Have Camera Will Travel...
have somehow developed a passion for photography.
I have never taken a class in photography. Can't even figure out the handbook for my camera (Canon A720/IS). Which says a lot about the camera, actually. Point and click is my kind of camera.
In spite of my photographic shortcomings which are many, I've compiled a collection of photographs of which I'm quite proud and would like to share some of them with you in this lens.
My camera tells a lot "About Me".
This photo is by Lindseywb and is used with permission through Creative Commons.
A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. ~Eudora Welty
The Housesitting Connection...
or how I became obsessed with photography.
Jack and I have been housesitting for about five years through Housecarers.com. My camera goes with me everywhere. We're inseparable. Bonded together permanently.
We've had most excellent assignments in
Manhattan Beach, California;
Bainbridge Island, Washington;
San Diego, California;
Dallas, Texas;
Mendocino, California;
Tucson, Arizona.
Granted that's not a huge travel itinerary but we've had multiple housesits in all of these places and it suits us just fine. You could spend lengthy amounts of time in any of these spots and never see everything there is to see.
There are housesiting opportunities all over the world! In order to travel all over the world, you must board an airplane. We choose not to do that. But that's another story.
It's been fabulous fun and my camera and I have had more photo ops than you can shake a fist at. This country is beautiful.
Arizona - The Desert Southwest
A camera's dream adventure.
A hundred ten in the shade is sorta hot, but you don't have to shovel it off your driveway. ~Author Unknown
I
love Arizon. We once had a housesitting assignment in Tucson in September for about three weeks. It was hot!
But (and this is the truth) it was tolerable! Yes, it was. Hot in the sun but if you move into the shade the difference is remarkable.
Here are some of my impressions of the Desert Southwest.
The photos in this slide show are favorites of mine. Cacti are so sculptural and make great photographs. My camera captured OCOTILLO with the long thin arms and PRICKLY PEAR in the first picture, an ORGAN PIPE cactus in the next, then a Gila Monster. I'm particularly proud of the butterfly landing on the flower. I took that at the Desert Museum in Tucson. There's a rattlesnake in there, too.
Then we traveled up to Sedona and on the way stopped at the cliff dwellings called Montezuma's Castle. That log carving of the Indian chief is in Sedona. Some of the still life that I captured while we were housesitting in Tucson...gourds, driftwood, the cobalt blue bottles on the wall...all so pretty.
Other cacti in the Sonoran desert were just begging to be photographed. Huge SAGUARRO(pronounced Sa-war-ro) cactus in the Saguarro National Forest (yes, a whole forest of saguarro) just west of Tucson, BARREL CACTUS and PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS with its red fruit. Those fuzzy looking cacti that look a little tree-like are called CHOLLO (pronounced choy-o).
And finally, there's nothing prettier than a saguarro's silhouette against an Arizona sunset. I hope you enjoy these photos.
If you go...
...you will need a good travel guide.
Fodor's Arizona & the Grand Canyon 2010 (Full-Color Gold Guides)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/05/2009)
This Fodor's full-color guide paints an unforgettable picture of Arizona with vibrant maps, vividly illustrated features, and stunning color photos.
%u2022Updated annually, Fodor's Arizona provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.
%u2022Fodor's Arizona features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.
Washington State - The Pacific Northwest
Bainbridge Island
Two cats - Ohits (for Oh, it's the big cat...) and Muffin (or The Muffs) are our two charges whenever we housesit for their "humans" on Bainbridge Island. We love those two cats.Bainbridge Island, Washington is about a half hour ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. It's in the Puget Sounds and it's about 50 miles long and 10 miles wide.
The city of Winslow is a beautiful place and we have thoroughly enjoyed each housesitting assignment there. What's really great is that we're within walking distance of the Ferry to Seattle so it's just a matter of walking on, riding to Seattle, spending the day shopping or sightseeing and then returning to Winslow in the evening.
This map appears on the official Bainbridge Island website.
In this slide show you will see:
* Some pretty garden art,
* A view of Seattle from Bainbridge Island,
* The Bainbridge Island ferry,
* Sailboats in the marina on the island, and
* Views of the Space Needle, Mt. Baker (the evening shot) and Mt. Ranier (the day shot).
* Also, you will see us approaching Winslow on the Ferry.
* The Harbour is a really good little cafe right down by the marina.
My Camera and me...
...in Washington state's Skagit Valley.
A few more favorite photographs:
I took this spectacular photo of Mount Baker on a (rare) clear day in February.
