St Dorothy’s Rest, Camp Meeker – December 7-9, 2012

On our way to and from the Singing Through the Heart of Winter retreat, we passed through many beautiful parts of Marin and Sonoma Counties

On our way Friday, we came across Trees on a low rise.

I like lone trees silhouetted against interesting clouds.

And closer

Ranch homestead and Mt St. Helena

I thought this was Venus, but her name may be Victoria.

Saturday morning, our high location let me watch the sun rise through the mist.

There was still a lot of fog/mist down at the main house at breakfast.

And the sun deck – wasn’t.

A moss covered fallen tree.

Trees on the slope across the Bohemian Highway.

Sunday morning, more mist in the valley called for B&W.

And another view.

Heading home Sunday afternoon, we came upon a hawk on a fence post. Not uncommon, but this one stayed while I took a few shots.

The M.Zuiko 75-300 lens is quite good, really, but I’m still learning proper technique. The images came out well at 100%

I’d never seen this behavior before. The hawk glided to the ground  and spent a some time looking around, then ran up the slope and launched into the air near the top. I’d never thought about it – it was quite fleet of foot.

Not great image quality. The shutter speed was enough for the IS at 600 mm eq., but not enough for the magnified movement of the bird. Focus Magic motion blur correction helped some.

 

Rural recycling.

Never pass up a nice ‘shroom pic.

“Use cows to add life and interest to simple landscape compositions.”

The Bones of the Earth exposed.

Carol sees a turtle head here. Whatever it is, it looks like it’s going to lose its nose.

Erosion.

The Contemplator and his old friend, who has lost his nose and misplaced his dentures.

Rear view.

A magical looking little box canyon, used only by cattle.

The tip of Point Reyes and the mouth of Tomales Bay.

Lots of early rain means the hills turn from Summer ‘golden’ brown to Winter greens. Although the process is less far along further inland, in the rolling hills of West Marin, the range and intensity of the greens is amazing.

Stripes!

Another beautiful corner – and context for ‘Stripes’.

I hope you enjoyed the trip!

Moose atop moosemystic period net