I overheard someone merrily congratulating a costumed maiden for portraying Princess Leia wearing something other than the slave costume. The slave costume was rather popular this year.

The Leias

I got a couple of good photos of the statues of the Clone Wars characters with the movie screen behind them.

Anakin

Clone Wars

Many fans of the Star Wars series hung out around the promotional area for me to photograph.

The Jedi Knight

The Stare

Jedi Mind Tricks

I saw this cute poster promoting a Star Wars amusement.

Star Wars Roller Coaster

I posted some of my photographs on Flicker. Over the next few blogs here in the Gallery, I will post the artistic images I made from other photos. This week, I’ll start with a look at some of the interesting people who wandered the exhibit areas.

Hair Today

The Mohawk

Pink Mohawk

The Bat Tat

Couple

Costumes

The Time Lords

Miss Adventurist

Yosemite Pioneer History Center

Photography Wagon

At Yosemite National Park’s Pioneer History Center on weekends, they have people recreating the life experiences of the 1800s. Here is a picture of one of the docents and the photography equipment from that day and age.

Barn Dog

Over the summer, they have many horses stabled at the center. Some are draft horses to pull the wagons. Others are available for trail riding. This is a picture of the huge barn and the dog who stands guard.

Civil War

Here are some pictures I made from the Civil War Re-enactment in Mariposa California in June. With the first set, I wanted to create the look of old-time photos.

Southern Cavalry

The Knitter

The Gentleman

Southern Comfort

Photo Illustrations

For the next set of pictures, I wanted them to look like paintings or illustrations from old magazines.

U. S. Cavalry

The Blues

Civil War Painting

The Explorers

“Flower Power” was one of the catch phrases of the sixties. Poet Allen Ginsberg advocated that people should give out flowers to soldiers and police while they held peaceful protests against the Vietnam War. Flowers became the symbol for a peace-loving generation.

The sheer beauty of flowers is both inspiring and rejuvenating. Here are some flowers to help bring some peace to your spirits.

Iris Energy

Harmony

The Flower Power Generation

Here are two pictures of some aging hippies who still believe in the Power of Flowers and that “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.”

Corey and I spoke briefly with a woman, Patricia, who was setting up the carnival. They do this almost every week in a different location year round. There are two other carnival groups that are part of their same company here in California.

Setting Up

Patricia

Patricia was from Mariposa near here and had been with the Carnival for about a year.

Setting Up

Tornado

Carnival by Night

There was a great deal of beauty and artistry that went into making these rides. I made a point of coming back when it was dark to capture the magic of the lights.

Himalaya

Carousel Horses

Carousel Top

Dark Carnival

It was interesting to walk around the carnival the night before it opened. The lights were on the amusements, but it was almost completely deserted.

Candy Stand

Thriller

The scariest-looking amusement was the fun house dedicated to Michael Jackson. That’s a pretty frightening idea all by itself.

Michael Jackson

I had intended to return to the carnival and spend some time there while it was open. Unfortunately, I ran over a deer antler and punctured a tire, so my car was out of commission for the weekend.

The carnival may have been small, but it was a wonderful photo opportunity.

Carnival Reflections

Equines

Noble Steed

I saw this horse at a Civil War Reenactment event. He posed so proudly that it was as if he wanted his photo taken. I just had to oblige such a fine show-off.

Muley

This mule works at Yosemite National Park in their stable. He was just enjoying the afternoon sun on his body.

Wild Animal Park

The Watcher

This bird was perched on a sign at the Wild Animal Park. He seemed quite unconcerned at all the people who passed him by.

Play Toy

The gorilla was just sitting there kissing the purple ball.

The Smile

The expression on the bull African Elephant’s face while he sucks his trunk is just too fun.

Canines

Shepherd

This handsome dog was walking at the Oceanside Farmer’s Market with his proud owner.

Homeless

This dog was at the Humane Society hoping someone – anyone – could take him out of his cage and give him a home. His mute appeal says it all.

However, I decided that this year, I’ll take the day seriously. Earth Day should be a day to celebrate the joys of living on this beautiful planet. So with that in mind, here’s my Earth Day gift to share with you.

Carlsbad Flower Gardens

If you ever want to see the floral equivalent of fireworks, go to Carlsbad California in the spring to see the gardens. Acres of ranunculuses in rainbow streaks across the landscape are a treat for the eyes.

Ranunculus Garden

Flower Field

Tulip

Ranunculus

White Ranunculus

Balboa Park

Another fantastic place to visit in the Spring is Balboa Park in San Diego. In addition to the interesting people and events that go on there, the flowers are in bloom everywhere you look.

Geraniums

Azalias

Yellow

Easter Lily

White Columbine

Enjoy the Earth

Clearly, the right way to celebrate Earth Day is to get outside and do something. Feel the wind on your face. Smell some flowers. Remind yourself of the wonder and joy that surrounds you.

Seaside Surfer

New Baby

Celebrate Earth Day

It was a great opportunity for photography.

One of the best subjects for photos are the people of Southern California. People were out everywhere enjoying the fine Spring temperatures.

I’ve been experimenting with a variety of art styles for this set of photos.

Oceanside Farmer’s Market

Every Thursday Evening, Oceanside holds an impressive street fair in the middle of their downtown. There are a few farmers selling veggies and flowers. However, there are many more merchants and food sellers. You can pretty munch on any ethnic food from gyros to African dishes to Texas barbecue. There’s always music in the air to add to the excitement.

Flamenco Guitarist

Grunge Band

Of all the people wandering around the street fair, this couple was my favorite.

Icarus and Friend – Retro Style

Icarus and his Girl Friend

Balboa Park

I spent Sunday at the park listening to music, trying Lebanese cuisine (date molasses and pine nut juice is really, really sweet), and following a park ranger as he gave a lecture on the plants of Balboa Park.

Flamenco Guitarist

Flautist

Sun Bather

Steam Powered Giraffe

My favorite performers of the day were this group of pantomime musicians who entertained in front of the lily pond.

The Performer

The Lead Singer

The Spokesman

Next week, I’ll celebrate Earth Day by sharing some of its beauty.

Woman’s Work

The Seamstress

The Knitter

Knitting

The Schoolmarm

Men Folk

Cleaning the Cannon

Young Warrior

The Chessplayer

The Political Rally

Speechifying

The Constitutional Union Party

Watching the Rally

Politicians

Etching of Mr. Henkus

I’ve taken several approaches with the pictures I took at this event. I wanted them to look as if they, too, were from a distant past.

A Call to Arms

The time period for this event was actually pre-Civil War, dealing with the Presidential campaign of 1860. They held a couple of political rallies over the weekend. Both the South and the North were calling for volunteers to their military groups.

Seventh Brigade West Virginia

The Inspection

Major Rhodes

The Union Soldier

Lt. E Henderson

The Confederates

Sgt. Robert Allen

This was the military side of the presentation. Next week, I’ll post the other side of this re-creationist encampment.