Colors of My Heart

/Home › › White Blooms Against the California Sky Solanum jasminoides, commonly known as the potato vine, is an evergreen climbing plant in the nightshade family and is widely appreciated in warm regions such as Los Angeles. Its five‑petaled flowers, ranging from pure white to soft lavender, bloom in star‑shaped clusters, with bright yellow stamens that add a vivid touch at the center. The rounded buds, tinged with pale purple, create a beautiful contrast with the open blossoms.  Because it is highly tolerant of dry conditions and thrives in full sun, the plant is exceptionally well suited to California’s climate, where it can be seen adorning fences, walls, and garden trellises throughout the year.  Although its fragrance is subtle, the plant’s light and graceful appearance lends a gentle charm to the landscape. Resembling the flowers of potatoes or eggplants—both members of the same family—its delicate clusters and climbing habit make it a popular choice f...

Located in the Sepulveda Basin of the San Fernando Valley, just outside Los Angeles, Lake Balboa—officially known as Anthony C. Beilenson Park—is a vast urban park spanning approximately 80 acres (32 hectares). At its heart lies a 27-acre (11-hectare) lake where visitors can enjoy swan boats, pedal boats, and fishing.  The park also features a 1.3-mile walking path, jogging and cycling trails, barbecue pits, picnic areas, and a universally accessible playground. In spring, the Japanese Garden, adorned with cherry blossoms, waterfalls, and streams, becomes a particularly popular attraction and is often described by local blogs as a “hidden gem.”  Under the brilliant blue California sky, the cherry blossoms create a striking contrast, offering a unique visual experience unlike those in Japan. For photography, I used a CPL filter, which deepened the blue of the sky and enhanced the overall vibrancy of the scene. Taken with Nikon F5 / AF-S Zoom 28-70mm F2.8D ED-IF / Kodak Professi...

/Home › › Peacocks When I lived in Los Angeles, peacocks would often visit our neighborhood.  The city intentionally released peacocks in the area to control the population of rattlesnakes, so it was completely normal to see them in gardens and on the streets. Until then, I had only ever seen peacocks in zoos, so I was truly astonished when I first encountered one in person. Even our cat stood no chance against them—she would be sunbathing peacefully, but the moment a peacock appeared, she would hurriedly retreat into the house.  I wonder if the peacocks are still around today.  Nikon D40x / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-70mm F3.5-5.6G ED / 1/160s / F4.5 / ISO 200 / 0.0 Nikon D40x / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-70mm F3.5-5.6G ED / 1/160s / F4.5 / ISO 200 / 0.0 Nikon D40x / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-70mm F3.5-5.6G ED / 1/125s / F5.6 / ISO 200 / 0.0 Nikon D40x / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-70mm F3.5-5.6G ED / 1/160s / F4.5 / ISO 200 / 0.0 Nikon D40x / AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-70mm F3.5-5.6G ED / 1/16...

/Home › › The Getty Center The Getty Center in Los Angeles traces its origins to a small museum that J. Paul Getty opened in 1954 at his residence in Pacific Palisades. In 1974, the Getty Villa—modeled after ancient Roman architecture—was opened and became a dedicated venue for the display of classical art. Later, in response to the growing scale of its collection and research activities, the Getty Trust acquired a 110‑acre site in the Santa Monica Mountains in 1982 and selected architect Richard Meier to design a new facility. After approximately thirteen years of construction, the Getty Center opened to the public on December 16, 1997, functioning as an integrated cultural complex that includes a museum, research institute, and conservation institute. Inside the museum, visitors can enjoy an extensive collection of European paintings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and photography, with Vincent van Gogh’s Irises being one of its most celebrated works. The Ce...