Dawns Early Light

Early morn and the clouds were moving in from the west.

Ten minutes later and they were overhead as the top of the birch tree caught the first rays of sun.

For more skies go to Sky Watch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia.

Cooper's Hawk

I hadn't been planning any bird posts but this was too good to pass up. We saw this handsome fellow on the neighbors fence yesterday morning. He was checking out the possible menu items. He took off hunting in our yard and the open space beyond. I don't think he was successful.
A few hours later he was back on the fence, this time with his supper. The photo below is not for the squeamish but I was thrilled to get such photos through my window.

I suspect it was a quail. The ongoing struggle for survival.

Snow!--Watery Wednesday

I know, no big deal for most of you, but I live near Sacramento, California at an elevation of only 300'. This solid form of water is a once a decade event. I was not the only one out with a camera this morning. While most people enjoyed it the cold temps in the 20's were not welcome to the farmers in this citrus growing area.

To view more watery sites, liquid and not check out Watery Wednesday hosted for us each week by 2sweetandsaxey.

Another Marathon--My World

Marathons aren't really my world but since they are my sons' they have become part of my world by default. Our sons, Eric and Mark, both decided to participate in the California International Marathon this year. The course starts near Folsom reservoir and ends at the Capital Mall in Sacramento.
It was a cold day. Michael and his Mom were bundled up waiting for the guys to finish. It was much to far for Michael to walk so we brought his chair.

I had dropped Eric near the start at 6:15 am. Mark lives on the other side of the course and had arranged to take a shuttle that almost didn't show up in time.

After dropping Eric off I went back home to get breakfast. By the time we all got ready, drove to Sacramento, parked and walked several blocks to the course the guys had been running for over four hours.

I walked down to the finish to see where it was.

Then I walked back to where Hubby, Michael and Mimi were, a spot we though would be perfect to catch shots of Eric and Mark as they headed around the bend into the home stretch. As it turned out, Mark was already across the finish line and Eric came in while I was walking from the end to our perfect vantage. The others had missed him too.

They didn't freeze, they said for the most part they were not cold (temps in the 30's most of the time). Both had personal bests although Mark was dissapointed that he missed 4 hours by just a few seconds.

Both were tired and stiff but pleased with their accomplishment. It was a long and busy day for all of us.

Lodi Shadows

On our way to visit the sandhill cranes we passed through Lodi. The area around Lodi is one of many wine producing areas of California though certainly not the best known. I found its historic downtown to be quite charming and well maintained.
At one time most visitors would have approached the town through this arch, one of few remaining mission style arches in California. It is adjacent to the railway depot. In 1907 when the arch was constructed the railroad would have been the main source of transportation. I wish I could have had a higher viewpoint to better show the arch's shadow.

It's easy to see the shadows on this building, an adjunct to the refurbished train depot, it seems to be a bus depot.

Shadows from a nearby tree grace this lovely mural commemorating the Tokay Carnival of 1907. The right side advertises the annual Grape Festival now held each year in September.

I think Lodi is worth more time than we gave it but the sandhill cranes were our primary goal this trip.

To see mores interesting shadows visit Hey Harriet.

Reach to the Sky

I rather like the way this oak branch seems to be reaching for the sky.

Michael and his parents are comming to visit for five days so I'll try to get some posts ready ahead of time but I probably won't have much time to visit other blogs. Michael seems to keep Grandma busy.

I encourge you to visit other beautiful skies by going to Sky Watch Friday, hosted for us each week by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia.

Watery Yellowstone

No interesting watery images jumped in front of my lens this week so I have gone to my archives and picked some images from one of my favorite places, Yellowstone.

I love the varied colors of the pools in Yellowstone, the clear turquoise,
the reds and golds,

some are a mosaic of colors

and some are an emerald green. The color is determined by what grows in the pool, living creatures that can survive the high temperatures and acid water.

For more watery sites visit Watery Wednesday hosted by 2sweetnsaxy.