Space - Unlimited Destinations

In the vastness of space, of which we are one of the smallest parts, there exists more 'other' worlds, planets, stars, and stuff of which we can't even begin to comprehend or understand. Note the following couple of pictures, which are actual photos staring into space, which show so many stars and planets it's difficult to truly comprehend.  And these photos are of our solar system, not of any of the infinite number of others out there.

This first photo may look familiar, it peers to the center of the Milky Way.

This next photo looks to approximately 30 degrees above the horizon at a large cluster of stars in the Milky Way, not the center. It's rather unbelievable how many stars are visible when you leave the shutter open for many minutes at a time.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Watch out for this bird of prey, at least if you're one of its prey. A brilliant shot of this raptor with it's wings stretched out. The shot is clear and detailed, one can clearly make out the visible lines from its beak, to its eyes and head. 

Field of Clouds

I think it's rather appropriate to take a walk through the field of clouds, as it were. On the days when the clouds appear low in the sky they often make for great pictures. Clouds always have such unique looks and often make great pictures, we never tire of seeing them.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

It's Diffrent

Most of us like the look of cherry blossoms and this shot is no different. It's rather interesting how the leaves were captured along with the blossoms on this tree, not quite a cherry tree leaf. Additionally captured in this photo is the odd-looking bee about to land on a blossom, it's not the typical variety of which we're use to seeing.

It's All he Buzz

Really nice photo with contrasting colors and items, the flower and the bee. This photo presents a picture from above the been looking down, not a 'ususal' shot. Notice the fine hairs surrounding the bee and the lines and folds within the wings, a truly nice shot.

 

Squeemish from Bugs

So some of us are squeemish around bugs, and rightfully so, some of them are, well, just gross. The one in the following photo, though, is quite different, it looks like it has wings, a nie headpiece, and a feather-duster, different ha? It's quite amazing what exists out beneath our eyes.

Pink Beauties

There's something to be said about flowers, and these in particular have amazing color. All the candy for our eyes is quite amazing and to think this candy is all around us for our eyes to taken in. It's a good think we don't gain weight from looking 😅

Surf's Up

It's the time of year again when people hit the waves, and this photo reveals nothing different. When it's warm and the waves are good you can bet people all around the world are hitting the waves whether surfing or just fun in the sun.

This day in Huntington Beach the surf was up and the waves were crashing in at approximately six feet which led to plenty of excitement.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Some Sunsets

There are some sunsets worth mentioning. Not all of them are amazing or spectacular, but some just have 'that look' to them. If you click on this sunset to enlarge the picture you will notice the clouds in the middle - the ones in front of the very large white cloud in the back, well, it's casting a shadow on the cloud in the back - it's a great look.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Oranges, Blues, and Yellows, Oh My

The amazing colors of the plants which grow so rapidly in the summer in the Sierra Mountains are astounding. Every color abounds, and I certainly never expected to see tulip-like beautiful oranges and yellows like the ones in this picture. It's too bad they have such short lives but it is nice they return every year.

Clouds at Sunset 2018-08-13

This is a shot facing East as the sun was setting low in the sky. The clouds were amazing looking. If you zoominto the picture and look at the center section where the clouds are darker than those in the background, you will see the clouds in front are producing a shadow on the clouds behind. Again, if you click the photo to get a look at the full-sized image you will better discern what I'm referencing.

These clouds were likely a thousand feet or taller, as you can see the botom of the clouds were only a few hundred feet above the landscape.

Quite amazing how large and alive the clouds can appear in the sky, the changes are often striking.

High Sierra Moon

There's nothing like a large moon peeking over the Sierras. Beautiful mountains and nearly a full moon make for a great trip.

Cloud Lightning Strike

Lightning strikes are somewhat tough to get and when you're lucky you get those which center right in the middle of your camera to fill the sky. The following strike isn't quite as good as a full-sky shot, but it certainly carrys an awe about it.

Daytime Full Moon

A shot taken during the day of a nearly full moon. Not too often we can see the craters on the moon during the daylight. Nikon with 600 mm lens.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Ice Flow 3

And finally here's another ice flow shot. This is the edge of yet another ice flow with a lake in the background. This particular edge was approximately 7 feet high.

Inside Ice Flow View 2

Here's another shot from inside the same ice flow. The speed at which it was melting was rather remarkable. The melt led to a lake about 600 yards down the slope.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Ice Flow Inside View

This is the inside view of an ice flow in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's quite unique. The flow itself may have been in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 feet high as this one is approximately 8 feet at the top. The vertical streaks you're seeing is the melt-water dripping down. We filled our water jugs with this water, it was the very best tasting water ever.

IceFlow 2018-08-03

It may not look like it in this picture but it's a reasonably large ice flow. The front left-edge entrance is only about three feet high, but the back side is nearly six feet high and nearly 50 feet long. Awesome looking along with great-tasting water melt.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Virginia Lakes Photo 2018-08-03

Awesome image of one of the many Virginia Lakes in Southern California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, always enjoy this imagery.

Ready for Takeoff

In this picture this bird is just about to fly. Getting this close takes patience and getting the shot takes time. It's not often this type of clarity comes through in a shot. When you get the shot it certainly feels good. Notice the ploomageon the tail and how much it contacts with the rest of the feathers, interesting, no?

 

Lake Sailing

Were you planning on going sailing anytime soon? This picturesque lake is placid with early morning sun and beautiful red clouds accenting the sky and reflecting on the water. Seems like the perfect time to take a trip.

 

What a Hoot

Take notice of the brilliant yellow eyes on this owl. It's not very often we have such a closeup view of any species, yet alone an owl. This looks to be a typical barn owl with it's brushed-back feathers on its head. Notice also the reflection in its eye. Great capture. One other point to mention is its apparant fluffy feathers in front, they appear more down-like than a standard bird feather.

