Best Photos from our Readers and Staff

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: JACUMBA’S BEAUTIFUL BIRDS

 

East County News Service

 

January 29, 2016 (Jacumba) — Eric Kallen, who runs the website www.JacumbaBirding.com has counted over 191 species of birds in Jacumba Hot Springs, a high-desert community in San Diego’s East County.  “I’ve had 124 species in my backyard,” he says.

 

Now is a great time to go bird-watching there, since you can see wintering and year-round species as well as some early spring migratory visitors.  Here are photos taken this January of a Scott’s Oriole, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Costa’s Hummingbird, with notes from Kallen on each:  


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WEARING O’ THE GREEN: IRELAND OR EAST COUNTY?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.” – Irish blessing

January 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—Those winter rains have left our drought-parched hills wearing a lovely coat of green.  In fact, some areas in San Diego’s backcountry now bear a striking resemblance to Ireland!  Can you tell which photo was taken in East County yesterday, and which was shot in the Irish countryside? (Click “read more” for the answer.)


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PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: BALD EAGLES AT LAKE JENNINGS IN LAKESIDE

 

 

Story and photos by Billy Ortiz

 

January 22, 2016 (Lakeside) -- On January 21, 2016, I drove to Lake Jennings to look for the bald eagle I had been watching for the last couple days. On the 20th, I saw the young bald eagle with a fish and an osprey chasing it trying to take away its meal.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A PERFECT RAINBOW

 

 

East County News Service

 

January 7, 2016 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service tweeted this image, viewed from their window in San Diego, of a rainbow arcing over the city after today’s storm.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A RIVER RAN THROUGH JAMUL—BUT HIGHWAY STAYED OPEN

 

Photo, left, by Jodie LaRosh, reposted with permission from the JAC

January 7, 2016 (Jamul) –Jodie LaRosh came upon this surreal scene this morning at 7 a.m. at State Route 94.  At a dip in the road near Jamul Estates, rainfall had created a river flooding the road. 

At 8:02 a.m., CHP asked for Caltrans to shut down the roadway. A t 8:27 CHP observed that “water is getting pretty deep” and again asked for a shutdown at Honey Springs and 94.  But at 8:41 a.m., inexplicably, CHP posted,  “SR 94 will remain open –there is a foot of water crossing from the creek.” Signs were posted to alert motorists.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS NIGHT’S FULL MOON

 

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.”


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: NATURE'S CAMOUFLAGE

 

 

 

East County News Service

 

December 18, 2015 (Descanso) – Can you spot the California Tree Frog  (Pseudacris cadaverina) in this photo?

It blends in quite well with the granite background in this image taken in Descanso by Duncan McFetridge. 

"Mr. McFetridge’s photo of the treefrog is a very classic example of their habitat and behavior and it is great to see a photo of a local amphibian as the photo of the week," says Chris Brown with the U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, who identified the well-hidden amphibian for us. 


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BEHIND THE PEAK

 

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.”


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: WRIGHT'S FIELD

November 22, 2015 (Alpine) -- Kurt Scherbaum sent in this image of sunbeams shining across Wrights Field in Alpine. You can view more of his works at  www.thelensmanphotography.com


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RAMONA RAINBOW

 

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.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: DOUBLE RAINBOW OVER EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

Robert Gehr captured an image of this double rainbow arcing over the El Cajon Police Station.

Secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and are the colors appear as mirror images. In Chinese mythology, a double rainbow, due to its reversal of colors, represents the movement from earth to heaven and is considered to be a sign of future success.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: LIGHTNING STORM IN BORREGO SPRINGS

 

 

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


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: SUPER BLOOD MOON ECLIPSE

 

September 28, 2015 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr shot this image of a rare “Super Moon” combined with a blood moon and lunar eclipse last night over El Cajon. A Super Moon occurs when the moon is at its perigee, the closest point in orbit to earth, making it appear larger.   The eclipse is caused by the earth between the sun and moon, casting a shadow on the moon. The red  hue is due to sunbeams that slip around the sides of the shadow, creating sunset colors in rust and red.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: REFLECTION

 

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.


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: CACTUS BLOSSOM

 

August 28, 2015 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr snapped this photo of a cactus bloom at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum grounds on Rea Avenue in El Cajon.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CRUISIN' IN EL CAJON

 

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 .


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: BLUE MOON

 

July 31, 2015 (El Cajon)--Robert Gehr snapped this photo of the “blue moon” this week, which actually refers to the rare second full moon in a month – not the color.  He adds, “Images were shot with my Canon Elph @ 40 x zoom.”


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A PINK SNAKE IN EAST COUNTY?

 

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.


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: MT. HELIX IN THE STORM

July 19, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Kristin Kjaero shot this sequence of photos during the mid day storms on Saturday, July 18, 2015.

The photos show Mt. Helix disappearing in the clouds, then reappearing in the sunshine.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: GOLFER'S HEAVEN

 

 

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!


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SAN VICENTE SUNSET

 

July 8, 2015 (Lakeside) – Leon Thompson took this image of a sunset and dramatic clouds above San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside, while out strolling with his dog, Daisy, this summer afternoon.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A WILD NIGHT SIGHT

 

 

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.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: LAKE JENNINGS PHOTO CONTEST WINNER

 

June 18, 2015 (Lakeside) -- Mike Shane took first place in Helix Water District's photo competition, with this beauty shot of Lake Jennings, capturing the serenity of the water's surface reflecting a starbust sun and clouds above.


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AREA PHOTOGRAPHER'S WORK WINS IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

 

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.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: BUTTERFLY RELEASE IN ALPINE

 

May 12, 2015 (Alpine) – Greg Dunn sent in these photos with this note:  “We had a blast watching the kids see the butterfly's released out in front of our store…Sage & Songbird Festival was out in front of Barons Market… We gave out apples and soft drinks. Great turnout, weather was perfect, the butterflys are free.”  He adds, “The best part was watching the smiles on the little kids.”


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: NUTHATCHES

 

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.”


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RODEO RIDING

 

April 17, 2015 (Lakeside) – Randy Jordan snapped these action shots at Thursday’s pre-rodeo slack activities in Lakeside. The rodeo runs Friday through Sunday.  Ride ‘em, cowgirls!


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: READY FOR THE RODEO

 

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.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SPRING DUCKLINGS

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2015

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--Baby Mallard ducks  are swimming and exploring their new world, under the ever-watchful eyes of the adults, at the waterscape in downtown El Cajon at Main Street and Sulzfeld Way.


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LEMON GROVE ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST

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 30th 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.


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