East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – “This is one of the pictures I captured of this year's rare Christmas full moon,” said Robert Gehr of El Cajon.

He adds, “The last Christmas full moon we were blessed with was 38 years ago in 1977. The next one will be 19 years from now in 2034.”

November 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Rob Foster sent in this beautiful photo of  a place located just above the bend of the San Diego River where it turns north in the shadow of, or "behind the peak" called E-quílsh-a máhk. “Where your Heart, Mind, Spirit & Soul are at Peace,” he writes, “a place we could all use in these troubled times.”

November 11, 2015 (Ramona) – Nicole Bridges, founder of Capability Ranch, sent in this photo of a rainbow arcing over the facility. Capability Ranch provides activities and events for special needs children and adults.

October 21, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Bob Kutscher sent in these dramatic images of a spectacular lightning storm over the Anza-Borrego desert last week.  You can view more of his work at his Weather Center page at http://www.boblandusa.com/weather.htm and view live weather cams for the Borrego Springs area at http://www.boblandusa.com/Borrego_SW_Cam.htm

September 20, 2015 (El Cajon ) – Robert Gehr took this image at the El Cajon waterscape in downtown, near city hall.  “The "reflection" is of the huge flag draped down the wall of the El Cajon city hall building honoring those who died at the New York twin towers event of 9/11 - see second image.

August 5, 2015 (El Cajon) – Leon Thompson snapped these photos at the El Cajon Classic Cruises held each Wednesday night in downtown El Cajon – or what he refers to as “hotrod heaven,” showcasing everything from a little deuce coup to low-riders.  For details on upcoming Classic Cruise night themes, you can visit www. DowntownElCajon.com .

July 29, 2015 (Lakeside) – Who knew we had pink or red snakes in East County?

Sarka-Jonae Miller snapped this photo in Lakeside today near the Santee border, close to Riverford Road off State Route 67.  Our researcher team soon identified the reptile as a red racer snake, also known as a red coachwhip for its tail that appears braided like a whip.

July 9, 2015 (Tucson)—East County Magazine co-founder Leon Thompson, on vacation in Tucson, Arizona, sent in these photos.  It’s not hard to see why he’s wanted to extend his stay!

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- You just never know what you might see on a warm desert night out in Borrego Springs! 

This shot by our editor, Miriam Raftery, was taken on the summer solstice eve.  The figure at left, a photography student on Dennis Mammana's night sky photography tour, is facing off with a sculpture of a giant sloth (a creature that once roamed the Anza-Borrego Desert). The gigantic metal sculpture is one of many created by artist Richard Breceda that appear tto rise from the desert floor, captivating the imaginations of young and old alike.

The moon, Venus, and Jupiter are faintly visible in the sky above.

Cliff LaPlant is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.



May 14, 2015 (Alpine) – A photograph created by Cliff LaPlant, www.sierralara.com ) of Alpine, California has recently been accepted into the Motif Collective Galleries of Artists Showcase for the 2015 Landscape Photographic Competition. LaPlant’s work is now on display in the Online Gallery at www.motifcollective.com.  This International Photographic Competition is held monthly supporting Fine Art Photographers from around the world.

April 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Greg Dunne snapped these images, and sent this note:  “These Kooky White-breasted Nuthatches have been giving my wife and me some enjoyment with their nesting the last couple of weeks. I say kooky because they spend a lot of their time upside down. Walking head first down the trunk of the pine tree looking for insects. They also feed on seeds and we enjoy them at our feeder.”

April 17, 2015 (Lakeside) - At the Eastbound Bar & Grill in Lakeside, staff is ready to welcome the rodeo crowd this weekend. The restaurant is ready to give away 1,000 free hats to its customers -- and provide a streetside spot to watch the 50th annual rodeo Saturday morning.

East County News Service

April 5, 2015 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove is calling on all photographers – amateurs, professionals, adults and youths—to enter the city’s first annual photo contest.  All photos must contain an image of a lemon or lemon related object (such as a blossom or tree) and be submitted by the April 30^th deadline.

The application states:  “Lemon Grove is embedded with a rich history built around rows plentiful with citrus trees and lemon growing the town’s largest industry. Help us celebrate the culture of Lemon Grove by entering your best image based around the iconic symbol of the `lemon.’”

 Scroll down for additional details.

March 18, 2015 (Jamul)—The HP Wren UCSD webcam atop Lyons Peak in Jamul caught this dazzling sunrise on St. Patrick’s Day.  Sure ‘n’ those glistening jewels in the sky look like a Leprechaun’s treasure!

March 12, 2015 (Anza Borrego Desert) -  Kristin Kjaero visited the Anza Borrego desert Tuesday, where she observed "thousands of caterpillars in a feeding frenzy...The roads were dotted with yellow splotches."  Standing still for just a few moments to take a photo, she adds, "I had caterpillars crawl onto each foot."