USA Men's Team Practice in Guatemala

I made it to Guatemala City to photograph the USA's upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. Like the coach of the team Jurgan Klinsmann, I don't think I'm the only one who can't wait for the game to start.

Before the team's practice on Monday the USA team held a press conference for the media which included Klinsmann and Landon Donovan.

The the USA team arrived at Estadio Mateo Flores...

to start their warm ups....

...under the watchful eye of the coach...

Like I said can't wait for the game to begin. Have a feeling it will be quite a match!  You can see more of my practice photos here.

The 102nd Dipsea Race

I love photographing the Dipsea, a 7.5-mile cross county race in Marin County that starts in downtown Mill Valley, goes up and over Mount Tamalpais and ends up in Stinson Beach.  

I've covered this race before for the Marin IJ, and this year I covered the start line which I love to do...

There is so much happening, there are the friendly introductions of the racers who have finished in first before...

And there are the staggered start times which make it easier to photograph the start.

As part of the team coverage I covered the start of the race, through Old Mill Park...

And then up the legendary Dipsea Steps....

Which seem to never end.

You can see more of my photographs and the rest of the Marin IJ coverage of the Dipsea event at the newspaper's website.

San Rafael Pacifics Opening Game

I was fortunate to be able to photograph for the Marin IJ the opening of a professional baseball team last night as the independent San Rafael Pacifics held their opening game at Albert Park in San Rafael against the Sonoma County Grapes on Monday night.

It was a really festive atmosphere with celebratory pins being handed out for those in attendance.

As a small team looking to make money in any way they can, any place that can be used for advertising was considered...even the back of the umpires jackets.

The first pitch ever in Pacifics history...

...and a packed grandstands watching every pitch...

...bat boys scurrying after loose baseballs...

...and a local boy who hit two home runs during the opening game, there were story lines everywhere.

And with a small park you might even catch the mom of the local hero hi-fiving the other fans.

I really enjoyed photographing the opener for the Pacifcs and plan on coming back to catch a few more games as well this season as a photographer and a fan.  Can't wait!

You can see a slideshow of more of my photographs from opening day in the Marin IJ article online.

75th Anniversary of Golden Gate Bridge

I photographed the fireworks show for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge last night for the Marin IJ.  It was an amazing display!

We chose to shoot the shot from Marin and I was lined up with around a hundred other photographers up there snapping away.

Just glad that the fog stayed away and allowed everyone to view the display. Happy 75th Golden Gate Bridge!

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.