Floreria

It wouldn't be Christmas without a gingerbread house.  A couple of years ago I was asked to build a gingerbread house as a fundraiser for the La Quinta Arts Foundation.  A number of artists were asked to participate and build a village.  Since I love to paint flowers it was natural for me to build a flower shop.   It was fun and I learned a lot about making flowers and other tricks of the "sugar trade".  The silent auction went well and mine was one of the top sellers.

"Floreria"  © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas in New Orleans

Even the dogs get special treatment in New Orleans.  This cocker spaniel was all decked out and walking it's master when I came upon them at the corner waiting to cross.  Don't you just love the holiday neckpiece?  Bright and festive.

"Christmas in New Orleans"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Before the Pie

Our weekly farmer's market offers lots of fresh produce.  It's fun walking around the various booths checking out flowers, produce and other products.  Sometimes you find unusual fruits and vegetables not normally found in supermarkets.

"Before the Pie"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Nap Time

I live near Palm Srpings and you know when the "season" opens by the number of Canadian visitors we get.  And they have arrived.   Even the Canadian Geese are migrating.  They love our golf courses.  Lots of grass and water.  Except they're a real messy bird for being so beautiful.

"Nap Time"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

'Tis the Season

Ooops....  I had such a great time at my friends for Thanksgiving that I forgot to post my nightly image.  But since this is the start of the push, grab and buy season I thought a peaceful photo of  beautiful poinsettia, taken in Malaga, Spain would be fitting.  Christmas in Spain is a sight to behold.  It felt like they had captured the market on poinsettias.  The towns were covered with huge masses of the flowers and presented a spectacular display.

"'Tis the Season"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Poppy @ Sunset

I love searching fields in the French countryside for poppies.  Some years are better than others.  In a good year they're everywhere creating a blanket of red.  Some years they are far and few between.  Getting the light right is always a challenge and the late light on this one cast a slight yellow glow to the petals.


"Poppy @ Sunset"      © Kathy Dunham 2009

Summer Whites

The bloom of summer flowers is gone but not forgotten.  This mass of white cosmos reminds me of the glories of summer blossoms.  The colors, the different varieties, the fragrances of the delicate petals are what I love about summer.

"Summer Whites"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Young Amaryllis

A fascinating flower that's easy to grow in water, this striped amaryllis is just beginning to open up.  Now is the season to find the bulbs in the stores and grow one yourself.

"Young Amaryllis"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Passion Flowers

A marvel of nature, the passion flower gets its name from the Jesuit association of the flower structure with the crucifixion of Christ.  But aside from any religious connotations, this native South American tropical flower is a master of engineering.  Just look at all the details.  I don't know how Mother Nature does it.

"Passion Flowers"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Paris in the Rain

What could be more inviting than to sit at a sidewalk cafe along the Seine, drinking wine and having a lunch of Boeuf Bourguignonne while getting this spectacular view of Notre Dame?  If the weather is going to be bad, then this is the way to deal with it!


"Paris in the Rain"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Mirror Image

I usually don't post the same type of image two days in a row but these pale lemon daylilies presented themselves in a unique pose.  And when the flowers talk, I listen.


"Mirror Image"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Golden Daylily

These beautiful flowers are true to their name, they only last one day.  A definite loss to us since we can't cut them for the house or other use.  This ruffled variety is more interesting with all the additional petals.

"Golden Daylily"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Solitude

Japanese Tea Gardens are so serene and peaceful.  The design that goes into them to elicit specific feelings is quite an art.  My first visit to a tea garden was when I was young and visiting my Grandmother in San Francisco.  Golden Gate Park is home to a small but beautiful garden.  This scene is in Portland at their Japanese Tea Garden.


"Solitude"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Portland Daisies

This summer I decided to take a road trip to the Pacific Northwest with a friend.  It was time I see part of the U.S. I hadn't seen before.  And wouldn't you know it, I pick the week of the record breaking heat Portland.  Luckily, these daisies near the famous rose gardens are actually heat lovers and were doing fine.  But the poor roses were having a tough time.

