Category: Nikon

“The Suicide Squad”

Posted in California, Nikon, Photography, TravelTagged , , 4 Comments

Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac.  All Rights Reserved.

Portuguese & Azorean Style California Bloodless Bullfights

Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac

I first read about these Bloodless Bullfights in California 5 or 6 yrs ago. Since that moment I’ve had attending one on my “Bucket List”. When I was a girl I would watch the Bullfights on TV while other kids were watching cartoons. I loved the drama, the costumes, and the crowds shouting Ole!  Recently I went to a Portuguese Bloodless Bullfight. Bloodless because in CA it’s illegal to kill the bull. They use a  “velcro dart” to stab the bull. The bull wears a large piece of fabric on its neck that also has Velcro to keep the “dart” somewhat secure.

I had so much fun. The costumes are as colorful, and fancy as I had hoped, the horses are magnificent, the Matador, and the bulls are passionate, and thrilling! I even shouted Ole!

There is an order to how things are done I’ve learned.

First come the Forcados-(Forcado means Pitchfork) Eight men that line up to face the bull and stop him in his tracks. The lead man faces the bull and draws his attention then he eggs him on to charge him, and perform the “Pega de Cara” (face catch). Literally the lead man takes a full hit of the charging bull who grabs the face and head of the bull then the other men  jump on to stop the bull’s charge.

Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac

Once the bull has been stopped all but one man let go of the bull. The last man has the bull by the tail. The bull chases the man around and around in a circle trying to catch him, but does not succeed.

Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac

These men are not professional bullfighters and have no training or credentials for becoming a Forcado, but they must follow the traditions of old the moment they step into the arena.

It’s insanely fun, and exciting to watch!

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 lens| Induro CF213 Tripod

1st Summit to Mission Peak

Posted in California, hikes, Nikon, Nikon D90, PhotographyTagged , , 2 Comments
1st Summit to Mission Peak, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

My husband whom I call Heman has been hiking a lot with me these last 2 months. We’ve hiked to Black Mountain 2 times, and up and down the PG&E trail quite a few times so I thought he might like to hike up to Mission Peak. He’s never done it before after-all.
Today he asked me if I wanted to hike up to Vista Point this afternoon, and I said how about Mission Peak instead. He hesitated a moment then said, “Why not.”
I took him up Horse Heaven Trail, and we descended via the Peak Trail.

He felt great. I didn’t. Horse Heaven nearly beat me today. I kept going and made it up to take this photo of Heman. I call him Heman because he can open jars  with his bare hands! He doesn’t  have to bang the lid with a knife, or some other blunt object, and he can do anything that requires muscles and strength, and he can lift me up over his head! Yes, both he and my son have on more than one occasion lifted me up as if I were a bar bell to the ceiling. I think the name suits him to a T. 🙂

Hike details:
My time to the Top- 2h4m
Total hike time- 3h24m
started at 328ft
Total ft gained- 2,236ft
Total Miles- 6.45

Nikon D90| Nikkor 18-200mmVR@20mm| f8| 1/500 sec| ISO 200| Manual Mode| Hand-held

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Marina Blues

Posted in California, Nikon, PhotographyTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Marina Blues, originally uploaded by dmzajac2004-.

Via Flickr:
Copyright © 2011 Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.

This looks better Large. Click the photo for a larger view.

Waiting for the Moon to get into a slightly better position I walked over to the Marina.
It was so quiet and peaceful. I didn’t hear any creaking boats, or bells softly ringing. The water was so still!

Nikon D300s| Nikkor 17-35mm@ 25mm| f16| 30 seconds| ISO 200| Manual Mode| Tripod

Treasure Island, California, Bay Bridge, Marina

Summer Solstice Hike

Posted in hikes, Nikon, Nikon D90, Photography, WildlifeTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

My morning hike up to Vista Point this morning was lovely.  There were butterflies flitting around the wildflowers lining the trail, and about 2 miles from the top there was a plant with several butterflies warming their wings. I think the flowers are Globe Gilia, and the butterflies Variable Checkerspots.

Photo by Deborah M. Zajac

This one must have been cold. It didn’t move when I approached it. It was right in the middle of the trail.

Photo by Deborah M. Zajac

and further up the trail was this lizard warming itself in the morning sun.

Photo by Deborah M. Zajac

Summer temperatures have arrived in Silicon Valley. The last two days it’s been hot. This morning at 6:30am it was warm. The canopy felt wonderfully cool this morning.

The view from Vista Point was marred by fog and smog laying across the valley like a veil, but above it you can see the Diablo Mountain Range. Over there on the right are Mt. Allison, and Mission Peak rising above the haze, and in the valley below are the large hangers of Moffet Field Naval Station.

Photo by Deborah M. Zajac

I walked over to the bench today, and looked back. I loved the blue sky and Moon looking down on me.

Photo by Deborah M. Zajac

 

Total miles hiked- 8.2

Total elevation gained- 1,962ft

Total time to Vista Point 40minutes

Total time of hike- 3h3m-

Nikon D90| Nikkor 18-200mmVR