The Sands of Time

The official start of summer is June 21, summer solstice, the longest day of light in the year. But for me it is June 1 because that is my birthdate. What does that have to do with surfboards and woody wagons. . . Only the sands of time.

Is it Castle Craig or Craig's Castle?

One of the details about travel photography is remembering the names of the places you photograph. This is one of the sights in Northern California, on I5 going north near Mount Shasta. The towering granite spires can be seen from the I5, south of Dunsmuir. I forgot the name of this landmark. I know Google can help but then I couldn't make my point . . . Google to the rescue: Castle Crags.

Modern American Class

This image was actually taken with a 3GS iPhone by my wife Michellyn. She went into LAX to pickup our youngest son Trevr and his girl friend Marissa. They were visiting with us last summer. The cell phones in fact contain the largest group of cameras in the world. More than Canon, Nikon etc. by far. They make a classy couple, don't they.
(image used by permission of photographed)

Zion's version of Time Travel

You almost expect to see dinosaurs walking about as you travel through Zion National Park. Somewhat of an uneasy tranquility.

Zion the Landscape Jewel of the West

Entering Zion National Park from the east is the most dramatic, in my opinion. The weathered sandstone, the colors and the immense size of the mountains creates a display that shouldn't be missed.

Kolob Canyon View of Beyond

The view beyond Kolob Canyon leads your eye to Zion National Park. Stay tuned, Zion is coming.

Why do they call the Cascade Mountains - Cascade?

This is the time the Highways around Mt. Rainier open for the summer. It's "cascade" time. The water is raging out of the mountains. Cascade after cascade. Do you get the picture yet?

Christine Falls - A Walk Away

You may have noticed the bridge. This is an automobile bridge. I mention it only because of how easy it is to see this majestic waterfall without having to hike at all. I wonder how many people drive over the bridge without ever knowing what awaits below.

Photo or Art

Tricked out cars and trucks have been an interest to me forever. I thought I would add a sense of motion to the background figures in this image as well as treat the image to a posterization technique. That is photospeak for blocking up the color tones making the image more of an art form than a photograph.

Bleeding Hearts the Next Generation

Last year I discovered the Bleeding Hearts wildflowers. I thought I took a very good shot. Then this year's spring display of wildflowers appeared. I really like this shot.
Keep shooting images even if you've shot the same subject before. If it's not better then you will have your previous images. But if its better . . . .!

Azaleas steal your heart for a little while

Azaleas put on such a show. It's sort of like youth, overstated and short lived. Youth that is.

Why are some weeds and others flowers?

I found these yellow blooms in a ditch on a backroad to nowhere. To me they are beautiful flowers. Wild yes but when does a weed become a flower?

If you don't do it you can't get it

Today I got up about 4:30 a.m. and decided to see if I could capture a pink mountain. Sunrises are tricky to predict. But if you don't try you can't get anything. Reminds me of a quote, "if you aim at nothing you are sure to succeed at nothing". This image has the slightest tint of pink.

It's in the blood

Katie is my little trouper. We took this day hike, five miles. She was four at the time and walked the whole distance. I guess it's in the blood.

Happy Canyon behind Solvang

Near Solvang California is a country road that winds up into the San Ynez Mountains. This is the view as you reach the OMG  level. Hiking through these high valley areas is breathtaking. What a place to take a picnic.

Tree Frog Portrait Guide

The first step in doing a frog portrait is finding the frog in the first place.
The second step is convincing the frog to stay put.
The third step is to catch the frog after it jumps.
The forth step is return to the second step and try again.

House for Sale - I want it, can't afford it :(

When Michellyn and I were scouting out the Orcas Island trip, we came upon this wonderful house. What a view. Great location. I can't afford it.

I thought I'd setup the shot as if I were taking a real estate add photo. Did I succeed?

Najoqui Falls-A Good Chat Walk

 

Najoqui Falls near Solvang, CA is a good chat walk. In fact the leasurely walk up to the falls is probably the best part. My wife Michellyn and I would try to go there when longer journeys were not possible or when life's movin a bit too fast.

The Dark Knight Drove the Black Sedan

Friday the Thirteenth. What can be said that hasn't been stated already? It would be fascinating if the US Census would report on the attitudes of the American public re: Friday the Thirteenth. Charts and Graphs Stuff.

What Happened to Yesterday?

On the surface it would seem that this post is going to be about years gone by.

Actually, this post beginning is about reclaiming the May 12, 2011 post. Some form of Blog Maintenance interupted all Postings yesterday.

This image was selected before the said maintenance issue. Ironic.

Have you ever gone on a walk in the country and came upon something quite unexpected? I did. This dilapidated RV trailer.

It was once someone's vacation home. Now it's best hope is to be the object of a Grunge Photo Shoot.

That's it. Now we can move on to Friday the Thirteenth.

San Ynez Valley House

I may have passed by this house a hundred times. Always finding it intriguing. Why did I stop and capture it in my camera that day? I guess time caught up with my procrastination.

Zion's Secret Canyon

Zion National Park is a must see. When one thinks of Zion and canyons they typically think of the sandstone passageways carved by rivers. Kolob Canyon sits on the north-west corner of Zion. In fact, you have to go out of the park to reenter Kolob Canyon. This secret canyon is a wonder unto itself.
A winding red stone road climbs up into the clouds, so to speak. This is what you see.

Oh for a walk on the beach

Aren't there times when everything around you is "Blah-Blah-Blah" and you just want to go for a walk on the beach.

To the Moms

To the Moms to be, the Moms that are and the Moms who have passed away.
This Rose, with it's drops of rain, reminds me of the love mothers give their children. The tears that come as their children struggle to find their own way.
The joyfull tears that come with "Good News" from their children.

Seed Pods and Snow Flakes

Seed Pods are like summer's version of winter's snow flakes. Each one seemingly the same as the next, yet each very different.

Did You Ever Wonder ?

Michellyn and I were taking in the sites in Seattle last year. We went down to Pike's Place Market. Great people watching location. Right near the sight where Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner, in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" were walking down the grey stone sidewalk. I digress. Sorry.

The point is, I discovered what Mime's do on their fifteen minute breaks.

Answer: Roll their own. Of course!

Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo

This image was taken at the Santa Barbara Zoo. While that Zoo is beautiful, it is limited. On the other hand, the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is spectacular. It has been a number of years since I went and I'm counting the days til I can visit it again.

Garden Party Close-ups

Ricky Nelson had a song about a Garden Party. It started "Went to a Garden Party, much to my surprise". Well that surprise part is where my blog post and the song parts ways. I am always surprised by the details found in a garden. Each flower has such detail in its makeup.

Butterflies

If the Seattle weather is getting you down, just visit the Seattle Center Butterfly exhibit. Let your imagination sail in the breeze.

More Lake Santa Margarita

Lake Santa Margarita

This image is of part of Lake Santa Margarita, located in the foothills just north of San Luis Obisbo in California. Many of the lakes in central California are overstocked. Not with fish but people and motor boats etc. This is not the case with Lake Santa Margarita. No motors allowed. Thus fewer people. We hiked the hills around the lake, mountain biked and just relaxed.