evidence.

 

Bella being a goof.

 

She was never really silly, even as a puppy. She would play with another dog occasionally if at home and there was only one other dog, never interested in dog-dog playtime outside of the house, though.

 

She’s people person.

 

And, oddly enough, she seems to get the zoomies in the same place at Sunol. There are tree patches, but mostly looks like this…

 

 

But just past where we normally meet the cows Bella becomes a free spirit.

 

 

So free, in fact, that she ignores my pleas to please be cute on the other side of the trail so the sun is behind me?

 

In typical Kate fashion, it never occurs to her to get Bell to play, but if Bella takes the lead? It’s totally on, sister!

 

 

The arm!

 

 

The sideways glances!

 

 

Bella with a puffy cat tail!

 

 

So fun to watch! Silly old ladies.

 

 

Once they are done? Sure, now you go on the other side. Typ.

 

 

And, because I am dog free this evening because I am headed to the airport in the morning and so bored, super random list of shit….

 

1.  Thanks to Anon super hero commenter for tipping me off to the content thief. Someone was literally copy/pasting entire posts and just replacing my references to Kate and Bella with her own (alleged) dogs names. Weird, right? No attempt at all to hide the stealing. I guess the she doesn’t really get the point of blogging? That leads to me to 2
2. WordPress.com folks are on the ball. That shit got pulled less than 2 hours after my email to them. Thanks bunches! 
3. Sorry for enabling comment moderation. I really hate it, but have been getting a shit load of spam lately and not just the usual dog-beds-for-sale crap, like lots of porn stuff. Which is weird on so many levels.
4. Will.i.am is a damn genius
5. If you call me and ask for help and I tell you I am super busy and will come help you in 25 minutes, getting up from your desk and walking to mine is not going to help anyone. Nor will it free up my time. We will just both be really uncomfortable when I tell you to go away. These are usually the same people who email you and then call you to tell you they sent you an email. 
6.  Tail-gaiting does not make someone go faster. Like, ever. 
7. It’s weird to not have to go straight home after work to feed and/or potty dogs. And, not in a good way. I will also not have Bella’s butt on my ear tonight. :(

Happy New Year!

Emphasis on the "happy"