A Pelican coming in for a landing at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve near Long Beach, CA.
Be sure to visit Camera Critters..
Happy Halloween!
Be sure to visit Camera Critters..
Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hot and Cold
I've been in Arches National Park for the last few days. After leaving Bryce and Kodachrome Basin, I decided to skip the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I wasn't ready to having winter weather.
Ironically, this morning, I woke to cold, windy and overcast skies. As there was no visible sunrise, I turned off my alarm, rolled over and slept for a few more hours. It's amazing how much easier it is to get out of bed on a cold day when you're in a warm room as opposed being bundled up in a sleeping bag to a cold tent!
I'm now sitting in Moab's wonderful Red Rock Bakery checking the weather forecast. Looks like a snow storm is predicted to move through the area. Too bad I don't have my four season tent with me!
Hopefully, some of the snow sticks to the red rocks and the clouds move off. What a sunrise that'll make!
Here's another shot from my time in Joshua National Park. It was taken in the middle of the Fortynine Palms oasis.
Ironically, this morning, I woke to cold, windy and overcast skies. As there was no visible sunrise, I turned off my alarm, rolled over and slept for a few more hours. It's amazing how much easier it is to get out of bed on a cold day when you're in a warm room as opposed being bundled up in a sleeping bag to a cold tent!
I'm now sitting in Moab's wonderful Red Rock Bakery checking the weather forecast. Looks like a snow storm is predicted to move through the area. Too bad I don't have my four season tent with me!
Hopefully, some of the snow sticks to the red rocks and the clouds move off. What a sunrise that'll make!
Here's another shot from my time in Joshua National Park. It was taken in the middle of the Fortynine Palms oasis.
The oasis is very soothing after a very hot hike through the desert mountains. If you find yourself in Joshua, don't forget to visit this beautiful oasis.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Joshua Tree
I arrived in Bryce National Park yesterday and spent the day washing clothes and processing pictures. I've run out of space on my CF cards, so, I really needed to free up some space.
Today I got some sunrise shots from Bryce point and did a number of hikes. Bryce Canyon is incredible. I've been in a number of places that have hoodoos, but Bryce takes the prize.
Since I was able to get some pictures processed, here is a silhouette shot of a Joshua Tree taken a few weeks ago.
Be sure to visit Skywatch Fridays!
Today I got some sunrise shots from Bryce point and did a number of hikes. Bryce Canyon is incredible. I've been in a number of places that have hoodoos, but Bryce takes the prize.
Since I was able to get some pictures processed, here is a silhouette shot of a Joshua Tree taken a few weeks ago.
Be sure to visit Skywatch Fridays!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Angel's Landing
This morning I did the Angel's Landing hike. What a beautiful trail. It goes 2.5mi from the valley floor up 1488 ft to the top of a knife edge ridge. What a view!!
As I was descending, I came across a number of people crawling up on their hand and knees. At least they are trying.
iPhone photo from the top. See the stretch of road 1200ft below? The prominent shadow at 10:30AM gives a good idea of the depth of the canyon.
Tomorrow I'll tour around the area by car and do a little bike riding. Then on Wednesday, I'll hike the Narrows to the famous "Wall Street" - a place in the canyon that is 22ft wide and 1500ft deep.
-- Post From My iPhone
As I was descending, I came across a number of people crawling up on their hand and knees. At least they are trying.
iPhone photo from the top. See the stretch of road 1200ft below? The prominent shadow at 10:30AM gives a good idea of the depth of the canyon.
Tomorrow I'll tour around the area by car and do a little bike riding. Then on Wednesday, I'll hike the Narrows to the famous "Wall Street" - a place in the canyon that is 22ft wide and 1500ft deep.
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, October 16, 2009
Leaving Las Vegas
I'm leaving Las Vegas for Zion and Bryce National parks.
I had a lot of fun in Sin City: played a lot of poker tournaments, saw Penn & Teller (awesome), Hoover damn, had dinner with my cousin Mike and his wife Regina. But it'll be nice to leave the bright lights, noise, smoke and commercialism of Vegas for the simplicity of the Utah deserts.
The sun sets on Las Vegas (iPhone photo).
-- Post From My iPhone
I had a lot of fun in Sin City: played a lot of poker tournaments, saw Penn & Teller (awesome), Hoover damn, had dinner with my cousin Mike and his wife Regina. But it'll be nice to leave the bright lights, noise, smoke and commercialism of Vegas for the simplicity of the Utah deserts.
The sun sets on Las Vegas (iPhone photo).
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, October 12, 2009
Caesar's Palace
Fun day! Toured around Vegas. The monorail is the way to get around.
iPhone photo.
Caesar's Palace is impressive. Such decedance!
Tomorrow, Dan and I visit Hoover damn and then see Penn & Teller.
iPhone photo.
Caesar's Palace is impressive. Such decedance!
Tomorrow, Dan and I visit Hoover damn and then see Penn & Teller.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Cliche?
