Just ran across the shot of Kellen and the Volvo on a covered bridge northeast of Lancaster, PA in the heart of the Amish country. We were hoping to find one where we could also get a bit of sunset. Success.
New Day /
On the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida we watched the sun rise over the gulf. A lovely place to camp and walk.
Spring Shade /
The beautiful Brookgreen Gardens south of Myrtle Beach along Route 17 is a delight. Stunning flowers and landscapes. It was originally started to show off the sculpture collection, now I think the blooms have taken precedence over the marble and copper statuary.
Energy /
Flock of sandpipers at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. They are skittish birds and when one decides it is time to leave they erupt off the sand in an instant.
Morning Light /
The sun just beginning to light up the eastern range of the Sierra Nevadas as seen from the Alabama Hills.
Memorial Day 2021 /
A small portion of the National Cemetery where nearly 14,000 union POW’s were buried during the 14 months Andersonville prison was open. A truly horrific place. Grateful that my ancestor, George Washington Leasure, 103 Pennsylvania Volunteers, survived.
All that Glitters.... /
These canyon walls were a dull mustard yellow on the way into the canyon. We progressed about 1/2 past this point and turned around. On the way bak the setting sun lit this wall and it was dazzling. No need to wonder why this trail is named the Golden Canyon.
“Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:127, 128 NLT
Slide /
These two kids found a natural slide in the Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley. They were having a lot of fun on the rock that had been worn smooth over years of wind and floods in the canyon.
132 Years Ago This Weekend (3 photos) /
May 31, 1889, on Friday to be precise, the dam broke 20 miles upstream from Johnstown, PA and in a short time more than 2000 people died. It is now a National Park Unit and one I was able to revisit with Kellen in April to get a couple of photographs. The first photo shows the area below the house that was the recreational lake and filled most of the valley. The second photo is where the earthen dam broke away.
One story. Cindy’s grandmother, Isabella Davison was in route from Northumberland, England to the Pittsburgh area. At that time there was one train line west from the Mid-atlantic and the Northeast and it was across Johnstown. Needless to say the railroad was destroyed in the flood and she was delayed on her journey. She - according to family lore- then made the trip after train service was resumed. It was one week and photo three shows the trestle that was built in five days. It was 400 feet long and 80 high. She was a brave lady.
Anna's Hummingbird (2 photos) /
I was pretty excited to catch this little fellow at a feeder in Henderson, NV. Both the male and the female were taking turns at the feeder. Brilliant colors on this Anna’s with startling reds and a strong white streak from the eye.
Low Down on Death Valley (2 photos) /
Welcome to the lowest place in North America. The Badwater Basin, a small salt pool of water, is 232 feet below sea level and is surrounded by 60 square miles covered in natural salt pans. It was hot here in the spring, well past 90 degrees but that does not compare to the 130 degrees set last August the 17th.
This iso the actual salt pool that is 232 lower than sea level. As the name implies it is not safe to drink.
Not Recommended /
While in Death Valley you may be tempted (see what I did here) to play a round of golf on the Devil’s Golf Course. There is no par and no one finishes well. This is a salt formation that averages about 30 inches high and they are filled with sharp edges so even walking too far in this is not a good idea. While we were here a man showed up with a club and a couple of balls and hit them out into the distance. And, no, he did not go after them.
Sand Curtains /
The dunes in Death Valley National Park are extensive and lead you quickly into a wilderness when you drop down off one or two ridges and suddenly it is much more quiet, hotter and you are not completely sure - except for your footprints, which way is back. It was disconcerting to think you might have to walk across acres of this - not that we did but what a challenge. I was also interested in the vegetation. Did not really expect too much but there were several shrubs and a few grasses. It was blooming time for the small trees and the yellow blossoms were attracting lots and lots of bees.
Awed /
Standing on the sand dunes in Death Valley National Park.
“We worship at your throne— eternal, high, and glorious!” Jeremiah 17:2 NLT
Could Have Been 399 /
This is what is now known as a Yellow-rumped Warbler. At one time the eastern variant, the Myrtle and the western variant, the Audubon were classified as unique species but a few years ago the ornithological society that keeps track of and names or renames birds decided that they were just variations not unique species. This is the first time I have seen what used to be the Audubon but it no longer counts for a new bird, so we stay at 398. Still a much more colorful bird than its eastern cousin.
Posing /
Another one from the Henderson Bird Watching Preserve. This is a Northern Shoveler with a bright yellow eye. Note the long flat bill that gives the bird its name.
Grand Prismatic - another viewpoint /
Simply a beautiful morning in Yellowstone National Park.
Mural too /
I really liked the art work here and the preparation of the side of the very old bar to create what appears to be a Henry J dragster. Very nice art work and look underneath the door and you will see a nod to the “Rat Fink” a 60’s icon.
Mural (2 photos) /
Kingman, AZ has a lot of murals. There were some on the water tanks as well as the expected places like buildings and fences. This one was both large and colorful. However I am not certain the artist did well in geography - or maybe it is because they don’t teach geography any longer that we get pancake OK, distorted Texas and Illinois that appears to have morphed into South Carolina. Still high marks for color. The Ford drag car seems to miss the feel of the Rt 66 Culture but there was a drag way here in Kingman so we will give a pass on that one.
Ginger /
This is a Redhead duck that I photographed in Nevada at a pond in the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. This a special place in the midst of the desert where you can see birds that congregate for the open water. This time I did not see any new species but got nice views of a few that I have rarely seen. This one I have seen more often but usually in the duller summer or winter plumage. Here we have the bright breeding colors. Note the bright yellow eye that almost appears painted on.
