In the Field: Photography Blog by Richard Wong

Montana de Oro State Park

2009-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Exposed Monterey Shale Along Coastline, Montana de Oro State Park, California

This is the seascape version yesterday's blog post of the monterey shale rock. This was actually my 5th visit to Montana de Oro but my first time walking to the tip of the Bluff trail. I'm glad that I did because this area is the most visually interesting part of Montana de Oro SP in my opinion.

Monterey Shale, Montana de Oro SP

2009-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Eroded Monterey Shale Bedrock, Montana de Oro State Park, California

Montana de Oro SP has some very interesting rock formations along the shoreline. They look like large fins but they are the result of seismic activity pushing the rock above the water and eroding over time from the waves and wind. It was a struggle for me to stay upright for long enough to take pictures because not only was the surface uneven, it was very windy outside!

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History

2009-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Scenic View and Pelican Model, Morro Bay State Park, California

I liked how the juxtaposition of museum windows and exhibits framed Morro Rock and the bay. If I had my flash with me I would have tried some bounce flash off the ceiling to see if I could illuminate the interior a little better without getting glare off the glass.

Kristin Parisi - Glendora City Council Candidate / Environmental Activist

2009-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote about land development use issues in the Glendora South Hills, and it generated some off-line discussion locally so I'd like to introduce to you a local environmental activist and current Glendora City Council Candidate Kristin Parisi.

South Hills Alosta Canyon Trail, Glendora, California

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional background.

Both my husband and I are transplants from the Midwest to California, and we chose Glendora nearly 25 years ago as the place we wanted to raise our family. Soon after our children started school, I got involved in PTA and with other local issues and was quickly “hooked”.

Growing up, my folks were small business owners and we were always active on local issues and local politics. My mother owned and operated our small town newspaper and my father was a local politician. I was raised to believe you “Can’t complain if you don’t get involved”, so it was a natural step for me to provide information that helped the community, try to get our elected officials to listen, and work on the campaigns of candidates I believe in.

As a community volunteer, I published a little paper called “Glendora Life” from 1998-2007. It was Glendora’s “alternative” source of information. We dug for facts and reported news that other local media chose to ignore. Over the past 12 years, I have gradually become more informed, more involved, and more committed to being the type of voice in city hall our citizens deserve.

In my life, I’ve held many different jobs including teacher, college administrator, and policy analyst, but none more fulfilling or rewarding than the work I do now as a Children’s Social Worker. Every day I am in touch with some of our most needy families and feel blessed to have an opportunity to try and answer those needs, whether its safety, emotional strength, food or housing.

I hold a masters degree in Public Administration. I am dedicated to public service, and I will bring my communications skills and broad experience as an administrator, educator and social worker to the Glendora city council.

What do city council members do?

At best, city council members are the most accessible face of government for the citizens. The council sets policy on everything from where you can walk your dog, to the number and size of your business signs. The council plays a huge role in land use and planning decisions that impact the future of communities. Councils make decisions that determine the amount of open space and parkland to protect, the policy on recycling, which congestion management and traffic calming efforts to fund. These are all policies the city council decides on.

Council members are expected to be responsible enough to research issues they

vote on. They should listen and give voice and consideration to the values, opinions, and preferences of their constituents as part of their decision process. Of course, there are competing interests to be considered, but council members should give them all fair consideration and seek solutions and build consensus for decisions that better the entire community, not simply appease their friends or those with the loudest voices.

Unfortunately, what council members do and what they are supposed to do are often not the same. We all know that far too many elected officials succumb to the pressure of repaying favors to those who financed their campaigns.

Kristin Parisi City Council Candidate Waving to Crowd, Glendora Christmas Parade, California

Why do you want to be a Glendora City Council member?

Again, I think the process should be inclusive. When planning to balance housing needs with sustainability, protection of open space and quality of life, for instance, the process yields better results when the process is inclusive. That balance only comes when there are independent voices on the council and a real debate about the huge changes proposed for our community, and the possible solutions.

Since I got involved locally more than a dozen years ago, I’ve shown my concern for every area of our city and the kinds of decisions that are made to protect and improve our neighborhoods by being actively involved, speaking out to the Planning Commission and the City Council, providing written comments to environmental impact reports, and challenging decisions when I thought they were made in error, like the decision to place a commercial nursery operation in a wilderness park.

