Day 230 - Sunset

Production means long days, which means you're on set for both sunrise and sunset.

Day 220 - Catalina Sunset

And with this lovely sunset pano from Parson's Landing, we bid adieu to Catalina Island, at least for this trip. I've finally caught up to my picture a day quota too, so with only 145 days left in 2011, let's see what else comes my way . . .

Day 219 - Campfire

A campfire on the beach at sunset? Yes, please . . .

Day 187 - Grand Canyon National Park

The last time I had been to the Grand Canyon was in 1981; my family rented a pop-up trailer and we drove all over the West visiting National Parks. So visiting again as an adult 30 years later was like seeing the canyon for the very first time, especially with an appreciation for sunsets like this one.

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field

I suppose the recent calls to replace Wrigley Field are to be expected; today's society always wants what's new, improved, and modern. But there's something that's just so . . . historic when you step off the El at the Addison Street exit and there it is. The oldest stadium in the National League, the second oldest in baseball. It was built in 1914, which is why you'll never see a stadium built like it (or Fenway Park in Boston) ever again. It's shoehorned into an actual neighborhood, bordered on all four sides by Addison and Clark Streets in the front, and Waveland and Sheffield Avenues in the back. At the corner of Waveland and Sheffield is a statue of the Cubs' late broadcaster Harry Carey, fittingly underneath the "Bud Light Bleachers" sign, as Carey had the tendency to drink heavily before and during games.

There's also a statue of Cubs' legend Ernie Banks along the Clark side; sadly his mantra of "Let's play two!" has become as obsolete as Wrigley surely will.

Inside, Wrigley lives up to its nickname of the "Friendly Confines," as it certainly isn't a big park. But what a park it is. Those ivy covered brick outfield walls, that magnificent hand-operated scoreboard, the lack of advertising, ribbon boards, and video replay give Wrigley such character, that, when coupled with the intimate seating, we could have been watching a game from the 1940's or 50's.

The food was good, although the lack of a pickle spear on the Chicago dog was a glaring omission, but then again, I was there to see the Cubs in their home environment, and wasn't that concerned with my meal - an overindulgence of fried Wisconsin cheese curds can do that to a person.

It was a fitting end to a whirlwind trip - four baseball games in four days in four different stadiums. I do miss my "brother" Thom; he truly is like family to me, and our shared love of baseball makes our strong friendship even stronger. It was also good to see Margie and Dave again, and to quote The Turtles, I'm glad they're so happy together. So thanks, Wrigley, and thanks to all of Chicago. It's a great city, but the weather precludes me from saying I'd like to live there. Cubs fans are a special lot, and to be a part of it, even for just one night, is something every baseball fan should experience.

It's baseball. Pure. Perfect.

Day 174 - Milwaukee River

Looking the other way up the river from The Harp . . .

Day 134 - Camera Phone

Not as much detail as my DSLR, but not bad for a phone.

Day 120 - Sunset

Got this quickly last night at Terranea . . .

Day 93 - Sunset

The clouds after the sun had set were almost as spectacular as the sunset itself.

Day 92 - Sunset

I always liked the distortion of a setting sun . . .

Day 91 - Sunset

When I was a child, Marineland was on these bluffs, and I don't ever remember seeing the sunset from there.

Day 38 - The Bluffs

I went to LMU last night for a panel discussion called "Truth & Fiction on Screen," about filmmakers accurately portraying a true story, be it "based on" actual events or "inspired by" actual events. An interesting evening to be sure, but I got to campus a little early and went out to the bluffs overlooking Playa Vista and Marina del Rey to catch the last glimpse of sunset.

Day 31 - Dockweiler State Beach

In normal daylight, this palm tree is ratty and ragged, but in silhouette, it looks just fine.

Day 30 - Dockweiler State Beach

Cotton candy, no?

Day 29 - Dockweiler State Beach

A fast-moving storm sneaked through L.A. on Sunday, but was mostly cleared out by sunset.

Day 24 - Redondo Beach

No, I wasn't stalking, and thanks for thinking it.

Day 23 - Redondo Beach

I'd like to say it's my remarkable skill as a photographer that I got this gull in perfect mid-flight across the sun, but that's hooey. Luck, plain and simple . . . that's all it is.

Day 22 - Redondo Beach

Better backlight . . .

Day 21 - Redondo Beach

Although this shot looks blown out, I was trying to get good backlight on the backwash of the surf.

Day 20 - Palos Verdes Peninsula

The southern tip of the Santa Monica Bay is an excellent spot for whale watching.