The Deception Pass Bridge spans 1487 feet. That's over 1/4 mile in length! Approximately 20,000 vehicles pass over the bridge each day. And it has been designated a National Historic Landmark
This is a view of Puget Sound from Deception Pass which connects Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island.
A Visit to The Olympic Peninsula
This is Ediz Hook on the Olympic Peninsula. Ediz Hook is a 3-mile long spit in Port Angeles Harbor. It's kind of a tradition for visitors to stack stones on the rocks along the spit. I have no idea why but every time I've visited there are stones stacked here and there.
Driftwood, giant seawood and rocks at the Ediz Hook
If you go to Washington state...
...this travel guide will be a great companion.
Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether you're a visitor or a local looking for something different, let Washington Off the Beaten Path show you the Evergreen State you never knew existed.
Washington Off the Beaten Path, 8th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 12/05/2009)
Product Description;
"...These are essential guides to extraordinary travel. Discover the unusual and less-travelled. Written by locals, these guides provide information about the sights and experiences that they want to see and experience.
From the best in local dining, quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds plus many more. All have been fully updated, including information about new hotels, attractions, restaurants and 'offbeat' sidebars. This title is the perfect companion for those seeking a unique travel experience..."
"California dreamin'...
on a winter's day..."
~The Mama's and The Papa's
Southern California
A perfect climate. Not too hot - not too cold.
Five or six housesitting assignments in Manhattan Beach morphed into a lasting friendship with the homeowners and their two beautiful Siberian Huskies.
They moved out of the state this year so we won't be going back to that sunny spot but we'll stay in touch. And we will miss those sweet Huskies.
Each time we went, we filled each day with adventures and my camera and I were on a mission to record as much as we could in the time that we had.
This slide show is just a very small sampling of the photographs I've taken while traveling in Southern California.
The first four pictures are from the Getty Villa in Malibu. Fabulous no-to-be-missed museum if you're ever in the Los Angeles area. Then, a couple of shots at the mission in San Juan Capistrano the oldest mission in California.
The La Brea Tar Pits is a remarkable look back into prehistoric times. Hauntingly lifelike statues show the mammoths sinking into the pits.
Manhattan Beach is a beautiful lively community. See the Manhattan Beach pier with the waves crashing against it and a gorgeous street of houses marching down to the beach.
My camera and I have traveled many miles...
...to many other states.
My Squidoo lenses (so far) featuring my travel photographs.-
Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's Home
-
There is something very special about visiting a place that is historically significant. It's a trip back in time. Thomas Jefferson loved this home better than any place on earth and if you ever go it will be apparent why that was true. He called M...
-
A Visit to Pittsburgh, PA
-
October, 2008. A wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina took Jack and me on another road trip. It was a last minute trip because we weren't going to attend the wedding because it was going to be so far away. But the parents of the bridal couple are su...
-
Mendocino County, California
-
We recently had the privilege of housesitting in Mendocino County, California. We've traveled extensively throughout the United States and have visited California many times but had never stayed this far north in California. It was a wonderful exper...
-
Northwest Angle of Minnesota
-
The Northwest Angle of Minnesota (affectionately called "The Angle") is the most northern part of the United States. A small piece of the state juts about thirty miles north of the rest of Minnesota. Unless you travel by boat across Lake of the Wood...
-
Korean War Memorial - Washington DC
-
On a recent trip to Washington DC, the one exhibit that I really wanted to see was the Korean War Veterans Memorial. I'd heard that it was impressive. Well, impressive doesn't even begin to describe it. It's breathtaking. It's awe-inspiring. And it'...
I get by with a little help from my friends."- John Lennon
My Rocket Moms friends, that is...
More Travel related lenses...
...from my Rocket Mom friends.
Take a look at these beauties. I'll be adding more as time goes on.-
Top 10 places to visit in South Dakota
-
South Dakota has got to be my favorite place in the US. There is just so much history there and as far as natural beauty, it has everything; mountains, plains, hills, and forests. I travel to South Dakota several times a year normally and I never, EV...
-
The Midsummer Festival in Finland
-
The Midsummer Festival is the greatest summer Holiday in Finland. The Finns celebrate it from the heart, let themselves loose and welcome the summer. Cities have official celebrations and festivities, but most Finns gather with family and friends at...
-
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
-
Christmas is always a magical time to visit Disney World. So what better way to spend an evening than at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This 'hard ticket' Disney World event has a special parade,fireworks and lots o...
-
Savannah, GA
-
I have been traveling to and vacationing in Savannah, GA since I was very young. First it was with my mother and father, now I take my son, Christopher, to the place that I fell in love with as a child. The things I have learned over the years have...
