Black and White in Color: On the Ground and in the Sky

Black and White in Color

In March, the City Daily Photo Bloggers have been challenged to post photos taken in color that appear almost black and white. I've been digging through my files and I found these photos of sights on the ground. I took this shot by the Salinas River on one of those occasions when it was full. The sand easily picks up footprints. 

Prints in the Sand by the River

This next photo was also taken close to the river.  The current has left patterns in the sand. 

Patterns in the Sand by the River

Black and White in Color: Look Up at the Birds and the Sky

Several birds have congregated on the wires. 

Birds on the Wires

One bird perched in a tree. 

Bird High in a Tree

The turkey vultures dominate the sky on these cloudy days, but don't they always? 

Turkey Vulture Flying above Cloud

Turkey Vulture Flying over Wires

To conclude this challenge, I return to the view I shoot every night from in front of my house framed by the oak and the palms. 

A Gray Sunset

I think I've met the challenge to let color pass for black and white, but the truth is I don't much like black and white. I think God gave us colors to brighten the world. If I'm going to shoot the sky, I prefer this. 

Weathervane in Sunset

Do you prefer color or black and white photos?

See which shots other City Daily Photo Bloggers chose. 

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The Simple Pleasure of Playing in the Sand

Professional Sandcastles at 2015 Paso ArtsFest

It seems everyone loves the pleasure of playing in the sand. In this post I will return to the Paso ArtsFest of 2015, to the middle of Pine Street next to the park where all ages are playing in the sand. The photo below shows the pros -- the ones who brought all the sand boxes and who build spectacular castles.

Sand sculpture is definitely an art, as anyone who has ever tried it knows. I've often wondered how it feels to build a magnificent sand castle, and then have to tear it down to take it somewhere else and start over, or to build on the beach and walk away, either watching as the tide comes in and the waves knock it down, or just knowing that will happen when you are gone.

Children and Sand Just Go Together

Children aren't thinking about what will happen to their creations at the end of the day. They are in the present. Kids are content with the simple pleasures of experimenting with the sand. They feel its texture as they run their hands through it. They see the impressions left as they use shovels and other provided tools, as well as hands and feet, to mark the sand. Adults stand by to make sure they don't throw the sand at each other - to keep peace in the sandboxes.

These children can see the sand castle being built a few feet away from them, but they see no need to imitate what the adults are doing. They are perfectly content to just enjoy the sensations of the sand as they touch it and any discoveries they might make about how it responds to their touch. They are enjoying the now, free from the pressure to build something just because someone else is. They can follow where their imaginations lead.

Give your own children the pleasure of playing in the sand this summer. You may even want to join them. Here are some great sand toys and tools to make it even more fun.

 John Deere 15 Dinosaur Sand Claws Beach Toy Set for Kids with Bucket, Shovels, Rakes & 7 Shape Molds Bo-Toys Beach Sand Toys Set in Zippered Bag Castle Bucket, 15 Piece Beach Toy Set for Kids,Big 28 Pcs Sand Play Set with Models and Molds,[Castle+ Animal + Tool, Colorful]

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