Picket Fences — A Benicia Mystery

ideas from online courses. Mostly, I just try to learn from experience, making mistakes, and lots of practice. The photos I like the best are anthropomorphic: the ones where you can sense some personality of the animal, possibly humorous, where you feel like you know what the animal is thinking.”

On a typical day, Hanrahan takes her camera out once or twice, in the early morning and/or the late afternoon, to get the best light. “Benicia has so many great locations for wildlife photography,

and I will head to a spot depending on the tide level and what kind of wildlife I hope to capture.” Her “go-to birding spots” include the Benicia Marina for Night Herons and Green Herons, and anywhere along the waterfront or marshes for Great or Snowy Egrets. She photographs pelicans, kites, hawks, and ospreys at the Benicia State Recreation Area.

Hanrahan has equipped a Sprinter van for offroad use, allowing her to get into some rough and muddy places. “I use it as a mobile blind, because birds are sometimes easily scared by people, but not as much by vehicles. The Sprinter is ideal because I can stand at full height and shoot with a tripod, and it is roomy enough to carry a lot of gear for shoots or display racks for art shows.” She calls her van the “Vogelfanger,” which is German for “birdcatcher,” the character in Mozart’s Magic Flute.

Hanrahan remains humble and unassuming, despite her growing following. “The response has been so great that I am now opening my own studio in the Headquarters Building of the Benicia Arsenal.” In addition to providing a space to hang additional inventory for showing by appointment or an occasional reception, the studio will allow her to clear the mat boards and other photography supplies taking over her dining room and garage. To view more of her photography, visit http://www.okkyongphoto. com/ or facebook.com/ okkyongphoto, or come by the HQ Gallery, where she is the featured artist for February, at 333D First Street, in Benicia.

Picket Fences Picket Fences

Previously in Picket Fences …

Xavier picked up his date to the F.A.C.T. fundraiser, Saraya Foster. The event is underway and Connie has agreed to Angela’s demand that this be their last con together.

n Darrell Mcelvane

As the moonlight dances on the dark waves of Benicia the F.A.C.T. event is in full swing. Angela and Madalyn are surveying the room. Madalyn beams with pride, looking at all the people enjoying the music, food, and the ambience as she starts to become aware of a lot of new people in the crowd, some of whom she doesn’t recognize. She comments to Angela who is also observing the room. “There’s a lot of new faces.” “Yes, Connie has a lot of friends from many different places,” Angela answers, thinking of all the backdoor deals going down at this event, looking around at drug runners, money launderers, and dangerous people hob-knobbing with each other. “I thought I left all this behind,” she thinks to herself. At that moment, her train of thought is broken by the voice of Olivia Leavenworth. “Ladies! It looks like you pulled it off. This is a wonderful event and I just looked at the numbers and I'm very happy,” she says with delight. “It really was all Madalyn this year; I couldn't have done it without her and she did a bang-up job!” Angela says, letting Madalyn take the credit. “Well, you did wonderfully Madalyn! We might have to talk about getting you on some other committees. Excuse me, I think I see my son and his date. We'll talk later!” And with that, Olivia is off, leaving the other two to bask in the success of the event. Madalyn, checking her watch, says, “It’s almost time for the art auction.”

Saraya and Xavier walk into the event immediately running into Olivia. “Hello, mom.” “Hi, honey. I’m sorry you got held up,” Olivia says, greeting her son. “Hi, Mrs. Leavenworth,” Saraya says. “Hello, Saraya. I see you finally decided to show up. I hope we don’t have any more… mishaps,” she says, staring Saraya down. “You two, enjoy. Xavier, please mingle,” she says, softening her gaze upon her son. Olivia then leaves to greet guests.