I spend a lot of time on the computer... A LOT of time. If I'm not at work, in front of the monitor for 8 hours a day, I'm at home in front of one for another 1-3 hours, editing my personal photos. I enjoy the latter and would love to be able to do it full-time.. but that is another post all in itself. As a result, I'm the pale-est I've ever been during the summer and my eyes are big as saucers. My bones creak when I move and I have the beginnings of tendonitis in my wrist. It's time to get outside.

Luckily, the place where I work buts up against a nature preserve called Chiquarita Creek. Not only do I love the name, but half of the running path that loops through it is canopied by gnarled sycamores and tall brush. I've seen coyotes wandering through, stopping to look at me quizzically as if to say, "What the hell are YOU doing here?"

After a few days of walking the trail on my lunch break, I brought my camera to bring a little of it home with me. It's my little piece of heaven at the moment.

You'd think my blog had turned into Animal Kingdom or "When Cats Attack!" week here over at Deannster & Co. But no, it's just me, snapping away at anyone or anything that will pose... whether they are willing or not.

I've found that I learn a lot about portraiture when working with animals. I learn how to handle someone or something that is not going to just sit there and smile on command. They don't want to sit still, they don't want to do what you tell them to do. So I employ tricks and wiles and whatever it takes to get the job done. Same goes for little kids and some adults.

Although I bill myself as a "natural light photographer," sometimes, you just can't get the shot you want with available light. So you gotta improvise. Or in my case, learn about actual lighting. I've got a flash... now I'm starting to learn how to use it.

In other good news, I found this amazing place by my work that would make a great backdrop for a portrait session. It reminds me a lot of the creek behind my grandmother's house where I used to spend a lot of time as a kid. Not only does it make me a little nostalgic, but I am now able to appreciate the different elements that give it such good lighting. I already have a couple subjects in mind... stay tuned for some new stuff.

When I moved up to Temecula, I brought 2 cats and a terrarium of frogs with me. When I settled into the house, I found that I had inherited another 2 dogs. In the 2 years since I have lived here, I have adopted another dog and cat, besides the 3 other humans that reside here with me. In 1100 square feet, things are pretty crazy, but I don't think I would have it any other way.

Back to when I first moved in, though... Marisa had adopted this teeny-weeny 2 year old pomeranian after losing her first dog to a bout of terminal cancer. From the moment the little dog met the grieving human girl, it was love at first sight. If Marisa is in the room, Dolores can't take her eyes off her. After I moved in, it took a couple months for the little dog to warm up to me. But now, I have become "mom number two" and when her girl isn't around, I seem to be a satisfactory substitute.

These are from a walk we took on Sunday afternoon.

My brother came into town with his family to introduce his new son to the rest of the family. Little Jackson is so sweet and so calm and has a big sister who can't wait for him to grow up! I don't get to see them as much as I'd like, so it was extra special to see them.