4th of July Backyard Fireworks

I'm pretty lucky that anytime there is a firework show, I can step out onto my porch or watch from my kitchen windows.  This year for the the 4th, I opted to stay in for the night and set up camera to catch the display.  I live a few miles from downtown L.A and last night, there were at least 3 or 4 displays going in my area--from the South, the West and the East.  Facing south with my camera set up was the best option although it was the farthest view.  Here are the pics from last night's show after they were cleaned up with Photoshop.

What was really exciting was, before the sky got completely dark, I looked over towards the western sky and noticed Venus making an appearance.
 

Closeup of Venus sans telescope

 

 

 

 

 

I got mooned!

One of my photography goals in life was to be able to take a picture of the moon with the crater details.  Which is a bit hard for me to achieve considering that I don't have a dslr (I have a hybrid camera which is a cross between a slr and a point and shoot).  But I try to take in as much info as I can on how to take moon photography with the type of camera I have.  In case you're wondering, it is possible to take a good picture of the moon not looking like a bright white dot with a point and shoot camera as long as the conditions are right and you have the tools for them.

This is how they usually turn out.

Tonight on my way home from work, I spotted the moon just as I was near my apartment and I was in awe at how low it was and how orange and not bright like it normally was.  Those were the perfect conditions for me and I hauled ass home before the moon left.  And here is my lucky shot.  This is what I've wanted (preferable without the wires photobombing my moon but I live in the city).  This is still a pretty rad shot for me tho.

California to Arizona to California

One of my favorite road trips is the drive from Los Angeles to Phoenix.  I don't know what it is about the drive but it puts me in a different state of mind.  I love getting up at 2am-ish and leaving by 3 or 4am to make the trip.  With that being said, here are some pictures from my too short trip.  While there, we went to the Desert Botanical Garden, I saw my friend, El Badgedor in Tempe and caught The XX while there.

Sunrise

Sunrise

Sunrise

At the family's

A neighborhood quail

Cactus pear flower

A bee in a cactus flower in the front yard

Backyard yellow back spiny lizard

Desert Botanical Garden

Cactus Wren

Cactus wren mama feeding her babies

The only hummingbird pic I was able to get and it came out fantastic

 

Tempe

Took a really short hike up to Hole in the Rock

The view on the other side is spectacular

The XX at The Marquee Theater, April 15, 2013

The XX at The Marquee Theater, April 15 2013

Malibu Trip

I went to Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu earlier this week for a much needed trip to the beach.  Actually went to go see the sunset but it was too cold and too cloudy.  Next time.

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Full of Love Today

As I was in the shower today, I felt an overwhelming feeling of love.  I don't know why and I'm not questioning it.  Maybe it's because I talked to my parents briefly today.  Maybe it's because my crush smiled at me today.  Maybe it's just because.  Whatever the reason, have some. 

Photos and captions are mine.  Feel free to pin and share.  If you feel the love, spread it.  Safely, of course ;)

Some Fancy Pictures From This Weekend.

I went to a 16th birthday for my friend's daughter this weekend.  The party was held during the day at Busby's East in Los Angeles and I never noticed much of the decor (mostly because the few times I've been, it was dark and crowded with drunkassery).  But wow!  I was in hog heaven with so many photo ops.  These are just a few of my favorites from the party.  I couldn't decide for two which looked better either in color or black and white so I'm sharing both versions.

Instagram Bandwagon

I just got on Instagram recently and I'm already addicted. I love being able to use the filters artisfy (i made that up :) my images and to share with the world. Here's just a few of my favorite ones that I took. If you would like to stalk me, I would welcome it :)

Sequoia National Park Roadtrip

My friend and I took a 2 day trip up to Sequoia National Park to play with the trees and to chase some squirrels.  I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

Kings Canyon Falls

A not so shy chipmunk

Sequoias at Grant Grove

Early morning sighting of the moon

General Sherman Tree

Sunset on our first night

Oh my stars!

Spider web