The beach and other luxuries...

It may seem an odd pairing, a serene beachscape next to two tanks. Taken on the same beach, this contrast is why I enjoy visiting Del Mar beach on Camp Pendleton whenever my family camps there on vacation. The military presence is what affords us the luxury of words like serenity, peace and...freedom.

My little bro, Chhay, age nine and one of my favorite persons to hang out with!

I took 56 shots before I got this one. I was shooting and at the same time throwing and sometimes faking to throw handfuls of spaghetti in the air, haha. I was pretty popular, until the spaghetti ran out.

My Mom found a shark that had passed and washed up on the beach. Don't know what kind it was or why it died, but was only about 3 1/2 feet long. Ever the explorer, upon dissected it, she found it was carrying three, perfectly formed babies about 7 inches long each.

The rocks are back

I'm not the most observant person in the world, but have noticed, from almost three years of living in San Diego, that rocks show up on our beaches in numbers once (maybe twice?) a year. I shot this last night on a tripod, f/10 and a 15 second shutter with a split-neutral density filter and had to set the rocks back up three times after waves knocked them over.

Cedar Creek Falls

If you're looking for a perfect day hike, Cedar Creek Falls in Cleveland National Forest will not disappoint and now is the time to go! The falls are running high and it's not too hot yet. All downhill on the way to the falls, a jump into the pool at it's base will cool you off before the all uphill hike out. Fortunately, I shot there for San Diego Magazine after our winter rains, but the falls slow and everything turns very un-green as June/July approaches. Then again, if you're in to rattlesnakes...

'Best of' San Diego Magazine photo contest

San Diego Magazine has a popular feature once a year where the 'Best of,' everything from restaurants to doctors, are chosen and highlighted by the magazine. I entered their photo competition and out of the two finalists chosen for each of four categories, 'First Things First' was chosen for the portrait category and 'Oceanside Pier' for the nature category. At the Best of San Diego party this past Friday, 'First Things First' was announced the Best of the Best winner! I'm doubly humbled in that, there were many great images to choose from and the prize is the opportunity to shoot an upcoming feature for the magazine! Thanks, so much, San Diego Magazine for the honor and the great opportunity!

'First Things First'

'Oceanside Pier'