Volcano

If you're close enough the ash cloud is unmistakable, the blast from this volcano spewed millions of tons of ash into the air.  Lightning strikes could be seen as the air ignited with electricity.  It's striking to believe the entire mountain-side is pulverized when it is blown with such ferocity.  We can only imagine the devastation caused from such raw power.

As always, comments are welcomed.

Have a great day

Scotland

Scotland - a nice exposure which yields to lull your time away. While basking in the slightly overcase skies it's nice to take in the serenity of the location.  As a person who seeks quiet, blissful moments, this scene offers peace.

Scotland offers endless scenic areas of beauty and tranquility, it's a must-see area on the map of places to go.

As always thanks for your comments.

Have a great day

Lake Irene

Lake Irene, such an amazing place in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  Beautiful glass-like waters on calm days, gorgeous skies, beautiful trees, and wonderful trails.  If you ever get the chance you need to visit RMNP and Lake Irene.

Here's a good Pinterest link for more views of the park; there's more places to see and visit then there is time.

If you're a lake hiker, then pre-plan your trip by viewing this site, it's a good listing of the lakes, elevations, distance, and all five regions of the park.  This is a must do when you have the time.

As always, comments are welcome.

Enjoy your day

Fortress of Solitude

When you're ready for the relaxing picnic with the family or just a soul-searching getaway, here's where you want to be, sitting next to a lake, peaceful and calm, not a worry in the world, cool and serene, a place to 'let your hair down'.

Photo opportunities like this are a great opportunity and we're lucky to have them available to us, it's wonderful when the slogan is "it's your land", I love it - to be able to stop, sometimes for many days and just soak it in. 

It's nice not to have to live off the land, and we live where we can have opportunities like this, I only wish I could do these trips more often - I look forward to retirement where I can spend all the time I want just staring at the lake.

I welcome your comments.

Enjoy your day.

Deserts AZ

If you ever have the time to visit Arizona, I work across many of the Western States, you will want to visit Saguaro National Park, link here.  There's camping, hiking, and so many photo opportunities.  The early mornings and late evenings provide truly amazing photographic opportunities, especially when you have some type of line-breaks in the sky - these clouds for instance.

If you visit, you'll want to go to Manning Camp, you'll be surprised what you'll find in the 'desolate' state of Arizona.  It's quite amazing how beautiful so many species of cacti can be in the spring.  By the way, don't go in summer unless you're prepared for warmer weather, sometimes very hot - while Manning Camp is at 8000 ft it still gets warm.  The best times to visit are spring and fall, when the weather is more cool, but definitely spring for colors.

I enjoy reading comments.

Thanks and enjoy your day.

Single Solitude

If it's the rolling hills with slumber and solitude in mind then this is the place for you.  Long exposure with the clouds beginning to wisp through, the stars and moon in the sky, and the solace of a single tree in which to gaze.

It's these minor stops along the way which provide peace and quiet, moments of time to ponder and 'smell the roses'.

Enjoy the day.

Cloud Reflections

Overlooking calm, peering waters with reflections of water-laden clouds sets the tone for what could be a mildly stormy afternoon.  The clouds dog-leg over the lake as they make their way, ready to add volume to the waters.

It's these locations which provide a sense of peace, allow your mind to wonder, and let your worries melt away as you absorb the serene beauty.  Stop by sometime, pull up a chair, hook a hammock, or just lay on the ground and let time pass.

Mt. Hood

A classic shot of Mt. Hood from one of the more common photo spots.  Great windless day in order for the reflection to show so perfectly across the body of water.  From this location the mountain looks so unassuming, one wouldn't think how tremendous it actually is.

The ancient volcano stands at an elevation of 11,250 feet and is often snow-capped throughout the year.  The following link will take you to a site which updates information about Mt. Hood.  Also, THIS link will take you to the US Forest Service for Mt. Hood. 

Matterhorn

Humm... looks like the Matterhorn to me, amazing photo capturing the red sky reflection off the clouds and the mountain.  It seems apparent to me the best time to capture those really great shots is very early and very late when the Sun is just at the horizon.

Fields of Wheat

Fields of Wheat, a picture called "Before The Harvest" by Richard Walker on Flickr.  The rolling hills of Wheat are amazing.This shot is from the UK in what is obviously beautiful farmlands.

The clouds wonderfully contrast the golden wheat stalks which look ready for the combines.


Please feel free to leave comments in the posts section, I'd like to know what your thoughts are.

 

Great West

The Great West - Monument Valley, the expanse of the West is amazing and the territory is breathtaking.  Thanks for this photo from Wolfgang Staudt on Flickr. 

The bluffs are simply amazing and caught on the right days, the clouds and land mesh together to form a visual fantasy land, eye-candy to the mind - of course, "The Eye Sees What the Mind Believes".

Every time I've visited Monument Valley I'm left in awe of its vastness and beauty.  It's still rugged land which needs to continue to be preserved.

Fall Colors

Nicely shot full of fall colors.  Pulled from Flickr.  There are many great pictures on Flickr and other areas, I'm simply pulling the ones which are on Creative Commons or with permission and posting into this blog - I like to look through wonderful shots in one place.

The colorful reflections are wonderful.  Looks like a peaceful lake with crystal clear reflections.  What a great experience it must have been to be there.

All comments are appreciated and thanks for visiting.

Slot Canyon

A fantastic shot of the night-time stars from within a slot canyon.  The photographer used wonderful outlining shapes to capture the centerpiece, which are the stars themselves.

The lines and curves created from being in the slot canyon provide a terrific break from the visual norm of a starry sky.

Yosemite

A truly amazing picture of Yosemite, a night shot.  I've collected pictures for many years and saved them to admire, but now sharing them to the world is marvelous.  I remember the author stating this picture was shot at night and the light seen is the moon.  The clouds whisking over the hill carried by the winds represents the mile movement through this time-lapse photo.

Perfect Light

An amazing photo, these are far and few between.

Wonderful lighting, clouds, and rainbow in the sky - you just don't find too many of these pictures.  This was picked up from Flickr at this link.  Now and then we find wonderful photos on the Web, it's nice to be able to share them.

The photograph is available for downloading, click on the download link.

Desert Bloom

Flowers everywhere in the Nevada desserts.

Old Barn

Had any thoughts about going out to the country lately?  Check out this shot, nature has a way of taking back all things built and then showing a little wrath in the meantime.

Great place for a photo, but I wouldn't want to get caught by a lightning strike, awesome.

Marsh Reflection