Life with Dylan

Category: photography

  • Photographing the little details in nature

    Nature has so much to offer – so much beauty. Sometimes I am in too big of a hurry to notice the little things, but when I do I am always amazed. Last week I took some time to test out the macro setting on my camera and this is what I discovered.

    Flowers live within flowers …

    Ants live very busy lives …

    What looks prickly can still be beautiful …

    One of the things I realized during my ah-ha moment was that I want to spend more time taking pictures. More time learning about photography. Ultimately sharing my pictures with people as another way to create awareness about the world around us.

    You can see more pictures from this day by visiting my Flickr account.

  • Sunset Sunday – Bittersweet Goodbyes

    My parents house has been on the market for about a year now and last week they accepted an offer. My childhood home will belong to someone else in a mere 60 days. The home where I grew up and where my son spent the first year of his life – the home where I planted a tree so many years ago – the home where I have watched so many beautiful sunsets.

    The skies always look great from my parents kitchen window, but as soon as I see even the tiniest hint of orange or red or pink, I run up the stairs to the balcony. This is where I like to watch the sunsets best. Here on the balcony is where I can see Catalina – not so long ago, those two big trees weren’t so big and the view was even better.

    I took this picture last week with my iPhone. The colors were so much more intense in real life, but I still love this picture. The sky was painted with warmth and Catalina was clear as could be. The house is too big for my parents now that all the kids have gone, and I understand why they chose to sell, but views like this make me wish they could keep the house. I don’t know if I will be at my parents house again for a sunset like this. It may have been my last from the balcony and that makes it a bittersweet goodbye for me.

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take time to watch the sunsets.

  • Reflecting with Maderas at the San Diego Zoo

    I’ve watched her grow since she was born. Watched her rough-house with her brother Tikal and explore the world around her just like any child would do. 

    Maderas is now 9 months old. Watching her last week was a little bittersweet – she isn’t a baby anymore. The once playful cub is now coming into her own and becoming quite the elegant jaguar, just like her mother Nindiri.

  • Sunset Sunday – Fire in the sky above Catalina

    Something told me it was going to be a fabulous sunset, so I went to a local viewpoint and waited patiently with my camera in hand. This is what I saw.

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take time to watch the sunsets.

  • Morning stretches with Tatqiq at the San Diego Zoo

    About a week ago Dylan and I went to a Polar Bear Tweet-up at the San Diego Zoo to learn more about the polar bears and other arctic animals. We had hopes of some great polar bear interactions and underwater swimming antics, but the polar bears had something else in mind. Sleeping.

    In Tatqiq’s defense, it was cold and early on a Sunday morning. She’s a princess and needs her beauty rest. Watching her morning stretches wasn’t what we had in mind, but still very entertaining.

    After a few minutes of stretching, Tatqiq decided she wasn’t ready to get up and went back to sleep.

    While Tatqiq slept, Chinook and Kalluk were busy playing, or should I say attempting to bred again, on the other side of the exhibit. Either way, we had a wonderful time and learned so much about polar bears and the arctic fox from JoAnne Simmerson. Be sure to read JoAnne’s posts on the zoo’s blog to stay informed about all things polar bear. Oh, and the Polar Cam is always fun to watch too!

  • Sunset Sunday – San Diego

    No words are needed for this spectacular sunset from Christmas Day 2012.

    Thank you Matt for sharing your beautiful sunset picture from San Diego, CA.

    Do you have a favorite sunset picture that you would like me to feature here? If so, send me your picture and the location it was taken. After all, what good is a beautiful sunset if you can’t share it with others?

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take time to watch the sunsets.

    *Please only submit pictures you have personally taken and own the rights to.

  • The simple beauty of a tree in winter

    I will admit that I have become a little obsessed with trees lately. Something about the cool crisp air we have been having and the bare trees takes my breath away. Good thing I always have my phone with me to capture these moments.

    Crisp afternoon skies
    And then there are those times when I just have to pull over – even if it means I will be a few minutes late to work. 
    Silhouette sunrise 

  • Sunset Sunday – Island Style

    “All I want for Christmas is a real good tan. Take me to the islands put my feet in the sand.”
    I adore fall and winter in Southern California, but I can’t help longing to be on Maui to see more of these beautiful island sunsets.

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take time to watch the sunsets.

    Do you have a favorite sunset picture that you would like me to feature here? If so, send me your picture and the location it was taken. After all, what good is a beautiful sunset if you can’t share it with others?

    *Please only submit pictures you have personally taken and own the rights to.

  • Sunset Sunday – Through the storm clouds


    Southern California has had a few days of rain this week, but that didn’t stop the sun from shining through the storm clouds. Don’t let the big dark rain clouds fool you when a storm is passing through because no matter what, the sun always finds a way to brighten up the end of your day.

    Have a fantastic week and don’t forget to take time to watch the sunsets.

  • Symbiotic harmony

    A conversation between a tree frog and a bromeliad plant. See, humans aren’t the only ones who talk to their plants.