CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY, DECEMBER 1: RAINBOW

SITTING ON A RAINBOW

I've always tried to color outside the box on these monthly theme days, and this month is no different. And while I've taken my share of rainbow photos over the last few years, some even right here in Walla Walla, none are current photos. So I almost decided I wouldn't post an entry this month. 

That is until I was taking this shot of my four-year-old granddaughter Lennon sitting upon this rainbow colored puff. It was a present I had given my son in 2015 from my trip to Morocco. Not quite ROYGBV, but close enough for me.

CITY DAILY PHOTO, THEME DAY-NOVEMBER 1: BROWN

BROWN IS THE COLOR OF . . .

My first thought about the color brown is, "Ewwww. Not brown. I hate brown." 

But on second (and third and fourth thought) I realized that brown is the color of nature, which I love. Brown is the warm neutral which provides an earthy backdrop for all of the wild colors of the surrounding flowers, grasses, shrubs, trees and leaves. Case in point.

Autumn on the Whitman College campus never disappoints with the color brown acting as a perfect foil for a myriad of other colors.

For more BROWN photos by other CDP bloggers, click below: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY, OCTOBER 1: ORANGE

CDP MEET-UP IN QUIMPER, BRETAGNE, FRANCE

What better to way to bring in the new month that with a bounty of orange seafood from the waters of Bretagne, France?

It was a local seafood feast fit for the celebration of friendship in early September between two bloggers who first met five years ago via City Daily Photo. Versailles de Quimper played host to my partner Doug and me for five days of sightseeing and eating in the Breton region of France. 

This was our first meal at her home in Quimper. It doesn't get much better than this!

Spider crabs, langoustines, and prawns, all washed down with Breton cidre, welcomed us to the bounty of Bretagne.

This prawn came with a little extra--roe.

For more photos by other CDP bloggers, follow this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

CITY DAILY PHOTO-AUGUST 1, THEME DAY: BLACK

Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, Encore

The annual Chamber Music Festival is not only a music lover's dream, but also a great opportunity for this photographer to capture a range of subjects. This summer's WWCMF Collage- Special Event 2 at Valdemar Estates turned out to be the perfect venue for this month's City Daily Photo theme--Black.

For more entries by other CDP photo bloggers, follow this link.http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

In the spotlight: a musician plays from high up on the catwalk above Valdemar's spacious production room.

 

Tools of a musician's trade

 

The entrance to the winery is low-key and spare

 

This waterfall wall creates a pleasing ambience as guests gather to drink wine and taste Valdemar Estate's selection of tapas.

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY-APRIL 1: YELLOW

Objects in the Photos May Appear Closer Than They Are

The first of every month is City Daily Photo theme day, and April's theme is Yellow. Because of our late snowfall in February and March, all of my flowers are behind schedule for blooming. Consequently, there are no yellow daffodils or yellow tulips or yellow forsythia in my garden to photograph. What else is yellow this time of year? 

Admittedly, I had to dig deep for a subject for this month's theme. 

But then a week ago I was driving to Spokane to visit my grandchildren when I came upon a convoy of heavy machinery moving down the highway. I first noticed the big yellow OVERSIZE LOAD sign, and then I saw that each vehicle was also yellow, albeit dirty yellow. VOILA! I had found my subject(s).

Now to capture these rolling behemoths without endangering myself or others. Being an iPhone photographer made it easier because, 1. I always have my phone with me, and 2. It's easy to set it up on the dash and take several photos in burst mode.  It also helped that there was little if any other traffic behind me, so I was never in danger.

These photos should bring out the little boy or girl in all of us who once loved playing in the dirt with their yellow Tonka toy trucks. 

Oh, and the last photo? That's me piloting my yellow snowblower in February. Even at 69, I love pushing around big machinery. (I couldn't resist including it in this month's celebration of the color Yellow.)

To view "yellow" photos of other international CDP bloggers, click here:

http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/2019/03/april-2019-gallery-yellow.html

 

 

CITY DAILY PHOTO-MARCH 1 THEME DAY: GREEN

This Photographer's Dilemma 

The first day of the month is always theme day for City Daily Photos bloggers. In anticipation of this month's them I envisioned taking photos of the young shoots of green that began popping up in my garden in early February. However, that all came to a screeching halt when the first of several dumps of snow hit southeast Washington state, which includes Walla Walla. 

