Construction Photography: Solar Exterior Lighting
July 31st, 2009Although I’m a big fan of renewable energy, I’m not thrilled with the price tag. Take solar power, for example. The equipment and installation costs of a household photovoltaic system can run well into the five figures. Or higher. Yes, I know that there are rebates and tax credits, but you still have to front the money.
But my imperfect memory got me thinking about solar in a different way. I’m in the habit of turning my porch light on to give the front of this place some illumination. And sometimes I forget to turn it off in the morning. Which benefits the electric company.
So, I thought, why not let the Tucson’s abundant sunshine do the remembering for me? Enter the solar-powered exterior light, which is perched on the edge of the carport. Cost: $250.99 including shipping from Solar Illuminations.
This light’s on duty from dusk to dawn…
The unpainted spot is where my flagpole bracket used to be. I wanted that bracket lower to the ground so that I can fly Old Glory without having to scale a ladder.
Since my exterior lighting’s going off the grid, it’s time to lose that old porch light. Electrician Bryan Olson of O’Bryan Electric handles the removal…
Since the flagpole bracket’s more accessible, it’s time to celebrate Energy Indepence Day…
Note: The gray cap is where the porch light used to be.
Tip: You can view more construction photography in my portfolio. I am also available for construction photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. To check availability and to request a proposal, please contact me.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: The Solar Society
- Event Photography: Solar Rock 2010
- Construction Photography: Women Building with Habitat for Humanity
- Construction Photography: House Painting Time!
- Construction Photography: Window Upgrade
Nature Photography: Prickly Pear and Mesquite
July 29th, 2009When I bought this property in November 2004, it had no landscaping. There was crushed rock in the front yard and a formidable infestation of Bermuda grass in the back yard.
I’ve done most of the landscaping work myself. This includes the landscape design, planting, weeding, and other maintenance tasks. To learn how to do these things properly, I’ve taken free or low-cost classes through the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Watershed Management Group, Brad Lancaster, and NEST, Inc.
These classes have helped me avoid major mistakes, but I will confess to over-pruning my mesquite trees back in 2006. A few weeks later, a UA Cooperative Extension instructor advised against pruning mesquites at all.
So, I’m letting them grow back the way they want to. And that’s just what they’re doing…
I’ve hired outside help for tasks like underground utility location, digging and rock-lining of the drainage swale that runs from the back yard to the front, delivering and distributing inorganic and organic mulch, digging planting basins, and uprooting the aforementioned Bermuda grass.
A tight budget has dictated my choice of plants: low water use only. It also has dictated how I acquired plants. I brought potted prickly pear and aloe from where I’d been renting before. Friends and neighbors contributed others, and the rest were purchased from plant sales, private nurseries, and Trees for Tucson.
Since I wasn’t too keen on installing an irrigation system and paying a higher water bill, I decided to use greywater and rainwater to keep the landscape going. My greywater harvesting system is simple: I capture water from my bathtub and kitchen sink, then bucket it out to the plants.
My greywater harvesting equipment consists of one siphon and three plastic buckets. Since the tub drain plug leaks, I seal it off with a ring of plumber’s putty. Total cost of this equipment: Less than $20.00. The only ongoing cost is the purchase of Oasis biodegradable soap that I wash dishes and bathe with.
I’ve adopted a xeriscaping approach out of necessity. Buckets of greywater can get heavy in a hurry. That’s as good a reason as any to keep the "oasis" plants close to the house. I would like to add a rainwater harvesting cistern to the mix, but that’s down the road. For now, the plants are doing just fine with my bucket system and occasional supplementation from that Great Watering Can in the Sky.
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
Related Posts
- Nature Photography: Xeriscapes and a Prickly Pear Cactus Sunrise
- Construction Photography: Tear Down the Wall
- Event Photography: Watershed Management Group Earth Month
- Event Photography: Mesquite Bean Grinding
- Construction Photography: Hillside Makeover
Event Photography: Graffiti Removal Workshop
July 20th, 2009This past Saturday morning, representatives from 10 Tucson neighborhood associations rolled out of bed at dawn and converged on the Ward 3 City Council Office. The Ward Office hosted a free breakfast and workshop on a very timely topic: graffiti removal.
