“Looking Out My Window”
Looking out my window before the sun came up on the Winter Solstice, I saw some bilious clouds forming. I knew a fantastic sunrise was on the way. I grabbed my camera and just waited. I was rewarded with this beautiful view from my patio. What a beautiful gift and wonderful way to start a new day!
Heather Heights Orchard Overlook
The path through the orchard led up to a little bluff that overlooks the valley below. I am at the end of my “photo stroll” and feel rewarded with the peaceful view below. I catch my breath and start the walk back through the orchard. I look forward to seeing new images as they present themselves to me.
Selah Ridge
Looking up between the rows of trees, I can catch glimpses of the Selah Ridge. The sagebrush covered hill sides are what the land is like without irrigation. The strip of basalt rock is from the great Columbia Basin lava flows which occurred 14-6 million years ago. It was pushed up as part of the Yakima folds development.
Yakima Ridge
This image is from one of the many scenes I look at from home every morning. Each morning portrays a different perspective of what the coming day may be. It is a great way to contemplate what new adventures the day will bring. I love the morning!
“Fire in the Sky”
Wow! I looked out the window this morning and saw fire in the sky. It was ablaze! I love getting up and watching the first light coming over the horizon. There is always something new and different. Nature is amazing. What a wonderful way to start the day!
Yakima River Canyon
Early morning sun highlighted the hills and their reflection on the river. I needed about another half hour before the tress on the rivers edge would be highlighted. I did not have the patience and drove further up the river. That was a mistake!
Yakima River Canyon
The Yakima River Canyon is always a great photographic opportunity. During the fall it is especially so. The bright oranges pop out from the brown surrounding hills. They accent the blues in the river and sky. The canyon displays different scenes throughout the day. The morning sun highlights the western bank. The afternoon sun highlights the eastern bank. A great day is to drive north through the canyon in the morning, enjoy the shops and galleries and have lunch in Ellensburg, then drive back south through the canyon in late afternoon,. (A Yakima valley perspective.)
Yakima Area Arboretum
I find that most of my images focus on details and small vignettes. As I try to portray the larger grand landscape, I tend to fall short.. But I still keep trying. This scene set itself up for me: an interesting foreground, a reflective mid ground, and a colorful background that helped frame the image.
The Yakima Area Arboretum is a beautiful place to be on a fall morning.
Tree Overlooking Meadow, Longwood Gardens, PA
I have walked by this tree overlooking the meadow at Longwood Gardens many, many times. I must have over 100 images of it, taken over the years. On my last visit, I stopped again. It was a nondescript overcast day. I recorded an image anyway. Maybe, I could do something interesting in post.
I created this peaceful overcast feeling by simply adding a texture. It captures the way I was feeling at the time. It reminds me a little of the Hudson River painters of the late 19th century.
Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon
The following is one of the lessons that I have learned from who knows where: When you see something interesting in the background, find something else interesting in the foreground to add to it. The red hills in eastern Oregon caught my eye. I am intrigued by sagebrush. One plus one equals three. I can still smell the wonderful aroma of sage as I look at this image.