The peacock is a truly magnificent animal with dazzling colors, long majestic feathers, and beautiful patterns. However it is actually a relatively mean animal. There is something scary about them like they are constantly trying to figure out the best method of attack to send you running and screaming in the other direction. I think it is the black beady eyes always watching you even when it seems like it isn’t. ...

Slowly but surely through constant effort, I am getting better at getting the bird shot. Here are some new attempts for bird shots.

Gabe’s planning on doing all the Early Bird Criterium races this year, and here we are for the first mentoring and racing session. A bit of warmup on the rollers, and it’s off to the start of the race. It’s a good sized field, and I’ve tried to pass on the key advice Gabe will need today. The pack wound up getting shredded when a really fast Spokesman guy took off the front. After a couple of laps between two packs, Gabe dropped to the second pack and finished a strong first. Outstanding job Gabe! ...

I don’t think I like it but it is an interesting example of short poetry, which I don’t do plus a picture. Sorry not a lot to post tonight, can you tell 🙂 Shadows retreat As dawn creeps closer. The sun claws its way from darkness Like a dead man from his grave Chasing away the shadows Leaving this lighted day. No more living in darkness The last thing the dead men say.

This past year has been one of progress and growth for me at least. I have learned so much in this year alone that it is astonishing to me; from photography, to my writing, to my schooling I feel I have grown. Instead of taking the time to look back on all the wonderful things that have happened this year I want t o take the time to move forward. People linger far to log in the past and as part of my growth I hope to live in the now instead of what has happened. I want to tell everyone to take advantage of the life you are given and don’t waste a second. Now is the time for growth, it does not matter if you are young or old, it is the time to grow. So soak up in your roots the wonderful memories of the past and spread out your branches with the growth of new memories and new life.

Gabe’s racing season gets off to a start with the San Bruno Hill Climb. There’s plenty of rain and cold threatening as usual, but fortunately there’s a somewhat sunny pocket just for the race. Warming up is a trick at this race, but we’ve got the tent and rollers that do the job nicely. It’s too bad the long line of starting groups cools him down completely before the start. I know Gabe is nervous with national champions and older kids in this race, but he’ll do his best. I think he was happy with his result of 22:20.7 for the day. ...

They say you found me At a crossroads unmarked But a split all the same The child born for a civilized world And the daughter raised by wolves They say I was savage I did not know I had hands Only teeth to get my way I fought for all I wanted Even if it meant fighting you They say I had hair like tendrils A mass of wild tree branches Tangled in my curls Untamed by mans hands But still gentle under yours ...

Before we ever got into Yosemite National Park we spotted this coyote perched on top of a mossy rock framed by branches. He seemed so peaceful siting there, he didn’t even seem to mind me watching him. He looked very healthy for a coyote. He looked so fluffy and welcoming, I really would have liked to pet him if he wasn’t a wild animal. So instead I just enjoyed his beauty from a safe distance. ...