The beautiful gardens of Filoli in Woodside, CA

Eric and I are recently back from a trip to the West coast.  We stayed overnight at an airport near SFO so we could meet up with my cousin whom I hadn't seen in 20+ years.  She's an administrator at the wonderful Filoli Home and Gardens in Woodside, CA, about 30 miles south of SFO.  What a treat!
One reviewer said, "Filoli is a place of grace and serenity where you can tend to your soul."  We agree .. This was one of our favorite places on earth .. Possibly even rivaling Monet's garden at Giverny.  A must see!  Here are some of the images, more than I generally post, but with a place this gorgeous, I just had to share more ..
(Click on any photo to enlarge).

To read more about Filoli, click here ..

Pasadena CA on a quiet Thursday

My husband Eric and I recently returned from a 9-day trip out west.  Here are a few photos from our first destination, Pasadena CA.  Rather than lug my heavy 70-200 mm lens, I opted instead to take my "walk around" Nikkor lens, the 18-200mm, paired with my D300s body.  The glass is not so great and the images not so sharp, but since this wasn't a paying job, it worked fine for posting photos online and for preparing photo books.   (Click on any photo to enlarge).

This sweeping staircase was a block or so away from the Pasadena Convention Center.

The shopping area recently passed its 10-year mark on the store leases.  I was told that some of the larger name stores left and the mall is still working on regaining customer traffic.  Since there were so few people walking around, I felt like I had the whole place to myself .. Paradise!

Telephone lines and road signs are the bane of all photographers.  To get his shot, I walked several blocks toward the mountains.  On the way, I discovered the gorgeous Pasadena City Hall, below.

Pasadena City Hall with the pair of otters playing in the fountain in the foreground.  Click here to see a 360 panoramic view of the City Hall.

I'm still editing all the photos from this trip, close to 1,000 frames.  Next up will be the marvelous gardens of Filoli, in the South Bay.

To view my website, click here .. and to become a fan of my FaceBook page, please visit here.  Thank you!

Arlington Cemetery burial of LCDR Edward James Broms, Jr.

My husband, Eric, as Curator of Aviation for the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum in NYC, has contact with many of the Intrepid's former crew members and their families.  Thousands of sailors called Intrepid their home.  One of them was LCDR Edward James Broms, Jr.  He was lost in Vietnam, in the Tonkin Gulf, on August 1, 1968 after flying off Intrepid.  His remains were not found until recently, when positive identification was finally made through DNA testing.
Eric and I were invited by the family to attend, and photograph, LCDR Broms' funeral service at Arlington Cemetery on Friday, September 7, 2012.  Here are some of the images:  (Click on any photo to enlarge).

The caisson arriving at the Old Post Chapel in Fort Myer, VA

Fellow Naval officers carry the flag and the remains of LRDR Broms following the service.

Dozens of soldiers and a full military band awaited outside the Chapel.

Following the band and the caisson, the family walked to the gravesite, followed by an entourage of vehicles of invited guests.

A timeless scene .. The caisson making its way through the green hills of Arlington National Cemetery.

Preparing for the graveside service.

Missing man formation.

Taps was played.

Naval officer presenting the flag to LCDR Broms' sister, Marjorie.

Following the solemn ceremony was a lovely reception at the Washington Golf and Country Club.  Eric presented Marjorie Broms Waddell with a piece of Intrepid's flight deck and a certificate to dedicate a Seat of Honor aboard Intrepid in his honor.

I've prepared a 27-page 8" x 8" hardcover book containing 80 photos of the ceremony and reception which is available to family and friends of LCDR Broms'.  Kindly contact me for information.

To view my website, please visit .. Proof Positive Photography.

Washington D.C. Monuments

This past weekend, my husband Eric and I spent a long weekend in Washington, D.C. Here are a few of my images of the major monuments.  A wonderful place .. Bring your walking shoes!

Nikon D300S with Nikkor 18-200 mm lens.  Not my best lens for clarity, but sufficient for the task at hand.

Taken just after sunset.  The camera read this blue, not my eyes.  Liked the effect, so kept it as is.  ISO 3200, F/4.5, handheld at 1/10s.  One of those few times when I wish I'd brought my tripod.

Our Country's capitol.  We also toured the adjoining (via tunnel) Library of Congress.  Not to be missed.

The White House.

Jefferson Memorial in soft light.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The Korean War Memorial features 19 soldiers whose images are reflected in the granite wall seen in the background.  The wall is sandblasted with photos of the soldiers lost.  Very moving.

Soldiers monument at the Vietnam War Memorial.

Proud to be an American.

Our Backyard Birds

We've got a wonderful flock of birds in our yard who provide endless hours of entertainment for us.  We watch them every day and get to know them as individuals.  We post regularly to our bird book and have counted 30 different types so far.  They're always in the good company of several chipmunks and many squirrels as well.  Here are a few recent images, all shot with my Nikon D300S and my 70-200mm VR II lens .. Click on any photo to enlarge.

 This Grackle took a refreshing bath and sat there for the longest time, cooling his tail in the water.

 Ah, that awkward teenage transition from juvenile to adult as they get their full feathers in.

 One of our bird feeders, this one outside the kitchen window.  The three little guys on the window sill are in what we call "the waiting room."  The Sparrows figured out that only 2-3 birds can be on the feeder at the same time.  They are patient, but territorial.

 A drowsy baby Sparrow in the sunshine on our backyard bench.

 Abstract Sparrow on umbrella.

 Male Goldfinch in flight.

 Nuthatch looking for something good in there.

Very young Chickadee still going through transitions with his feathers.  Adorable!

For more photos, please visit my soon-to-be re-vamped website ..Click here.

Ramapo Rally - BTCNJ - Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey 2012

Every year for the past five years, Eric and I have worked a rest stop for the riders who participate in our Club's annual Ramapo Rally, held each August in the hills of Northern New Jersey.  This year, we chose the Denville Rest Stop which takes care of hungry and thirsty riders doing either 100 or 125 miles.  We had perfect weather and a great team.  Here are some of the photos from the day.  (Click on any photo to enlarge).

Our theme again this year was "Tropical Paradise" .. The riders enjoyed our hula girl and the upbeat Summer music as they took a breather before going back on the road.

The gorgeous weather brought out 1,100 pre-registered riders for the Rally and we estimate another 300 or so showed up that morning to ride. 

 This guy just couldn't resist a little dance to loosen up his legs.

 Felipe, our on-site bike mechanic from Bicycle II Shop on Route 17, helped riders with flats and other mechanical issues.

We spent the day making PB&J sandwiches and making sure that the fruit was freshly cut and the water and Gatorade jugs were full and cold.

 One of the many pelotons which rolled into the site for a brief rest and some refreshments.

To learn more about our club, please visit http://www.btcnj.com/
For more photos of events of all kinds, please visit my soon-to-be re-vamped website ..Click here.