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!

Cactus Blooms in my Southern Utah Garden

Cactus blooms in my southern Utah garden. 
I think that many desert cactus blooms are as beautiful and exotic looking as those found in tropical climates.

Gold Butte Road, Nevada

Gold Butte Road, Nevada

Riding our RZR (atv) as fast as we dare to get back to our truck before dark. But when we rounded a bend I had to stop when I saw this scene.

Gold Butte

Gold Butte, Nevada

This photo was taken in the late afternoon on the same day as my last post of Lake Mead.  We put about 50 miles on our RZR (atv), during this day trip.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead

One of our favorite ATV riding places is just across the Utah/Nevada border past Bunkerville. Here is a shot of Lake Mead, and at this northern viewpoint, is accessible by 40 miles of dirt roads and ATV trails. A few days ago, the closely controlled and measured lake shrunk to its lowest point since Hoover Dam was completed in 1936.

Cactus Boom

Cactus bloom in my southern Utah Garden

Snowballs After a Spring Shower

Snowballs After a Spring Shower

Sun rays breaking through the clouds create beautiful 'bokeh' balls of light on foliage raindrops when viewed through the lens of my camera.