May Desktop Image

Where did April go????  I can't believe I only posted twice this past month.  Sigh!  I hope I'll do better in May.  

Anyway, here is my Desktop Image for May.  Today I took a few minutes to enjoy Temple Square and shoot a few photos.  Because I try to take photos here every Spring it is always a challenge to find new compositions and artistic ways to show the peace and beauty that is here.  

 As always, you may go HERE, right click and download to your desktop.  Share with your friends but please don't use for commercial purposes.

Upside Down

Spring has finally arrived in Utah, even though it is still chilly and rainy, with a few snow flakes added to the mix.  But the tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs are in full bloom, bringing some welcome color to replace the drab winter landscape.  I don't know what these spring flowers are called, but they are sure pretty and interesting.

Desktop & Calendar - April 2013

Spring Comes to Temple Square

There is nothing so glorious as Spring on Temple Square.  I look forward to spending some time each year enjoying and photographing the beauty and profusion of colors and scents in abundance.

As always, feel free to go HERE, right click and download this image to your desktop.  It should fill your screen and not be blurred or pixelated.  Feel free to share with friends, but please do not use for commercial purposes.

Remembering Spring........

..... in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A memory of our first trip to Christchurch was one of shock and sadness as we viewed crumbled buildings and devastation beyond imagination, everywhere we traveled, caused by multiple major earthquakes that hit the Christchurch area several years ago.   

Our last trip to Christchurch was filled with the beauty of spring, renewal, and the tenacity and determination of the wonderful people living here who are rebuilding their homes, their city and their lives.

More Characters Welcome!

Every year I tag along with Jeff who attends a variety of car shows.  (Judging shows, and restoring and showing muscle cars are his hobbies.)  I find watching people much more fun than car watching, and I often find that the women are more interesting than the men.  In anticipation of a car show we will attend in Las Vegas this weekend, here are some interesting women I photographed at previous shows.

Characters Welcome Today

This 'character' was sitting in front of a busy sidewalk in a park in New Zealand.  It was fun to watch the pedestrians do a double take when they caught a glimpse of him.

March Desktop Image

FAMILY TIME

We've spent the last two weeks in southern Utah and Arizona, visiting friends, children and grandchildren, RZR riding on the sand dunes, watching our grandson's soccer tournament, having picnics, more RZR riding and enjoying beautiful spring weather, (which is why I have been MIA here.)  We have now returned home to winter weather.  It has been a long winter, but I know that spring in northern Utah is just around the corner and well worth the wait.  It is a glorious time of year and I can't wait to photograph the spring flowers we have in abundance.

Here is what I will be looking at on my Desktop for the remainder of March.  Feel free to CLICK HERE, to download to your desktop.  Share with family and friends but please don't use for commercial purposes.

Happy Valentine's Day!

THIS KISS, THIS KISS! (No. 5)

Some fancy editing gives this kissing photo a unique look.

THIS KISS, THIS KISS! (No. 5)

I edited this with a soft focus for a dreamy look to match the moment.

THIS KISS, THIS KISS! (No. 4)

Lens flare seems to be in vogue right now.  I remember throwing out a photo if I accidentally caught some flare.  I can't decide if I like it or not! But I do like this photo of my son and his new bride taken several years ago.  (P.S.  The first 'kissing' photo is of another son.)

THIS KISS, THIS KISS (No. 3)

There is a lavender farm not too far from where I live, and it is a very popular photo spot when the lavender is in full bloom.  

(I edited this to make it look more like a painting.)

THIS KISS, THIS KISS! (No. 2)

So Soft and Sweet!  Veils over faces create a dreamy look.

THIS KISS, THIS KISS, unstoppable!

For the week before Valentine's Day I am going to post a favorite 'kissing' photo each day.

February Desktop Image

 

Take time this month to light up the lives of those around you.  Visit a sick neighbor, call your mother, volunteer, donate to your favorite charity, smile at a stranger (not in a creepy way - haha).  And above all, tell those people most precious to you, how much you love and appreciate them.  The magic is that in doing so, the love will be returned and your own burdens will be lighter.

This is my February Desktop Image for you to download and enjoy.  Click HERE then right click for a version that will fit your computer screen.  It should not be blurry or pixelated.  Let me know if you need help.  Feel free to share with friends, but please do not use for commercial purposes.

Now go light up someone's life!

Permanently Parked!

This was taken in the small town of Springdale, just outside Zion National Park.   I love how the colors of this old car mimic the muted, earthy colors of this winter red rock landscape. 

Balloons in Mesquite, Nevada

 Nice to see these colorful balloons in winter. 

Pretending It's Not Winter!

Casa Blanca

This is a good example of a photo that could be misleading.  You might think I'm enjoying the warm breezes of a tropical paradise, when in reality, I am a short 4 hour drive south of the miserably freezing cold winter weather where I live.  I took this photo this morning in front of the Casa Blanca resort in Mesquite, Nevada, just across the Utah-Nevada border and about an hour drive from Las Vegas.  Although not sun tanning weather, at around 60 degrees F., it is definitely a pleasant break from winter.  We have escaped for about a week and are enjoying every minute.   

Enduring Winter

The hope of Spring helps us to endure the hardships of Winter

Lake Powell Fun

I don't usually post family photos on this blog, (I have a family blog for that), but I'm going to make an exception today.  Since I've recently posted several 'landscape' or 'beauty' photos of Lake Powell,  I want you to know this is not what Lake Powell really is to me.  For me it is all about family fun and a lifetime of family memories, and has nothing to do with looking for the perfect photo op.  So here is a representation of our REAL Lake Powell experience:

Tubing tops the list of family fun at Lake Powell.

Then comes jet skiing, wake boarding, water sliding and swimming.

Next we have games, boating and exploring....

 caves, arches, slot canyons, rock cliffs.

And there's always time for a little fishing, cliff jumping for the brave ones....and even some doggy fun.

I haven't mentioned several other VERY important activities like, eating, reading, and napping.  Well that is a pretty good representation of how we spend about 12 days of our summer.  This precious time with our family is the highlight of our year!