Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Arizona

Mission San Xavier del Bac, (known as 'White Dove of the Desert'), is about a 40 minute drive south of Mission San Jose de Tumacocori, from my last post. Although both missions were founded at nearly the same time, this current building was built in 1783. As you can see, it is much more elaborate and opulent in design and decoration than the humble San Jose de Tumacocori Mission building.

Mission San Jose de Tumacacori

Mission San Jose de Tumacacori

We visited this historical site early last spring.  It is a short distance from Tucson, Arizona.   Established in 1691, it is the oldest Jesuit mission in southern Arizona.

Still Fall

Not ready to say goodbye to fall yet!!

Amazing Autumn Color!

Amazing Autumn Color

I have neglected posting my recent photos to this blog.  

So if you are here, thanks for stopping by, and scroll down to see what I've by photographing the last few weeks!!  

Gunlock, Utah

Gunlock, Utah

There is almost always a photo op at this little gem of a spot in Gunlock, a small village about 10 minutes from our southern Utah home. (I think there must have been another photographer taking pictures there shortly before me because the yellow leaves on the rock were already perfectly placed for my composition!)

Room For Rent!

OPEN HOUSE.  COME MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS!!

You Light Up My Life!!

You Light Up My Life! 

Sometimes a 'photo op' finds me! I was sitting in the car getting my camera ready while waiting for the sun to set, and when I looked up, this is what I saw. So I quickly got out and stood in front of the car for this shot!

Lake Powell 2018

There are 9 certified 'dark sky places' in southern Utah where the Milky Way is clearly visible with the naked eye. Add a long exposure and a tripod, and the night sky becomes magical as seen through a camera lens.

Our annual family vacation to Lake Powell is always an 'adventure'! This year was not our best year with a broken and leaky houseboat, a broken ski boat, and rainy, cold weather. But despite all this, everyone stayed safe and the kids and grandkids always have a great time. And as a bonus, when I can photograph scenes like this, it makes it all worth while!!

The Last Dance!

Buttery yellow aspen leaves twirl and twitter in a soft autumn breeze, not knowing if this dance will be their last!

Midway Autumn

 Room With a View

 Sometimes the best therapy is taking a long drive on a dirt road!

Ancient Apple Orchard

Rust Buckets

This one's for Doug! 

We often discuss trails and riding conditions with our ATV group, and Jeff often uses the phrase, "This trail is so wide you could drive your Buick on it!" We had a good laugh this past summer when we actually found a Buick on the trail! (At least Jeff thought it was the remains of a Buick.)

What a Beautiful World We Live In!

A walk in the woods.

More Autumn in Utah

Amazing Autumn!! 

Autumn on the Alpine Loop, Utah

I feel so blessed to be able to see beautiful scenery like this just minutes from my home!

Mt. Nebo Scenic Loop

Mt. Nebo Scenic Loop, Utah

I took these photos at the end of August and forgot to post them.  This road is now closed due to two horrific fires in the area.  I am sad to think about what these views might look like now!

Alstrom Point, Lake Powell - 4

One more shot taken at Alstrom Point, Lake Powell. It was still very dark when I set up my tripod and chose a slow shutter speed in order to capture enough light to reveal the beautiful palette of magenta, orange and lavender/blue colors I saw at dawn. It's times like this when I wonder why I don't get up early every morning to take pictures!!

Alstrom Point, Lake Powell - 3

Alstrom Point, Lake Powell

This shot was taken at the same place as the last post, but early the next morning before sunrise, showing a totally different color palette. Although it is sad to see the water level so low, it does reveal an interesting landscape not visible when covered by water.

Alstrom Point, Lake Powell - 2

 Alstrom Point, Lake Powell

Even with a plain blue sky as a backdrop, the vistas of Lake Powell around Alstrom Point are still gorgeous. 

In a perfect landscape photographer's world, the sky would always have big, puffy, marshmallow clouds, or black, brooding, stormy clouds, or brilliant rainbows or romantic, magenta sunsets. Well that's wishful hoping. Sometimes the sky is a plain blue sea of nothingness, or a boring overcast gray blanket. On days like this we learn to compose with less sky visible, or look for a way to add more interest in the sky portion of the photo, as I did here by positioning my camera to create a sun flare behind the rock formation just before the sun set.