Wings #3 (PPAC #42)

This past weekend, I walked dogs and my kid around the neighborhood. There’s this one part in our neighborhood called Plaza del Valle. From the outside or if you’re driving by, it looks like a regular strip mall. But if you stop and explore, you’ll find loads of vendors and bright murals. You’ll find more photos of my streetart walk that day on my Instagram. I could have taken more photos but people were standing in front of it. Maybe I’ll return on a less crowded day like a Tuesday or Wednesday. Or maybe on an early morning before heading to work.

Catching the light

For this week’s Lens-Artists photo challenge, It’s All About the Light, I immediately thought about Reykjavik and its two main landmarks: the Hallgrimskirkja church and the Harpa Concert Hall. I love the way those buildings capture light.

Hallgrimskirkja church – at eight in the morning…on a November day.

Harpa Concert Hall early in the morning.

Harpa Concert Hall later in the day when the sun was high. Looking at the above photo, there’s this cool transition where on the right side, it almost looks like a pencil drawing. Quite a cool effect. There’s no filter needed.

See you next time, Iceland.

Postcard pastime

Here is my postcard collection. This is only a fraction of it. I get postcards from friends when they go on their vacations and I return the favor. Plus, when I travel I sent postcards to myself. It’s my little souvenir.

I also do this thing called Postcrossing where I would send a postcard to someone in the world and I would get a postcard back. I did this in my early 20s when the thought of travelling somewhere was just a dream. At the time, I was working an entry level job so I was not making a lot of money — just enough to pay for rent, food, gas, student loans, some fun, other debts, and some savings. Receiving postcards kept my dream of travelling somewhere alive — a reason to go on vacation. I guess I did a lot Postcrossing in my early 20s because I felt like I was in a funk.

Last photo for July 2021

This post is my contribution to The Last Photo hosted by Brian at BushboysWorld. This photo is from my Samsung Galaxy S10e.

To participate:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st July.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to Brian’s post, or link in the comments.
5. Tag “The Last Photo”

Shade and shadow

“I thought the most beautiful thing in the world must be shadow.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

This week is appropriately named since it’s been so hot the last few days in Los Angeles. At some point during the week, we’ve been experiencing temperature high s 106 degrees and it’s not officially summer time! Whenever it gets this hot time I daydream about hanging out somewhere coastal…or anywhere near water really…

Amalfi Coast, Italy

Lake Tahoe, CA

Somewhere in Ventura County

Lens-Artists Challenge #152 – Shades and Shadows

Some shades and shadows around the blogosphere:

• WordsVisual – a lovely collection of shade and shadows
• Murtagh’s Meadow – How my dog looks on hot days.
• Albatz’s Travel Adventure – A gorgeous sculpture producing the loveliest shadow.
• Photography in Pearls – These birds have the right idea.
• Tish Farrell – Shadows sculpted by sand…
• Tranature – Such a peaceful collection…

Finding blues and greens in the city

The most underrated feature of LA would have to be the nature and finding it is a lot closer than you think. I enjoy going to any green space to clear my mind after a long hard week at work. I know my husband fantasizes about living in the countryside, but to be honest I think he’d be tired of it very fast. If we lived in the countryside, would we seek solace (or fun) in the city if country life got monotonous? For me, I like to think finding a piece of nature in the city is a treat.

Some hiking trail in Chatsworth

Encino Resevoir

Somewhere in Griffith Park. This is one of my favorite photo where you get the downtown LA Skyline and the Griffith Observatory.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge: Cool Colors – Blue and Green (host: Tina)

Some green and blues I came across the blogosphere:

John’s Space – featuring the most gorgeous lilacs!

Slow Shutter Speed – A beautiful ocean drive from San Jose to Pacific Grove.

Leya – A beautiful collection of greens and blues.

My Camera and I – Another beautiful collection featuring this lake.

Bulldog travels – shares photos from the Golden Gate Park Botanical Gardens. I haven’t been to that place in years. I loved how that city is so bikeable and walkable — although incredibly expensive!

P.A. Moed – Check out that mural! It’s stunning! Very Narnia like!

The Showers of Blessings – A very interesting history of peacocks in the San Gabriel area. Since I live in LA it explains some of the street names.

Bend Branches – beautiful sky shots!