June 27, 2010 Poppy

The vibrant color combination of orange and purple almost overshadows
the shape of the leaves and sea urchin-like center of this poppy.
Bright colors can overtake a viewer's attention.

June 26, 2010 Lupin

The structure and two-tone colors of these Lupin are striking. The
structure is a little tree-like and the colors are flame-like; an
unusual combination.

June 25, 2010 Fading

This fading purple flower still has very vibrant, snake-like pistils which punch-up the the overall composition. They are slender but have a big impact.

June 24, 2010 Tiny Red Dot

These shiny blackberry leaves have deep wave-like creases.  But it is the tiny little red dot (a lady bug) that creates an interesting balance between the forms.

June 23, 2010 Marigolds

This bed of marigolds looks like a green canvas with dabs of orange and white paint. The vibrant and intense orange color looks a little abstract due to the various tilted angles of the flowers.

June 22, 2010 Purple Bell

The frilly opening of this bell shaped flower is the same color of the rest of the bloom. If the opening was  a muted, or completely different, color the flower's bell shape would not be as noticeable.

June 21, 2010 Orchid

This not-yet opened orchid with leopard spots was about the size of a peach pit. Rather than appearing "natural," it looked like something molded out of rubber.

June 20, 2010 Baby Artichoke

The red tips of this baby artichoke make it stand out from the close color match of the background leaves. The flattening effect of the photo is in effect--with the naked eye the artichoke is quite evident.

June 19, 2010 Rocks

The variations of gray of these rocks seems subtle at first.  But a closer look reveals blues and browns and whites.  The rounded, not jagged, shapes create a nice harmony.

June 18, 2010 Water Droplets

This uber-spiky thorn has a puff ball of thin threads running through it. The threads have captured the dew and thus created a jewel-like sheen for this very dangerous looking thorn. 

June 17, 2010 White Log

The deteriorating center core of this white log is almost the same color as the surrounding sand. The texture is different, but the overall effect makes it seem as though the white structure has a hole in the middle of it.

June 16, 2010 Reddish Succulent

The bright light on this reddish succulent makes it seem almost translucent. The highlights on the tips of the leaves create a strong sense of outline.

June 15, 2010 Yellow Pink

The yellow pistils and pink petals of this succulent flower are a delicate contrast to the pointy, firm green leaves. The hints of a deeper pink in the leaves makes this a coherent composition.

June 14, 2010 California Landscapes day 16

Santiago Calatrava's Sundial Bridge, Redding, CA.  This cantilever bridge with glass deck is in the midst of a park/garden/museum complex. It is an architectural statement that is also utilitarian; it connects humans with nature.

June 13, 2010 California Landscapes day 15

Another street scene in San Francisco--Noe St. It is rare to find a tree lined street in a large metropolitan city, but Noe Street's unexpected lushness, potted plants, and benches invite viewers to stop and appreciate beauty and tranquilly.

June 12, 2010 California Landscapes day 14

Street intersecting Market St. This glimpse down a street is reminiscent of a Wayne Thiebaud painting--it has a pastel palette, iconic palm trees, and a sense of infinity.

June 11, 2010 California Landscapes day 13

As seen from Alcatraz, San Francisco appears to be made up of gray stone blocks arranged in a wave outline.

June 10, 2010 California Landscapes day 12

The crusted surface and bulbous shape of this kelp creates an interesting abstract form that reminds me of Eva Hesse's work.

June 9, 2010 California Landscapes day 11

These washed up floats have a sculptural quality, the composition is enhanced by the floats' smooth surfaces contrasted against the sand.

June 8, 2010 California Landscapes day 10

Beach, Pt. Reyes. Early in the morning the colors of the ocean and the sand have similar values, but their textures are clearly different.

June 7, 2010 California Landscapes day 9

Abbotts Lagoon, Olema, CA. A ghostly fog hangs over the lagoon like a swath of gauze. The grasses look like pencil lines punctuating the water.

June 6, 2010 California Landscapes day 8

"Living roof" at the California Academy of Sciences.  This otherworldly roof of plants also has 7 hills that represent the hills of San Francisco. The roof is a destination.

June 5, 2010 California Landscapes day 7

Napa Valley vineyard. Row after row of grapes used to be visible on a few hills in Napa--now those linear lines cover much of the valley floor, the edifice of order and symmetry taking over the grassy landscape.

June 4, 2010 California Landscapes day 6

Eucalyptus leaves on the Mills College campus.  The long, thin curvy shapes of these leaves create their own landscape in a parking lot on a hill.

June 3, 2010 California landscapes day 5

Tomales Bay overlooking Hog Island. The shininess of the reflection of the sun on the water is a reminder of the power of a glossy finish.

June 2, 2010 California Landscapes day 4

Muir Woods, with its giant redwoods and all inclusive canopy of leaves, has paved asphalt trails which make for an easy walking experience. Yet the trees' scale outstrips the sense of human dominance over nature.

June 1, 2010 California Landscapes day 3

Located at the southern end of Tomales Bay, the Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project is a "working dairy ranch turned restored wetlands" project. The reflective nature of the water doubles the beauty of the natural forms.