This is my first Pheasant capture! A couple of friends and I were shooting with a Meet-up group in Solano County and were on the way back from lunch when one of my companions noticed him. I was shooting from a car window, and didn’t think anything would be very good, but was thrilled to see this shot would be a keeper. I love his coloring, wing patterns, and long tail. Even though he’s sort of camouflaged in the grass I’m thrilled that I was able to capture a photo of him in his natural habitat. He darted behind a knoll just after this shot. I didn’t see him again.
Last night around 3 AM my daughter sent me a text message. Feeling that dread one feels when there is a call at 3AM I said, “This can’t be good.” The text said, ” You have to be home in the morning!” :):):)”
I replied via a text, “R U Okay!?!??!!!!”
She called me straight-away after that and said, “I’m engaged!” I said, “Obviously you said yes!” We hung up after agreeing on time for her to come over. I couldn’t get back to sleep!
I couldn’t wait for her to get over here so I could give her a hug, and kiss, and of course see her ring.
Both Baby Girl and John are radiant. They’re beaming smiles are ear to ear.
He whisked her away after he finished work last night and drove her blind-folded, blind-folded! to Santa Cruz; the place of their first date and proposed there.
The trail has 16 switchbacks getting longer the higher you climb. Every 4th switchback or so Pat had a story. Most were about bears. Bear management, behavior, and safety which I found interesting, and educational.
I turned around to look back here. I’m about halfway to the top at this point. It’s windy up here, and worth the effort to get here. Look at this view! That’s Two Medicine Lake, and way down there by the waters edge is a campground where many of my hiking companions were camping, and about half inch above the Z in my signature in the right corner is the parking lot my Va-Va is parked in under a shady pine tree.
Hike details
7.80 miles rd trip
2,853ft elevation gain
5h57m total time
The trail is steep, but the switchbacks help make the going easier.
Photograph by Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved. Fawn
Descending Vista Point one morning I rounded a bend in the trail and stopped dead in my tracks. There 25ft away was this little fawn (see photo above). It’s mother was on the other side of the trail in the trees waiting for the fawn to cross the trail. Startled by hikers coming up the trail it had stopped then I happened along. It looked at me and headed in the opposite direction of its mother. Then timidly it crept up to this tree and watched me and its mother. It’s mother was not happy; she pranced and paced back and forth with worry. I wasn’t sure what I should do…wait and hope the mother crossed, or the fawn crossed, or just move on. I took a few quick photos. We hikers looked at each other wondering what would happen next then the Mother bounded up the hill the wrong way! Then the fawn sped down the hill into the bushes the wrong way! I continued down the mountain all the while hoping they’d reunite.
An anxious Doe!
Photography By Deborah M. Zajac. All Rights Reserved.
I hiked a lot of miles in June. My elevation gained totals are incredible. The total floored me again when I added it up. I took a lot of neat wildlife and flower photographs while hiking in this park during the month of June, but these two photos are my favorites.
Just seven more weeks until the big hike to Yosemite’s Cloud’s Rest. I still am on track for successfully completing that hike.
*6/2/2011- 8.15 miles, 2,170ft, 3h10m PG&E trail out & back
6/7/2011- 10 miles, 2,549 ft, 4h 33m Rhus Ridge to Black Mt Trail out & Back
6/10-12/2011- about 11 miles, at various parks and site around Sonoma Coastal area. Many parks were closed due to budget cuts so we had to drive to other locations to do any hiking.
6/16/2011- 8.15miles, 1,962ft, 3h 5m, PG&E out & back to Vista Point
These are who we’ve come to see. Their ensemble is quite elaborate with both their riding pants, and bolero jackets being covered with sequins that glint, sparkle in the afternoon or evening light. The Matador is sequined in Gold and their costume is called. “Suit of Light”. Matadors have worn suits like this since the 1800’s.
Matadors are professionals. They have training, and have gone through a ceremony to become professional called the “alternativa”.
Bullfighting is considered a Performance Art, not a sport. There is no contest or elements of competition among the bullfighters.
When the Matador first faces the bull he uses the pink cape and tries to tire the angry bull out, and weaken him.
While watching the Matador lead the bull around the ring I kept thinking, “It’s a dance.” The Matador is very graceful, and his steps are small, quick, and purposeful. Notice his shoes? They remind me of ballet slippers. Notice too how he holds his feet. He rarely stands with his feet apart. He stands tall, and I want to say compact…his limbs are held in close so he can move quickly if needed.
When the Matador feels the bull is tired, and weakened he switches to the Red Cape, and his sword. The last of the dance is about to begin.
In some countries the Matador would kill the bull, but the Portuguese and Azorean style the sword is symbolic, and used for traditions sake. The bull is not killed. The Matador uses his “Velcro dart” to symbolically kill the bull. In California it is illegal to kill the bull as well.
The best Matadors kill the bull on the first strike. The fans applaud, and chant Bravo! They toss him single flowers, and bouquets, as he walks around the arena thanking the fans for their support.
Circadianreflections Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.