May the light of the New Year shine brightly in your heart!

Snow before Christmas (that was enough!)

Zoo Lights
The artistry is amazing!

A new Zoo Lights Display of a Coyote Howling at the Moon! 

Back lighting Leaves

Each morning I hope the sun is out because as I sit at the computer and look out the window I see the wonders of fall in all their glory!  Ranging from red to gold and full of brilliance in the tree, the leaves dance on the wind.  I am so very glad I do not have to rake them!!

Stormy Weather

A Foggy Morning on the Oregon Coast

Regardless of the weather, coastal afficionados are there walking or running on the beach!

Autumn Colors
While we usually think of autumn colors as orange, red, yellow and brown, these too are part of autumn.  They are Happy Halloween colors!  

Discovery

Nisqually

I loved the many colors of green in this image and as I looked at the water I wondered what was on the other side of the reeds and brush, or even under the water?

Harvest Leftovers in an Iowa Cornfield

Although I have heard about the projected harvest problems, low yields and increasing prices for corn, soy beans and even other grains. Still it was amazing to see the difference between the fields this year and last year and see that they are harvesting at least a month earlier than usual to save what they can of the crop. Even so, there are some remainders left in the fields by the automated equipment and soon the cows will have a feast!

August Color

Coneflower Center
Coneflowers have become more and more intriguing with wider color palates.  Their tall heads wave gently in the breeze and when the petals drop, the seeds are there for scattering in the fall.

Effie Yazzie

I am entranced by the many images from the Monument Valley photoshoot and by Effie's face seen here in a moment of quiet introspection.  What was she thinking, was it funny?  Was she finding us as odd and funny as we found her life stark and hard?  The land is full of contrasts and mysteries, as are the people who live there.  They are wonderful, inspiring, and they have a terrific sense of humor.

Taking a Closer Look

It is overcast today and the light is doing wonderful things to the everyday yard flowers.  Did you know these petals have fine silver hairs?  

Monument Valley from the top of Hunt's Mesa

After leaving Suzie and Effie, we piled into the vehicles and were driven to the top of Hunt's mesa where the Navajo guides had prepared a campsite for out overnight stay.  They were magnificent cooks over an open wood fire.  The night was warm and the sky was full of stars.  Morning and our descent to the valley floor came all too soon.  This is a view of the valley at sunrise.  Gentle, soft tones in the rock and sky which will give way to radiating heat as the day progresses.

Navajo Sheepherder

Effie Yazzie, Suzie's daughter is herding sheep and has taken time from her daily tasks to accomodate those of us with Arizona Highways Magazine Foundation.  She is in traditional dress and her hair is knotted with white yard.  I doubt that she wears her turquoise jewlery or traditional dress on most days when she is herding.  I suspect that is just for our benefit, still she is magnificent.

The Hand of Experience

The group had visited the hogan of Suzie Yazzie through the arrangements made by Arizona Highways Magazine Foundation.  We spent time photographing Suzie inside the hogan spinning yarn for weaving and later she went outside and I noticed the details of her hand as she held onto the door frame.  She is over 90 years old and lives in Monument Valley. Although nearly blind she still weaves, carding and spinning her own yarn from the sheep herded by her daughter, Effie.



The Sitting Hen

The first evening at Monument Valley was the evening of the eclipse and I chose this site to watch and catch some images of the event.  Without some of the advanced equipment used by others I captured a few images and then watched from behind the special glasses they gave us to wear.



Lacey Fireworks 2012

Happy 4th of July!  The local fireworks were held last night and of course pictures were important!!  Soon to come are some shots of a recent trip to Monument Valley with Arizona Highways staff, and then perhaps some from the Oregon coast.

Blooms gone to seed

Pasque Flower Seedhead

The Pasque flower is native to the mountains in this area and has been cultivated for domestic use.  The garden here has both red and purple blossoms which arrive early in the spring.  While pretty and welcome as early bloomers, it is the feathery seedhead which is featured here. 

I spend a week in Momument Valley and will be sharing some of those shots over the summer months. 

Spring must be on the way - the ferns are coming up - all curled tight for now.

This image was achieved by post processing a colorful, but rather disappointing image due to the unavoidable inclusion of some background items.  However, now you can lose yourself in the wonder of movement, line, light and color - all swirled and abstract for your pleasure!

These old farm buildings are starting to fall and, like the house which is not pictured, soon they will no longer tell their tales of family, children, good times and lean years, and of dreams realized and those lost to the wind.  The land is still being worked as you can see from the tire tracks in the fields.

April 2012
 This mass of tree roots, boulders included, forms an island between the narrow path and the river on Staircase hiking path.  You can see the tree canopy is quite thick as only minimal light falls on the path itself as it winds upriver.

January 2012 Starts with a Bang

Guess the flag worked!!  We have had it hanging off and on since early December, looking for a white Christmas.  Still since we are leaving today for 2 weeks in Hawaii I guess it is ok.  Although beautiful, it is very icy and treacherous outside.