Mount Routi, Moorea

The island of Moorea, just a short ferry ride from Tahiti, is the most beautiful tropical paradise I have visited. This is Mount Routi and Cooks Bay.  We were able to visit this magical place two times during our 18 month stay in the South Pacific.

Seven Day Nature Photo Challenge

Arenal Volcano, Cost Rica

A Facebook friend has challenged me to post a favorite nature photo for seven days, so thought I post them here as well.  For my first day, I'm choosing a photo that represents a magical experience for me. We had just checked into our lodge room at Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. It was cloudy and rainy on our ride there and we couldn't see the volcano. We brought our bags to the room and unpacked. Probably took about 15 minutes. I finally went to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony, pulled back the drapes, and this was our view! We sat on the balcony and enjoyed one of the most beautiful scenes ever!!  (I'm having trouble with FB and blogger adding saturation to my photos during upload.  It is true the colors were stunning, but the greens here are too vibrant.)

Gunlock, Utah

Gunlock, Utah

This was taken a few miles from my southern Utah home.  One doesn't have to go to far away places to find interesting scenes to enjoy and photograph.  I try to remember that a far away place to me is someone else's backyard!!

Ivins, Utah

Ivins, Utah

After days and days of rain and gloomy weather, today was glorious in southern Utah with mild temperatures, beautiful blue skies, 3D clouds and winter light making the red cliffs vibrant. The photography 'gods' knew I needed a spiritual boost today and led me to this view, just a few miles from our home. I was first surprised and then in awe to see this temporary waterfall, and several smaller ones, formed from all the recent rain. I have been in this area many times, (Ivins, Utah), and never knew this happened. (I just noticed the similarities in this photo and my last post taken in Kauai.)

Waimea Canyon, Kauai

Waimea Canyon, Kauai

I'm still in Kauai......in my mind!  This is Waimea Canyon, with a glimpse of Waipoo Falls in the background.

FINN Turns One!!!

FINN Turns One!!!

Snow Canyon, Utah

One more photo from our walk in Snow Canyon. Around the bend is Johnson Arch.

 (The arch is fairly impressive but hard to photograph as it sits directly in front of another cliff face so it is difficult to see through it. I've never taken a picture of it that I like.)

Snow Canyon, Utah

Snow Canyon in Winter

What a lovely day for a hike in Snow Canyon, Utah. It was nice to be in 'Snow' without being in 'snow'!!! (Grinning)

Lensbaby test

Lensbaby

I think I'm in love!  These are my first photos with a new speciality lens that creates beautiful bokeh, and soft focus backgrounds, great for macro, nature and flowers.  

(This is a 'spikey' bush right outside my back door right after a rain storm.)

Winter Fun

A day RZR riding is better than, well.........any other day!

Especially in winter when it is snowing at home.

(Colors are weird because photo taken through a windshield.)

Robins in Winter

Robins in Winter

Who says to look for robins in the spring? We have flocks of them eating the berries off the tree outside our bedroom window on this very cold and snowy day in American Fork, Utah. When they look at me, I wonder if they know how toasty warm I am on the other side of the glass!!!

Today on Temple Square

Today on Temple Square

It is hard for me to hate winter and snow when I look at scenes like this!! (For those who might want to duplicate this composition, it was taken through the window in the Presidents Room, Mezzanine level, Joseph Smith Memorial Building.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017

Gunlock Reservoir

(Taken a few days before Christmas)

  
HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! The sun sets on another year. Hopefully it has been one filled with fond memories, personal growth, fun times, and gratitude to have been given the gift of life for one more year and having had the courage and determination to live through the challenges and heartaches many of us have also had to face. May we all look forward to 2017 with renewed hope, faith, fortitude and the desire to be better people, live healthier lives, speak kinder words, and enjoy new experiences to the fullest!

(....oh, and find more great photo ops!!)

Holiness to the LORD

'Holiness to the Lord.  The House of the LORD'

It took the early Mormon pioneers 40 years to built this beautiful temple to worship their God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Salt Lake Temple at Christmas

Salt Lake Temple Framed in Red and Gold

Christmas Greetings!

Christmas on Temple Square (2)

Christmas Lights On Steroids! 

I thought this was an interesting contrast between the simple glow of a lantern trying to compete with what looks like a zillion Christmas tree lights in the background.

Christmas on Temple Square

Salt Lake Temple

Christmas on Temple Square. There is nothing that puts me in the Christmas spirit more that visiting Temple Square at Christmas time....even if I was surrounded by thousands of other people enjoying the experience. It is a beautiful place to remember the reason for the season!

Fall & Winter

I'll Be the One Wearing Yellow Mom!

Sometimes photography is about noticing the details or seeing something common in an unusual way. This effect was created in camera with a specialty lens.

Kauai

Took this on a walk near the Marriott Beach Resort in Lihu'e

Storm's Over!!

Storm's Over!

Good Morning Snow!

Good Morning Snow! 

This was the view outside my bedroom window this morning. Jeff took the screen off the window, and I could take pictures with my pjs on....and keep warm at the same time. My kind of winter photography. haha

Salt Pond Beach, Kauai

Now can we just go back to Kauai to relax on the beach, reflect on a wonderful Thanksgiving, and recuperate from an exhausting Black Friday?? 

 Pretty please with sugar on top!

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS! 

I hope you are able to spend the day enjoying the blessings of gathering with family and friends, eating good food, having fun, laughing out loud, watching children play, sharing memories, maybe taking a nap, but especially having a grateful heart for life, liberty, and being able to pursue what makes you happy.... (This might help with the laughing part.  'Still life' taken on my kitchen table in natural light:)

Beautiful Po'ipu Beach, Kauai

Po'ipu Beach, Kauai

A high school friend of mine owns a place near here, right on the beach and gets to see this view!  Lucky man!!!

