Happy New Year

There was a myriad of channel lights as we left the Panama Canal last month so I decided to experiment with my camera to see what I could achieve. This is the result. My version of fireworks. Happy New Year.





"Happy New Year" © Kathy Dunham 2008

It's Not Spring Yet

Today, as I was hosing off the patio, I heard this honking noise. I recognized it as coming from Canadian Geese but it seems awfully early for them to be flying north through our valley. But there they were. In the usual "V" formation. Three groups went by and I never saw any others the rest of the day. But I can tell you this, they'll stop here for a while and enjoy our 70 degree weather before heading out.

"It's Not Spring Yet" © Kathy Dunham 2008

White Poppies

Spring isn't here yet, but when I found these white poppies in France this year I was amazed. I've never seen white California Poppies. Let alone in France. They were stunning when mixed in with the brilliant orange flowers.

"White Poppies" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Flaming Reds

Red flowers have, at times, presented photographic challenges. So I was happy when these red dahlias turned out with great contrasts.

"Flaming Reds" © Kathy Dunham 2008

The Colors of Christmas

Christmas is past but these succulents don't know the seasons and are always red and green.

"The Colors of Christmas" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Rising Moon

Every so often we get a spectacular moon rise. And this was no exception. Night time digital photography can be challenging so I took my chances when I spotted this shot.

"Rising Moon" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Christmas Morning

I awoke this morning and was treated to this beautiful sunrise. A perfect greeting to Christmas.

"Christmas Morning" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Happy Holidays

Today I visited Cabot's Pueblo Museum, a historical treasure in the Coachella Valley. The Hopi inspired, hand made home of Cabot Yerxa is filled with unique artifacts and photographs of the early 20th century. It has recently undergone some renovations and touring it is like stepping back in time. This is the wreath on the entry door with it's welcoming sign. Check it out at www.cabotsmuseum.org

"Happy Holidays" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Snake Charmer

Last night it was the camel driver so tonight I had to share the snake charmer. He loved being photographed and always posed for the camera.

"Snake Charmer" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Camel Driver

In the spirit of the season, I thought a camel driver to be very appropriate. This one was saying good bye to us as we left a rather interesting show of Moroccan Horsemen along with dancers and a snake charmer (but that's for another day).

"Camel Driver" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Have Some Garlic

A fellow artist and dear friend, who also has a blog, posted some garlic last night on his site. But I thought, "wait until he sees the picture I took in Agadir last year at the Souk Souk (big bazaar)". So here it is. And this was only a portion of the garlic the vendor had for sale.

"Have Some Garlic" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Mist on the Course

The other morning, after the rains, I was treated to this lovely view of frost and a slight mist rising from the golf course. It almost looks like snow, but that's a heavy dusting of frost. I'm sure the golfers were not happy as they delay play until the frost is gone. Walking on the grass while it has frost on it breaks the blades and ruins the greens.

"Mist on the Course" © Kathy Dunham 2008

White Poinsettia

Christmas is almost here and I love the flowers that remind us of the season. I found these white poinsettias in the Canary Islands last year.

"White Poinsettias" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Snow in the Desert

Remember, I promised you more snow? It rained all day yesterday and it was cold. That meant we should have snow. And I wasn't disappointed. This morning I awoke to a sunny day and snow on all the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley. This is a view from my driveway. Looking southwest. I felt I could reach out and touch the hills it was so clear. By this afternoon a lot of the snow had melted but what a sight we had this morning.

"Snow in the Desert" © Kathy Dunham 2008

The Flower Vendor

Christmas in Cadiz, Spain. This vendor sat stolidly watching as tourists picked through her flowers and took lots of pictures. All without buying a thing. She sort of reminded me of Whistler's Mother the way she was dressed and sat so solemnly in her chair.

"The Flower Vendor" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Tiger's Claws

I found this spectacular flower in Costa Rica last month and it took me a while to track down it's botanical name, but thanks to my gardening friends I now know it's called a Gloriosa superba "Rothschildiana". That's a mighty big name for this stunning member of the lily family. Native to Africa and Asia, this tropical flower resembles a burning flame. It's also known as Tiger's Claws; why, I'm not sure.

"Tiger's Claws" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Agadir Tent

It was the holiday season when we were in Agadir last year and I thought this tent was appropriately decked out in Christmas colors. As we watched the horsemen perform their charge and the snake charmer do his thing, I was reminded how wonderful it was being able to visit the different cultures of the world.

"Agadir Tent" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Bermuda Flowers

With the holiday season and colder weather upon us, I remembered the warm days of Bermuda and this lovely flowering shrub I found on a walk around Hamilton, the capitol.

"Bermuda Flowers" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Snowy Morning

A couple of years ago we had a cold front move through the desert and it deposited snow at very low levels on the local mountains. This was the view from my back yard. We've got another front coming through this weekend but I don't think we'll get a show like this.

"Snowy Morning" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Chinese Influences

While visiting the old fort in Acapulco I came upon this beautiful display of Chinese artifacts. The display was meant to show the influence of the Chinese trade in the early days of shipping in and out of Acapulco. The stunning colors of the silk embroidery floss along with the other items made a striking statement.

"Chinese Influences" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Masks

While in Acapulco, we found a little known mask museum, not too far from the old Fort. It contains about 500 masks from around the world but a majority of them are from local areas within Mexico. It's not an elaborate museum, as museums go, but fascinating none-the-less.

"Masks" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Sign of Christmas

I bought a poinsettia today and it reminded me of the wonderful ones we saw last year while in Spain at the holiday time. They were absolutely magnificent. I have never seen such fantastic public displays of gorgeous poinsettias. So naturally, I spent lots of time taking pictures of this holiday favorite.

"Sign of Christmas" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Las Ramblas at Night

This time last year I was in Barcelona getting ready to do a trans Atlantic cruise. The holiday season is big in Spain and the colors and decorations are spectacular. This is one of the flower vendors on Las Ramblas, the favorite strolling avenue that runs from the sea to the central area of the city.



"Las Ramblas at Night" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Candy for Sale

Everywhere we went in Old Cartagena we saw these very colorful ladies carrying large pans on their heads with food and candy for sale. Their costumes were definitely eye catching.

"Candy for Sale" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Not for Youngsters

Every time we departed the elevator on our deck we were greeted with this bank of wheel chairs. I’m sure they were well used as we saw quite a few octogenarians on this cruise. In fact, the most we’ve ever encountered. But we had a great time, lots of fun, super entertainment and classes full of neat students.

“Not for Youngsters” © Kathy Dunham

Cartagena Flowers

Old Cartagena is a city alive with color. The buildings, the flowers and even the people. Bordering on the Caribbean, the influence of the neighboring countries brings this city alive. It’s a regular melting pot of cultures.


“Cartagena Flowers” © Kathy Dunham

Cathedral de Cartagena

Today’s “deluxe” city tour was a delight to an artist’s eye. The old town of Cartagena was everything I expected. Old buildings, wild colors, bougainvillea of all colors hanging over balcony railings and more street vendors than you normally see in Mexico. With 15% unemployment, those out of work are becoming street vendors. And talk about pushy…even if you say no 10 times, they still won’t leave you alone.


“Cathedral de Categana” © Kathy Dunham

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Gregorio the Weaver

During our stop in Huatalco, Mexico, we met this delightful weaver plying his trade. He was smart, setting up his loom right outside his shop for all to see. He was gracious as he explained the history of the designs that originated with his tribe further inland. The wool is from the sheep they raise; hand carded, combed, dyed and spun, mostly by his mother.


“Gregorio the Weaver” © Kathy Dunham 2008