Since last we chatted, I spent two days and and night in Joshua Tree National Park and a couple of days touring around the Newport Beach, CA area. Tomorrow is David and Nicole's wedding. It looks to be a wonderful event!
After this, I'll spend almost a week in Las Vegas. Besides playing a little poker, I hit the Valley of Fire park, Hoover Damn, and Death Valley.
This picture is the last of the series of photos I took at the Whitetank Mountain Regional Park near Phoenix. The third morning was very overcast in the eastern sky during the time in which the sun was supposed to be rising. Unlike the day before, the sun never made an appearance. Luckily, the moon was setting around the same time. I covered a lot of ground looking for a shot like this before it disappeared.
Be sure to visit Skywatch Fridays!
After this, I'll spend almost a week in Las Vegas. Besides playing a little poker, I hit the Valley of Fire park, Hoover Damn, and Death Valley.
This picture is the last of the series of photos I took at the Whitetank Mountain Regional Park near Phoenix. The third morning was very overcast in the eastern sky during the time in which the sun was supposed to be rising. Unlike the day before, the sun never made an appearance. Luckily, the moon was setting around the same time. I covered a lot of ground looking for a shot like this before it disappeared.
Be sure to visit Skywatch Fridays!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bad Weathers yield Good Photos
When I first went got to the Phoenix area, I went to the Whitetank Regional Park to scout out the area for a morning shoot.
After driving and hiking around, I finally found this spot. I thought that the cactus in the foreground against the sunrise light mountain in the background would make for an interesting picture.
However, the next morning was heavily overcast. I thought for sure that I would get no sun. But, I setup up the tripod and camera and prepared to wait.
And wait.
About the time I was ready to give up, the clouds starting opening up, allowing intermittent light to shine though. What a glorious sight. I hope that my photo captures some inkling of the reality of the scene.
After driving and hiking around, I finally found this spot. I thought that the cactus in the foreground against the sunrise light mountain in the background would make for an interesting picture.
However, the next morning was heavily overcast. I thought for sure that I would get no sun. But, I setup up the tripod and camera and prepared to wait.
And wait.
About the time I was ready to give up, the clouds starting opening up, allowing intermittent light to shine though. What a glorious sight. I hope that my photo captures some inkling of the reality of the scene.
I went back again this morning to capture some other subjects. This time around, the sun never did come out. Still, I'm glad that I put myself in the position to capture such a serendipitous moment.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Atmospherics
Today, was mostly about photography. I awoke at 5am to catch the sunset at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Afterwords, I showed my mom how to build a lightbox, and we took pictures of my parent's arts. Processing those photos took much of the afternoon. It's a great day when you can devote the whole day to one's hobby!
This shot is from White Tank Mountain Regional Park looking over Phoenix, AZ. This is a very nice little park and I plan on heading back bright and early again tomorrow.
Be sure to visit Scenic Sunday!
This shot is from White Tank Mountain Regional Park looking over Phoenix, AZ. This is a very nice little park and I plan on heading back bright and early again tomorrow.
Be sure to visit Scenic Sunday!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Copper Star
An iPhone photo of the Arizona flag hanging from a skylight in the historic Palace Saloon in Prescott, AZ.
The star in the flag is copper to represent all of the copper deposits found in Arizona.
While in Prescott today, I remember being there with grandfather many years ago. He competed in rodeo there back in the 1930's (I think). Anyways, as we were walking down the street around the main square past some old hotel/saloon and recounted the time that his young friends and himself were kicked out of the joint. I sure wish he was around to ask him about this story.
The star in the flag is copper to represent all of the copper deposits found in Arizona.
While in Prescott today, I remember being there with grandfather many years ago. He competed in rodeo there back in the 1930's (I think). Anyways, as we were walking down the street around the main square past some old hotel/saloon and recounted the time that his young friends and himself were kicked out of the joint. I sure wish he was around to ask him about this story.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Boulders
Boulders along NM 80 near the border with Arizona. Early this morning I went scouting out the White Tank Mountain Regional Park west of Phoenix. I think that I found a great spot to capture the light of the rising sun on the mountains and cactus of this beautiful spot.
Nap time!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Distant Sunset
One evening, I sat on the edge of a cliff waiting for the sunrise. I expected to see the sunset on on some interesting mountains to the west. However, that never panned out. Instead, to the south, a series of hills caught the cross light.
In order to capture this type of landscape, it is useful to include some sort of interesting element in the foreground. The foreground element provides scale to give context to the rest of the scene.
While I was waiting here, a hawk circled me a half of a dozen times, from about 100 feet above me. The hawk was close enough that I could see it turning it's head to check me out. Very cool, although, I made sure to think UN-mouse like thoughts. To bad I had my landscape lens attached!
In order to capture this type of landscape, it is useful to include some sort of interesting element in the foreground. The foreground element provides scale to give context to the rest of the scene.
While I was waiting here, a hawk circled me a half of a dozen times, from about 100 feet above me. The hawk was close enough that I could see it turning it's head to check me out. Very cool, although, I made sure to think UN-mouse like thoughts. To bad I had my landscape lens attached!
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