Star Wars - Disneyland

If you're a Star Wars fan, especially from the original series, then you'll not only recognize these photos but maybe appreciate them as well. Disneyland has a great setup from Star Wars, and since they bought the franchise they're going full-on. Disney is creating an entirely new part of the park dedicated to Star Wars, including a themed hotel. If you haven't been there you really should check it out. This was Disney Anaheim.

Snow Shelf and Red Snow

In the photo below, if you look to the top you will see a ledge, just to the right of the water. The snow drift is around 12 feet high and dripping rapidly into the shallow little lake. This shot was taken with a #cellphone on the top of one of the peaks at the Sierra Nevadas. The water was crystal clear and the dripping water from the snow shelf was the best tasting ever.

Additionally, the interesting thing to talk about in this photo is the Red Snow. It's actually an algae. We also packed some of the snow into our water bottles, but we scraped the red snow away beforehand.

 

Awesome Insect Closeup

This closeup of either a bee or wasp is rather stunning. Every detail can be made out on its body. The antennae, the hairs on its back, it's legs, and it's colorful yellow and black stripes on its abdomen. Not to mention, check out its eyes, they look king of like leopard spots.

Amazing Virginia Lakes

A #cellphone shot from on top of the peaks at #virginialakes (Virginia Lakes) in the Eastern #sierras from the Nevada side. Absolutely beautiful mountains, full of color and wonder.

Lightning 003

Another lightning #cellphone shot. This one rips through the sky looking like it simply needs to escape. The central core almost looks like a tornado, it has somewhat of a v-shape, thick until it hits the ground.

Lightning 002

Another #cellphone lightning capture. The lightning in this shot appears to be ripping through the sky with amazing power.

Lightning 001

This lightning photo was caught with a cell phone. It's difficult enough to take lightning photos with a standard camera so we have to add this photo to the gallery.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Buggy Waters

I'm sure this bug didn't have a great time when the rains were pouring down. This is a great close-up shot of a bug inside a flower. Each drop shows reflections and the bug cradles much of the water, unknowingly, on the top of its body.

Eastern Sierra Nevada 2

Beautiful spots in the upper Eastern Sierra Nevadas. This lake is one of many in the Virginia Lakes area. During July the air temp is wonderful and hiking is grand.

 

Eastern Sierra 1

The Eastern Sierras are beautiful. In this shot the snowbank edge is just over twelve feet tall. The water is crystal clear, nothing but runoff from the snow. Just an amazing place at the top of the Sierra Nevada mountains at Virginia Lakes.

 

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Race of a Lifetime

When you're swimming to break records or just stay in shape, this can be the swim-of-a-lifetime. What do you want to make out of it when everything is on-the-line? The adrenaline rush of smashing through the water with competitors hot on your heals provides the incentive to be number one.

 

Beach House

Have you been resting next to your walk by your beach-house? This has to be the perfect evening shot while winding down the end of another day. Lounging on a patch of grass by the house and listening to the waves and watching the sun set results in a great relaxing way to begin the evening. Here's to wishing you all were here to enjoy the setting sun.

 

Eyelashes and Beard

If you've ever thought you have a problem with eyelashes or your beard, check out the picture below, this subject definitely needs some eyelash or eyebrow trimming and quite possibly the beard, or who knows, mustache, as well.

 

Ground Squirrels

Sure, it's just a squirrel, and a Ground Squirrel at that. when they're caught in just the right moment I think they're all cute. this little guy decided to pose for about thirty seconds while this shot was captured.

I've also started publishing some videos of these serene areas. If you'd like, check out my Youtube channel HERE.

Thanks again and if you'd like to make a donation you can do so here.

Remember, you can use my images for personal use free of charge.

Expecition 55 Soyuz M-07 Chared Capsule

You won't believe how charred this Soyuz capsule is from re-entry on June 3rd, 2018 when it was recovered in Kazakhstan. Luckily for the three astronauts returning to Earth the capsule is made to char on the outside upon re-entry.

Atlantis Shuttle Takeoff 2007

Remember the Shuttle Atlantis? When the shuttles shot off into space the view was always spectacular. This shot is no less great than any of the others.

 

Emerald Waves

Have you been around the ripping emerald waves? In some places, when the sun's rays are just right, the clouds have dispersed the piercing light, you might catch a glimpse of turquoise-colored water.

 

An Arctic Berg

Once you start sailing in that northerly direction make sure you're keeping an eye out for the bergs (icebergs) that is. Everyone should take a northern trip in either the Atlantic or the Pacific, the majesty of mighty icebergs are incredible. Some of multiples of stories high and encompass many hundreds of acres.

 

Good Evenin' Mate

Have you been wanting to make a trip to Australia? The trip down-under might just be what the doctor orders. The climate is as diverse as any other and the weather is the opposite of the Northern hemisphere.

 

Hummingbird Colors

The colors on this hummingbird are great, and the shot taken with the camera is even better. Notice the fine lines in the colors on its head.

 

Soyuz Rocket

Are you into Space at all? Do you follow any of the information about our astronauts and those of other countries who go into space? It's all fascinating information and there's an endless supply.

I hope you like this picture of the Soyuz Space Craft from Jun 6, 2018 as it lifts off to the International Space Station.

 

Bug Lover?

Is the bug lover within you? Even though many bugs are disgusting looking, some look quite amazing and have amazing detail from up-close.

 You just have to agree it's quite awesome how the droplets of water magnify the different circular eye objects, not to mention how striking the color is.

 

Pristine Spring

Nothing like a pristine spring to enhance the viewing pleasure. This spring exists in the middle of the Nevada desert, who would have thought. How nice it is to run into these oases in dry, baron lands.