Encinitas Christmas Parade

[Chris Dodkin]

It's that time of year again - so we headed out to get our spot on the main street in Encinitas, for the Christmas parade.

Parking was a nightmare!

For California, it was freeeeezing - at least as low as 55F

Definitely wooly hat weather

The local fire brigade would lead off the parade

They formed up the parade under the big Encinitas city sign

Local restaurants were open and doing good business

I experimented with some slow shutter speeds to get a good feeling of movement

All shots 5D2 and 24mm f1.4 L

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Great set chris..
55f and your wearing hats out there??

 

[Thomas brookes]

nice shots there chris. first one did make me chuckle. and i love the way the fire truck is perfectly parked in the middle of the road. and i see my brother enjoyed himself on the back of the pink car!

 

[Pete Askew]

Nice series Chris. Love the exact alignment of the fire engine (and the one with the Carmen Miranda hat!!). Is that really Kev in that car: he gets about a bit doesn't he?!!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Great set chris..
55f and your wearing hats out there??

Anything below 70F and the locals are cold, so 55F is freezing for them!

Anything above 80F and they're complaining it's too hot... so about a 10 degree tolerance for a typical CA resident

 

[Chris Dodkin]

nice shots there chris. first one did make me chuckle. and i love the way the fire truck is perfectly parked in the middle of the road. and i see my brother enjoyed himself on the back of the pink car!

You mean American Tom? - yep, he was in full effect in the parade

 

[Pete Askew]

And they look to me like they are being chased by an army of giant Donald Ducks!! I think I'd better check the use-by date on that pack of mushrooms I bought!!

 

[Kev Pugh]

Is that really Kev in that car: he gets about a bit doesn't he?!!

I resemble that remark but I really don't know what you mean Pete. As an ex Fire Officer I would still like to have a US style fire truck at my disposal.....I reckon I could keep myself busy with one of those..

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I bet you were always polishing your appliance Kev

 

[Chris Dodkin]

And they look to me like they are being chased by an army of giant Donald Ducks!! I think I'd better check the use-by date on that pack of mushrooms I bought!!

They're magic mushrooms Pete

 

[Kev Pugh]

I bet you were always polishing your appliance Kev

My appliances were always, I say always polished, I suffered a little from 'POR' to a degree. (Privilege of Rank) meaning I had trained my crews well

 

[Brian Moore]

Bloody hell,...that parade looks like it was moving along at a brisk pace--it must have been cold doon there! I like the color shots especially but the B&W ones are very cool too.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Brian - it was a little parky, but the 'speedy' look is all in the slow shutter speeds. (0.5 sec to 0.8 sec)

We left the parade after the first 90 mins, and it wasn't even halfway done, but we were like icicles so wanted to get some warm food!