I’m running for the Glendora City Council because I still believe that discussion, dialog and debate are healthy. I believe in democracy and that everyone should have a place at the table. When we listen and consider everyone’s opinions and have a real, authentic commitment to inclusion and planning, we arrive at better decisions.

Your name was brought to my attention due a blog post I made about commercial development within the Glendora South Hills. What are your views regarding past, present and future decisions regarding our local wilderness area?

Every week, I drive all over the county and there is no better argument for preservation and conservation than a tour of the Southland. We are indeed fortunate to live near the foothills, just one of California’s natural treasures.

The fact is that more could have been done to preserve our local wild areas. Those who made the decisions, however, were obviously motivated by the interests of landowners who supported development regardless of the elevation, regardless of the slope, regardless of the habitat in the area.

I’m pleased that the Glendora Community Conservancy, www.glendoraconservancy.org, with the support of California and Los Angeles County voters, have been able to preserve so many acres. We need more people like you and them, and we need local politicians who make preservation and conservation a priority.

Regarding the future, I think we need to grasp the concept that “when it’s gone, it’s gone”. Preservation should be part of the planning process – valued as much as any other factor in reaching the balance I talked about before. What we can preserve, we should, and we should be good stewards of it for future generations. There is absolutely no need for commercial developments in our South Hills, and the Glendora City Council should terminate the lease and use the land for the purpose for which it was intended.

Leased Private Property in Glendora South Hills

The Glendora City Manager wrote to me stating that the Glendora Wilderness Park is “zoned as open space and thus cannot be developed with houses or any commercial buildings.” Clearly this is not true because a commercial nursery operation is located smack dab right in the middle of it. Hikers have reported being harassed and run off the Bonnie Cove trail by renegade truck drivers that apparently weren’t even aware that it was originally intended to be a hiking trail. If elected to the city council, will you do what you can to preserve our remaining open spaces?

Like many other Glendorans, I disagree with the current city council’s decision to lease out publicly owned land in our South Hills Wilderness Park area to a commercial nursery. This decision was made hastily. It was a “consent calendar item” for the council, decided without public debate or thorough consideration of impacts on the public: such as public safety for citizens who visit the hills, spraying of toxic or hazardous chemicals, and damage to flora and fauna.

As a member of the council, I will work to terminate the commercial lease with minimal impact to the city’s financial resources. I am a member and supporter of the “Save the South Hills” effort and will continue to be. In addition, I will continue my efforts to protect the foothills and would like to see expanded grant writing activity to support our Conservancy’s efforts and those of other area conservancies. I hope to work with local schools and interested organizations to increase educational and recreational uses of the areas that are available to the public. Public land is a public trust. It’s time we started treating it that way here in Glendora.

Tell me some memorable experiences you have had along the Bonnie Cove trail in the South Hills.

What I love most is the sense of being somewhere away from life’s hustle, bustle and so close to nature. We are so blessed that this opportunity is so close to home. Seeing the baby hawks hatch in the hawk nest across from the Bonnie Cove trail is a wonderful site. It’s said the nest has been there since at least the 1960's.

Sadly, one less than positive memory was the day we looked at the black walnut tree which held the old beehive, killed by a nursery employee. It was another thoughtless insult to the natural beauty and web of life, and an example of how these two land uses – commercial nursery in the middle of the public’s wilderness park are not compatible and needs to be resolved. I’m told nursery employees seem confused as to why there are hikers on the "road". Actually, they’re driving their trucks and cars on a hiking trail! The business does not have the South Hills' best interest in mind; it is useful in their effort to turn a profit. As I said, the uses are not compatible and the park should be returned to the public for public use.

Lupine and Mustard Wildflowers in Glendora South Hills Wilderness Park

Tell me about the Glendora Community Conservancy and your involvement with this organization.

The Conservancy and I are on the same page -- preserve open space, and I am a fan and supporter of the Glendora Community Conservancy. The organization has successfully protected a significant number of acres in our foothills, although not as many as I would have hoped for. The Conservancy has a local office and website you may wish to explore.

