On Form

A horse and jockey train during the morning workout at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Aftermath

A racehorse walks back toward the stables after a race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Once More Around

A carriage driver looks at his canine passenger between races at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

The True Meaning of Something or Other

Upland, Calif. on Sunday, December 25, 2011.

Previously: 

First New Friend

Wait, "Fauve" Means Wild Beast?

Fall

A squirrel rests on a tree branch in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 18, 2011.

Rocky Returns

Who is he? Rocky, the Fleeing Squirrel.

What does he do? He flees, generally.

What is he escaping? His past, the law, maybe other squirrels.

What does he seek? Underwear. Could really use some boxers. Briefs would be fine.

Have we seen him before? Oh, yes.

Say ... "Steak Pie"

A woman dressed herself and her dog to participate in the "Slice of Pie" event at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

At Our Front Door

Three crows, Los Angeles, Saturday, September 17, 2011.

On Certainty

Simon the Cat arrived on our doorstep the other day, convinced he lives here. He does not, but there was no dissuading him. He remained, and waited. His owner came by an hour or so later and took him home.

Why So Serious, Skulls?

Dire Wolf skulls at the George C. Page Museum in Los Angeles, Sunday, August 14, 2011.

No, I don't know why they are called that.

The Moose Sleeps on a Lower Branch

Well, it's a squirrel. Just sitting there, staring in my window. Not suspicious at all. Still staring. Stop it, squirrel.

At least it's not this.

Wait, "Fauve" Means Wild Beast?

Why, yes, we were discussing Chip Simons, why do you ask?

The Circle of Life is Noisy

I don't mind that the backyard crows fight. I just wish they'd wait until I've had my coffee before they start.

Rocky, The Fleeing Squirrel

No moose sightings to report.

The Tune Without the Words

A boy approaches a crow bitten by his dog, Los Angeles, Thursday, May 26,2011.

First New Neighbor

Hey, remember when I moved from Manhattan to Los Angeles and made my First New Friend? (That was a friendship with its ups and downs, of course.)

Well, I'm now moving right into the heart of Los Angeles, and while unpacking I've met a new pal. I call him "Red." He (or she?) hangs out high in the tree and stares inside, checking me out.

Which is either very cute, or maybe a little creepy, depending how you look at it.

Have Your People Call My People

The thing about Zoo photographs (beyond being completely unnatural, unsporting and often sad ... if you really think about it) is that the backgrounds are often ridiculously artificial. I think, from a technique standpoint it makes sense to approach these kind of shots backwards: background first.

The other tough thing: getting model releases signed.

Above: Saturday at the San Francisco Zoo.

Only in Threes

Three seagulls perch at the San Francisco Zoo, Saturday, January 8, 2011. While free to come and go, the birds seem to choose a steady diet of dropped French Fries over what they can find at the nearby shoreline.

Invisible Microphone

Above: at the San Francisco Zoo, just moments before this post.

Catchlight

Above: A young gorilla pauses play while an older gorilla looks on at the San Francisco Zoo, Saturday, January 8, 2011.