July 8, 2008

"I wonder what it would be like to stay in this lodge overlooking Lake Tahoe." That's what I was thinking at 5:30 a.m. while I was waiting for the sun. (That and, "Why, oh why didn't I bring some coffee?")

This old lodge, which has been around since the 1940's, sits virtually on the edge of the mountain at about the 7600 ft. mark. It is still in use by various clubs, but there was no one around when I took this shot.

I loved the way the light came through the windows as the sun rose to camera right.

PS> Probably cheating on the daily photo thing because I took this photo the other day, but didn't process it until today.

July 7, 2008

I think it's always good to look back at my past work to see how I've grown. So, at the beginning of every month I clean out last year's work of the same month. Low and behold, I discovered that I began posting to this gallery on July 4, 2007. Happy Anniversary to me. I still like many of the photos that I did in the past, although the technical quality leaves something to be desired. Hopefully, I will be saying the same thing at my next anniversary...hopefully showing more growth.

Onward and upward.

July 2, 2008

Another morning trip...this time to Echo Summit (elevation 7,382 feet above sea level). However, that elevation does not bother mosquitoes one little bit. While I was waiting for the sun to light this particular field of wildflowers, I had to keep jumping in the car to avoid the buzzing masses. Not even the 45 degree temps deterred those little buggers.

Note to self: Add OFF to photo back pack.

June 30, 2008

I dragged myself out of bed around 5:00 this morning and headed over to Emerald Bay on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. There were no cars on the road, so it was a beautiful drive. As I drove up to the bay, there were already about 3-4 photographers with their hats on backwards, Nikon/Canon cameras perched on tripods pointed at the coming sunrise. I hopped out of the car and rushed to a spot I was familiar with...unfortunately a photographer had already staked out the area. So, I walked over to the other side of these falls and set up camp (I had no hat to put on backwards.) On my way back to the car, after the sun had risen, I saw this and thought it might make a good photo. It was a beautiful and productive morning.

June 28, 2008

The lake is so peaceful in the morning. There was no one else on the beach at 6:00 a.m. In a couple of hours this beach will be bustling with tourists and sun worshipers. The lake is still a little cool to swim in but that doesn't stop people from coming to enjoy Lake Tahoe.

June 26, 2008

Another photo from yesterday's outing to El Dorado County Beach at Lake Tahoe. The smoke from the fires was making such beautiful sunrise light on the lake. I don't think I've ever seen it this color before.

The smoke is beginning to move out of the Lake Tahoe basin this morning. No more wheezing and snorting from the smoke when I take the dog for her morning walk...just general wheezing and snorting because I'm out of shape. Heh.

June 25, 2008

There are over 800 fires going on in Northern California and the smoke is everywhere. The upside is that smoke makes for lovely sunrises and sunsets. I headed out to El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe this morning (before 6:00 a.m.) and saw the sun come up over the lake. Even the casinos in the distance don't look so bad when the sun comes up.

PS. I've always wanted to rent one of these paddle boats, but I have never done it. I'll have to put it on my list...as long as my husband comes along to help me out.

June 24, 2008

So...one of the reasons I like to be at Lake Tahoe is this type of scenery. And this photo does not do the lake justice. I think I get most frustrated with my landscape photos because they never look like I how I remember the scene. Sigh. At any rate, I'll keep on trying.

June 23, 2008

Does anything say summer more than a popsicle?

I love popsicles. When I was a kid we used to walk downtown to the store (I grew up in a very small town) on a hot summer day and buy a fruit popsicle or a fudgesicle or, best yet...CREAMSICLES! YUM!

Then we would sit down on the curb, watch the cars drive by, wave at a neighbor that we recognized and try to eat the popsicle before it melted down our arms.

My niece seems to enjoy them as much as I do.

PP: Nichole Van Essential Indoor Color Pop action.

June 22, 2008

Lake Tahoe is for Lovers

I saw these two the other evening when I was over at Sand Harbor and I thought they looked so cute with their hats and beach-comber legs that I couldn't resist sneaking a couple of photos.