Pirate's treasure

Even fairies cannot resist pirates treasure.

Photographs taken with a Canon 40D. Exposure 1/100 s at f/8. ISO 200, artificial light source. Focal length 24mm. Setting is Montgomery Woods.

Dry-dock

Dry-docked boat at Noyo Harbor.

This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D. Ft. Bragg, CA in Mendocino County. Exposure 1/160 s at f/5.6. ISO 125. Focal length 28 mm.

Young Warrior

Deep in the forest
where the dragons dwell
lives a young warrior
Gabriel
stout of heart
pure of mind
courageous as a lion

Gabriel waves his sword
ready to do battle
dragons tremble
flames lick Gabriel's shield
he stands strong
roars of pain fill the air

All is quiet
the dragon flees
Gabriel stands alone


Photo taken in Montgomery Woods, Orr Springs Rd.
Exposure 1/60s at f/3.5 with pop-up flash. ISO 200

Coast at Ft. Bragg

Every time I go to the coast, I am reminded that I live in a very special part of California. I must confess, I do not know the exact name of this spot of beach. All I can tell you is that it is just north of Pudding Creek Bridge and is a popular spot with surfers.

I ended up here with the Willits Photography Club after we visited guest speaker Ron LeValley at the Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery in Ft. Bragg. Ron directed us to this portion of coast as a great place to take photographs. Club members Steve, Jain, Josh, Gary, Erin and I went to check out the wave action.

We had a lovely day.

On the Eel

Sun-rays gently beating down
grasses swaying in the breeze
cool clear water
darting fish flashing rainbow colors
butterflies fluttering
bees buzzing
lizards doing push-ups on the rocks
all part of the experience of the Eel River









This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D north east of Willits, CA in Mendocino County. Exposure 1/200 s at f/10. ISO 100. Focal length 28 mm.

In the Mystic Woods

I walk, daydreaming as I go
Drinking in the mystic woods,
When to my surprise
She appears before me
sitting by a pool,
unaware of my approach.

I stop, excitement swelling in my chest
not daring to breath,
Real, or a figment of my imagination?
I am afraid to blink
lest she disappear.

Safety at the Carnival

Ring of Fire, assembled by a master mechanic.

The carnival run by family company Johnston Amusements arrives every year like clockwork the week preceding the rodeo. Like modern day gypsies, the carnies move from town to town six months out of the year, setting up and taking down enormous rides with skill. Gordon Johnston proudly asserts that his company has the safest record in California, eight years without an incident. I believe this, for I have watched and documented his workers for the past two years transform misc. parts into magnificent rides rising above the trees. To watch, you have to have a lot of time and patience. Hurry up and wait sums up the experience. Like a giant transformer emerging from a sleep, each piece is unfolded from its cramped position, workers inspect and grease every joint and movable part. Smaller parts are unpacked, inspected and attached to the ride.

I have never seen people who work as hard as the carnies do. One young man told me, I make a decent paycheck, and I have a job in this economy.

Johnston Amusements will return to Mendocino County in the fall at the Mendocino County Fair in Booneville.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D.