Merry Christmas!

I figured it would be appropriate to post some pictures of Santa Claus today.  So here's mine...these were taken a couple years ago while backpacking.  I was lucky enough to see Santa making a practice run!

A wish for peace, harmony and love.  May you discover the power within yourself to create the life you want!

From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!

Red-tailed Hawk Encounter

Red-tailed Hawk Glaring

 

Bolsa Chica Reserve, Huntington Beach, Ca.

Found this guy (or girl) on a trail at Bolsa Chica yesterday.  I was actually turned the opposite way shooting a Reddish Egret "dancing" in the bay (images to follow if I got anything good) and suddenly all the shore birds got a little startled and begun flying around.  I looked around knowing that when a flock of birds suddenly takes of it's almost always because of a predator.  I didn't see any raptors though.  So a few minutes later after exhausting the Reddish Egret shots I got up and back on the trail and not 15 feet down the trail was this Red-tailed Hawk perched on a sign post.  It must have been camouflage from my vantage point.  Anyhow, I was able to snap off a few shots before he realized I was a little too close for his comfort.

A side note: It always amazes me how small birds instinctively know what raptors are a threat to them.  Birds know that, for example, an Osprey is not a threat because it only eats fish but on the other hand if a Harrier or Peregrine Falcon were to fly over they would definitely scurry out of the way.  The particular birds that this guy spooked only did a circle or two before landed safely back on the shore; I think they realized after a moment that this hawk wasn't too much of a threat.  Most likely it was looking for rodents, rabbits or snakes.

Cool fact: The oldest known Red-tailed Hawk was 28 years 10 months old.  (www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-tailed_hawk/id)

Reese and Jack

Took a short trip out to Creek Park in La Mirada a few days ago to shoot Reese and Jack.  Here's what happened...

 Reese loves nature!

Needless to say we did a "few" takes of this shot.

 

I think Reese has a future in modeling maybe (I never once asked her to pose)...

I love this shot of the siblings!

 

I'll end with the face I think I saw the most...

Happy Gratitude Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Or as I refer to it Gratitude Day.  Knowing how important gratitude or thanksgiving is in my life I try to celebrate Thanksgiving on everyday of the year. 

I thought I'd share a little history on the day that I dug up.

Thanksgiving traditions did not stem from one thing.  The common myth is that the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth and the natives greeted them and they had a feast.  It's a little more complicated than that.  The traditions come from a series of events that eventually evolved into what we now celebrate.

But most commonly this is the story that is told about what led to Thanksgiving.  In 1620 a ship (you might have heard of named the Mayflower) sailed from Plymouth, England to Massachusetts (which was named Plymouth).  There were about 110 passengers aboard fleeing religious persecution in Europe.  When they settled in Plymouth they endured a devastating Winter there where about half of the passengers died.  The other half made it through the Winter and in 1621 they were greeted by natives who spoke English.

Some of the natives learned English from passing Vessels others were kidnapped, enslaved and taken back to Europe later to escape and return home.  These natives eventually taught the Pilgrims how to harvest the land.  By the next Winter they had enough harvest to get through the Winter so they decided to celebrate with the natives, which is the origin of the gathering of family.  They celebrated for a 3 day period. 

Over the next 2 years the Pilgrim's crops were depleting.  They still weren't experienced enough at harvesting and they also shared their food.  Then a severe Summer arrived and they fasted and prayed.  Not long after their prayers the rain came.  In November they declared a day of Thanks.  This is most commonly perceived as the first Thanksgiving Day. 

It wasn't until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.  Each President since Lincoln would also declare a national day of thanksgiving.  Later it would evolve into what it is now and be celebrated on the 4th Thursday of each November.

The great thing about this day no matter what story is told is that it is about "thanks"; gratitude.  What are you thankful for today?

The power of gratitude is very underestimated.  If you are struggling with something (anything) I challenge you to incorporate a new practice in your daily grind.  Before you fall asleep each night, while you are laying in bed, come up with at least 3 things you are grateful for.  Write them down or simple just picture them in your head.  Fall asleep thinking about them and only them.  Then each morning before you get out of bed come up with a new gratitude list - again with at least 3 things.  Keep this routine up for 21 days and then reevaluate how you feel.  I guarantee you will have changed.  Once you realize this maybe you'll be motivated to keep doing it.

I'll leave you with one of the best sunsets I was able to witness this year.  I am grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some of my references included:

http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pilgrims.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Natalia Giselle is baptized

Natalia Giselle is baptized!  Here's a few moments from that day.  Enjoy!

 My two favorite...

 Happy Halloween!  Just a few pictures from our local pumpkin patch to get you in the mood...

Where's Waldo?

Natalia at the Pumpkin Patch

In between clients I get to shoot my 6 month old niece Natalia.  So here's some of my favorites from Natalia's first visit to the pumpkin patch.

 

 

 

 Here's the whole family!

 

Happy Halloween!

It's been a little longer than I like since my last post.  But here's my newest slideshow promo that might show you what I've been up to.

Hindu wedding - Palos Verdes Estates

This was a Hindu wedding ceremony, in Palos Verdes Estates, that I had the privilege of shooting with Prince Weddings.  I am so grateful when I get to participate in foreign styled weddings because they are so different than what I'm used to.  I get to learn so much about the culture and photographing it.  With Hindu's they are so colorful and interactive that I got so many great shots.  I just wanted to share a few with you.  Enjoy!

The bride (one of my favorite shots).

A lot of rose petals at this wedding.

The Groom.

Before the ceremony started they washed the feet of the groom to purify him for his new life with his bride.

The bride and groom sit beside a holy fire called Agni.  In Hinduism, fire is regarded as a purifier and a sustainer of life.  The Hindu priest is called a Pundit and here he lights the fire for the Havan (the fire ritual).

At the beginning of the ceremony, a cloth is held between the bride and groom so they don't see each other.  But there is still some interaction between them underneath it that involves family members.  The groom cannot see her until he expresses his acceptance of her.

I really enjoyed this part (and by the looks of it, so did they).

 I wasn't sure on what the ritual was behind this one but they threw rose petals on each other.

Gautam places a ring on Ganga's toe.

This is called Laja-Homah.  Puffed rice is offered as oblations into the sacred fire by the bride while keeping the palms of her hands over those of the groom.

There are several food offerings to the fire.

I believe this is called Madhupak, where they offer honey.

This ritual was fun to watch too.  The couple put their wedding rings in a pot of water and swirl it around.  Then they have to fish out their ring.  Who ever comes up with their ring first is supposed to be the decision maker of the marriage.  The bride came up with it every time!

Love this look.

This was definitely one of the more interesting and entertaining ceremonies I've been to.  I learned a ton of stuff, hopefully you did too.  Thanks for visiting!