SueBee and Kat

Who needs Walden Pond? I’ve got Oak Glen Preserve within an hour’s drive. I’m hooked on that place… completely and utterly addicted. We Southern Californians often hear how others are envious of our weather with its near-continual sunshine and mild temps. People move here in droves after watching the Rose Parade each New Year’s Day, after […]

We had a wonderful family get-together for Thanksgiving yesterday, with lots of feasting and fun. My 96-year-young mom (Kat’s grandma) stayed over an extra night so I could show her my new favorite place of Oak Glen today. This morning, the sky was a dark gray, and rain was coming down pretty steadily as we left. I […]

Knowing the fondness humans have for birds, particularly towards the end of November, I can hear this Town Squawker loudly calling out a warning to his feathered friends… “Run, HIDE, it’s that time of year again!!!” Poor guy doesn’t understand it’s not Roast Peacock being served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Today’s Foto Fix was […]

Mojave National Preserve…what a breathtaking place to visit, and camp! My boyfriend Cam and I chose to stay at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground for a few days of hiking, climbing, and exploring (as well as the awesome camp-side stuff: campfires, s’mores, watching the stars while drinking a beer…). With the sun blasting in our eyes at 7AM, […]

As I carefully got into eye-level position on the moist (wet, muddy, cold) Fullerton Arboretum ground, a few thoughts went through my head…. I must be nuts, I look ridiculous, I hope no one walks by, I hope I can get back up. Too late for any of that, I scooted into various angles, hoping […]

Downtown Los Angeles Fabric District – now that’s a destination! Within a few short blocks of FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and near the Fashion District, is a fabric paradise. Whether or not you’re a designer, seamstress, or tailor, you should go visit just for the experience! It’s a whole new world, as […]

I had a wonderful lunch with my son who works at University of Southern California (USC) today. Once done, he went back to his office and I wandered off on a photo expedition (naturally!) of the gorgeous campus. Heading up the stairs to Doheny Memorial Library, I noticed a plaque affixed on either side. Just by […]

Late afternoon sun colors a bird’s home and overlooks end-of-season tattiness in the garden. ~SueBee (photo by SueBee in the community garden at Fullerton Arboretum)  

Spectacular colors, using the sunset filter on my Nikon, looking west from rooftop of the parking structure at The Grove, 3rd and Fairfax. I find these photos reminiscent of Arizona’s seguaro cactus silhouetted against the setting sun. Since acquiring my first “real camera” last Christmas, a Nikon D5100 with turbo lens, I’ll tell you, reviewing […]

An annual tradition ‘grew up’ this year – we chose wine-tasting in Escondido, just north of San Diego, as the destination for our get-away. Some families have a reunion, my three adult-age kids and I have Family Therapy Weekend! It’s something we started several years ago, as catch-up time, during their breaks back from college […]

Kat and I headed out to San Bernardino County two weeks ago, inspired by a friend’s post on Facebook. Within an hour’s drive, we arrived in paradise! Yes, the mountain village of Oak Glen, an apple growing center of Southern California, up the mountainside above Yucaipa. I can’t believe I’ve lived so many years in […]

Samples of apples grown on his Snow-Line Orchard, in Oak Glen near Yucaipa in Southern California, being peeled and laid out for us to try. So many different kinds of apples, each fresh as they can be. There’s nothing like going straight to the source… the taste can’t be beat! Crisp, juicy, sweet, tart! ~SueBee (photo […]

Taking photos of people on the streets (social/street photography) is a different style of photography from landscape, animals, even portraiture, but it’s one that some people thrive in. I listen to KPCC, Southern California’s public radio station (NPR). Earlier this year I heard about a workshop planned at their studios in Pasadena, called the 24 Hour […]

To celebrate our Anniversary, my boyfriend Cam and I went to the San Diego Zoo to snap a few pics…and by a few, only 1,600 combined 😉 But really, when you’re surrounded by so many amazing animals, and have a turbo lens, how could you take less?! What a place! I haven’t been since I […]

Colorful ethnic costumes fascinate me; I’m drawn to them. That’s not surprising, considering I spent a decade designing and making custom Irish Dance costumes for girls all over the US and Canada. I guess you could say I have a personal connection! The costumes in the gallery below were worn during the recent Dia de […]

It’s a cool, crisp autumn day, you realize you’re hungry, and you start dreaming about food… well, hop in the car! It’s time for a delicious home-style meal served in a country, cozy atmosphere, surrounded by the most beautiful mountain scenery, apple trees, and a quaint country village! Visiting Apple Annie’s in Oak Glen is comforting, and […]

Spontaneous adventures usually result in some of the best experiences and photos. While randomly out n’ about at the Santa Monica Pier, I came across a street performer with three magnificent parrots. When I asked permission to take pictures of the birds, the performer was more than happy to show them off, and had them […]

My recent train trip into L.A. had me wandering through several small museums lining the Olvera Street Plaza, one housing a fantastic Dia de Los Muertos art gallery. Day of the Dead is generally known here as a Mexican celebration, so I was surprised to find a Vietnamese exhibit at the Pico House Gallery. Artist […]

When I took the train to downtown Los Angeles last week, I arrived at Union Station, across from Olvera Street and El Pueblo de Los Angeles historical monument. One of L.A.’s original areas, it’s always fun to visit. The celebration of Dia de Los Muertos was on, so colorful costumes were abundant, music playing, dancers on the […]

Today’s ‘foto fix’ is of Kat and a horse (the sweetest horse ever!) we spotted while exploring Oak Glen near Yucaipa yesterday. Story and pics (hundreds, lol) coming soon of that gorgeous, gorgeous apple wonderland of Oak Glen!! This pic was taken with my iPhone after I’d put the Nikon away, a completely random, cool […]