I've shot his old hay rake many times through the years, and it remains a favorite subject for testing new lenses and filters, etc.

Last evening, i looked outside to see some nice clouds and with only 20min til sunset, had no time to get anywhere else. I arrived here just as the sun was sinking behind the foothills, and about 15minutes later, the clouds lit up pink for about 5 minutes and then disappeared.

Tags:   antioch california contra cost county brentwood roddy ranch golf course antique farm machine hay rake rust rusty sunset clouds pink pentax K5 FA43 limited mike oria mikeSF http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/

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Back to this curious little spot in China Camp, San Rafael, CA. The rain made for a slippery and muddy descent to the beach but it was a good night hanging out with Matt Granz.

This is a 2 shot vertical pano, single exposure.

Lens is the FA43/1.8 Limited

Tags:   San Rafael California China Camp State Park Rat Island sunset night long exposure Pentax K5 FA43 Limited beach rocks bonsai richmond pablo bay mike oria photography rock landscape seascape http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/

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Thrill seekers aboard "Goliath" at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio. Yes, I was staring directly at the sun through the viewfinder for several minutes waiting to get this photo.

Thanks to my sis Michelle for leaving the pack to walk over here.

Lens is the FA43 Limited.

Tags:   San Antonio Texas Six Flags Fiesta roller coaster sun solar sol sunburst rays starburst eclipe mono duo toning black white Goliath Pentax K5 FA43 Limited mike oria photography http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/ Six Flags Fiesta Texas Batman DC DC Comics

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My weekend in San Antonio, Texas included a very brief stop at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña, aka Mission Concepción. Built in 1731 and still beautiful as ever. I would've loved to have spent more time visiting San Antonio's treasures, but there is always next time.

Special thanks to my dad who got up at 4:30am to drive me down here.

© 2012 Mike Oria Photography

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A trip to the Knowland Park Zoo in Oakland yielded this glamour shot of a Common Chuckwalla. Press L to see it pop out of the page.

Read more about the Chuckwallas at the Oakland Zoo here: www.oaklandzoo.org/Common_Chuckwalla.php

Shot at f/5.6 ISO1000 handheld with the FA43 Limited on the Pentax K5.

Tags:   Chuckwalla California Oakland Knowland Park Knowland Zoo reptile lizard southwest blie spiny gila monster desert Pentax K5 Mike Oria photography wildlife close focus shallow FA43 limited

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