While many people continue to grouse about the late arriving snow, I am openly giddy about each additional snowfall because I simply love snow; and it's just not winter in these parts without that frozen white stuff. But what is there that's green that's not hidden by snow?

My (snow-covered) green bottle tree!

Below are three variations on the theme, using different Prisma filters to create other interesting effects. Do you have a favorite?

To see more "Green" photos from other international CDP bloggers, follow this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY-FEB 1, 2019: WHITE

Whirling Chinese Pagoda

I guess I missed it, even though it's still February 1 in Walla Walla, WA. What can I say? 

January's been an awfully l-o-n-g month. No snow in Walla Walla to capture my fantasy or photos. Instead, too much rain and fog and grey. 

Perhaps this will spark my energy and creativity for February.

CITY DAILY PHOTO-THEME DAY-JAN 1, BEST OF 2018

I missed posting for the November 1 CDP Theme Day because I was still traveling home from my 21-day safari in Tanzania, Africa; therefore, I am choosing to make up for that by posting a few of my favorite photos out of the 10,000+ photos I took from that trip. 

As you can imagine, choosing the BEST photo was difficult, so I include a potpourri of special moments of the safari.

If you are interested in seeing more photos of the people, animals, and sights of the Serengeti and East Africa, I invite you to click on the link to my other blog as I relive and reflect on that trip of a lifetime. Aseenbysusan.blogspot.com 

An Ostrich family on parade.
We saw many single Ostriches, but seeing this family of  mama, papa, and seven babies was unusual.

Of all the animals we saw, the giraffes are my favorite. 

This lion is definitely well camouflaged. 

It's an impromptu photo like this taken from the window of our moving vehicle
that really tells a story of the people. Two Maasai warriors are bicycling to market
as the driver talks on his cell phone and the rider holds on to a young goat.
Also notice the two wooden walking sticks which are iconic Maasai.

Another impromptu "stop the Land Cruiser" moment was visiting with
and learning about a group of  Maasai males who are in their 4-6 month
post-circumcision ritual of becoming a warrior.
The self-applied white face paint is to frighten away evil spirits.  

Children love to play ball, and these Massai children are no different.
In this case, their ball is the nest of a Social Weaver bird,
and the ball-tosser is my partner Doug.

A sleeping leopard

Four young lion brothers

Of only 30 rhinoceros living in Serengeti Park, we were fortunate to see these two
which in turn allowed us to check the Big Five off our list of must-sees.

If you are interested in seeing more photos of the people, animals, and sights of the Serengeti and East Africa, I invite you to click on the link to my other blog as I relive and reflect on that trip of a lifetime. asseenbysusan.blogspot.com

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018: JOY

I missed last month's CDP first of the month Theme Day as I was still away on a month-long trip to Africa and was not able to post a photo for November. Even though I may not be a daily poster person, I have tried to keep up with the monthly theme days. Oh well, I'm back for December's JOY.

What JOY is it to be three and six years old? 

When contemplating this month's theme, this image of my two grandchildren kept popping into my head. Their exuberance and simple joy of making a gingerbread turkey is palpable. 

For more images of JOY from other CDP bloggers, follow this link: 

http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY, OCTOBER 1: CHANGE

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

--Margaret Mead

The first of the month is theme day for City Daily Photo bloggers. This month's theme is "Change."

In a little over a month, mid-term elections will be taking place in the US. For many voters, it portends a change in the balance of power in both local, state, and national governments. Voting is one way US citizens can affect change, and as a concerned citizen of Walla Walla and Washington state, I am doing what I can to visibly support the candidates and issues that will bring about change.

 To see what other members around the world have posted, click on this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/

CITY DAILY PHOTO-THEME DAY, JULY 1: SPIRIT

Oh Give Me Land, Lots of Land

Last century, in 1998 when I was 20 years younger, I rode my bicycle from Seattle to Washington D.C. with the Big Ride Across America. I was one of 750 riders who pedaled 80-100 miles a day across the northern tier of the United States. Along the way I saw lots of beautiful places, but nothing any more beautiful than the countryside of the rolling wheat and canola fields of the Palouse in my home state. They filled my spirit.

