Monthly Archives: November 2021

Great Way to End the Day!

Leave a reply

“Empire State Building”
New York City

What a way to end a great day in New York gazing up at the Empire State Building! During our recent trip to New York, the hotel where we stayed had a roof top lounge. Due to Covid restrictions, the lounge was closed for service. However, it was open for visitors to go up and sit. So, we really took advantage of it. Each morning we would grab a “to go” breakfast and take it up to the lounge to start our day. In the evenings, we would grab a bottle of wine, go up and enjoy the city lights. This night, a fog permeated the tops of the tallest buildings. What a feeling!!!

Related Images:

Peace

Leave a reply

“Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi Mural by Eduardo Korbra”
New York City

I was walking along the Highline in New York on a quiet drizzly morning admiring the wonderful landscape design on the old railroad tracks. I looked up and was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this huge mural painted on the side of a nearby building. I stood frozen for minutes, just gazing, admiring the art, and contemplating how much these two people have given to the world. In our troubled world today, why can’t we all take a lesson from these two and make it a better place to live.

Related Images:

Breathtaking

Leave a reply

“Mono Lake & White Mountains”
Eastern California

We had just driven through a beautiful winding road up from Carson City, Nevada into the California Sierras. Coming down a steep winding road, we rounded a bend and saw this wide plain right in front of us. We quickly pulled off to a view point to take in the wide view of Mono Lake. The wind was howling. It was difficult to get the car door open. We could see gusts of wind blowing the light salt cloud over the lake.

Related Images:

Does It Matter?

Leave a reply

“Rocks of Alabama”
Alabama Hills, California

I cannot define why these rock formations caught my eye. They just did. Was it their unusual shapes? Was it the contrast between the smooth eroded rocks in the foreground and the more rugged rocks in the background? Was it the textural difference between the Alabama Hills and the background Eastern Sierras? Or was it the memories of all the old cowboy movies of my childhood? Does it matter?

Related Images:

Do I See a Walrus?

Leave a reply

“Rock Folds”
Alabama Hills, California

When both Mary and I saw this folded rock formation we both said, “It kind of looks like a walrus.” The Alabama Hills are filled with such strange looking rock formations. It is an exciting opportunity to let my mind go wild! I can easily get lost imagining what could be.

Related Images:

Early Morning Light

Leave a reply

“Mt. Langley & Mt. Whitney”
Eastern Sierras, California

I woke up, put on my clothes, stepped outside, looked across the road, and saw this stunning sight. It was just outside the Best Western Hotel in Lone Pine, CA. On my first look, the sun was starting to shine on the tips of Mt. Langley in the foreground and Mt. Whitney in the background. I grabbed my camera, ran across the road, and waited for the sunlight to cover the mountains and the tip of the Alabama Hills. It just took a few moments for the light to caress the top of the Alabama Hills. What a wonderful way to start a new day!

Related Images:

Ready for a Hike?

Leave a reply

“Mt. Whitney”
Eastern Sierras, California

There it stands, Mt. Whitney issuing a challenge to able-bodied hikers to come up and climb me. This image is from a campground and a trail head for the climb. I can’t imagine myself ever attempting the climb. Kathy, this image is dedicated to you. I can remember you coming back from your trek to the top and saying it was tough, but not too bad. I wish you many more climbs in the future!

Related Images:

We’re Not in Eastern Washington Anymore

Leave a reply

“Lone Oak & Mt. Whitney”
Alabama Hills, California

Today, I thought I would post something a little different than an image from our Heatherwood garden. I haven’t been out of our immediate area photographing in nature much since last June in the Palouse. It feels good to take a little break from our garden.

The Alabama Hills have always attracted me since watching all those old cowboy movies when I was a kid. The unique landscape with its rolling hills, intriguing rock formations, box canyons, and rugged Eastern Sierras have provided, and still do provide, a great background for action movies. They are a wonderful place to explore.

This live oak in its yellow fall color provides a great foreground for Mt. Whitney in the background. I remember how disappointed I was the first time I saw Mt. Whitney. I was expecting a towering peak standing out above the surrounding hills. It was no Mt. Rainier! But the fact remains that it is still the highest peak in the continental US.

Related Images:

Contrast

Leave a reply

“Spent But Still in Fall Glory”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Today’s image is quite a contrast to my last B&W post. This ‘Waterfall’ Japanese Maple decided to show off a few of its remaining leaves against the background of a brilliant Fothergilla. Heatherwood is still full of fall splendor. As one plant loses it color, another blossoms out in its fall glory. Every day in our garden brings change and a new perspective … just like life. It is our opportunity and challenge to make the best out of each new day.

Related Images: