Far Away Places

 I Would Love to Return to Savaii, Samoa!

"Far away places with strange sounding names
 Far away over the sea

Those far away places with the strange sounding names are
 Calling, calling me"

(Sung by Bing Crosby in 1948)

                                 

Winter Twilight

Utah Lake in Winter Twilight and Soft Pastels

Sunshine & Frost

 Sunshine & Frost

I really can't complain about our weather in northern Utah. It has been a mild winter and we've even had some record breaking highs.

Wailua Falls, Kauai

Wailua Falls, Kauai

Winter is a time for me to organize photos and dream of visits to beautiful places.

Memories

On this gray winter afternoon I have soft misty memories that once upon a time I lived in the 'land of the long white cloud' and walked along beautiful pristine beaches collecting seashells.  

 

Sigh!

Cathdral Gorge at Sunset

One more image of Cathedral Gorge, Nevada bathed in warm sunset light.

Cathedral Gorge National Park, Nevada

Cathedral Gorge State Park is a hidden jewel of unusual land formations that would be entirely missed if driving by on the main road near Panaca, Nevada. For those just passing through, the scenery in the area is pretty boring and predictable, but turn on a cross road and drive a very short distance into the gorge and you might feel as if you were on another planet. In daylight the columns and spires are more yellow that red, but this is how they looked in the afterglow of sunset a couple of days ago.

 Snow Canyon Overlook

Here's what the sunrise looked like two days ago overlooking Snow Canyon in southern Utah. Our 'casita', (little winter home), is a few minutes away on the other side of the cliffs. P.S. No color saturation here in case you're wondering!

Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho

Dreaming of Spring while going through 2017 photos.

Mt. Timpanogos Wearing Snow

Mt. Timpanogos Wearing Snow

Here is something out of my comfort zone. Usually I like my landscapes to mimic the colors of the rainbow like our eyes naturally see. But I also try to express a mood or a feeling in my photos. B&W seemed perfect for how I'm currently viewing my world at home in northern Utah! 

Here's the color version.  Tell me if you have a preference.

Frozen Utah Lake

Standing on thin ice to get this composition of frozen Utah Lake. If the ice had given away I would have dropped a whooping 3 inches, so I was not worried!

The Gannets of Muriwai, New Zealand

The Gannets of Muriwai, New Zealand

Shortly after we arrived in New Zealand we were told that one of the sights we needed to see was the gannet colony at Muriwai.  As soon as we were able, I grabbed my camera equipment and we drove the short distance to Muriwai beach, only to find it void of any gannets.  I was disappointed and realized we were there at the wrong time of year.  Fast forward 9 or 10 months and we returned to see this amazing sight.  (Scroll down to see close up photos of these beautiful birds.)

The gannets of Muriwai live on the edge between land and sea where these cliffs provide a strong updraft for easy take off.  Here is where they mate and give birth.  About 15 weeks after birth, the chicks make a journey to Australia more than 1200 miles away.  There is no trial and error and no parents to show them the way.  They migrate on their own.  Those who survive the journey across the Tasman Sea will remain for several years.  Finally, instinct draws them back across the 'ditch', (as people in that part of the world call the waters between Australia and New Zealand), never to return to Australia again.  Amazingly, those who make the return trip successfully, will come to the same nest they left behind years ago, to have chicks of their own.

Twilight Glow

Warm Twilight Glow On a Cold Winter Day

Shot at American Fork Boat Harbor, Utah Lake

Last Sunset Photo for 2017

Last sunset photo of the year. 

I love how the light shines through the broken ice along the shore of Utah Lake.

Winter Sunset

Winter Sunset at Utah Lake

Winter or summer, a beautiful sunset can lift my spirits and warm my heart. 

I hope it does the same for you!

Winter View!

Frozen Utah Lake

My previous post is what I wish I had been looking at, but this is what I actually saw yesterday.

Is it Spring Yet???

Is it Spring yet???  Just kidding!  I'm sorting through my 2017 photos and trying to remember that in a few months our gray winter landscape will once again burst into color!

Christmas 2017

St. George LDS Temple Visitor Center

St. George LDS Temple Visitor's Center

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!

It Is I: Be Not Afraid

It Is I:  Be Not Afraid

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary....Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea...it is I; be not afraid." 

Several months ago I photographed this amazing sculpture at the 'I Am the Light of the World Sculpture Garden' at Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point. It is one of 35 larger than life bronze masterpieces by Angela Johnson, depicting the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ. I chose to compose this image from a very low angle in order to eliminate distractions and to emphasize the ominous sky which was perfect for the theme of this sculpture. (In post processing I lightened the area around the face.)

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him.....

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him....

Salt Lake Temple

The soft, muted tones caused by inversion, create beautiful light on Temple Square. 

 (For those not familiar with inversion, "Inversions occur during the winter months when normal atmospheric conditions (cool air above, warm air below) become inverted. Inversions trap a dense layer of cold air under a layer of warm air. The warm layer acts much like a lid, trapping pollutants in the cold air near the valley floor." Salt Lake valley is like a bowl nestled between two mountain ranges making a perfect condition for inversions.) It's bad for the lungs but often makes for great photography!

Salt Lake Temple - Fisheye

Salt Lake Temple

When I photograph Temple Square at Christmas every year it becomes a challenge to find different and interesting perspectives and compositions. I took this photo a couple of years ago using a fisheye lens.

Penelope

Penny

I've been cleaning out photo files this morning and decided to share a photo of Penelope, (we call her Penny). She is a labradoodle, who joined our family a few weeks ago at age 5 months old. We hope she ends up as a medium sized dog weighing around 30 pounds. I don't know what I was thinking.....it's like having a mischievous toddler in the house again......but we couldn't resist that face. I promised her there would be no pink hair bows, no embarrassing Christmas sweaters and no rides in a doggie stroller!! However, we may have to get her googles when she rides with us in the RZR, (ATV)!!! Haha

Salt Lake Temple in the Mist

Salt Lake Temple in the Mist

(that sounds better than 'inversion' or 'smog')

I am such a wimp! It is so hard for me to take photos outside when it is cold, because it doesn't matter how many layers I have on, my fingers still go numb and stiff when trying to work with my camera. Nevertheless, I always force myself to spend an evening on Temple Square at Christmas time. Last night I went early at dusk before the crowd, and when I could photograph the temple and lights with a beautiful deep blue sky as a backdrop. It didn't dawn on me until I was half way there that the horrible inversion/smog/fog we are having right now would not make that possible. I went anyway, and even though breathing the air was probably not good for the lungs, it sure made for some mystical, misty photos.

Christmas Color in St. George, Utah

How About Some Christmas Color!

St George LDS Temple & Christmas Lights

St. George LDS Temple

(25 second exposure at f/4.5 aperture turned lights into starbursts.)

Supermoon, Ivins, Utah

Supermoon, Fire Lake, Ivins, Utah

Last Saturday's supermoon reflecting on Fire Lake in Ivins, Utah. I totally forgot about the supermoon and was in my car driving at dusk when I glanced out the side window and saw this spectacular moon barely above the horizon. Luckily I had my camera and immediately knew the closest place to find a decent composition was Fire Lake. I raced back there, jumped out of the car and stumbled down toward the lake. By then the moon was just barely peeking over the cliff. This image accurately portrays the scene as my eyes saw it. But this is not what my camera saw. Even with my lack of preparation, (and no tripod, or light to see my camera dials), I was still able to snap multiple exposures at various settings. Back home on the computer I combined the best ones, then did more editing to compensate for blur, noise, tilt, etc. Despite my lack of competence, and manipulations, I hope you enjoy this final image.

St. George Temple

St. George Temple

Christmas 2017

We are spending a few beautiful days at our little casita in southern Utah. Shortly before sunset there was a pretty boring blue sky, but I decided to go take photos of the St. George Temple anyway. I was delighted when a few minutes later, a few wispy clouds drifted by and then the sky turned a lovely magenta. Lucky me!

