Morning View of Wynn - Las Vegas

This point of view from the Encore enhances the beauty of its sister hotel.

Too bad I had to shoot through the sheers, which appear on the left side of the picture. Too much internal reflections from the inch-thick window glass.


From Wei's iPhone

View from the 37th Floor of Encore

A spacious room with a wide view. Couldn't ask for more…except a balcony.


From Wei's iPhone

Wei Featured on Wynn Resort

Look carefully and you'll see me smiling back at you. A great resort for relaxation.


From Wei's iPhone

The Other Side of Their View

Just spectacular.


From Wei's iPhone

Panorama Las Vegas

From the 39th floor of the Cosmopolitan suite that Danny & Michael shared this December.


From Wei's iPhone

Sunrise - Hilo Seaside

Here we are on a quick trip to Hilo Hawaii. The Seaside is a local favorite, one my father used decades ago. It has its own quaint flavor, and provides some old-time scenes.

From Wei's iPhone

Super Breakfast

In East Oahu, Kapolei to be exact, there's a local hangout, Juliez. Yeah, that's the exact spelling.

Here's a special, Le Chon. Pillipino delicacy.

From Wei's iPhone

West Oahu

Can't help but capturing the bright, clean view from our balcony at Ko 'Olina Resort.

Not many were on the beach this early in morning. Those few venturing into the lagoon's blue waters splashed, unimpeded by the crowds that would be soon joining them.

From Wei's iPhone

Fishing at Waimanalo

Just fishing here. A beautiful, almost-windless morning. Michael's got salt water Gulp artificial, Danny another artificial, and I a ika-bait (squid) outfit. No luck yet, but what a way to spend a Windward Oahu morning.

Slideshow of Rock Creek Beauty

Hi everyone,

Take a look at my slideshow (on my website) of the beauty we saw in the Eastern Sierras. Quite a few monochrome (Black & White) images, too.

WeiPhotoArts.com


Wei

Crystal Crag

Not all was lost at our Lake George outing. We viewed this granite structure,  Crystal Crag, right across the lake from where we were snookered by an adolescent bear. See post below. 

The Crystal Crag reminded me of The Tooth of Time, the significant landmark of the Boy Scout Philmont Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.

The Bear Facts

It started out as a windy, chilly day of fishing at Lake George, near Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierras. But all of a sudden, our emotions heated up when an adolescent bear showed up. Last month, when the bears visited, they came from around the lake, to our right. This time, the bear came from the campground, right behind us. I "barely" had time to grab my camera bag (which had some food). But I forgot about our breakfast bag. Well, as you can see above, the bear found it, and carried it away to his breakfast place:

He was smart enough to locate where the only access to him was front and center--into his rather large jaws.

Just to let you know how close we were, here's a view of the bear our our tackle boxes on the table--along with my wife's bag. Luckily, she didn't put anything in that bag, except for water.

 
We left empty-handed of breakfast, and since we had just arrived, we didn't catch any fish (for the bear to feed), and so that's a lesson to us to place food into the bear-proof food containers, right after arriving. We will never know how soon our furry friends may show up.

Gorgeous Sunset Clouds

Sometimes the sun just shines and the winds blow at our backs. This sunset of clouds is just to the NE of Mammoth Mountain.

And taken by iPhone from a shopping center parking lot! Too bad I didn't bring my Nikon…

From Wei's iPhone

Rock Creek Lake - Eastern Sierras

Here's where we're fishing. Right in this small lake. Hard to believe the beauty here. High up in the Eastern Sierras, almost 10,000' high.

Water here is cold, clear & fresh. This year brought hardly any snow, so the mountains are parched, and the lake water is low.

Still wonderful to be in the high country.

From Wei's iPhone

Super Deli in Oakdale, Calif

I neglected to show you what I gorged myself on, when we stopped at Ferrarisi's for a brief Saturday lunch. Check out this luscious Applewood Bacon, steak tomato cheese & greens on fresh ciabata bread. Mm mm Mmm mm Mmm. Also comes with a salad. Combo provides great bacon, with a succulent tomatoe that drips with flavor.

No, I couldn't fit in any dessert.

My wife had a humongous steak sandwich, cooked to perfection @ medium rare, and my son gobbled down a "Leo" each. One with pastrami, the other with roast beef.

Too bad I had to drive. A nap would have been nice. But we made it to Mammoth Lakes, anyways.

From Wei's iPhone

We're Back in Mammoth Lakes

Just checked in. Weather is wonderful. Air's fresh & clean. Ahhhh the Eastern Sierras. 

Need to unpack & rest. Then we'll be off:

For another week of fishing!

From Wei's iPhone

Hummingbirds

After a while, our little buggers, our hummingbirds, came out of their hiding places and visited the feeders. Not having too much patience, I set up the camera and flash to automatically fire every 2 seconds, when I wasn't around. The hummingbirds were not too nervous, but would rather I not be too near one of their favorite feeders.

This particular buddy seems plumb. Wonder if she's pregnant?

Hawk on Our Fence

Just when we thought everything quieted down, we wondered why? With all the birds stopped swooping and singing, there must be a reason. We didn't hear the screeching of the hawk, just outside our kitchen window. The hawk just sat there, regally, knowing it was top dog. Every other bird just cowered in silence. This was not one alpha to challenge. Its claws must have been at least a curved inch long. But for now, it just wanted to survey the scene, confident that its roost was secure. 

No, we didn't want to venture out, either. After spending some time in our wisteria, the hawk quickly glided out of site.

We hoped our hummingbirds would not be too spooked, and come back to our feeders.

Lake George

View of Crystal Lake. This is Heaven. Fishing is only fair so far.

From Wei's iPhone

Almost Heaven!

Just arrived in Mammouth Lakes. Wonderful, wonderful.


From Wei's iPhone

So, Just Were These Photos Taken?

Hint, near central Contra Costa County…

From Wei's iPhone

Our View of Rainbow Tower

Here's a fuller view from our living room balcony. The rainbow in the tower is shrouded in a black web, because of on-going construction. 

From Wei's iPhone

Lower View from Our Suite

We're at the Hilton Hawaiian at the Tapa Tower. This view is towards the ocean (South). The Rainbow tower is that building on the upper right. I'll feature it soon, but the lighting isn't all that good right now. 

From Wei's iPhone

Cedar Waxwings Not to be Outdone

After the Robins had their fill of Pyracantha berries, the Cedar Waxwings gleaned the rest. Being smaller and more agile, these cuties could more easy reach the leftovers.

From Wei's iPhone

Grand Central for Pyracantha

Our Pyracantha bushes served as magnets for the voracious Robins. They literally fought each other for each berry.

They picked the most accessible berries and left the rest to the Cedar Waxwings (See the next post. )

From Wei's iPhone

Birds Forage on Pyracantha Berties

An almost Spring day in late January brought out myriads of birds for a feast.

In this shot, a plump Robin snatches a prized pyracantha berry. Within 15 minutes the berries were gone. Some Robins acted drunk--from the berries, and barely could fly.

Next post will show the bushes crowded with Robins.

From Wei's iPhone