Sorry to say, but Tucson is under heavy attack by taggers. And, with city budget cutbacks, funds for removal are limited.
The good news is that neighborhoods are stepping up. In this workshop, Robert Sheinaus led neighborhood association reps through a tagging cleanup tour. The group didn’t get very far from the Ward Office before they found their first demo, the back of a road sign…
Sheinaus is an instructor from Tucson’s NoTAG (Neighbors Organized to Abolish Graffiti). In addition to road sign cleanup, he also demonstrated light pole restoration…
In addition to the neighborhood association reps, the workshop was attended by Tucson City Councilmember Karin Uhlich and her staff…
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Photo Essays: Graffiti Eradication
- Construction Photography: Water Harvesting for Commercial Properties
- Mark Your Calendars: Water Harvesting Open House
- Event Photography: Composting Workshop
- Photography Workshop: Downtown Tucson
Nature Photography: Greening Up for Summer
July 17th, 2009Tucson’s summer monsoon season is in full swing. This is rendering swamp coolers ineffective and that’s bad news for some of us. (I have a swamp cooler.)
However, the plants are welcoming the rain the only way they know how. They’re getting very green. And the cactii are plump again. Here’s how the plant life is doing at my place…
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
Related Posts
- Nature Photography: You know it’s summer in Tucson when…
- Nature Photography: Rain Revitalizes
- Nature Photography: The Rains Return
- Nature Photography: Rain, Rain, and More Rain
- Nature Photography: Monsoon Storm
Event Photography: Another Monday Evening Walkabout
July 15th, 2009Since mid-April, I’ve been blogging about Tucson’s weekly Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk. And here I go, I’m doing it again.
This past Monday marked the 14th running (or walking) of MMM. And, once again, I went walkabout with my camera.
I’m not going to be one of those Downtown Tucson cheerleaders who goes on and on about all the great things happening. There’s still a lot of work to be down Downtown. But, at the same time, I can’t help but be impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that I’ve found there.
For starters, how would you like to start your MMM run (or walk) with a musical sendoff? Here are Dusty Squirrelfisher and Fiddlin’ Uncle Phoenix from the Dusty Buskers…
Since this is an urban event, MMM-ers have to wait for the light before they can run across the street. They also have to watch out for that Downtown construction…
A few weeks ago, the MMM course was changed to include the almost-renovated Scott Avenue streetscape. It’s a tantalizing blend of new and old…
Buy Meet Me at Maynards photos
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: Of Tortoises and Music
- Event Photography: 4th Avenue 2008 Winter Street Fair
- Event Photography: Live Music in Downtown Tucson, Arizona
- Event Photography: Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk
- Event Photography: They’re off and running!
Event Photography: Health Care Reform Rally
July 13th, 2009This past Saturday was Tucson’s hottest day of the year — so far. The temperature topped out at 107 degrees.
But the sultry weather didn’t stop more than 500 people from attending a health care reform rally at the Tucson Convention Center. The event was hosted by Congressman Raul Grijalva’s office. It drew young and old alike, and all walks of life were represented.
Since it was a rally, there were all sorts of signs available…
Some people brought signs representing their organization’s view on the subject…
Other people brought their own creations…
Although most of the people at the rally favored a single payer plan or reform that includes a public option, there were dissenters…
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: Health Care Reform in Vermont
- Tucson photographer launches stock photo site
- Event Photography: Election Day 2008
- Event Photography: All Souls Procession ‘08
- Event Photography: Sidewalk Concert at the Co-op
Nature Photography: Monsoon Storm
July 9th, 2009Tucson’s summer monsoon is in full swing, and that means thunderstorms. Big ones. They form quickly, and they can really pack a wallop.