Napali Coast, Kauai

Napali Coast, Kauai

as seen from Kalalau Lookout

We sailed in a catamaran to go snorkeling and then to view the Napali Coast, but the ocean was so rough and the sun so intense that there was no chance of taking any decent photos. But on another day I was well rewarded to get this view of the coast from Kalalau Lookout. This scene took my breath away! The soft overcast day and a polarizer filter on my camera lens really made the lush green foliage and brilliant aqua ocean pop with color.

Fishing in Paradise - Kauai

Imagine catching your breakfast and being able to experience this beautiful sunrise at the same time! 
Another Kauai morning to enjoy!

Supermoon Over Emery, Utah

Supermoon Over Emery, Utah

I felt guilty standing at my front door to take a shot of this beautiful moon, (last post). TOO lazy! So yesterday afternoon I took a little trip to tiny Emery, Utah, population under 300. My husband's grandparents homesteaded there and Jeff spent his childhood summers down on the farm. This is the old church (now on the historic register I believe), where he went to church on Sundays and watched movies on Wednesdays.

Supermoon

GOOD MORNING big, beautiful MOON!

Thank you for shinning on my front porch. This is the composition of a lazy, doesn't want to go out in the cold, photographer! Taken around 7:00 am this morning.

Kauai Sunrise

Oh what a beautiful morning in Kauai!!  

This was taken a few yards outside our hotel room.

Kauai, Hawaii (2)

KAUAI, Hawaii

THANK YOU VETERANS for keeping us safe, for protecting our freedom to enjoy ALL that is beautiful in this GREAT country!!

Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai

I managed to get out of this beach chair to take a few photos!! We had such an awesome week in Kauai, beautiful weather, great friends, spectacular scenery!!

Aspen Abstract

Aspen Abstract

Sometimes I find interesting compositions when I least expect it. Coming home over the Alpine Loop, most of the beautiful fall leaves had already disappeared and the aspens were barren and boring. But I rounded a bend and spotted this scene just as the late afternoon sun was filtering through this grove, creating beautiful highlights and low lights. The pop of color from the small aspen tree still retaining its leaves added some contrast to the scene. (I call this an abstract, because I did some post editing to give it a unique look.)

Mt. Timpamogos Temple in Fall

Color Coordinated!

Last of the yellow/gold leaves framing Angel Moroni on the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Fall Still Life...in my Kitchen!

Fall Still Life.....(in my kitchen!!)

It was rainy and windy yesterday, so I decided to have a little Photoshop fun, and decided to bring the outside in, and do a little photography and creativity without needing to wear a raincoat!!  Can you guess how I did this?  I won't keep you in suspense.......

Cookie tray on kitchen table.  Natural light from window.  Dangling leaves suspended from overhead chandelier.  Camera on tripod, set to timer and multiple bursts while I poured water through a sieve to add water and hint of falling rain.  (This is just one of multiple images I combined to make the final.) 

American Fork Canyon, Utah

A brilliant sunset paints a brown and barren landscape with beautiful golden color.

Deer Creek Reservoir, Utah

Deer Creek Reservoir, Utah

A beautiful fall afternoon at Deer Creek Reservoir in northern Utah. You can see the 'backside' of Mt. Timpanogos dusted with snow, in the background.

You'll be Scratchin' Like a Hound.....

"You're gonna need an ocean...."!!! My friend Rod tells me my last post was poison ivy!!! That post and this post were taken in a very popular little park in the middle of town. If this is so, there will be numerous kids, wedding photographers and family portrait photographers and clients who might be "scratchin' like a hound"!!!!

Behind the Red Bench......

Behind the red bench.....(see last post).....

there were still patches of fall color.

'All the Leaves Are Brown'.....(well almost)

'All the Leaves Are Brown....'  

(well almost!)

This was taken at a beautiful little park close to home.   It was a lovely place to enjoy a peaceful few minutes.....except for all the other photographers roaming around doing exactly what I was doing!

Moose Mistake!

Moose Mistake!

YES, you are seeing a blurry, out of focus picture, and NO, it is not your eyes. I was driving over the Alpine Loop early this evening, (very narrow, curvy, two lane road), and I glimpsed this dark shape out of the passenger side window. It was a huge moose walking several yards away from the road. My camera was on the passenger seat, still set for slow speed, bright sunlight. I slowed down, but had to keep moving because the moose was moving. I held the camera at arms length and shot through the closed window while making sure I didn't run off the road. (I know, stupid!) When I looked at the image on my computer, not even expecting to see the moose in the frame, I was surprised that I kind of liked it. Can you have an animal abstract? I don't know, but I loved the effect on the trees, and I could never duplicate this if I tried, because I don't know how it happened! (Of course I did crop and straighten it.) Which brings me to another point and a little secret that is not really a secret. I am grateful and so appreciative when my friends compliment me on my photography, but what you don't know is that for every photo I post, there are probably 200 that get deleted!! Stands to reason that the more photos I take, the chances are that a few will be good, some times it's just luck, and maybe once in a while, it might be talent or skill!!

Mt. Timpanogos Temple

Mt. Timpanogos Temple

I live about 10 minutes away from the beautiful Mt. Timpanogos temple. Just before sunset the front of the temple and background mountains are bathed in warm light that makes Angel Moroni on top of the spire and the blue stained glass window glow. An extra bonus today was this beautiful sky. NO extra color saturation needed. You'd think I'd have a ton of photos of this temple, living so close, but I don't. Problem is, that unless you are shooting in the winter when there are no leaves, the front on the temple is almost entirely obscured by trees. Many of the leaves have now fallen, so today I was able to find a vantage point that showed a bit more of the temple. (Just below where I've cropped the photo is a parking lot full of cars.)