Farmer's Market

On Saturday we did a quick trip up to Arcata, CA and back. We went to watch Annika play in an Ultimate Tournament. Before the tournament we decided to hit the farmer's market. It was really crowded so we had to park about five blocks away. I didn't want to leave Badger the Wonder Dog in a hot car so I decided to bring him along which turned out to be a pain because they don't allow dogs into the market. In the end we took turns going through the stalls and holding the dog. The end result was I didn't get much time for photography. It was kind of a speed photo walk through the veggies. Afterwards we went and watched Annika play. She scored one goal and her team won their match against the Humboldt Hags. After the match we had a great dinner of crepes at Renatas. A lovely time was had by all. Enjoy the veggies and God bless, chris All images were made with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF-S 17-85 mm lens handheld and on the run!

Singing Joyously

On Friday I made a quick one day trip up to Arcata to pick up Jay from college. Upon arrival I found out that Jay had one paper left to finish up for his last final. By then it was mid morning so the lighting for photography was pretty bright and flat. With some time on my hands I headed first to the Arcata Marsh. The sparrows there were in the topmost branches of the tallest plants singing their hearts out. After a short tour of the marsh I pointed the nose of the car northward up highway 101 to Trinidad. The normally sleepy little town of Trinidad was full of people! I've never seen so many people there before. I talked to a ranger and found out they were dedicating the lighthouse in a big ceremony. Not one for crowds I didn't stay long and instead headed a short distance up the coast to College Cove. Once there I hit the trails and found a profusion of wildflowers, flying gulls and seals basking on the rocks. It was a great hike before heading back down to Arcata to help Jay clear out his apartment and the drive home through the redwoods. God bless, chris All photography was done with a Canon 7D at a variety of settings and exposures.

Quick Stop at the Waterfall

This morning I drove up to Arcata, California with Jay. Along the way we stopped at the Frank and Bessie Smith Redwood Grove for a short hike to the Dora Creek Waterfall. On my return I stopped at the Arcata Marsh and was simply astonished at the massive shorebird migration that was underway.Hundreds of thousands of shorebirds. Parts of the bay looked like they were moving due to the masses of birds feeding. Then I drove southward towards home through the Avenue of the Redwoods and was humbled by God's creation. Grove after grove of tall dark mysterious Redwood trees. Now I'm totally bushed. God's love and blessings to all, chris

I Think the Fog is Chasing Me!

I should have known it would be foggy! Today I drove Jay back up to college in Arcata,Ca. As soon as we got past Garberville on Highway 101 it turned foggy. Jay and I had a great time talking, visiting the Arcata Marsh and going out to lunch etc. After dropping him off at his dorm I decided to check out the Eel River bottom lands around Ferndale on the way home. In the past it has always been a great spot for birds. The fog was actually far worse there. I did get one great opportunity to put my camera to use, I parked the car to look at some shorebirds and a flock of Tundra Swans flew right by in the fog. I just love that sound! God bless, chris

HSU

Yesterday I was up in Eureka for a doctors appointment. While I was up there I thought I would walk around and check out Humboldt State University as that is one of the schools my son Jay is applying to for this next fall.

I was really impressed how clean the campus was. There was an interesting mix of new buildings with some that have definitely seen better days.In checking out the Wildlife and Fisheries Building I found a really cool greenhouse next to it that was open to the public. Stepping inside was a nice experience. It was divided up into various rooms cactus, tropical plants ferns etc. I could see myself escaping there to study on a cold winters day.

God's blessings to all,

chris