-
Top 10 travel accessories
-
When we are packing for a trip, we all remember to put our cameras on our list, but what are the other items that can help make our trips a little easier, a little more relaxing and a little more fun? Read on!
A Camera for you...
...and lots of other photographic necessities, as well.
Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Amazon Price: $407.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
Digital SLR Cameras & Photography For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Vtech - Kidizoom Plus Digital Camera - Blue
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
Underwater Case for the Canon Powershot Digital Camera
Amazon Price: $28.25 (as of 12/05/2009)
Pocket Size Mini Tripod Stand for Canon Sony Nikon Digital Camera
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/05/2009)
Do You Squidoo?
Why don't you write about YOUR experiences, talents and interests?
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." - Lin Yutang
My Camera and Me Guestbook
Hey, thanks for visiting...
I hope you've enjoyed the photos I've posted here and have learned a little more about me in the process. I'd love to have you comment on your favorite photo or on places that I've mentioned that you love, too.
-
Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Sep 9, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
- Do you know, I need a camera-outfitted hat or purse so that each and every day in my journeys, that camera is right there with me all charged up because I know that you know we lensmasters and writers have so many writing opps and photo opps that we miss out on -- why? No camera on hand! I love travelogues.
-
Reply
- WindyWinters WindyWinters Aug 14, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
- Great Pictures and Very Professional! Hard to pic only one. The colors are so vivid. Housesitting sounds fun!
-
Reply
- C-Joy C-Joy Jul 4, 2009 @ 8:23 am
- Your pictures are beautiful - thank you for sharing them!
-
Reply
- partybuzz partybuzz Jun 27, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
- Great photography and lens! Enjoyed it very much!
-
Reply
- TheGreenerMe TheGreenerMe Jun 25, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
- You could've fooled me, I think your photography looks very professional! Excellent photos, I especially like your pictures of Saguaro. I was there a few years back.
- Load More
CherylK
Lensmaster CherylK has been a member since February 3 2008, has rated 1,140 lenses, favorited 896, and has created 53 lenses from scratch. Cheryl Kohan donates their royalties to Acumen Fund and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This member's top-ranked page is "Simple Steps to Prevent Water Pollution". See all my lenses
My Bio
A little about me:
I love gardening, reading, watching sunsets on our lake, turtles, traveling, art galleries, feng shui, photography, cooking, espresso, California wine country, environmental issues, antiques and collectibles, interior design, blogging, Squidoo.
I love being a Giant Squid! And being a part of these other great Squidoo groups is cool, too.
Check out these great lenses...
-
- Housesitting and Petsitting - Two Unique Travel Concepts
Housesitting is caring for homes and pets while their families travel here and there. It's a fabulous way to visit anywhere in the world for just the cost of the transportation. We've been housesitting for about five years and it's been a great expe... view lens -
- Chocolate Chip Cookies - Three Ways
The most baked cookie of all time is the Chocolate Chip Cookie. Seven billion chocolate chip cookies are eaten annually. Specifically, the Toll House Cookie recipe right from the Toll House Morsels (chocolate chips) bag. It's a great recipe, that... view lens -
- Rain Gardens - A Beautiful Way To Improve Water Quality
Did you know that 85% of pollutants in our lakes and streams is the result of stormwater runoff? Did you know that every parking lot and road that is built only increases the pollution? Did you know that these pollutants affect wildlife habitats as... view lens -
- My Quest For A Greener Life
The first thing I'd like to make clear is that I'm not, by any means, a poster child for the eco-movement. I love to travel but I don't like airplanes and I've had a couple of really, really disasterous train trips so travel by car is my first choic... view lens -
- Lensography of CherylK
I discovered Squidoo in February of 2008 and decided that it would be a good place to practice writing, display my photography and learn a little more about the internet and all it has to offer. I haven't looked back. It's so much fun.... view lens
Copyright Notice
by CherylK
I love gardening, reading, watching sunsets on our lake, turtles, traveling, art galleries, feng shui, photography, cooking, espre... (more)
Explore related pages
Pacifica Perfume- Pacifica has emerged as a breath of fresh, ocean air in the world of fragrance,...
Pineapple Cream Cheese Ball Recipe- Pineapple Cream Cheese Ball is an especially festive version of the classic chee...
Personal Photo Stamps- Choose from various frames on photo stamps to add your personal photo to. Great...
Lensography of CherylK- I discovered Squidoo in February of 2008 and decided that it would be a good pla...
A Visit to Pittsburgh, PA- October, 2008. A wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina took Jack and me on anothe...
Dale Chihuly Exhibit - Desert Botanical Garden- I had the pleasure of visiting the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona...
