Poetic Shutterbug

Static The above photo is a photo that I digitally enhanced and named static.  This is the perfect photo for this week because it depicts the static that has imbued my mind, especially these past couple of days. When faced with a choice I always go with my gut feeling no matter how persistent my head is in telling me I am making the wrong choice.  I am in the midst of that dilemma as I write this post.  While I am almost certain I will be allowing my heart to make this decision it is still causing me much anguish and static. My two questions this week are: 1. Do you make decisions based on your gut instinct? 2. How do you know that you've made the right decision? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions.

I found the above quote on a Facebook timeline and thought it would make an interesting Thursday Two Questions subject. I do not quite agree with this quote.  I absolutely think you can go back and start over.  Examples: Getting back with an old love and starting fresh or even going back to an old job and starting fresh.  It's all about change and moving forward.  If you are the type of person who lives in the moment then I think going back with a new perspective is really moving forward in a new direction with a fresh outlook. My two questions this week are: 1.  What is your opinion on going back? 2.  Do you believe going back prevents you from moving forward? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions

Now this photo of the frazzled chicken so aptly displays how life has been over the past few weeks. For this week, my two questions are: 1.  Have you ever been frazzled to the point where you look like this chicken? 2.  How do you handle stress? Click the above widget for more Two Questions Meme fun.

Photos taken at North Lake at the Chain of Lakes in Golden Gate Park I was wandering around Golden Gate Park today searching for Sean Sidi   who went missing in San Francisco on May 21st.  Long story short, he is a regular visitor to the Botanical Garden, a sweet, quiet and unassuming young guy who is recovering from a brain injury.  Because of his brain injury he is very fragile and we are all desperate to find him.  You can read more about him by clicking his name link in this paragraph or any one of the flyer photos posted on my blog.   While searching around the chain of lakes, I came across this raccoon by the edge of the lake.  Now, although I love animals, raccoons are not my favorites, whatsoever.  I took a couple of quick shots of him then got out of that area in a hurry. My two questions this week are: 1.  Have you ever come across some wild animals where you live? 2.  If so, how did you handle the situa...

Photo taken at the San Francisco Zoo 1.  What are these two looking at? 2.  How would you caption this photo? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme Fun Visit Wordless Wednesday Visit Outdoor Wednesday Visit me on Hubpages

Photos taken at the San Francisco zoo I went to the zoo to visit my son, Wilbur.   I was walking around when I came across a group of children around 6 or 7 years old hovering over something on the ground.  They each had their phones and tablets out taking photos so of course I had to go inspect and see what was happening. To my surprise, I found two bumblebees either having a "private moment" or fighting and rolling around on the ground stuck together.  It was something I had never seen before with bumblebees, so of course, I had to take some shots.  It was interesting and a great photo opportunity.  Though even more interesting is the fact that 6 to 7 year olds had Iphones and tablets. In any case, my two questions this week are: 1.  What is the most unusual critter you have ever photographed? 2.  Do you think these two bees were fighting or having a great ole time? :) Click the above widget for more Thursday Two ...

1.  Where was this photo taken? 2.  Who do these legs and webbed feet belong to? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme fun. Visit Me On Hubpages

Metson Lake in Golden Gate Park The shot of the blue heron I was snapping right before the dog attack. Metson Lake as pictured above, located in Golden Gate Park is a nice, quiet and peaceful spot on most days.  Today, however, I am writing this on Tuesday a vicious dog, off leash, attacked me, though not seriously then went after the blue heron. I was intending to spend the day at my three favorite lakes in Golden Gate Park.  I first went to Metson Lake and saw this blue heron which I have seen there many times in the past.  While walking to the lake I spotted a woman with a very aggressive German shepherd around the area.  I took some shots of the blue heron then wanted to get closer so I walked around the lake, nearing his location.  While walking towards the heron, there was a guy who was nearby, meditating by the water.  As I approached the heron I saw the woman and her vicious dog round the corner and her saying " come on let's go...

All of these photos were taken at ocean beach.  I was out in the area taking shots for some hublpages posts when I happened to see this guy atop that huge rock across from the Cliff House.  Now I want you to look closely at the first photo in the middle top of the rock so that you can see just how huge this rock really is in comparison to this guy standing on top of it.  He was pacing back and forth on the rock for at least ten minutes.  I began snapping shots of him because I was scared to death he would fall and at least there would be photos to identify him.  He really scared me.  I was just about to call the police when he began climbing down the rock.  This particular area is very dangerous and you are warned not to climb any cliffs or rocks out there. There is only one person I can think of that many of you know who would do this and that is Betchai :) My two ?'s today are: 1. Are you a daredevil? 2. Is there anything y...

Photos taken at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park As many of you know I visit my favorite lake, Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park on a regular basis.  I love the lake itself and have quite a few feathered friends there.  On my last trip I bonded with this seagull pictured above.  At first he/she was a little afraid of me but after I began assuring him that I was there just to visit and take photos of him, he began posing for me.  Yes, I know.  I go to lakes and talk to birds so I must need to get a real life :) My questions for you this week are: 1.  Do you talk to the animals when you visit them? 2.  Do you think it is possible to bond with them? I'm not talking about your pets,  but animals in the wild. Visit me on Hubpages Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme fun.

