Heron at the Hunt

Low light at the end of the day required a slow shutter, this gave the cascading water a smooth blur while the heron's still, patient stance meant there was virtually no blur of the bird.  The late afternoon shadows give the shot a blue cast which could have been corrected but I rather like it as it is.
More watery scenes can be found at Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy

Empire Mine SHP--Dressed for Christmas

Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, California tells the story of the Empire mine and hard rock mining.  In addition to many mine buildings and equipment there still exist the cottage that the owners, the Bourn family, used as a country home and a club house used for entertaining.  We toured these while they were dressed for Christmas.



The first stop on the tour was the club house.

 Through the door is the billiard room.  There was also a bar, a bowling alley and guest rooms for overnight guests.

 The family's primary home was in Woodside and is now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  I hope to tour the estate, called Filoli,  some time in the future.

 This beautiful home was only used a few weeks a year.

Of course, the sound of the stamps, used to crush the ore rocks, might have made it less appealing than it seems today.

See more views of our wonderful world at That's My World, Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

Window Shadow

Mission San Francisco Solano

You can find more shadows by clicking on Shadow Shot Sunday, hosted for us by Tracy at Hey Harriet.

Autumn's Last Stand

December 1, 2010 

Scarlet against blue

Chased by Winter's frigid blast

Scarlet soon to ground

See more sky views at SkyWatch Friday,  hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and sylvia

Well at Mission San Francisco Solano

My Watery Wednesday offering this week is the well in the courtyard at

Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, California.

Watery Wednesday is hosted for us each week by 2Sweetnsaxy.  Click the link to find more watery sights.

Mission San Francisco Solano

Not in the city of San Francisco (that is Mission San Francisco de Asís) this mission  is in Sonoma, California.

 Mission San Francisco Solano is the farthest north and the last of California's 21 Missions to be built.

The mission, along with the Presidio of Sonoma and the homes of General Vallejo, is now part of Sonoma State Historic Park

 Displayed in the dining room are water colors painted in 1903-1904 by Chris  Jorgensen.  These depict many of the California missions as they looked at that time.  Some were in pretty good shape, others had almost crumbled into oblivion.

 Once in a terrible state of disrepair, the mission has been lovingly restored.

See more of this wonderful planet we call home at That's My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

Blue Sky and Shadows at Mission San Francisco de Solano

I couldn't decide if this was a sky shot or a shadow shot so this week it will be my entry for both.

You can find more views of the sky at SkyWatch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

More shadows are yours at Shadow Shot Sunday, hosted by Tracy at Hey Harriet.