Click on the link to learn more about the Glendora Community Conservancy and local environmental issues.

Ah Louis Store, San Luis Obispo

2009-01-03T06:00:00.001-08:00

Ah Louis Store Chinese Historical Landmark, Downtown San Luis Obispo, California

Ah Louis (1840 - 1936) came to the U.S. from the Canton area of China in 1856 with the hopes of striking it rich during the Gold Rush. Like most of the immigrants, it didn't quite work out that way but he did find his own way eventually becoming a successful banker and shopkeeper in San Luis Obispo. He played an important role during the construction of the railroads as well.

I read that Ah Louis' grandson currently owns the store. It's awesome to think that there are still some people around who have probably spoken first-hand to folks who were in the Gold Rush. That happened over 150 years ago!

I find this interesting because that is the era in which my family settled in America. My grandparents and their ancestors came from the same region as well. It's not often that I have met people that have had family in the U.S. for so long so it is pretty fascinating to me when I learn about these stories.

Gladstone Park Fall Foliage

2009-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Gladstone Park Fall Foliage, Glendora, California

It was quite foggy outside two hours ago. There is still some fog but mainly just overcast.

The Rose Parade

2008-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

Female Dancer and City of West Covina Rose Float at the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Years on the East Coast and then the West Coast three hours from now! (Such a weird world we live in.)

I won't be photographing the Rose Parade this year, but you can see pictures from the previous years in my Tournament of Roses Parade pictures gallery.

Mission San Luis Obispo

2008-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Kids Playing in Mission San Luis Obispo Water Fountains

After Nojoqui Falls, I went to take pictures of Mission San Luis Obispo. The SLO Mission was the 17th of the California Missions that I have photographed in the past several years. The first one I had visited was Carmel, which I just thought was okay at the time, though historically significant obviously. It wasn't until I visited San Juan Capistrano that I got hooked on photographing them as sort of a collector's item or treasure hunt if you will. The remaining four that I haven't photographed are Missions San Antonio, Dolores (San Francisco), San Jose, and San Francisco Solano (Sonoma).

Visually from a photographer's perspective and considering ambience as a factor, I'd rank Mission San Luis Obispo somewhere in the middle. My favorite two are Mission San Juan Capistrano and San Juan Bautista. These are some really magnificent places architecturally.

Nojoqui Falls

2008-12-29T16:51:00.000-08:00

Male Hiker Holding Baby at Nojoqui Falls, Santa Barbara County, California

I just got back from Morro Bay earlier today where I had been since Friday. Nojoqui Falls County Park was the first place that I stopped off at on Friday. Since it had rained pretty hard the day before on Christmas, I figured that it might have some awesome conditions for photography. Well it didn't really work out that way but at least there was some water. Pretty falls nonetheless.

Happy Holidays - Glendora Christmas Lights

2008-12-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

1st Place Glendora Christmas Light Competition Verizon Voyager Cell Phone Picture

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holidays. I'm sure this is a tough time for some folks out there but keep the faith and you will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible.

Anyways, this photo was taken on Friday night while driving around after dinner. Glendora has been having an annual Christmas lights competition and this house has won at least twice as far as I know. It is well-deserved too because the guy who does this has probably less Christmas lights up than any other house and yet it looks amazing. He has flood lights position just in the right places and several fake snow blowing machines creating a winter wonderland in his front yard which is surrounded by a white picket fence. It really is a classic American scene. During the daytime you can see the snow-capped Mount Baldy in the background. We don't have any tourist attractions in town but this is the closest thing to it because cars will stop off in numbers to take pictures of the house.

More Photos from Glendora Christmas Parade

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Little Girl Looking at Flowers, Downtown Glendora, California

The dreary weather yesterday morning included a few rain drops but it didn't put a damper on people's enthusiasm. The local rock band, Mercy, that played behind the South Hills Hikers group, probably had the biggest fan following of any of the 60+ parade entries as evidenced by the screaming girls jumping around their caravan. I didn't get any photos of that spectacle however.