I no longer ride my bike on long distances, but even by car the rolling hills around my home town remain my spiritual place. The clouds make it even better.

CDP THEME DAY-MAY, 1--LAUGH

Titter, Giggle, Chuckle, Snicker, Guffaw

Okay, I confess. I went for the easy shots for this month's theme day--LAUGH. Out of creativity or desperation, I usually try to think outside the box for City Daily Photo's theme day topics. But I just couldn't pass up these photos of my grandchildren (and my daughter-in-law) in full out laughter. 

See what other CDP bloggers posted by clinking on this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/ 

MARCH CDP THEME DAY - BLACK & WHITE in COLOR

Waiting for Spring

The first of every month, City Daily Photo bloggers from around the world 

post photos in accordance with a pre-determined theme. 

This month's theme is color photos that look black and white. 

I have posted several photos, just because. 

To enjoy more photos by other bloggers, follow this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/

WHITEOUT

ICICLES

ICED COFFEE

TRACKS

DECEMBER 2016 THEME DAY--TRANSITIONS

WWDP--On Location in the Panama Canal

The first day of the month is traditionally Theme Day at City Daily Photo. This month's theme is "transitions." Since I have been traveling for the last 30 days, I submit this photo which is clearly NOT of Walla Walla, but does fit the theme quite nicely as the Panama Canal literally allows the transition of ships from one great ocean to the other across the Isthmus of Panama. It also is one of man's engineering marvels of the 20th century and even of the 21st century as it continues to expand to accommodate larger cargo vessels. 

This photo illustrates a number of transitions as three separate ships go through the locks heading to the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Holland America cruise ship I am on is in the foreground. I am on the topmost deck looking down on a mid-level deck open to passengers only during specific sightseeing days like this. Our ship is in the first set of three locks having entered at the level of Gatun Lake and now waiting to be lowered to the next level. The tug boat accompanying us prevents our ship from drifting against the locks themselves.

The ship to the left in a parallel channel is in the second set of locks where it is being lowered to a mid level. The green and white ship in front of us (in the same channel) has exited the second set of locks and is now entering the third set where it will be lowered to sea level. Before our ship can enter the second set, the locks ahead must be closed and then the chamber must be refilled with water to match the level of our ship.  Once in the locks, the water will again be released to lower our ship down to the second level. Finally we'll enter the third set of locks where we will be lowered to the Atlantic Ocean and proceed on our way.

The entire transition from the Pacific Ocean through the Miraflores Locks, through Culebra Cut, across Gatun Lake, through the Gatun Locks to the Atlantic Ocean took us nearly 12 hours and raised and lowered our ship 85 feet two times. 

For a look at the "transitions" other CDP bloggers have posted, follow this link: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/

INTERNATIONAL CDP MEET-UP

East Meets West

It was a momentous day on Monday, September 19, when veteran City Daily Photo blogger Versaillaise de Quimper breezed through Spokane, Washington, USA, stopping long enough to enjoy lunch and conversation with this Walla Walla Daily Photo Blogger. VdQ aka Ciel de Quimper prefers to maintain a stealthy profile on social media, but I have had the pleasure of meeting her twice in-person--once in Paris in May of 2014 and then again on Monday as she neared the end of her 14-day road trip of the American West. 

Here VdQ can be seen in the rear window of her rented blue Camry along with her faithful traveling companion Charlotte Adelaide, posing temporarily as a hood ornament. 

In keeping with the furtive mode, I present our Stealthy Selfie take in front of Frank's Diner as evidence of our meet-up.

To learn more about Spokane's famous train car diner, and to see and hear the actual waitress, Gage Lee, who we had, be sure to follow this link:  https://youtu.be/FtjVolQhIIk

OCTOBER THEME DAY- SHELTER

SEEKING SHELTER

According to myth and animal symbolism, the praying mantis is a sign of good fortune. I found this one climbing around the front door of my house. *

*For more interesting facts about Mantids, click here.

For more "Shelter" photos from other CDP bloggers, click here.