so what, it's cold

Well, a belated happy new year with this first post for 2013. Whilst my hometown has been having some sweltering summer weather and I've been missing the summer fun with my family back there, we've had a pretty cold couple of weeks here in LA (it's warmed up a bit now), with some particularly chilly days. We even had to turn the heating on...

Cold aside, there's been some gorgeous sunsets! Not only do I see a few on my Instagram feed on any nice day here in LA, the evening I snapped this picture, on my way to an appointment, there happened to be one or two other people in the same stretch of street (attempting to ignore the biting cold) snapping away with their iPhones too. Nice show, winter sky.

autumn gardens

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful California autumn weather (while the East was preparing for the storm, stay safe peoples!) and headed to Descanso Gardens for a stroll. There weren't too many flowers in bloom (we hope to go back again when the roses or camellias are in bloom) but it was so lovely just enjoying all the greenery, fresh air, the views and checking out the ranch house on the property.

These are some iPhone snaps, unedited, plus check out this one on Instagram.

tree. triangle.

Work was a little quiet today so I had a play around with some images. Trying to design a little out of my regular style, use different techniques or colours or shapes, playing with contrast. I'm liking this grid-based, triangle design layered over a couple of pictures from Palos Verdes (taken in 2010). It's a bit like I took a bunch of triangle stickers and stuck them onto a photography poster! Fun!

spring snapshots

Some snapshots from the last couple of weeks. It's been really busy!

Back to normal scheduling this week.

TOP: Wall of Wine at Tierra Sur after our Ojai day. Gorgeous Spring blossoms.

MIDDLE: Picnic at Malibu Creek State Park with the family. Roses are in bloom. Preparing colourful cauliflower.

BOTTOM: Passover food. Quinoa salad with veggies, herbs and feta - very tasty and refreshing. Homemade chocolate, toasted almond and cranberry clusters with sea salt - easy to make!

All photos taken on my iPhone, some using Instagram - you can see my Instagram feed online here.

[hike] central coast

We decided to make the most of the perfect hiking weather so during our recent stay in San Luis Obispo, set off one morning to a nearby hike in the Irish Hills. Nothing too long or strenuous (although I packed enough water and granola bars for the whole day!) There was great signage at the trailhead (and all the way up), including a QR code on the sign so we were able to download a trail map to my phone.

The trail was lovely, with beautiful views of the surround area and mountains all the way up. There were some nice looking houses down near the bottom of the hill and as we wound our way up the trail, got to see the whole property from higher up. The round-trip up and back again took a little over two hours (including stops for water, photographs and snacks.) I found it really relaxing and peaceful. Well, except for my fear of encountering a mountain lion (there were warnings on the sign at the trailhead) and a crazy mountain biker who came barreling down part of the trail at breakneck speeds!

At the top of the trail we had a view of Morro Bay and the iconic rock in the distance. We really enjoy the pool at the hotel after that!

interesting tree

On our hike at Will Rogers SHP, more than one of us stopped at a particular tree to comment on the foliage. The exact words being "That's an interesting tree." I took some pictures of course! Bright yellow, twig-like flower-things interspersed on branches between the leaves - a beautiful layered look!

[hike] to the bridge

Winter in LA is bearable for an Aussie like me who is used to January being summer! We made the most of the lovely weather this past Sunday, and went to Will Rogers State Historic Park for a hike. We went up to the bridge (via the backbone trail) and back, stopping at Inspiration Point for a snack. The views from the bridge and above were amazing, you could see for miles, the city, the surf, the mountains. Thoroughly enjoyable, good exercise (enough to warrant ice cream afterwards), avoided getting run over by mountain bikers or horse riders and it wasn't overly hot!

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fall colors

Lately, we've been enjoying the Fall/Autumn weather here in LA, enjoying the sun when it's out especially after the mostly disappointingly cold summer weather in Australia (but that's typical for Melbourne in December, I really needed to pack better).

These snaps are from last week when I was on the way back from the shops, in between rainy patches of the day. The trees are getting bare but the leaves are still adding vibrant colour to the street, at least for a little while longer and from the footpath/sidewalk! But if you're looking for an autumn palette, here it is, warms browns, burnt orange, yellows, a little green. There's something about this natural composition that I really like. A bright part of a grey, cloudy day.

Photos taken with iPhone. I'm loving my new phone/toy :)

autumnal

It's Autumn (or 'Fall' as they say) here and the leaves are falling! These images are from my archives, I snapped them in May 2006 near High Street in Armadale, Victoria.

The street where we currently live is also lined with oak trees, leaves slowly changing colours. I have to remember to stop and take some photographs on one of my walks.

[guest] yosemite

These images were taken at one of my favorite place, Yosemite National Park, by my mother-in-law on a trip last week. (Avid hikers!) It's a beautiful part of the world and these images capture the regal feeling of the rock formations and mountains, a wonderful atmosphere over the view due to the low cloud. Almost like an Ansel Adams picture!

We went last year and it looks amazingly the same but different all at once. Can't wait to go there again and see more.

droplets

Some lovely droplets on a leaf in the Melbourne rain last year.