United States Flag Painted on Street Address, Glendora, California

Equestrian Unit at Glendora Christmas Parade, California

Cafe Chloe, Downtown Glendora, California

Kristin Parisi City Council Candidate Waving to Crowd, Glendora Christmas Parade, California

The South Hills Hikers, Glendora Christmas Parade

2008-12-13T23:15:00.001-08:00

The South Hills Hikers, Glendora Christmas Parade, California

If you recall a couple blog posts ago, I wrote about South Hills development issues. Well I met up with the local environmental activists this morning at the Glendora Christmas Parade. The lady on the right is Kristin Parisi, who is running for one of two vacant city council member seats. She is here to give voice to those of us who appreciate our local natural resources and want to keep it that way.

We discussed doing an interview on my blog for her to give a little more background on The South Hills. Hopefully I will have this for you in the near future. All in all, it was a pretty fun parade.

Save the South Hills Twins, Glendora Christmas Parade, California

L.A. Live - Nokia Plaza

2008-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

L.A. Live Nokia Plaza, Downtown Los Angeles, California

This photo was taken on my cell phone last week while I was hanging out in L.A. with my cousin. L.A. Live looks nice but rather disappointing for a "Grand Opening" because nothing was open yet save for ESPN Zone and Lucky Strike! There was supposed to be an hourly light show on the hour but come 6:10 p.m. there was still nothing. Eventually a band took to the stage but I was more interested in seeing a light show.

Hopefully the Grammy Museum lives up the hype because L.A. Live sure as heck didn't.

Cap Rock, Joshua Tree NP

2008-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Cap Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, California

Often flying under the radar in Joshua Tree due to the name of the park, are the unique rock formations throughout the northern portion of JTNP. I always get a laugh out of seeing Cap Rock because I find it "cute".

JTNP: Sunrise on Mount San Gorgonio

2008-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sunrise Alpenglow on Mount San Gorgonio, Joshua Tree National Park, California

There wasn't a cloud in the sky and yet it was definitely worthwhile getting up early. I had actually tried a similarly composed sunset last year but wasn't able to get a sharp image so that was my primary motivation for choosing this location. This time I was also armed with a sturdier tripod.

I think Gary Crabbe's photo was taken on the same day that I botched the sunset so have a look and see the difference between sunrise and sunset. Light can make it look like a totally different scene!

Cholla Cactus Garden

2008-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park, California

The Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park was one of the locations I photographed in 2002 during my first year of serious photography. I had always felt like I could do better but just never seem to have made it back there. I have been to Joshua Tree a number of times but the park is so big and packed with so much scenery that it is pretty much impossible to do it justice unless you shoot here year-round.

Joshua Trees and rock climbing get most of the attention but in my opinion, cholla cactus are the most interesting subjects to photograph in the park. It is kinda hazardous to walk around this area actually because the spines will stick right through your boots and attach onto anything that comes remotely into contact. Prickly just like a pretentious old photographer, cholla cactus demand attention.

San Gabriel Mountains - First Winter Storm

2008-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Snow-Capped Peaks, San Gabriel Mountains, California

It ain't Mount Rainier, and that's the beauty of it. I'm more interested in photographing the more mundane places that people take for granted. After dropping my dad off yesterday, it took me about twenty minutes to get up to this vista in the San Gabriel Mountains just in time for the sunset. It only really looks decent around here during or just after a storm as it was yesterday so I knew this was a can't miss opportunity.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Sunset 2008, San Gabriel Mountains, California

Last night's sunset. I was dropping my dad off when I looked over at the San Gabriel Mountains and knew I had to go up there to shoot the sunset.

I was the last person to arrive at my grandma's house for dinner.

The Aftermath

2008-11-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

Brea Canyon Fire, Diamond Bar, Southern California

The destruction left in the wake of the firestorm last week is very clear as you drive along the 57 freeway through the Brea Pass and on the hills of the Carbon Canyon area of Brea, which is still closed to residents only. The stench of the fire still smells fresh as was the resulting ash.

Fire Scarred Hillside, Brea, California

Brea Canyon Fires, Diamond Bar

2008-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

Photos from this morning along the 57 Freeway in Brea Canyon. I got in there before the roads were closed to in-coming traffic. The TV crews, police and fire trucks were here too but I got out before the water was dropped in the canyon.

