My Very Favorite Burning Man Photo

After the epic two hour dust storm, the sun came out along with a glorious triple rainbow!

Secret View, January 14th

A lovely view from the inside of the Oakland Tribune building.

Early Morning Golden Gate, January 13th

Okay, I admit it, every now and again I have to reach over and pull my camera out of my purse when I am driving.

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Birthday Portrait, January 12th

Another Morning at Bikini Boot Camp, January 11th

Sunrise in My Window, January 10th

Another amazing sunrise in Tulum. Here, the sun and sea reflected in the window of the "treehouse".

Urban Tumbleweed

What kept catching my eye in New York was all of the abandoned broken umbrellas. (I thought about photographing every one, I didn't) and the wind-blown trash that gets stuck in the spiky wire at the top of fences. Here is an urban tumbleweed, a tangle of wire with plastic.

Yes, I have gotten behind on my blog. Today I renew my pledge though I am modifying it to post one photo a day, not necessarily shot that day. I would rather share favorite shots, and will post something from that day when possible. (more likely on the weekends and days off)

Morning Clouds, January 9th

My bed was right next to the window and the morning sunrise would wake me up every day. This morning, the clouds were especially lovely!

Swimming in the Cenotes, January 8th

I was awed by the cenotes, I thought it would be best to quote from the website, "Yucatan Today" to explain what they are:

The Maya called them dzonot (ZO-note), which the conquering Spaniards translated as cenote (say– NO–tay.) Giraldo Diaz Alpuche, was a military commander in the 16th Century who was greatly impressed with these underground caverns and pools, and he tried to explain the meaning of the word cenote in the Spanish language as meaning "deep thing". The Motul dictionary, a dictionary of Mayan hieroglyphics, defines dzonot as "abysmal and deep".

Cenotes are magical, enigmatic and unique in the world and were once the only resource for fresh, sweet water in the local Yucatecan jungle. They were the sacred places of the Maya for that reason, but also because they represented the entrance to the underworld.

The Yucatan Peninsula is a porous limestone shelf with no visible rivers; all the fresh water rivers are underground. Being porous, caverns and caves formed where the fresh water collects – hence the cenotes or water sink holes. The water that gathers in these subterranean cenotes is a crystal clear turquoise color with a very pleasant temperature of 78°'b0.

The stalactites and stalagmites that form inside the cenotes are true natural works of art. In many, holes in the ceiling allow the sunlight to filter into the cenotes, giving the scene a magical feeling. The cenotes of Yucatan are a natural treasure that should be seen by all, keeping in mind that they should be protected so that man does not destroy in a few days what nature took millions of years to create.

We had the chance to swim around with mask and snorkel, and it was breathtaking. Beautiful and creepy. I was lucky to swim near some divers and was able to see far down into the caves below thanks to their flashlights.

The trees growing on the edge in the sand caught my eye, and the leaves floating on the surface.

See the Ruins; Go to the Beach, January 7th

We reached the Mayan ruins called Zama after a great five mile bike ride. Thoughtfully stairs down to the beach have been provided, in case you get too hot standing in the sun contemplating the ancient stones. I loved this view down to the beach with the wooden stairs in front and the horizon so far in the distance.

A Windy Day at the Beach, January 6th

Keeping the mosquitos at bay. Thankfully the gray skies are always fleeting and the sun usually comes out in time for a few hours relaxing on the beach.

First View Amansala, January 5th

Arriving at Amansala in the early evening. What a magical place. I think I am going to like it here. The chairs arranged around the table were welcoming, and the lounge chairs on the beach promised relaxation tomorrow.

Sky Over Silverlake January 4th

Winter in LA

Leaving LAX we passed a giant doughnut with a seagull standing guard on top. The winter light, with a storm coming in, reminds me of a fifties travel postcard.

St.Francis of Fairfax

I never realized what a wistful face this St.Francis has, he was salvaged from a neighbor's dumpster and re-located to my backyard.
Leaving for Los Angeles today and on to Tulum. Not sure if I will be able to post every day, I will catch up when I get home if necessary.

Good Morning 2008

A clear and cold morning. Beautiful light in the backyard, an auspicious beginning for 2008.
Is there a theme for this blog? What will tie these 366 Photos (or more) together?
I hope to capture what I see in the world. What I find meaningful. What is beautiful to me. To develop my eye. To develop a photographic style that is consistent. To improve my technical skills.
Lastly and most importantly, to liberate and nurture my creative self!
Please bear with me as I learn how to make this work stylistically! And grow comfortable with sharing my pictures and thoughts.
Happy New Year! May 2008 be a year of self-expression and joy for us all!




This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorries,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever come,
Because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.

-Rumi
Translation by Coleman Barks