Challah

The end of Passover marks a new beginning, represented by the reintroduction of leaven into the household. Here is the first loaf of challah bread, still on the cooling rack.

For: new beginnings 2 contest

Family reading

Read to a child at an early age and soon they'll be doing it on their own.

For: world book day contest

Choose wisely

If you look closely, the young boy has a dollar in his hand. At the used book sale, children's books were 50 cents each. Not an easy decision.

For: world book day contest

Goldeneye

The common goldeneye is a diving duck. This is the male in its breeding colors, having wintered in the San Francisco Bay area. (description added for clarification)

For: g is for contest

Studio musician

This was taken in a recording studio. I wanted to capture the practiced hand and impeccably maintained instrument of someone who makes his living in the background.

For: g is for contest

Cliff swallows

Every spring the cliff sparrows return (they are the ones who go to Capistrano). When they do, as they did a couple of weeks ago, they build new mud nests completely from scratch.

For: new beginnings 2 contest

Garage

For: g is for contest

Fireworks

For: max color 2 contest

Gulls

They were all floating peacefully until something startled them. I've threatened to turn this into a jigsaw puzzle.

For: g is for contest

Young reader

I was struck by this girl's unhurried posture as she made her selections.

For: world book day contest

A good thumb

For: chilled out 4 contest

Golfer

Replacement image. Even on a cold, gray day such as this one, an avid golfer will punish himself in the name of sport.

For: g is for contest

Pampas grass

For: sun 3 contest

Low tide

Every low tide brings a different landscape. On this morning, it was a lobster bait bag added to the mussel shells and ever-present seaweed.

For: nature close up 2 contest

Blueberries

The deer had not discovered them yet.

For: nature close up 2 contest

Relaxing on the deck

For: chilled out 4 contest

Ice Plant

For: max color 2 contest

A flock of snoozers

For: chilled out 4 contest

Sunset at the marsh

I was setting up my tripod next to a number of photographers, getting ready for the full moon to rise. This is what I saw when I turned around.

For: sun 3 contest

Sunrise at a mountain lake

It was so peaceful that even the birds slept in.

For: chilled out 4 contest

The marine layer

It was completely clear when I started preparing for the sunset. Within a matter of 15 minutes, the marine layer came in and provided this most unexpected shot.

For: sun 3 contest

Knitting at sunset

For: arts and crafts contest

V.S.O.P.

For: product ads 2 contest

Knitting

A series of complex cable stitches. This detail is from an original blanket pattern that repeats every 89 rows.

For: arts and crafts contest