Some photos from the first ice storm of the season. Shot from my doorstep, since it was pretty treacherous out there beyond the step.
J. Larry Golfer Photography
Function disabled
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Friday, December 2, 2016
Photo Shoot: Flowers by Binaifer
A recent photo assignment involved shooting several flower arrangements by the Virginia-based floral designer Binaifer Davar. She has a website at here and wanted to add new photos of some of her recent designs.
Binaifer has trained at the Judith Blacklock Flower School in London, and is a contributing writer for Blacklock’s The Flower Arranger magazine. In 2009, Binaifer was selected as one of 12 semi-finalists for Chief Flower Designer for the Obama White House. She is based in Falls Church, Virginia and provides flower designs to clients throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
This was a challenging assignment but I think the results speak for themselves.
You can contact Binaifer (pronounced "Bin-EYE-fer") by email here: binaifer at aol dot com (note that I no longer post actual email addresses because nowadays "webbots" scan everything on the web looking for emails in the typical "name@domain.com" format for spamming purposes.)
Binaifer has trained at the Judith Blacklock Flower School in London, and is a contributing writer for Blacklock’s The Flower Arranger magazine. In 2009, Binaifer was selected as one of 12 semi-finalists for Chief Flower Designer for the Obama White House. She is based in Falls Church, Virginia and provides flower designs to clients throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
This was a challenging assignment but I think the results speak for themselves.
You can contact Binaifer (pronounced "Bin-EYE-fer") by email here: binaifer at aol dot com (note that I no longer post actual email addresses because nowadays "webbots" scan everything on the web looking for emails in the typical "name@domain.com" format for spamming purposes.)
Black Star Calla Lily (Genus Zantedeschia) and Bear Grass |
Picasso Calla Lily (Genus Zantedeschia) and Kangaroo Grass |
James Story Orchids (Genus Dendrobium) , Curly or Corkscrew Willow (Genus Salix matsudana), and Lisianthis |
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Piñones Trail: Biking, Beaches, Boardwalks, Birds, and a Blue Lizard
Today, I rented a great little mountain bike to take a ride through the Piñones forest on a beach and boardwalk trail through the woods. Robert, owner of San Juan Bike Rentals (http://sanjuanbikerental.com/), has a great little business going where he delivers bikes, helmets, locks and a handlebar bag direct to your hotel/condo building. If you remember, last year I rented a rusty old clunker for this ride, but Robert's bike was a nearly new ProdecoTec X3 V3 mountain bike.
The first views of the trail are of the ocean beaches.
The trail passes through thick forest on the right, more beaches, then turns sharply into the woods. It was very hot and I only stopped when I heard or saw birds, so I have no photos of the woods themselves.
Once in the woods, I did see a few examples of local wildlife. Puerto Rico is not known for a great deal of wildlife, but I photograph what I do see.
This mockingbird has a great call, actually, many calls, and when I heard him, I was looking high in the trees trying to find him. After a few moments I noticed he was on a branch literally 30 feet away, in full view, and didn't move as I brought out the camera and began to take some shots. If you have sound, you can hear samples of these calls here: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/audio/play/251213
Tomorrow, we're off to the Barefoot Travelers B and B on the east side of the island for the night then an early morning walk through the Humacão Nature Reserve.
Me and my mountain bike |
The Pinones trail starts at Punta Cangrejob, a cape east of the town of Loiza. The trail winds through ramshackle bars and outdoor eateries like the one seen below that look abandoned during the week but are lifely during the weekends.
La Casa del Miami Vice, |
The first views of the trail are of the ocean beaches.
Beach View from the trail |
Beach-side boardwalk section of trail |
Once in the woods, I did see a few examples of local wildlife. Puerto Rico is not known for a great deal of wildlife, but I photograph what I do see.
Northern Mockingbird |
This mockingbird has a great call, actually, many calls, and when I heard him, I was looking high in the trees trying to find him. After a few moments I noticed he was on a branch literally 30 feet away, in full view, and didn't move as I brought out the camera and began to take some shots. If you have sound, you can hear samples of these calls here: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/audio/play/251213
Northern Mockingbird |
This blue lizard appeared quickly as I rounded a turn, and skittered off the trail. I was able to get a few quick shots before he was gone.
