What's New!

Cowboy & Indian - Judith Sparhawk

Remember playing Cowboys and Indians as kids? Based on the old western movies, I suppose, and certainly now considered politically incorrect. I hadn't thought of that in years. I wandered into the antique mall in downtown Redlands the other evening. One booth specialized in "old west" related items, and suddenly I was startled to find this old sheriff sitting on the barrel. A few steps further into the booth, there was the Indian sitting in the corner. I put them together (photographically), for a chat about old times. Meanwhile back at the ranch... 3/2/21 www.sarhawkphotography.com

Up the Down Staircase - Judith Sparhawk

I went back to the building where I had photographed this staircase area, and got some different views. I processed it in color, which I liked, but I also decided to try it in black and white, to emphasize the lines and circles. I thought it was fun too. 3/1/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Historic Redlands Sign - Judith Sparhawk

When I talk about walking around in downtown Redlands and exploring with my camera, I am mostly talking about an 8 block stretch of State Street. The area has lots of restaurants, shops, and offices, and includes the art gallery where I show my work and where I work part-time. At each end of those 8 blocks are signs like these above the street. I hadn't ever seen them lit up before (they are a fairly recent addition), so I just had to take a few shots. The area is fun to check out regularly for its shop window displays, the people, and whatever comes my way. 2/28/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Let There Be Light! - Judith Sparhawk

I wandered into a building in downtown Redlands, and saw this pretty lamp in the hallway, in a public area. I was surprised to see such a nice lamp right there, and I really liked the pattern and colors of glass. 2/27/21 wwwosparhawkphotography.com

American White Pelican - Judith Sparhawk

This view of a pelican in flight shows just how wide that wingspan it! Per my field guide, the wingspan in 108 inches. The bump on the top of his bill shows the beginning of the growth of the fibrous plate, or knob, that develops during breeding. After the eggs are laid the knob disappears; the white head will become grayish while feeding chicks. 2/26/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Double Date - Judith Sparhawk

This shot shows two Bufflehead "couples" out for a swim on a lake at Yucaipa Regional Park. The afternoon light on the water was lovely, and helped to show the colors in the males' iridescent feathers. 2/25/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lots of Love - Judith Sparhawk

When I was in Costco last time, another new wine I spotted in the liquor department, was this one, titled LOVE, a Red Blend, from Paso Robles, CA. I thought it was fun, and I lived the colors used in the letters. My membership to Costco expires in April, and I may not bother to renew, as they have closed down their Photo Departments. Without that, there's not much else I buy there that I couldn't get somewhere else. So, my wine wandering may soon be coming to an end! 2/24/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

The Masked Lady - Judith Sparhawk

When walking in downtown Redlands, I noticed this beautiful mask in the window of a jewelry store. Couldn't resist--I took a few shots of it. Afterwards, I looked in my files for a lovely lady to wear it, and this is what I created. The model is Meesha, someone I photographed on a shoot back in 2016. I hadn't used this particular shot before, but it seemed to work for this purpose. 2/23/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

White Owl Looking Out - Judith Sparhawk

I have tried several times to photograph this window--so far this is the best one I've gotten. The window is at Parliament Chocolate, in downtown Redlands. Inside, we can see the big stainless steel drum, which was turning, processing chocolate. The three hanging lights are inside the shop. The bright reflection is of buildings across the street, lit by the setting sun. The significance of the owl is that this was the location of the White Owl Cafe, up until about 1936, when it was demolished when the construction of Redlands Blvd. required widening of the road. The owl on the window is homage to this historic place. I know it's a confusing shot, but I thought the various elements were interesting. 2/22/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Up & Down - Judith Sparhawk

I went for a walk in downtown Redlands after work today, and happened to go into a building I'd never been in before. The building has a restaurant, some beauty salons and other businesses in it. I was attracted to the configuration of the staircase, and took a few shots of it. This is one of my favorites of what I took. 2/21/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lesser Goldfinch - Judith Sparhawk

This pretty little male Lesser Goldfinch was one of the birds hanging out near the feeders at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. They are pretty common, but I don't often get a shot of one, as flitty and quick as they are. This one stopped momentarily in a tree near where I was hanging out. 2/20/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

