Thursday, April 20, 2017

Walking Around Suburbia

I went out for a walk yesterday in the Orange County suburb where I live. For the most part, I like where I live. Nice neighbors, great weather, clean, convenient. But kind of boring. All the houses were built by the same builder at the same time. They all have a similar look and feel, same or similar floor plans, similar yards. Not a lot of individual personality or creativity. Just about the opposite of what we see when we spend time in the desert. I guess that's the downside of housing tracts, but I digress...
Google Earth view of a local neighborhood suburb
Taking pics was about the last thing on my mind as I started my walk, but then I noticed how beautiful the skies were. By the time I finished my walk, I must have taken about 25 photos on my iPhone. Kind of a fun change from my usual desert photography! I used Topaz Simplify to edit some of these shots.

Suburbia

These contrails remind me of power lines!


Neighborhood park.

There is a good view from this spot, hence the viewing scope (or UFO finder?)

Suburban homes end here. Cross the bridge and you are in a shopping center.


Couldn't resist including this shot, converted to b&w. The clouds seem to go on forever!

Everyone's gardens seem to be in bloom right now!!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Click on the link to check out great skies from around the world!
Thanks for stopping by!!
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37 comments:

  1. ValerieApril 20, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    A nice series of sharp captures from your phone. Your suburb does appear to be clean, neat and tidy - not to be "sneezed at" in our currently chaotic world! However, I do understand your comment about the lack of architectural design creativity and character in some housing developments - it's the same here in Australia. Wishing you a great weekend.

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  2. AnonymousApril 20, 2017 at 3:09 PM

    The skies are beautiful, and also like that green bridge.
    You make me smile, because I probably would say that now I live in the country (about Orange County housing tracks). But Peter, you do know the "real" reason people live there? Do you know how prestigious it is, saying you live there? (Even if it would be a shack! But I know that's not everyone who lives there) That's why the house prices there are through the roof. Have a great weekend!

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  3. Bill April 20, 2017 at 3:27 PM

    I think the west coast must have had beautiful clouds yesterday. We had some--- that rained a bit. Friends in Portland and the bay area reported the same. We lived in Laguna Niguel for a few months in late 80 and early 81. I had lived in San Diego and San Diego in the late 70s and was appalled at the growth and the traffic. Still....

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  4. sage and spiritApril 20, 2017 at 4:42 PM

    Nice sky!

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  5. CloudiaApril 20, 2017 at 5:16 PM

    Nice in SoCal

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  6. LizApril 20, 2017 at 6:02 PM

    Your neighbourhood certainly is clean and tidy!

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  7. Yogi♪♪♪April 20, 2017 at 6:25 PM

    I love your photowalk. I always take a camera of some sort along when I go walking or running. Your photos are proof that there are all sorts of photos around us. Great eye for you recognizing the possibilities.

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  8. rupam sarmaApril 20, 2017 at 9:26 PM

    Loved the post. Amazing pics.

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  9. The Furry GnomeApril 20, 2017 at 9:46 PM

    You're right, beautiful slies!

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  10. RajeshApril 20, 2017 at 10:08 PM

    Lovely pics.

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  11. Dr. PriorApril 21, 2017 at 12:31 AM

    wow - so many wonderful photos - the palm tree and clouds one is my fav and those trail lines do look like power lines...

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  12. Billy Blue EyesApril 21, 2017 at 12:58 AM

    I'm lucky I live in a village so not so overcrowded, I'm out in the countryside in a few minutes away from everyone. Great sky & town shots

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  13. s.cApril 21, 2017 at 1:36 AM

    Great shots again. Pity that we can't see a single house in the suburb. I am very curious who it looks over there as a living place.

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  14. s.cApril 21, 2017 at 1:38 AM

    Sorry to quick. I see a little bit in your B&W photo.

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  15. AnitaApril 21, 2017 at 2:04 AM

    Very nice shoots!!I think the clouds are beautiful!

    I like the way you have done this post!

    Many houses looks the same..But..we got to have a place to live and as long the people are happy.well its ok..It shows the living in the age 2017

    Greetings Anita

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  16. Laura~Pretty PixApril 21, 2017 at 3:03 AM

    Nice captures of suburbia. I must admit I don't miss it, but it was nice to visit through your post.
    I need trees.. many many, everywhere.

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  17. eileeninmdApril 21, 2017 at 4:34 AM

    Hello, looks like a pretty neighborhood. The sky shots are beautiful and I love the flowers too. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

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  18. Photos by StanApril 21, 2017 at 6:02 AM

    Outstanding use of the cell phone camera! Your 'photographer's eye' is quite evident in the composition/framing of these excellent shots. Kudos!

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  19. HappyKApril 21, 2017 at 6:17 AM

    Nice to take a walk with you and see your beautiful pictures. : )

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  20. Author R. Mac WheelerApril 21, 2017 at 7:34 AM

    Change is always nice. I wish I could paste a copy of my 'hood' here. :)

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  21. HundertmorgenwaldApril 21, 2017 at 10:31 AM

    I find it very interesting to see how you live.
    It has similarities with a good settlement in Germany and is quite different.

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  22. Ruth HiebertApril 21, 2017 at 10:42 AM

    I am glad you took these pictures and shared them. They are gorgeous.

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  23. JoApril 21, 2017 at 11:30 AM

    Awesome sky photos. The google earth shot of the neighborhood is scary!

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  24. AlanaApril 21, 2017 at 4:05 PM

    I loved your neighborhood shots (not that I don't love your desert shots). Lovely skies and - were those Martha Washington geraniums in the last picture? Whatever they were, they weren't flowers I see in my part of upstate New York.

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  25. thomasApril 21, 2017 at 8:46 PM

    Lovely cloud here

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  26. Lady FiApril 21, 2017 at 11:13 PM

    Such pretty skies indeed! And your neighbourhood looks lovely too!

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  27. Nancy ChanApril 21, 2017 at 11:27 PM

    You live in a beautiful place. Gorgeous sky shots.

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  28. DorotheeApril 22, 2017 at 5:20 AM

    wow, a beautiful walk - such blue skies! thanks for sharing. have a lovely sky week~

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  29. Sharon WagnerApril 22, 2017 at 7:02 AM

    You definitely found the beauty in your neighborhood. Striking skies. Vivid color.

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  30. AlApril 22, 2017 at 7:44 AM

    You got some very pretty shots. I'm generally not a fan of suburbia despite living there myself. And no, the zoo chairlift on my blog is only for zoo visitors - there's never enough snow to ski in my town, we have to head up to the mountains for that.

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  31. BillApril 22, 2017 at 1:41 PM

    Wonderful photos as always. Thanks for walking us through your neighborhood, it's always interesting to see where people call home.

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  32. NatureFootstepApril 22, 2017 at 2:55 PM

    it looks better on the ground then it does from the sky. Not a bad place to live :)

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  33. AmyApril 22, 2017 at 9:30 PM

    wow those geraniums are lovely, I have some red ones in pots here on my deck, looks like a nice neighbourhood :-)

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  34. GattinaApril 23, 2017 at 2:36 AM

    Love the fluffy clouds in the blue sky !

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  35. Pat TillettApril 24, 2017 at 2:33 PM

    This post is total proof that great photography is more about the eye of the photographer, than the kind of camera used...
    Really nice post Pete!

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  36. IreneApril 26, 2017 at 12:59 AM

    Looks like a nice place to live .... but very different from mine. We just had snow!

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  37. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 1, 2017 at 4:55 PM

    Great photos with your IPhone.... I really need to use mine more. Any walk is good and there is always something new and beautiful and interesting to see.

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