Monday, December 15, 2008

Santa's Elves


Santa's Elves
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
It was cold enough to be the North Pole at the Crucible in Oakland last Sunday. The "fire arts" school's annual holiday sale provides entertainment as well as hand-made items. Here is Santa making his entrance on a fork lift with two elves whom are resting from their stints on stilts.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Sibley Labyrinth


Sibley Labyrinth
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
We often come here on the day after Thanksgiving to walk-off the food induced lethargy which overcomes us. Today it is very foggy up here on the ridge line, but for a moment the sun pierces through the mist from low on the horizon to create this warm and cold image of two of the famous labyrinths. There has been just enough rain to produce green contrast to the fall colors.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Snow in Oakland?


Snow
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
Honda Motors wanted to film a commercial featuring their vehicle in a snowy setting - so why not create a snowy setting? Here at Redwood Bowl in the Oakland hills they flocked the trees and ground with artificial snow which is very effective in creating the illusion. Too bad about the lousy photo...

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Fall Spectrum


Fall Spectrum
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
I've had a Nikon D300 since July but haven't had any time to get acquainted with it until today. Trader Joe's is selling these gourds which have a spectrum of Fall colors that need to be explored. Normally I'd stick to tradition and use only three gourds, but this arrangement gave me a better gamut of Fall colors.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Barrancas Mirador


Barrancas Mirador
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
From El Fuerte the Copper Canyon railroad "El Chepe" travels from sea level to 8000' and the rim of Barrancas del Cobre. There is a hotel here that is perched at the very edge and has views such as this one from the small patio adjoining each room. The canyon is home to Tarahumara indians who weave baskets and belts for tourists.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Blue Heron Nests


Blue Heron Nests
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
Rafting on the Rio Fuerte takes us past these blue heron nesting sites at the edge of the river.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Bougainvillea


Bougainvillea
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
We arrive in El Fuerte in the evening and marvel at this sweet colonial town on Rio Fuerte. People are out and about in the square late into the evening with music and baloon vendors. As in much of Mexico, colors are everywhere - in the flowers and buildings and on peoples' clothing. The market has a shop that sells motorcyles, refrigerators and furniture; and there are many street vendors selling their wares - DVDs, fruit, pollo, and fireworks.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Tracks


Tracks
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
Leaving from Creel, Chihuahua, the Copper Canyon railroad begins its circling descent into the canyon on its way to Divisadero and then to El Fuerte, Sinaloa. Foliage changes from pine to cacti to tropical plants as we descend from 8,000' to 700',

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Tarahumara Indian Girl


Girl
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
When we arrived at Creel from El Paso, we were met by Indian vendors selling their fabric woven belts and handbags. They are known to walk for hours just to meet the tourists to make sales.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Spring Morning


Spring Morning
Originally uploaded by SdosRemedios.
I decided to make an early visit to Sunol Regional Park to check on the wildflowers there. It's a forty minute drive from Oakland, then a thirty minute hike to this meadow along the Canyon View Trail. There were poppies and lupin in scattered bunches along the way, but this hillside covered with these tiny purple flowers made the trip worthwhile. Later in the year these hills will turn yellow and the heat here will be somewhat inhospitable.