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!

Lake Powell Sunset 2017

Lake Powell 2017

Tucked away for the night in our own little corner of beautiful Lake Powell.

Bedroom View - Lake Powell

Bedroom View - Lake Powell

Here is one reason why I love Lake Powell. I get to wake up in the morning, look out my bedroom window, (in the houseboat), and see mornings like this!! (Taken a few weeks ago.)