Photo: Brea Canyon Wildfire, Southern California
Picture:Brea Canyon / Diamond Bar Residents, California
Photo: People Watching Wildfires in Brea Canyon, Diamond, California
Picture: Brea Canyon Firestorm Flames, California

Southern California Fires

2008-11-15T20:00:00.001-08:00

Brea Canyon Fire, Southern California

The past two days have proven to be very challenging for many in Southern California due to several large wildfires near urban areas. Today, the 57, 91, 71, 405, 5, and 210 freeways were all shut down at certain times due to smoke and fire. On the 57 freeway (foreground), not too far from where I live, there were flames that flew across the freeway from one hillside to another.

Solar Panels

2008-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Solar Panels, Mojave Desert, California

This large field of solar panels caught my eye on the drive up to Bishop but I was on the wrong side of the road to access them. I'm sure that most photographers would pass by this without a second thought on the way to the incredible scenery of the Eastern Sierra. But I couldn't get this location out of my mind during the entire trip. Along with Manzanar, I just had to stop by here on the way back home.

General Store, Randsburg

2008-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Small Town General Store, Randsburg, California

At this point in my life I can't see myself living outside of California ever again. The reason is quite simple. You can find anything you want here. Mountains, coastline, desert, ghost towns, Main Street USA, you name it and you can photograph it within an hour or two.

Randsburg - Antique Shop

2008-11-10T06:00:00.003-08:00

Window of Austin's Second Hand Garage Antique Shop, Randsburg, California

What appealed to me about Randsburg is that you could look on either side of the road and something interesting. The buildings are really old and have a lot of character.

Glendora South Hills Home Development

2008-11-07T22:56:00.000-08:00

San Gabriel Valley Sunset, Glendora, California

I heard today that “developers” are planning on developing over my favorite exercise hiking trail in the Glendora South Hills with homes and a road.

This really makes me angry because there are already a few extremely large mansions near the end of these hills along with no trespassing signs. But the part I hike is purely wild. I see jackrabbits, skunk, red ants, and a tarantula almost every single time I have been up there. The area doesn't look spectacular but it is special to me.

I prefer not to get into politics on this blog but environmental issues are something that is very important to me so I can’t keep this to myself. I realize that David Dreier is my local congressman and one of the worst members of the Congress when it comes to LCV score. I think at one point, he had a zero out of 100. One person’s complaints might fall on deaf ears but if enough people speak he has no choice but to listen. The whole development-first mindset has got to go.

Southern California is already a cesspool of overdevelopment and outdoor recreation lovers can’t even enjoy our little island in a sea of civilization anymore. I lost ten pounds hiking this trail 3 – 4 times a week. No matter how bad of day I might have had, everything in my life disappears as I’m hiking the trail. It clears my mind and makes me feel good. I can only hope that more people can experience the positive things that I have here.

Here are more pictures from my website:

South Hills Alosta Canyon Trail
He Loved Her, San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley Sunset, Glendora

YouTube Video
Save the Glendora South Hills

Glendora City Council and Community Redevelopment Meeting Agenda

Update 11/10/08: I received a response from the City Manager, "In answer to your question, we do not know of any housing or other development that would occur in the Wilderness Park. As you may know, the Park covers several hundred acres and is zoned as open space and thus cannot be developed with houses or any commercial buildings. I know the City Council has taken many steps to make sure the park remains in its current open space state and has applauded the Trails Committee for its fine work in maintaining the trail system that you referred to in the email."

I hope that this really is the case and stays this way.

Update 11/30/08:
Lupine and Mustard Wildflowers

"Zoning" - This wholesale nursery occupies a pretty big chunk of the hills.

Some pictures from my cell phone -

Wholesale Nursery Development in Glendora South Hills

Leased Private Property in South Hills

Road Closure

I wrote to Mr. Dreier's office also and their response was that land-use issues were out of his jurisdiction. Despite that, I think it is always a good idea to write to your local members of Congress to make your opinions known. Developers might have money but we the people have our rights too and together we can fight greed.

Update 1/4/09: I interviewed Kristin Parisi, a local environmental activist and Glendora City Council Candidate. She is quite knowledgeable about the land use issues.