Leaving the city behind

On board the Bright and Morning Star heading out for whales and other critters.

Dragon art

This wonderful sea dragon is part of the public art display along the harbor in San Diego.

Sea shore and glider

We arrived at Carlsbad in the late afternoon and went straight to the beach (or rather the cliff above the beach). There was a guy who was flying this remote-controlled glider along the cliff, soaring back and forth and dipping and diving and pitching up and around to do it all again. He kept it up for quite a while and was obviously well-practiced.

Clouds sitting on the mountains

We were heading west from Maricopa when we took this one. The day was actually a little chilly and showers and drizzle made it clammy.

Cactus on the hill

Merry Chrismas from Arizona! 

Fairy paths

 

Poinsettias

 

Christmas at the Desert Botanical Garden

 

Cool sun?

I think it's the sun, but ??? 

Swingers

The slow exposure freezes the display here - this is actually a sequence of swinging apes. 

Festive palms

These are cool. The picture doesn't do the scene justice. 

Onlooker

Shadows hide an onlooking zebra.

But these don't mind being seen...

Zoolights

The Phoenix Zoo puts on a light show every year, and it is an awesome display. Hordes of happy people enjoy the holiday scenes, and it's fun to watch the kids rushing from one diorama to the next. 

Tempe Town Lake Boat Parade

A cool, calm evening, perfect for watching the boats go by. We were near the staging area.

The camera I used would only emulate ISO 400, so any movement was enough to blur things a bit. Still, I think you can get the feeling of being there.





The crowd on the bank pushed forward a bit as the boats finally straightened out and headed west toward the main stage area.



All kinds of boats were included. Paddle boats, row boats, sailboats, "go-fast, make-noise" inboards and little outboards. Several held just a couple folks and others were loaded with 15 or more.





And some were really elaborate.



The trees changed green to red, snowflakes twinkled...



And the fire department boat was a great crowd-pleaser with the snowman spraying the water in a rooster tail behind.

Lighting bug

VW bus... 

Santa!

Let it glow! Let it glow! Let it glow! 

Marching band

This really needs a video. The marching bands are all decked out in lights on instruments, legs, arms, hats... It's performance art on a large scale. 

Celebrating the Peace?

The local sheriff celebrates the season by parading with a cannon. 

Festive train

 

Light Parade

Phoenix has an electric light parade (20th anniversary), with marching bands, floats, giant balloons, sky divers, and all lit up for 300,000 people on the route. 

Stainless steel agave

Westbound I-40 entering Albuquerque. Taken at 65 MPH, so judge it not too harshly, please.