Blue-Tailed Almeiva Ground Lizard |
Zenaida Dove CORRECTION: Common Ground Dove |
Tomorrow, we're off to the Barefoot Travelers B and B on the east side of the island for the night then an early morning walk through the Humacão Nature Reserve.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Vacation Paradise: San Juan, Puerto Rico
The big snow of 2016 had pretty much come and gone by the time we departed on our comfortable Jet Blue flight early on a Wednesday morning, but the prospect of warm ocean breezes in a lush tropical paradise made it very easy to forget that "Snowzilla 2016" had ever happened at all.
Upon arrival on the island, as you disembark from your aircraft, you can't wait to peel away the sweaters and long sleeves of the colder northern climes to adjust to the sudden rush of warm humid air in the jetway and the blazing sunlight of a tropical afternoon.
Ah, Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion...two weeks to unwind, reinvigorate, and explore the sights and sounds and tastes, both old and new.
The image above is the view from our balcony room over Isla Verde Beach. The following images are a collection from our first few days.
Upon arrival on the island, as you disembark from your aircraft, you can't wait to peel away the sweaters and long sleeves of the colder northern climes to adjust to the sudden rush of warm humid air in the jetway and the blazing sunlight of a tropical afternoon.
Ah, Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion...two weeks to unwind, reinvigorate, and explore the sights and sounds and tastes, both old and new.
The image above is the view from our balcony room over Isla Verde Beach. The following images are a collection from our first few days.
View of Isla Verde Beach, ground level. |
Carole with palm leaf rose |
Cattle Egret in a kerfluffle |
Young man making palm leaf hats and flowers |
Carole, late afternoon on the beach. |
Patient customer awaits her treat |
Water nymph |
Carole in sun flare. |
Late afternoon view from the beach chair. |
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Snow bird visitors
Had some interesting views of birds visiting today on Jay Miller.
Pileated woodpecker and Carolina wren |
Mourning doves |
Pileated woodpecker foraging |
Thursday, January 21, 2016
First Snow 2016
Birdbath in the garden, first snow of the year, Jay Miller Drive. Photo © J. Larry Golfer
We had a bit of an adventure this evening in this first snow. Carole slid sideways down the first hill coming down Whispering Lane earlier this evening before coming to a perpendicular stop across the road. Other cars did the same but thankfully did not hit her. I came to the rescue and inched the car safely over to Oakwood but facing the wrong direction next to a curb. Will have to retrieve the car once the streets are safe to drive on.
Cars coming down Jay Miller were sliding all over, too. We met a new neighbor from Tallwood who had to leave her car in front of our house because of icy conditions.
Nevertheless, the first snow was pretty looking out our door once safely home.
Drive in your low gears and avoid quick changes if you need to be out there early, and you should stay safe.
Larry
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Last of the Fall Colors, Lake Barcroft 2015
So we were given a wonderful warm day this past Friday to get out and enjoy the lake and many of us did. Barges and kayaks, hydrocycles and bass boats, I saw them all.
I took the kayak out for a last look at our fall colors and shot these photographs for everyone's enjoyment.
Let's hope winter stays away as long as possible.
I took the kayak out for a last look at our fall colors and shot these photographs for everyone's enjoyment.
Let's hope winter stays away as long as possible.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Birds in the Garden
Before all the rain, photographed some songbirds in the front garden enjoying the day, including the birdbath.
Here's a Carolina wren in the birdbath:
A chickadee patiently waiting his turn:
Bluejay about to go for a drink:
Chickadee with a big seed:
Hairy woodpecker:
Here's a Carolina wren in the birdbath:
A chickadee patiently waiting his turn:
Bluejay about to go for a drink:
Chickadee with a big seed:
Nuthatch in a typical pose:
Hairy woodpecker:
And, if you didn't have a chance to see this video, here it is again. This is a very rare pairing, to me: a black-throated blue warbler and a female redstart visited the birdbath. It happened so fast, it was all I could do but grab my iPhone and take a quick video.I've loaded it below but you can also view it at this link: https://vimeo.com/140829886
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)