Warm Tropical Breeze

Kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it?

When Monkeys Fly

I've often heard the expression " When Pigs Fly " and have used it myself to explain something that I never believed would happen! And so it was on a March visit to the Plaza District in OKC to walk, photograph, observe, and take note of this once vibrant neighborhood that was always making current news with it's emerging Art and Entertainment scene.

Located on N.W.16th between Classen and Penn Ave. , the Plaza District was once at the end of the line for the 1920's Trolley Car System in OKC where a thriving retail community developed. Along came the 1970's and the decline began, lasting through the 1990's. The place was not fit or safe to visit and it seemed the only salvation was the wrecking ball! How little faith I had!

Along about 1997 what was left of the folks that called this neighborhood home decided to band and reclaim their community. A determined and hardy group they are! The Plaza District is now home to Art Galleries, Studios, retail shops, restaurants, and creative young people. The buildings and sidewalks are once again hearing the sounds and feeling the feet of a new generation that are now just  discovering the magic of this place!

Reflections from windows, street scenes, a little more history, curious goods, odds&ends, and a fortune teller will be shown! After all, " Pigs and Monkeys do Fly in The Plaza District "

Series

Plaza District

1

Watch your step

One more shot from the dungeon, I mean the cellar.

Welcome to the Dungeon

It's really a root cellar for the old homestead on the property here but "dungeon" sounded more dramatic!

These were shot with a Nikon 17-35mm f2.8 full frame lens for those who might be wondering. And Yes, I did use a tripod. LOL

The outside creeping in

Or maybe, The inside looking out.

This was taken in the old, old farm house that's on the property here. I don't know why but the vines growing into the doorway intrigued me.

I played with the HDR effects on this one. I used five images in the new Nik Software and then made a few adjustments here and there with the contrast and lighting.

Wild Rose (rosa nutkana)

Found this nice Wild Rose bush in bloom while out hiking a few days ago so took a few pictures. A quick look on the internet would suggest that the Wild Rose plant was used by the indigenous people of the West Coast both as medicine and as food.

Sushi Bar

Not only can the guy take photos but he's one hell of a cook! You can tell this because my wife and daughter were eating the sushi before Q could get finished. Just like sitting at a sushi bar and ordering from what's under the glass.

Q cooked both nights that he was here. I'm not sure if he did that out of the kindness of his heart or if he was just afraid of my cooking. LOL Either way, it was very a nice break for me and really good food. All I had to do was keep his mai tai glass full.

We also did a little night time photography one night. Cheryl noticed that the moon coming up was a little orange instead of white so Q let me use his Nikon 200-400mm f4 lens to take a few shots. If you ever have a hankering to sell your car and buy a lens, this would be the one to get!

Sales Pitch

It definitely gets your attention but I'm not sure if they are advertising the purse or an archery store! LOL

US National Taekwondo Championship.

 Flying kicks.  He did broke 5 boards in the air before his feet touching the ground.

Durango, CO.

These pictures are from 8 to 10K feet elevation.  I did took an easy way to get up here by ridding the ski-lift, but I got a hard time breathing while hiking around in this area.  I guess I'm too old for this adventure!

Just Ducky

I'm digging through the Hawaii photos again. It's just been too hot to get out and take any new photos. I found this duck? near a man made stream at one of the expensive resorts. They make it really easy to get some good bird photos!

This was taken near Ka'anapali Beach on Maui.

The Grasshopper

You weren't expecting a picture of me were you? LOL

We actually got a little rain yesterday, it lasted all of ten minutes and dried up in about the same amount of time. I found this little critter on the leaves just after the short downpour.

Apparition

The Visitor

Walking through the dimly lit living room at sundown this past March, was surprised for a moment to see my twice a year visitor calmly glowing in golden brightness! Not sure who it represents but I always welcome the appearance!

1st Day of Spring

As I glanced to the front door from where the light was coming I remembered this was the first Day of Spring. Winter is coming to an end!

If you take a compass reading one will find that my front door faces almost due west. On the vernal equinox each year the sitting sun will shine through the front door glass creating an image on the fireplace. Then the sun, after making it's way north to the first day of summer, will start it's journey back south, once again shining through the door glass and casting an image of a friendly apparition!

Thanks Ron, your story about the Lahaina Noon today gave me the idea for this actual happening event at home!

Lahaina Noon

From the web;

Hawaii may not have the extra long days you’ll find in much of North America during summer solstice, but it does have an event you’ll find nowhere else in the 50 states. It’s the summer Lahaina Noon, wherein the sun passes directly overhead. This phenomenon, once before and once after the solstice, creates no appearance of shadows.
The second go around is starting up this week, with the exact date and time being based on latitude.

• Kauai – July 11
• Oahu – July 15
• Molokai – July 16
• Maui – July 17-18
• Lanai – July 18
• Big Island – July 23-24

“Lahaina” means “cruel sun,” and Lahaina noon takes place only between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The name was coined by Honolulu’s Bishop Museum in 1990.

Just in case you find yourself in Hawaii on one of these dates and don't see your shadow. I don't want you to think you might be a vampire or something. LOL

The results

This is the final result of using a tripod. This was taken as five bracketed shots and then converted to HDR with the Nik software. I took the shots but Q converted it to HDR during one of my lessons. So much to learn!

Upper Antelope Canyon.

Feathers

While out hiking on a nearby beach with the dogs this afternoon I started noticing feathers, Eagle feathers in fact. Quite common to find around this part of the world but today I decided to take pictures of them. Mostly we just leave them on the beach as they are usually a little beat up like in the top two pictures. Though today I brought the feathers from the bottom two pictures home to add to the collection of "nice ones" we sometimes find before they get all messed up when the tide gets to them.

Believe or Not!

Could you believe this?  Ron actually using a tripod!

Learning from the Master

Q and his two sons came up to spend a few days in the hot Kansas weather and while here he was gracious enough to give me a few photography lessons. Now keep in mind that learning from the Master means the Master stands in the shade while the grasshopper is out in the hot sun taking photos. LOL It wasn't really that bad, besides, Q cooked dinner both nights he was here so I can't complain too much!

This shot was taken in an old home located on our property. As you can see Q wanted a model in the picture but the best he could do at the time was me. The photo was taken by Q with my Nikon D700 and Nikon 17-35mm lens and was shot as five bracketed shots and then processed as an HDR image in Nik software.

That's something else Q did while he was here, he gave me lessons on the new Nik Software and I was so impressed with the software I bought my own complete set the day he left. Now all I have to do is remember everything he showed me. I never knew that taking photos was so hard!

Mother Nature's garden

Found this colorful little flower garden in a corner of what was once a busy worksite full of mud and rocks and big trucks. Amazing what the passing of a few years will do when left to Mother Nature.