• architecture,  Black and White,  Cactus,  Candid Portraits,  Canyon De Chilly,  Cityscapes/Urban,  clouds,  coffee shops,  desert,  Documentary/Street,  flowers,  fog,  fountain pens,  Great Sand Dunes National Park,  HDR,  journal,  landscape,  lifestyles,  mountains,  National Monuments,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunrises,  sunsets

    Happy New Year!

    January 1, 2017

    I do not normally post favorites of the past year as it just did not interest me. However, it is a good exercise to reflect back over the past year because we can assume nothing much happened. Reflection is wonderful so here are a couple things that happened this past year.

    I had a chronic medical problem reach a critical stage in late May and needed to have surgery. The surgery was a success and the quality of my life improved greatly.

    I did take in a couple of trips. One trip took me the Phoenix area for about 6 weeks. I did some camping on my drive down; one night in The Great Sand Dunes and one night at Canyon De Chelly National Monument. I was able to spend quality time with my parents which is always good. Then my sister and I flew down to Phoenix for Thanksgiving with family. Awesome time and way to much food consumed.

    I’m enamored again with fountain pens. Had several given to me and purchased six of my own. Now have 14 to choose from each morning when I pick up my journal. Let’s see, what color of pen and ink to want to use today is the biggest decision to start the day. 🙂

    Most of my photography seemed to be focused on the street scenes, candid portraits and fewer landscapes. I also did a few portraits. I worked more with black and white images for the year. Anyway, below are a few images I like from this past year.

    It is my hope everyone has a wonderful 2017 filled abundantly with joy, love, peace, serenity, adventure, family, friends, new beginnings and dark chocolate.

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  • Canyon De Chilly,  landscape,  National Monuments

    Canyon de Chelly National Monument

    September 19, 2016
    White House Ruins
    White House Ruins

    On my trip down to Phoenix I camped the second night at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. I arrived about 4:30 P.M., coming in from the northeast on 64, driving through the Navajo Nation. I stopped at a couple of the overlooks on the North Rim then headed to Cottonwood Campground and find a campsite. Not many people in the campground so I had my pick of sites. 🙂 I then headed to the South Rim and checked out some of the overlooks. It is such a beautiful place to experience. The views are spectacular and oh, the quiet.

    The monument was authorized in 1931 to preserve the important archaeological resources that span more than 4,000 years of human occupation. The monument is approximately 84,000 acres of lands located entirely on the Navajo Nation with roughly 40 families residing within the park boundaries. The National Park Service and the Navajo Nation share resources.

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  • Canyon De Chilly,  clouds,  Fujifilm X-E1,  landscape,  National Monuments,  National Parks,  snow,  sunrises

    Made It To Phoenix

    April 4, 2014
    Snow covered car and not my tent
    Snow covered car and not my tent

    Well, I arrived in to Phoenix yesterday evening about 6:30 pm, an hour later than I expected. Even though I left Cortez early I found myself stopping way too often. When I awoke I could hear the wet pavement from passing cars. But I was in for a surprise when I stepped outside my hotel room and found 2-3 inches of snow on my car. Glad I did not pitch the tent. 🙂 Below is an image taken just west of Cortez before sunrise. What a beautiful serene morning.

    Snow covered trees west of Cortez
    Snow covered trees west of Cortez
    Snow covered trees inside Canyon De Chilly
    Fresh snow inside Canyon De Chilly

    I arrived in  Canyon De Chilly about 9:00 in the morning and spent more time there than I expected, which was not enough time. The scenery was breath taking but not as much as the sacredness I felt there. There were very few visitors because of the cold and snow from the night before and it is still early in the season. Loved the quiet of walking to vistas and looking out over the canyon. I had no desire to leave and will  go back.

    Morning sun to melt the fresh snow
    Morning sun to melt the fresh snow

    I took the above image along Highway 191 in northeast Arizona. You can see the storm system that moved through yesterday on the eastern horizon. You can also see the dirt on my lens. 🙂

    Puffs of clouds to keep my company
    Puffs of clouds to keep my company on my drive

    If you enjoy scattered clouds against a blue sky then yesterday was the day for it.

    Painted Desert
    Painted Desert

    I also made a quick drive through the Petrified Forest National Park. It was more than I expected, the colors and art work of nature at it’s best can be found in Painted Desert area of the park. It is called the ‘badlands’ for a good reason but what beauty in such a desolate and harsh land. Now to relax and spend time with my parents and eat!

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