The Chinese Chestnut Tree, my favorite tree at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. I have begun writing again on Hubpages  and Bubblews , thanks Icy  for the info on Bubblews.  My passion for writing has been refreshed and I find I am writing on a daily basis which means I am finally making money writing.  It's a great feeling. What I also have found is that I just don't have enough time in the day between going to work, writing and photographing.  I know many of you who read this blog are writers, photographers and artists.  My two questions for you this week are: 1.  How do you find time each day to pursue your creative talents? 2.  Do you set priorities? Also a side note to all of you.  The heart versus head working situation I have experienced in the past month or so has been resolved with a positive outcome.  I am still working at my beloved garden with a promotion and raise in hand.  I thank y...

Photo courtesy of news.yahoo.com As you all have heard, Beyonce sang the National Anthem during the inauguration. It was soon after reported that she lip synced during her performance.  Whether that is true or not, I do not know but to be very honest, I really don't care.  While I normally look at lip syncing as "cheating" there could have been a very good reason for her deciding to lip sync to a prerecorded version of the song Beyonce is known for being a perfectionist and she certainly can sing.  It is possible that her voice for whatever reason that day was not perfect and rather than deliver a sub par performance for an important occasion like an inauguration, lip syncing was a better option. I had a heated debate with a friend on this subject.  My friend thought it was not only cheating but unprofessional and just plain wrong to lip sync.   So, my two questions for you this week are: 1. What are your views on lip syncing? 2. ...

ORIGINAL PHOTO In Black and White In Blue I took this photo at Metson Lake and decided to play around with it using my photo software program which was already on the computer when I bought my laptop.  I am one who does not like tweaked photos as I always like the true essence of an original photo.  The only thing I do tweak is the focus because I use my zoom lens much of the time. However, I decided to play around with the original on this shot and change the colors.  While I do like the black and white shot, I still enjoy the original much more. So many people use photoshop and tweak their photos to a point where they look fake and for me REAL is what's important in photography. My 2 ?'s this week are: 1.  Do you use any type of photo editing software? 2. Do you prefer tweaked or the original photo? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme fun

Photos taken at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park Everybody needs beauty as well as bread... where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. John Muir I wholeheartedly believe in this quote by John Muir.  I have found that I need to get out in nature every single day.  Lloyd Lake which is depicted in the photos is one of my favorite places to escape.  It provides the tranquil setting I need to rejuvenate.  I think we all have that one special place that fuels our spirit. My two questions this week are: 1. What or where is it that fuels your spirit? 2. Do you get out in nature on a regular basis? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions Meme fun.

I have to admit I had a difficult time coming up with any questions today.  My mind  was a blank, as it normally is on my days off work :) Then I looked through my photos that I took at the garden yesterday and thought  I'd ask all of you... 1. What is this? I will give all of you the answer next week. 2. Do you have ever have trouble coming up with two questions? Click the above widget for more Thursday 2 ? fun

I went to my local neighborhood mall yesterday to wander around and see the Christmas tree.  The stores were buzzing with excitement with lines of people checking off their holiday lists and children running around playing with motorized cars and toys.   What really struck me was the fact that Santa was all alone for a very long time.  He looks pretty lonely there doesn't he? I watched him for a little while, while taking shots of the mall decorations.  I thought to myself maybe I should go sit on his lap and tell him what I want for Christmas.  I actually thought it would be kind of fun until I realized that when asking myself what I wanted for Christmas, my mind went completely blank.  Why? It's because I have all I want and need.  There is absolutely nothing I want. For me, especially this year giving is much more important than receiving.  I have always considered holidays such as Christmas, Valentines Day etc... as an excuse ...

Some might say I've got rocks in my head and I would have to agree.  Ever since I can remember I have had a fascination with rocks.  I know, I need to get a life :)   When I visit the beach which I did recently, I took more photos of rocks then I did the actual ocean.  I love the textures, shapes, colors and the shadow and imprints the rocks create on the sand.  As a photographer, rocks provide me with endless photo opportunities.  Some might find this strange yet for me it's as normal as can be. My two questions this week are: 1,  What do you most enjoy photographing? 2.  What is the strangest thing you have ever photographed? Photos taken at Ocean Beach in San Francisco Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions

Photos taken yesterday, 11/13/12 in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco We have been having such beautiful weather here in San Francisco that I've been taking advantage of the blue skies and sun by taking day trips out through Golden Gate Park.  I love walking the park, visiting my favorite lakes and just taking in all of the natural beauty. I came across another photographer in the park and we sat for a while and discussed seasons.  He mentioned that although the park is beautiful, there are no remnants of Autumn.  He was traveling through San Francisco by way of Washington and Oregon where he experienced Fall colors and weather.  He told me "it is just too green around San Francisco." I explained that we do not have seasons in SF and this time of year is normally warmer than usual for us.  I have lived in SF all my life and although I do miss Autumn colors and snow in the Winter, I thoroughly enjoy the unpredictability of our weather. ...