"Family is Strenght"

The Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development Community Action Team  among others local organizations sponsored last week event  "The Family Community Resource Fair" at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. A local afford to keep children out of the streets.

             

          

SPRING TIME AT THE GRIFFITH PARK

The weather in Southern California over the last couple of months has been very mild and it did affect spring and its blossoms. We had a few hot days but nothing like previous years. By now all the flowers should be gone. In a way it’s sad because our climate is going through so many changes and nature is so confused. In trying to adapt to new weather patterns, the park is experiencing a very late spring.

Today we are celebrating Memorial Day and the Griffith Park is in full bloom. Colorful wild flowers have spread throughout the park and with a large concentration on the trails and along the roads as well. A riot of colors makes for an enchanting experience when hiking or just going for a nature walk.

As a photographer, I sometimes wonder if people with their busy schedules have the time or make the time to notice and appreciate the richness and beauty of the flora surround them. I do make the time and what strikes me besides their beauty and simplicity is how they can live in such rash environment.

         

Spring - a celebration

Sugar Cane Harvesters

Sugar Cane--a tropical grass with tall, stout, jointed stems from which sugar is extracted. The coastal area of Pernambuco state in Northeast Brazil is also called Zona da Mata.  Its gets its name from the Northern Atlantic Forest of which today almost none exists. The littoral has a tropical climate, perfect conditions for sugar cane cultivation. It has been like this since colonial times when the Portuguese introduced sugar cane.

Mechanized farming is almost impossible due to hills.  In Pernambuco sugarcane is harvested by hand.  First, the field is set on fire. The fire burns dry leaves without harming the stalks and roots. Than harvesters cut the cane just above ground-level using special knives. Unfortunately cheap and seasonal manual labor is needed to work the land just as in times past.  But today, the land is not used for sugar production, but rather ethanol, as Brazil has the largest ethanol industry in the world.

     

       

Catch of the day

In Serrambi a small beach town in the littoral of Pernambuco state in Brazil, to eat fresh fish is a routine.  The seller called Ze goes around on his bike offering the catch of the day. In this case a beautiful and delicious Beijupira -- a popular fish from the region. If you are Ze best costumer you are luck and chances are you will be the first one to have the choice to eat the fresh catch of the day.

Praia Dos Carneiros

Praia dos Carneiros is for me the best beach of Pernambuco State in the Northeast region of Brazil. Located around 80 miles south of Recife, Carneiros is surrounded by coconut palm trees and natural beauty. Rustic, charm, beautiful and peaceful. A precious place.