A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

There is a large reservoir around the corner from my apartment.  On nice days it is really wonderful to walk over to the reservoir and then walk the path around it a couple times.  I just have to watch out for the geese.

(Side note: All of these photos were taken on my iPhone.  I am continually amazed at what it can do.)

Leaf Peeping

Life On The Deck

The decks at my parents house are gathering places for all kinds of critters. The top deck sees it's fair share of squirrels (which Arrow hates), various species of birds, and one chipmunk called Bob. I love Bob and was able to get a few shots of him and his friends last weekend. Behold - Bob!  (And Friends)

Spring Into Summer

We've Had Some Rain, Clearly

Foggy Bottom

No, these pictures were obviously not taken in Foggy Bottom.  I just like saying Foggy Bottom.  Foggy Bottom, Foggy Bottom, FOGGY BOTTOM!  Okay I'm done.  

The fog in these pictures is a frequent visitor in the Napa Valley.  Fog will settle in over the valley, leaving the mountains on either side in the sunshine.  It looks like an ocean or lake.  Or maybe like someone dropped dry ice into the valley.  

Last Hurrah

Eye Candy

Darkness Falls

Naturally

Sometimes, when I am feeling a need for fresh air, I go on a walk up my driveway with my camera and Macro lens and see what I can capture.  For those of you not familiar with the property, my driveway is about a quarter mile long and bordered on one side by a creek and forest and the other by grasses and more forest.  It's not your ordinary driveway.  

Here are some of the things I captured. 

Ladies In Waiting

My mother recently purchased a tub (tupperware? box?) of ladybugs to release into her garden.  I saw this as the perfect opportunity to get some great shots of these normally elusive little ladies.  

A Case Of The Yicks

I have been sick with some sort of stomach bug for the last few days.  It's a nasty bug - fever, throwing up, body aches, etc.  You know, the kind of bug that made me lose 7 pounds in 7 days.  Yeah, no fun.

While I am recovering, I am going to share some lovelier images with you.  My mother's gardens are amazing right now.  Particularly her roses.  I thought I would share some pictures of them along with a picture of the roses floating in her new garden fountain.  I don't so much garden.  The whole dirt thing is kinda yicky.  Sometimes I will get into it, but she is the true green thumb in the family.

Valley Views

This picture is from a beautiful vineyard that my mom used to work at.  It takes a while to get there, but it is so worth it.

Sunset Over The Mayacamas

I actually considered not stopping to take these pictures because I was so tired. I'm glad that I did.  Sometimes it is nice to get away from the constraints of the clock and just "be".