On the way to Sebastapol this weekend with a friend, I noticed all these cool outcroppings dotting the landscape. I've been to this corner of Northern California before, but don't recall these rocks. With the hillside so lush and green after our single winter rain (not good, global warming), the effect with these big stones gave the scene a distinctly Scottish highlands look-and-feel. Or, the way I imagine the Scottish highlands to look and/or feel.

Beautiful photograph. Beautiful country.

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Location: Sonoma, California ★
Photo courtesy of nxtrFOTO

I was in the mood for a little good graffiti today. This did the trick. Love this artist's style.

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Location: NYC, USA ★
Photo courtesy of gsz

I agree with the photographer's caption: Boo!!!!!! Because while this *looked* cool - we all watched in awe from our office windows downtown - what an assault on the environment. I hope the city of San Francisco fines the company responsible for this stupid, stupid marketing madness.

Update: The balloons are soy-based and 100% biodegradable. But, unless they bio-degrade in an hour, the point has been completely missed by those who hatched this dumb idea. More here.

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Location: San Francisco, CA ★
Photo courtesy of brothergrimm

Fog is a fun feature of where I'm from, too (the San Francisco Bay Area).

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Location: San Francisco, CA ★
Photo courtesy of Jared Ropelato

It isn't often, but sometimes I do miss Los Angeles. To be clear, I do not miss living there, but there are pockets and facets of Tinsel Town that remain near and dear to my heart after living there for five formative years of my young adult life.

For example, the many Palm-peppered lanes and large boulevards one finds throughout L.A. and Southern California in general. Reaching to the sky, such streets are viewable from pretty much anywhere on high, and even more magical from a lower vantage point, as captured in this pretty picture.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - jean luc dushime - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Santa Monica, California ★
Photo courtesy of jean luc dushime

I went to the Post-Impressionist exhibit at the de Young Museum recently, and was not impressed. Then I happened upon The Art of the Steal on Netflix - streaming - and was blown away by the Post-Impressionist works in The Barnes Collection. Oh em gee. Now there's a bounty of beautiful works. And as fascinating as the collection is, the story behind it is even more riveting.

If you've not seen The Art of the Steal, please fix that. And pronto. Even if you're not an art-lover, it's a mind-boggling story about a man, his personal property, his wishes for that property after his death, and the way those with money and power - and non-profits, no less - have sought and succeeded in getting their mitts on what's not theirs.

And I always thought for-profit corporations were the shameless sharks in the water. Ha!

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Location: Merion, Pennsylvania ★
Photo courtesy of RasMarley

What a perfect and picturesque choice for Veterans Day.

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Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin ★
Photo courtesy of KAP'n Craig

Sometimes, having the blues is a great thing. As pictured here.

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Location: Seattle, Washington ★
Photo courtesy of jhsindesign

Who knew Atlanta was so Paris? Other than this beautiful bride and her fantastic photographer, of course.

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Location: Atlanta, Georgia ★
Photo courtesy of mary moses

San Francisco Fleet Week fun. I saw a bunch of Blue Angels action all week. Always a good time. We lucked out with perfect weather for it this year, too.

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Location: San Francisco, CA ★
Photo courtesy of JJ San

When you've lived in a city or an area for an extended period, it's easy to stop seeing what's so special about the place. I often look at the tourists I encounter here like, "of all the places you could take a vacation, why here?" As a local, I stopped getting it a long time ago. And as a photographer, I rarely take pics of my surroundings because I am oh so uninspired.

Until I happen upon other people's inspiring pictures of this place. Like this one!

Speaking of which, check out these eight perspectives on the city of San Francisco and get yourself inspired. It's working for me!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - bennetthall - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, California ★
Photo courtesy of bennetthall

In scouting pictures for the day job, I happened across this cool piece of mixed-media collage art that is or was featured in the Hotel Gansevoort, NYC. I love it! I wish I knew who the artist is so that I could look him or her up to view more of their wonderful work.

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Location: New York City ★
Photo courtesy of stephanieklein

One of the nice things about living in the San Francisco Bay Area is that when you're nostalgic for Venice, all you have to do is pay a visit to Oakland, where you can take an authentic gondola ride. Really!

Experience Venice in Oakland on your next trip to California, courtesy of Gondola Servizio on lovely Lake Merritt.

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Location: Oakland, California ★
Photo courtesy of tora12

I have a quick trip coming up to Seattle for a friend's wedding. It's been quite a few years since I was last up yonder, and I'm looking forward to the visit. As is my Lensbaby! So in looking for a little inspiration in anticipation, I was particularly pleased to come across this awesome Lensbaby Composer shot of the city. Don't know that I'll get out of wedding mode much to take city pics, but if I can, I hope to capture something half as gorgeous as this evocative sunset view.

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Location: Seattle, Washington ★
Photo courtesy of Cap'n Surly

The East Coast had its heatwave, and now it's our turn on the West Coast. Everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area has been complaining all summer how exceptionally cold it's been - and we're used to cold summers, but the layers and wool sweaters were getting pretty old - but now that the heat is on, I dare say we miss the fog and otherwise frigid conditions.

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Location: New York City ★
Photo courtesy of The Holgasnake

A friend from Ireland sent me a music video today. I'd not heard of Mark Ronson before, but I'm an instant fan! The song was so catchy that I went and downloaded it from Amazon, immediately. Love it.

Happy Sunday! Now go get your international groove on with a little Bang Bang Bang. I insist!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Eric Nowels - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Chicago, Illinois (USA) ★
Photo courtesy of Eric Nowels

Sigh. It's been a day. One of those days. So if I could be teleported to any place on the planet, this is where I'd go. And pronto. I've walked down this very path many times before, and felt the anticipatory rush of relaxation wash over me, as I headed straight for the impossibly white sand and turquoise-blue water of Lanikai Beach. Best beach in Hawaii. And arguably the best beach in the world. It's like a dream. Even when teeming with fellow tourists. If you've never been, go you must. It will take your breath and and any stress you may be carrying clean away, straight away!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - lian1979 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Lanikai, Oahu ★
Photo courtesy of lian1979

This tilt-shift image is incredible. It's like a photo of a dream! Definitely a moving and artistic look at San Francisco's Mission Street flying rats. Er, I mean, pigeons.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - bhautik joshi - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, California ★
Photo courtesy of bhautik joshi

Such a cool photo-project idea, and perfect for crowd-sourcing, too. Wish I'd thought of it! And wish I could get to New York to see the outdoor Public Art installation before it leaves - I think it's there through some portion of January 2011. Though don't quote me on that.

Learn more about the Walking Men 99 art project here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - agent j loves agent a - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: New York City ★
Photo courtesy of agent j loves agent a

As a Bay Area native, the allure of the area is often lost on me. When you've spent decades in a place, born and raised, what makes it so special or interesting in the eyes of visitors has often long been lost on the locals. At any rate, I do from time to time try to rediscover my home and was happy to do so recently with my mother at the De Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. A picture-perfect day, if only I'd remembered or bothered to bring my camera along. I'm not certain, but I think the penguins were my mother's favorite. So, mom, this one (courtesy of HarshLight) is for you!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - HarshLight - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, California ★
Photo courtesy of HarshLight