"Portland Daisies"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Ricki

While having lunch at "Tyler's", the best hamberger in Palm Springs, our group was introduced to "Ricki", this darling dog.  She's pretty well known and got her own bowl of water while her daddy had his lunch.  In this shot it looks like she's holding hands with her master.

"Ricki"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Giddyup

Artist friends, Tim and Rick Vigallon, created these beautiful galloping horses in metal.  The entire panel is 8' long and makes a dramatic statement.  These talented brothers design a myriad of subjects in metal, some just burnished and others coated in exciting colors.  If you're interested in their work you can see it at http://www.vigall-art.com/

May I Take Your Order?

It's neat to see what treasures you can find in your own home town.  I was eating lunch today and as I was leaving, I spotted this "Italian chef" outside the restaurant next door.  He was so colorful and charming I couldn't resist taking his picture.


"Can I Take Your Order?"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

A Matter of Inches

The French take the game of Bocci very seriously.  No "gimmees" in this group.  I don't know if there was any money on the line but I have a feeling there was with measuring going on like this.


"A Matter of Inches"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Shasta Daisy

My Mom loved Shasta Daisies.  They were graceful and their fringed petals add a delicate touch to an otherwise common flowers.

"Shasta Daisy"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Veteran's Day in the Park

It's important for us to remember those who serve our country so that we can live free.  The City of La Quinta, where I live, holds a ceremony each Veteran's Day to recognize those members in the community who've been a member of the Armed Forces. This memorial, with their names engraved on it, stands to honor those men and women.


"Veteran's Day in the Park"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

A Study in Red and White

Flowers are my passion and everywhere I travel I'm searching out subjects to photograph.  Sometimes the light isn't as perfect as I'd like but when it's your only chance, you've got to go for it.  These red nasturtiums nicely framed the white flowers and I knew it'd be a while before I'd be back to Skagway, Alaska, so I did the best I could.

"Study in Red and White"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Pink & Green

Hydrangeas are pretty fresh and dry.  But these fresh beauties in pink and greens just talked to me.


"Pink & Green"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas in Barcelona

It'll be holiday season before we know it so I thought I'd get an early start with this shot from the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain.  The city comes alive at night and they have lights hung everywhere in the narrow streets of the old part of town.


"Christmas in Barcelona"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Fish for Sale

Every weekend there's a street fair with vendors selling everything from flags to hardware items.  It's a great way to get some exercise as you have lots of aisles to roam if you want to see everything.  This metal fish was waiting for the right person to take him home.   

"Fish for Sale"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Light at the End of the Tunnel

The old Spanish fort in Cartegena, Columbia is laced with tunnels.  Places to store weapons and other paraphernalia of war and a way to move about without having to be exposed to cannon and gun fire.  They were very dark and small.  The Spaniards must have been short people. 

"Light at the End of the Tunnel"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Desert Pinks

I was driving home this afternoon and as I approached the stop sign I looked to my right and something unusual caught my eye.  It was pink and feathery.  I quickly turned the corner, parked the car and walked back with my camera to see what it was.  I don't know the name of this plant, but with the sun behind it, the delicate pink tones stood out so soft and delicate.  Without the sun hitting them that way, they were just another plant.  You never know when oportunity will strike, but I always have my camera ready.


"Desert Pinks"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

November in the Desert

We don't always get spectacular sunsets in our desert but tonight it was a real knock out. 


"November in the Desert"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Biroc

When the weather is foul in the fields of France, shephards and workers can seek shelter in this centuries old rock and slate hut called a "Biroc".  It doesn't have any amenities but at least it's dry.

"Biroc"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Out for an Afternoon Drive

I was in Palm Springs today celebrating my friend Patty's birthday when we noticed this classic beauty driving around the neighborhood.  And the weather was absolutely perfect to have the top down so they could enjoy warm sunshine.


"Out for an Afternoon Drive"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Bookseller and Pooch

For the past  two years I've had lunch the day I arrive at my favorite bistro "Cafe de Flore" on the Left Bank of Paris.  And across the street sits this bookseller and his dog.  Occasionally he gets up and walks around but always winds up at the feet of his master.

"Bookseller and  Pooch"  © Kathy Dunham 2009