Yesterday afternoon, a real thumper rolled into town. Dumped .58" of rain at my house, and that made my plants very happy. It also made for some interesting photographic opportunities.
The festivities stated with an oh-so-innocent looking rainbow…
A neighbor suggested that the rainbow meant that we’d dodged the storm. Ummm, not quite…
I had to flee to the safety of my house and watch the storm from the living room…
This morning was warm and sunny, perfect for going out and seeing how the rain gauge kept score…
Tip: You can view more nature photography in my portfolio.
Related Posts
- Nature Photography: More Monsoon Madness
- Nature Photography: Sudden Storm
- Event Photography: First Thursday Art Walk
- Nature Photography: Monsoons Rival Fireworks
- Nature Photography: Garden Planting
Event Photography: Of Tortoises and Music
July 8th, 2009Since mid-April, a group of walkers and runners has been exploring Downtown Tucson. The weekly Meet Me at Maynards Social Run/Walk has proven to be a big hit. Even during this summer weather.
Last week, the festivities were cut short when a giant windstorm came roaring into town. The wind was blowing so hard it almost knocked me over. So, no pictures from last week.
This week, the weather was simply July-hot. But it wasn’t hot enough to stop Tank, the tortoise that lives at the corner of 5th Ave. and 15th St., from going out for a an evening stroll…
According to his wagon-pulling owner, Mark Whitten, Tank is 100 years old…
Back at Maynards Market and Kitchen, the Dusty Buskers served up some tasty traditional music. Here’s Fiddlin’ Uncle Phoenix…
Buy Meet Me at Maynards photos
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: Live Music in Downtown Tucson, Arizona
- Event Photography: Rock and Stroll through Downtown Tucson
- Event Photography: Another Monday Evening Walkabout
- Event Photography: Meet Me at Maynards Social Run and Walk
- Event Photography: They’re off and running!
Event Photography: Tucson’s 2009 July 4th Celebration
July 6th, 2009This past Saturday was our nation’s 233rd birthday. This All-American event was celebrated with parades, speeches, picnics, and fireworks.
Here in Tucson, it was a great day to take Old Glory for a bicycle ride. And that’s just what I did. Taped a small flag to my tire pump, then stowed the pump and flag post in a saddlebag…
After the bike ride, it was time to return home for a siesta. Then, as evening approached, I headed out again. Wasn’t about to miss the fireworks display over Downtown Tucson. I staked out my vantage point, a parking garage on the University of Arizona campus, well before sunset…
The parking garage attracted quite the fireworks audience…
And the wait was worth it…
Tip: You can view more event photography in my portfolio and on this blog. I am also available for event photography assignments in Tucson, Arizona, and elsewhere. I specialize in concerts, festivals, parades, political rallies, and sporting events. To check availability and to request a proposal, please e-mail me or call 520-690-1888.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: Flags and Memories
- Bicycle Photography: El Tour de Tucson 2009
- Event Photography: National Park(ing) Day
- Tucson photographer launches stock photo site
- Event Photography: St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2009
Animal Photography: Keep Them Close
July 3rd, 2009This three-day weekend includes Independence Day. It’s a day for picnics, parades, cookouts, concerts, and fireworks. The last item is what I’m going to elaborate on here.
While fireworks are fun to watch and listen to, your dog probably has a different opinion of them. Many dogs find the sound of fireworks terrifying. Some of them flee in terror and, if found, they end up in animal shelters. Others are never found.
Although Fourth of July will never be your dog’s favorite holiday, you can make things better by keeping your dog close to you. Let your dog stay in the house for the day. It’s better for your dog, and for your neighbors, who won’t have to hear your dog barking and howling in anguish.
Related Posts
- Event Photography: Tucson’s 2009 July 4th Celebration
- Animal Photography: My Border Collie is Smarter than your Camera
- Event Photography: July 4th Parade
- Event Photography: Fords on Fourth 2010
- Event Photography: Fords on Fourth
