Missed last weekend’s outing so went out early on Saturday morning to Sunol. When I arrived, it was foggy so I was hopeful about getting an oak tree shot. For this album, decided to include the color and black & white versions for each shot. This time of year, I prefer the black and white versions.

Did not go as far as I wanted because my knee is still sore from my spill into Alameda Creek on Thanksgiving. But, I did talk to a lady walking her dogs. She suggested that I go further down where there are boulders and waterfalls. That area is called little Yosemite. It has been quite a while since I have been there so now I want to to return..

Went with C and CRF up to Point Reyes. The idea was to shoot the full moon (aka the Beaver Moon) from Mount Vision with a side of sunset. Well, it seems shooting the moon is very elusive. The top of Mount Vision was fogged in. We never saw the moon except for a little glow behind the clouds when we got home. Instead, we ended with a nice visit to the Beach and sightings of the Tule elk.

Took a short trip over to Sunol while CRF cooked Thanksgiving dinner at home. I thought I would have the park to myself. Instead, there was a ranger on duty and parking lot was about half full. When I arrived, the day was overcast with a little fog at the top of the hills. By the time I left, there was full sun.

Had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner. Afterward, I took a long nap. It was a peaceful day.

Went with C to Point Lobos.  This is my first visit to the park.  It is spectacular.  Ironically, we had a perfect sunny day with no clouds and blue, blue skies.  That is the worst possible weather for taking photos.  However, I want to go back many times and keep trying.

Rented a Canon 24mm tilt shift lens for the weekend.  I had heard George Lepp speak so highly of the lens and present his amazing results that I needed to try it for myself.  Therefore, I had plans to shoot some tree shots looking up the trunks and various macro shots.  Reality was that I never quite figured how to really use the lens.  May try again at a later date.  For now, no plans to try out a tilt shift lens again.  Sigh.

With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, decided to try my hand at shooting a Christmas card. Went to Michaels for a few “Christmasy” things, the store was packed with Christmas stuff and shoppers. This makes me wonder if I am already too late to be ready for Christmas and we have not had Thanksgiving yet.

Trying to stage a shot taught me a few things.

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Spent a lazy weekend.  Started Friday nite with a migraine.  On Friday evening, took dogs for a short walk in Don Edwards near the fishing pier. I had never noticed the pier before! 

On Sunday, took a trip over to the coast south of Half Moon bay.  The tide and surf were very high.  I was planning a long hike in Butano.  Instead, just made a few quick stops at Bean Hollow Beach and Butano State Redwoods.  Headed home for a long nap.

Just started shooting with my new Canon 20D, which I love.  Decided I would protect my LCD with a Hoodman plastic cover.  Received the hoodman yesterday and carefully attached it over the LCD.  When I went our shooting, noticed concentric circles which were inside the hoodman.  So took a thin piece of plastic and carefully lifted up the Hoodman.  Unfortunately, I actually lifted up my LCD!  After an initial bout of horror, pieced both Hoodman and LCD back into the camera.  Everything seems to be working fine.  Now, I am afraid to touch it again. 

Got up early Sunday to go shooting with Trudy and Celia.  We all went adventuring today in Uvas Canyon.  With the fall rains, Uvas Canyon is magical again.  It was Trudy’s first visit so it was fun to introduce her.  We spent 6 hours exploring the mile long waterfall loop.  Lots of fun.  On the way back, we discovered the Dollar Tree store and picked up a few bargains for good measure.

Got up on Saturday morning.  Bocifus was instantly on full alert for the possibility of going for an adventure.  After getting dressed, Miss Cho-Cho waddles in and gets in the action.  I tried to ignore the two dogs and go out by myself.  However, I had coyote howls, herding, the "paw" and moaning.  Since Chip was not around, I took both the dogs out to Sunol.  It got a little complicated with both the leashes and the tripod, but we all ended up having a good adventure.

Attended a 4 day workshop in the Grand Tetons. Instructors were Vincent Versace, Moose Peterson and David Black. Have to return to the area and explore more without all the time pressures of being in a workshop.

Almost did make the workshop, got food poisoning on Friday flight. Had to return and go home. Recovered on Saturday and got back on the plane on Sunday morning.

Wrote up a lesson about a really cool >Photoshop technique for controlling eye movement that I learned in the workshop.