Venus Transit from Oceanside CA

Ok, I waited all day for this.  I tried to take a few shots this afternoon, but the sun was too bright and too high and I didn't have the proper filter.  As the evening approached, I was praying that the evil clouds / marine layer wouldn't mess me up.  The gods were with me, because I was able to catch these shots at sunset tonight.

These were taken from just south of the pier in Oceanside, CA.

Venus to Pass Between the Earth and Sun Today

Not sure how many of you are interested in celestial events, however, we've had so many so far this year. The last one was a lunar eclipse (where Earth's shadow crossed the moon) two days ago. Today's event is something super cool . . . where Venus travels between the Earth and the sun).  From California , you should see it from approximately 3pm local time until sunset. If you don't catch this one, you'll have to wait until 2117 . . . better, you'll have to tell your grandkids to catch it.

WARNING! DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN!!! Create a pinhole projector (http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html).

Have fun and good luck and if you have the right equipment, post photos!

Get the details from Earth Sky! 

Eclipse from 20 May 2012

I have always been fascinated with the sky.  Whether it be the day or the night.  I travel sometimes out to the desert at night to get a clear open sky with almost no light noise just to watch the stars and planets above us.  and if I am really lucky, i'll catch a satellite or meteor streaking across the sky above.  I can sit and watch the night sky for hours.

And just like any amateur photographer, I am always trying to capture shots of the moon.  I have yet to take a closeup of the moon that I am happy with, however, I have captured some great scenic shots . . . never crisp or clear . . . but beautiful scenes.

As far as eclipses, I am always excited to see those too.  My first one that i remember was back in the mid 80s when i lived in Phoenix.  I headed down to the plaza in downtown Phoenix where there was a big gathering of people.  I was delighted when i was able to witness the image of the eclipse being filtered through the leaves onto the ground.  It was like magic!  thousands and thousands of eclipses decorating the ground around me.  Oh, to have had a camera back then to capture what i remember so vividly.

Yesterday's eclipse was better than I could have hoped for.

I live by the coast in San Diego and although the marine layer was starting to set in, i was able to capture some shots of the sun and moon that i was happy with.  Not the perfect shots that some others were able to capture, but shots i do like.  Relatively crisp.  and just enough foreground to add some depth to the images.

I shot these with my Olympus E620 with my telephoto lens with a Polarizing filter on it.  The grey ones were taken by my home and the marine layer helped to create an eerie black / grey look to them.

The start of the eclipse

After the fog complete socked us in, the eclipse disappeared from my view.  However, as I could see further east, the sun was still shining at a higher elevation.  I trekked off as fast as I could and I was able to capture the eclipse was it was starting to wane.  The moon had come in from the bottom right and was just exiting the top left.

The end of the eclipse about 1.5 hours later

What an awesome treat to see this.  I can't wait for the next one!

Now showing at Relm Wine in Carlsbad

I am lucky enough to have my photos on display at Relm Wine in Carlsbad, CA for May and June 2012.  We are having a reception on 3 June at 4pm so come in and chat and enjoy Relm.

Relm is at 2917 State Street.  Their website is http://relmwine.com/art-exhibits.html.  We have over 20 images on display and canvases are for sale at Relm only discounted prices.

The Oregon Coast

We had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Oregon coast this past week.  We took the trip to continue the college search, but while there, we took some much needed time to decompress as a family and see this beautiful part of the country.

Does it rain in Oregon?  Oh, yes . . . lots and lots . . . however, we got very lucky.  As it turns out, our Thursday was relatively rain free and, as the locals told us, quite warm.

Here is the Yaquina Head Lighthouse . . . locate just a few miles north of Newport Oregon.


Near the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, there was a perch from which we could view Newport Bay Bridge.



We found this wonderful home to rent in Seal Rock, Or.  It was large and perfect for us to relax at.  Not more than 50 steps from the house was this incredible beach . . . almost secluded from the public.  Here are a few images from beach.

It took me a while to figure out what this was but it is known as a Sea Star

The beach and tidepools were Sea Anemone filled . . . all were gorgeous!


This family of waterfowl were fun to watch.


The surf was incredibly strong . . . i couldn't imagine surfing here


The simplistic beauty of the tidepools

Moonlight Beach at Sunset

Moonlight Beach at Sunset, originally uploaded by les abeyta.

At the coast, where the sun drops beyond the ocean’s horizon, people gather just to watch. Witnessing a sunset is almost a religious experience. As the sun is in the air, people are running around, chatting, laughing, sipping wine. As the sun drops low enough to kiss the sea, the sounds start to subside. Kids become more still and all eyes focus on the orange ball. For 4 minutes, no matter the day, there is stunned silence until the sun disappears for the day. Some days there is even applause.

Blank Note Cards now for Sale on Etsy.com

We send them as a thank you with most locally shipped orders, but now I am getting requests to sell my images on blank note cards. I have two designs in stock, and this one is Spiral Staircase from Kutna Hora Czech Republic. The image on the front of the card is of this beautiful spiral staircase found in Lady of Assumption church in Kutna Hora Czech Republic. This Gothic turned Baroque style church is as beautiful as it is unique. Not extravagant, but designed with simple beauty, such as this staircase that leads up to a series of anti-chambers. Black and white, the hard lines and soft turns are graceful.

Visit Etsy to pick up a set by clicking here.

This professionally printed blank note card is made on linen finish paper. The dimensions are 5.47" x 4.21" landscape mode. The image of the front and back are displayed. The inside of the card is blank so you can create your own message. The come complete with envelopes.

Stop by and check them out . . . perfect for any occasion.