The Annular Solar Eclipse

After experiencing a partial solar eclipse in 2009 when visiting Hong Kong, I was determined this year to travel the three hours from San Francisco to see a total lunar eclipse outside of Redding, Calif., at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

A huge viewing party of hundreds of people were hunkered down to view the first annular eclipse in the USA since 1994.

The eclipse started out quite amazing...

causing long lines at telescopes hoping to see the eclipse...

and wearing protective lenses staring at the sun.

And then...

...the most amazing sight...

a total lunar eclipse.

It only lasted 4 minutes...but it was an amazing 4 minutes...

And slowly and surely the sun re-emerged from behind the moon but I will never forget seeing one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen in my life.

Egypt - Street Photography (Desert style)

I just recently returned from a trip to Egypt to attend an artist workshop. It was an amazing trip and I was able to grab some photographs during my free time.

Whereever I travel I love to get out and take some street photography of the country.   For example on my trip to Hong Kong a few years ago.

But in Egypt I was in the the countryside and out in the desert, in particular the Sinai Peninsula which was absolutely amazing to behold...

I was excited also to be in Egypt while the revolution continues. I was able to photograph and attend a rally in Tahrir Square.

The one thing I learned for sure is that I just scratched the surface of Egpyt, and I hope to be able to return one day soon and learn much more about the country.

Sports in Marin

I love shooting sports.  Especially high school sports.

I know sometimes that it seems like most of my blog is sports shots here. It's not true. I shoot a lot of other events.  I'm not joking!

For the Marin IJ  this winter I was lucky to cover a number of games of basketball...

Regular season rivalries...

and intense playoff atmosphere.

Also mixed it up with wrestling...

and some soccer.

I also got to shoot several portraits of the high school athletes which was a lot of fun as well.

I guess what I'm saying is I love it!  Keep bringing the sports shots my way!

Motorist drives car into the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach

Sometimes the craziest assignments come out of nowhere.  Kind of like a car plowing into the Pacific Ocean in San Francisco.

I was working for the SF Gate when the story appeared about a driver who drove their car straight into the Pacific at Ocean Beach.  

We needed some photos, and I live right near the location so I drove over and grabbed as many photographs as I could in 15 minutes before heading back to continue my work.

It was an amazing sight.  When will I ever have a chance to see a car in the ocean again? You can see more of my photos with other Chronicle photographers on the article on the SF Gate. 

Devo at the Fillmore

In the 1980's I wasn't a Devo fan. After watching them at the Fillmore I will always be a Devo fan.
I photographed the concert for Tamara Palmer's excellent review on the SF Weekly. I'm glad I was able to be there.

Besides playing their amazing songs and tons of costume changes...
...they brought an amazing amount of energy you might not expect from a group full of members pushing 60.

But as the standing ovation at the end of the concert attested. Devo can still rock it. Once again, the SF Weekly review does a much better job of explaining it then I could possibly do.

The Upset: Marin Catholic loses in NCS football Final

Upsets. They do happen. Just ask the players for the Marin Catholic football team playing against underdog Campolindo High School in the North Coast Section Division III football championship Saturday night.
Marin Catholic (MC) were heavily favored to win the game and play for the California State championship game next weekend in Los Angeles. But from the beginning Campolindo attacked MC from the start of the game, getting them out of their groove. MC played some tough defense...
...and tried to stop the quarterback from gaining large yards, but Campolindo held the lead at half time and through most of the second half.
MC had their chances to take the lead. A couple of passes in the end zone were dropped...
and their star quarterback Jared Goff did throw one beauty of a touchdown pass.
But after they took a one-point lead, Campolindo drove down the field and hit a winning field goal with time expiring.
The Marin Catholic team were crushed at their defeat.As the Campolindo fans and team celebrates their victory...
...all the Marin Catholic team could do was console each other...
...and wonder what might've been. I guess that's why, as the old cliche goes, they do indeed play the game.

For more photos and story of the game, here in the Marin IJ story of the game.