Cedar Breaks Wildflowers - 2

Cedar Breaks, Utah

I'm sure landscape and nature photography lowers my blood pressure, as well as being a respite from the desert heat, in this case! Another image taken at Cedar Breaks, Utah.

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

Yesterday I needed a break from the desert heat of summer, and I knew just where to go. When we left St. George, the temperature was 105 degrees, (elevation around 2800 feet), and we ended up in Cedar Breaks National Monument where the temperature was 65 degrees (elevation over 10,000 feet). A 40 degree temperature change in a little over an hour's drive! Plus I get to see beautiful scenes like this! I love this little corner of Utah!!

Modern cameras and sophisticated editing programs make it possible to take photos in harsh, afternoon sunshine like this. Soft focus, contrast and shadows adjustments needed on these bright, backlit flowers.

Hibiscus Memory

My mom loved flowers and our backyard in California was always overflowing with many varieties of them. Usually Mom liked to keep flowers alive and growing outside, with one exception. At dinnertime, when we would always sit down and eat together as a family, she would pick one flower, usually a hibiscus, camellia or gardenia, and float it in a small bowl of water for a simple, yet lovely, table decoration. Sometimes the little things a mother does become a wonderful family memory!

Sunshine & Sunflowers

Sunshine & Sunflowers

Seriously, will anyone admit they don't like sunflowers!!

Sego Lily

Utah Sego Lily

The sego lily was chosen as the official state flower of Utah because of its natural beauty and historic significance. The soft, bulbous root was collected and eaten in the mid 1800's by early Mormon pioneers during a crop-devouring plague of crickets.

4th of July, 2019

Happy 4th of July From Tuacahn Utah

For those not familiar with Tuacahn, it is an outside amphitheater tucked in this beautiful canyon where they present live performances all summer.  Tonight's production was 'The Little Mermaid'

"And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
--Lee Greenwood

Finding Beauty in Simple Things

Finding Beauty in Simple Things ....

like wild rhubarb surrounded by a sea of delicate desert wildflowers

Nature/landscape photographers are always searching for that knock-your-socks-off epic scene with stunning sunsets, towering cliffs or magnificent waterfalls. I am too! Images like that attract lots of attention, especially on social media. But I also try hard not to lose my personal perspective and the joy I feel in appreciating the beauty of the small and less dramatic vignettes in nature that I look for and often find.