Flower Dance

Flower Dance

Even a dead tree stump can be part of an interesting composition when surrounded by new life. This was taken in the same area as my last post.

Borah Peak, Idaho

 Borah Peak, Idaho

12,662 feet elevation

Still posting from our trip to Idaho, and this day we saw many beautiful and rugged Alpine like peaks, including Borah Peak, the highest mountain in Idaho.

A Babbling Brook - Mackay, Idaho

This babbling little brook danced all the way down to join Wild horse Creek, near Mackay, Idaho.

Wild horse Creek, Mackay Idaho

Here is another view of Wild horse Creek near Mackay, Idaho. For you nature lovers, there were beautiful camping spots along this crystal clear river/creek with views of rugged mountains including the highest peak in Idaho. (More photos to come.)

Wild horse Creek, Idaho

Wild horse Creek, Idaho

I usually don't take my camera when we are ATV riding with a group as no one has the patience to stop every few minutes for me to take photos. This time, however, I did take my camera on a group ride near Mackay, Idaho. We stopped to eat lunch in a beautiful wooded area by Wild horse Creek. I gulped down my lunch, then spent my time taking photos.

For you non photographers out there, sometimes it's all about luck!  in order to get moving water to look soft and dreamy, you need to set your camera for a slow shutter speed which usually requires using a tripod to avoid camera shake so the still objects won't be blurry. I had no tripod, but I must have had very steady hands that day! Photographers often call this technique 'veiling' because when used on a waterfall, the result looks like a wedding veil.

For you photographers out there, here are my camera settings:  1/6 sec, f/18, 200 ISO.  This was shot at midday. I used a polarizer filter and waited for the sun to go behind a cloud. I also bracketed 3 shots to get the best exposure.

Garden Friend

Hello Little Garden Friend!

With Gossamer Wings!

With Gossamer Wings!

I love how the light shows off his wings.

Independence Day - The 4th of July

Let Freedom Ring!!

The inscription on the Liberty Bell says, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof". Happy Independence Day!

Garden Ladybug

Say CHEESE!

Red Creek Reservoir, Utah

Just the Two of Us!

Actually there were lots of them socializing along the shore of this small reservoir located high in the southern Utah mountains. 

Flower Petals

Nature and macro photographers are interested in the beauty found in simple things that others might miss, like the unfolding of of flower petals.

Petal Glow

Petal Glow!

Whenever I shoot flowers I try to find interesting light and interesting backgrounds. I found both yesterday during a quick walk through the gardens at Thanksgiving Point, about 5 minutes away from home.

Ladybug Fantasy

Ladybug Fantasy

Ladybugs are so darn photogenic!! My favorite garden friends.

Spring in Southern Utah

Near Apple Valley, Utah

Both of these pictures were taken within a short distance of each other.  Southern Utah is truly a beautiful place this time of year!

Tickle Me Softly

Tickle Me Softly

It's all about the light.  Another cactus bloom near our southern Utah home.

Joshua After Sunset

Joshua After Sunset

This was taken just a few minutes after my last post.  What a beautiful ending to our day of ATV riding.  By the time we made it back to the truck and loaded up, it was very dark.  

Chasing the Sun

Chasing the Sun

Took this going about 30 mph while we were trying to get back to the truck before dark. I liked the interesting lens effect when shooting directly into the setting sun.

Lake Mead Overlook

 Lake Mead Overlook

Organizing and uploading photos is always an ongoing challenge. This was in the throw away 'pile', but I changed my mind and decided to keep it as the first photo of the new RZR. (We have had so much fun and have traveled to so many places we would never have been able to see in these fun and comfortable little machines. This makes our third upgrade in about 7 years.)

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

I Can See For Miles and Miles!

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

I am so fortunate to live within a few hours driving distance from beautiful scenery like this found in Canyonlands National Park. Taken in early morning.

Pincushion Flower

Pincushion Flower  

(Scabious)

The Pincushion flower grows in the desert climate of southern Utah and also in the colder climate of northern Utah.  I love this backdrop of a southern Utah plant, with the curly strings.  (I think it might be a variety of yucca.)  Humm, pincushion, pins and thread.  Only thing missing are the needles!