One Last Garden Flower

 One Last Garden Flower for 2017........
maybe!

Winter's Coming!

Winter is just around the corner in the mountains of southern Utah's red rock country!

Last Flower - 2017

I had to post one last flower image of the season to tide me over until Spring!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Enjoying the last sun rays of a beautiful day. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. At dinnertime we gathered around the table and each said what we were most thankful for this year. It was all about our family and loving relationships. We are so blessed. I hope you had a blessed day as well!

Gunlock Fall

Gunlock Reservoir

Hello Santa Clara! After the fun and excitement of Lake Powell and then wedding festivities, we are spending a quiet Thanksgiving get-away in southern Utah. I immediately went searching for some remaining fall color and was rewarded with this view near Gunlock Reservoir, taken just before sunset.

Goodbye Lake Powell Until Next Year!

Goodbye Lake Powell Until Next Year! 

We vacation in the early fall to enjoy the warm water, while avoiding the extreme heat of summer. Another bonus is that there are less people. I always keep peaceful scenes of tranquility like this one in my mind's eye and on my computer screen to help me get through the cold, snowy winter months ahead.....oh wait, we just go to southern Utah and spend those months hiking and photographing in Zion National Park! So blessed!

One more Lake Powell Sunrise

One more Lake Powell sunrise. Every morning for 10 days there was another great photo op, and all I had to do was walk a few yards from the houseboat and point my camera in any direction!

Another Beautiful Lake Powell Sunrise

My grandson and I enjoying a beautiful sunrise walk. Every year we spend 10 days in the Halls Bay area of Lake Powell.

Magical Sky - Lake Powell

It is amazing that almost every day at Lake Powell we are treated to a beautiful sunrise or sunset, and often both. Each one is unique and magical and reminds me that where ever our earthly challenges are, no matter how severe or debilitating, we all share the same glorious sky. We can glimpse into the heavens and enjoy the beauty we see and we can ponder the limitless possibilities of eternity.

Lake Powell Flowers

Many people think of Lake Powell as a barren landscape of only red cliffs and blue water, like this first photo. But there is also desert vegetation and plants, and even a few tiny flowers still blooming in October like the two following photos:

Lake Powell Sunrise - 2017

Another Glorious Lake Powell Sunrise!

Mt. Timpanogos After Sunset

Mt. Timpanogos bathed in beautiful post sunset color, photographed from the American Fork Boat Harbor. I needed a little down time after wedding festivities and only had to drive about 10 minutes from home to enjoy this view.

DEAR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND PHOTOGRAPHY LOVERS!  I want to thank all of you who have encouraged and supported me in doing what I love to do....take pictures and share them with you!  Through the years this blog has also become my 'photo journal' where I can return and remember what I've enjoyed photographing in the past, and I will continue to post my photos and photo commentary here.  I also enjoy seeing the creative work of my fellow photographers, but I 'look' much more than I comment because of time restraints.  Maybe you are like me in this regard.  Several years ago I was urged to post my photos on Facebook (and Instagram), because I was told "this is where everyone is posting photos these days".  I finally did so, and was amazed and humbled at how many photography 'friends' I acquired in a short time.  So if you are among my blogger friends who are finding it easier and quicker to connect through other ways, here are additional places you can find me:  Facebook - Karen Lund Larsen    Instagram - Karen Larsen Photography   

tyler & Ashley - November 9, 2017

Tyler & Ashley

November 9, 2017

There are some amazing days that are so perfect, so beautiful, so uplifting, they will be etched in my memory forever. Yesterday was one of those days! Our wonderful son, (and youngest), married a remarkable young woman for time and eternity, (as we believe in our faith). They adore each other and are a perfect match in every way. Tyler describes Ashley as the sweetest and kindest girl he has every met. We are so happy for them!