California Thrasher - Judith Sparhawk

While birding at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, I saw this California Thrasher with his great curved bill. There were actually two of them, but the only shot I got of both was of two backsides only! Not the best view, for sure! He was digging around in the dirt and leaf litter with his bill. He is a fairly skittish bird, but I was able to get a few shots while hiding behind a post. Something flushed the birds in the area, and this fella never came back. This thrasher lives year round in California and into Baja California--in coastal, valley and desert areas. 2/19/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Black Rock Canyon - Judith Sparhawk

After birding at the preserve in Morongo, I drove the 25 miles to Black Rock Canyon Campground. I found NO birds there this time, but I did hike around a bit with my camera. This campground is part of, but separate from, Joshua Tree National Park. I did like the Joshua Trees and the cactus plants there. 2/18/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Bluebirds Four - Judith Sparhawk

When I was at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, I noticed several Western Bluebirds playing in the water feature. This shot shows two males and two females. They were flying in and out of the water, drinking, and splashing around. For those who live further east and have Eastern Bluebirds, notice how on the males, the blue comes down below the chin and on to the upper breast. In the Eastern Bluebirds the rusty color wraps around the neck and comes all the way up to the beak. 2/17/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Phainopepla - Judith Sparhawk

I went birding today at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, a type of desert oasis in Morongo Valley, CA. I saw and heard many MANY of these birds. This is the male Phainopepla, glossy black with a red eye and a crest. The female is similar, but charcoal gray. Both sexes have the red eye and white wing patches that show in flight. Their favorite food is mistletoe berries. They mostly live in desert type environments in parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. 2/16/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lots & Lots of Tulips - Judith Sparhawk

In addition to the Valentine's Day bouquets in Costco, they also had these wonderful tulips. They really made me think of Spring, and I remembered that Janet couldn't even get flowers in Manitoba. So, these tulips are for Janet, with hopes for a beautiful spring to come! Soon! ;-) 2/15/21 www.sprhawkphotography.com

Happy Valentine's Day! - Judith Sparhawk

After surveying the Costco liquor department for interesting wine labels, I went by the flower display. Since it was the Friday before Valentine's Day, there were many vases with bouquets like this--red and white as far as the eye could see (almost!) I'm sharing it today with a wish for everyone to have a great day! 2/14/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Lakers 2020 - Judith Sparhawk

I went to a different Costco this afternoon, so of course I had to check out the liquor department, and sure enough, I found some different wine labels. One that surprised me was this limited edition honoring the Los Angeles Lakers, 2020 World Champions of the NBA. I'm not a big basketball fan, but when the Lakers win, there's always a lot hub-bub surrounding it. So, for a fancy bottle of wine like this, just hand over $45.99! No, I didn't buy any! 2/13/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Mr. Merganser - Judith Sparhawk

Yesterday I posted the wild-haired Mrs. Merganser--well this is her Mister! This male Common Merganser was photographed at Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa, CA. 2/12/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Bad Hair Day - Judith Sparhawk

This female Common Merganser was photographed at Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa, CA. Her hair style is just the way it is supposed to be--always a bit wild and wooly! 2/11/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Cactus in the Snow - Judith Sparhawk

When hiking in the mountain forest in Foret Falls, CA, I was surprised to find this cactus plant. It looked kind of out of place among the pines and cedars! 2/10/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Mother Nature's Still Life - Judith Sparhawk

When walking in the snow in Forest Falls, I ran into this sight, and couldn't resist taking a shot. It really truly was just like this--I didn't arrange it. I figure Mother Nature knows best. 2/9/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com

Walk in the Snow - Judith Sparhawk

A couple of days ago I went up to Forest Falls, a small community in our nearby mountains. I had thought to go to the recreation area there, but it was closed...not sure if it's because of Covid or snow. I found a place to park beside the road and hiked out a bit--there weren't any trails there, and it was rather hard slogging, especially since I was only wearing walking shoes, not boots (I left my snow boots in Edmonton!) I took a few snow shots along the way. This was one of them. At least I had my own snow experience, since everyone else seems to be having snow! 2/8/21 www.sparhawkphotography.com