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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

365/88 Tuesday March 31, 2009

Bumble Bees
I tried to catch the bees as they were hovering around my front yard blooms.
I got one, but not the shot I wanted, another day.

Click on the photo and you can see him posing in the middle.


Monday, March 30, 2009

365/87 Monday March 30, 2009

Kolob Canyons Red Roads
I had to post these other two photos I took while we were in the Canyons. The road is amazing, from the time you leave the Ranger Station just off I-15 the road is this intense red. I would guess it's made from the Navajo Sandstone that surrounds you as you travel up the canyon. But the sight of it is just something you must see first hand. So beautiful, even the roads!



Sunday, March 29, 2009

365/86 Sunday March 29, 2009

Rock Squirrel at Kolob Canyons
OK so I know this is overkill with all the pics of this little guy but he just posed so sweetly for me. Talk about Chubby! and not the least bit afraid of us. I know my Grandkids will love these pics so I had to post them all! I thought the markings around his eyes were very interesting. The Canyons are also home to mule deer (usually in the winter) and usually at night (thank goodness) are bobcat, mountain lions, coyotes, gray foxes, and skunks (d0n't miss the smell of these guys). Luckily we didn't see any of these, although the mule deer would have been a welcome site. I wonder how hard they would be to spot, I would think they'd blend right in with their surroundings. We both remarked how few birds we saw, a few big ones were circling I would say ravens. There have also had sitings of hawks, golden and bald eagles as well.





Saturday, March 28, 2009

365/85 Saturday March 28, 2009

Kolob Canyons - Zion National Park, Utah
Kolob, a Morman scripture mean residence 'closest to heaven'

Beautiful Navajo Sandstone Canyons were dotted with snow when we went today. Just 20 miles North of us off I-15 is a winding read road that stretches up the Kolob Canyons. The road switches up and around six miles and climbing 1000 feet in elevation to the top at Timber Creek Overlook. There were large turnouts all the way up to take pictures of the vistas around us. I've read where afternoon to twilight is the best times to take photos here so I know we'll be back.


I think one of the biggest draw to this part of the county is the contrast of the red rock and the gorgeous blue sky. I'm sure I must repeat myself each time we set out, 'oh look how blue the sky is', it just never ceases to amaze me.

Timber Creek Overlook
This was taken at the top of the trail we took you can see the rocks we went over in the foreground to reach this point. Worth every grunt and groan to get here! When we got to the top we took the trail that wound another 1/2 mile up and offering an amazing view of Kolob Terrace. It was geared moderate and was probably a pretty good breeze for hikers but I found myself huffing and puffing quite a bit as we climbed the 100 feet in elevation to the top. You switchbacked through the trees and along the rim to the top most scenic viewpoint. Well worth the effort. The vistas are amazing!
The canyons are called fingers and they say the oldest and the youngest rocks in Zion can be found here. Horse Ranch Mountain, the tallest peak of Zion, also is found here. So much in such a short expanse of area and so close to a major freeway. You shake your head in wonder, look around you and think, I wonder what else we're missing that's right here, just hidden slightly from view!


I loved this view, on the sign in front of you you'll see an oval over layed on the photo. Look in my picture and you'll see it directly in front of the sign. The dark spot that goes from the top down a path to the bottom is the imprinted marks from a waterfall. After I read this I could spot many all along the rim to the bottom. It said some of the falls only last a minute. Water a scarce once the summer heat comes, so I imagine getting to see one in person would really be something. I thought it amazing we were still seeing snow.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

365/82 Wednesday March 25, 2009

Redstone, Lake Mead National Recreation Area

We have passed this Trail head several times, the first time I thought it was the Valley of Fire Park. This time we stopped, it has trails which lead back into the desert but the view from the parking lot gives you a great look at the changing scenery.
Several miles further northwest will be the Valley of Fire Park where the red rock formations expound on these smaller ones here. It's just awe inspiring to see the desert explode with these rocks. The flowers show the contrast, dry, compacted red dust and blooms of spring. Mother Nature is really something isn't she?

365/81 Tuesday March 24, 2009

Hover Dam - Nevada to Arizona




Notice the water level here, the white shows where Lake Mead was at one time.
You wonder if we will ever see it back to this height?




I wanted to give you some perspective here. Look to the top left where I've highlighted the new support arch being built. This is to be the new by-pass for visitors who want to avoid the horrendous lines of lookers to see the Hoover Dam up close and personal. Can you imagine working at that height? We watched the workers (looking like little ants) climb and crawl all over these supports for the new bridge.We went at what was probably the best time, with the least amount of traffic and still crawled for the last 3 miles. Leaving we passed stopped cars for a good 4-5 miles. And for me, a Pacific Northwesterner, I had a hard time seeing what all the too doo is about. The dams across the Columbia River far exceed Hoover Dam, but the Columbia doesn't have the close proximity to Las Vegas that Hoover does, I'm sure that explains a lot. We were more than disappointed at the tourist atmosphere, everything had a price, even the Visitor's Center, sad, in my view Exhibits and Visitors Centers should be free, I guess this will help pay for the new by-pass.

365/80 Monday March 23, 2009

Venetian Hotel and Casino Las Vegas
Amazingly beautiful.






I am always so amazed as we crest the hill and get our first glimpse of Vegas as we come from the North on the Interstate. It is truly like a mirage, an Oasis of concrete and neon in the midst of the desert. The Venetian I think is our favorite place to stay, the staff goes out of their way to make you feel special and treat you as such. Now if they could only figure out how to make me win! Looking out our hotel room window I spotted the gondola just about to go under the bridge, and directly across from us was the new construction on yet another building to add to the many at the Venetian, I would guess another tower but I'm not sure. I just wouldn't want to be the men on these cranes, on this day the winds were strong and I'm sure the sway from their vantage point is way too much for my stomach!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

365/79 Sunday March 22-2009

Looks can be deceiving.
Doesn't this look like a rugged stream in the middle of the forest?
Nope, just the entrance to one of the complexes here.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

365/78 Saturday March 21-2009


When I was young the Columbia Theater was always a place of excitement. I remember at a very early age going to see North to Alaska with my Aunty Bea. This was a very rare occurrence, first to go to the theater and second to be with my Aunt. I remember how crowded it was and we had to sit in the balcony. It was hot and stuffy and wonderful. Childhood memories, I just had to take a picture to preserve them when I was home last week. You should take shots of things that trigger good memories and make note of what they meant for others who will come along later and wonder about 'that place'.

Friday, March 20, 2009

365/77 Friday March 20 2009


Desert Cactus

365/76 Thrusday March 19 2009


I love the reflections here but his eyes are what really got me, they don't look real do they?

365/75 Wednesday March 18-2009

I love Palm Trees and there are so many varieties here. I thought this was a great perspective of one. So many of them look pretty sad right now, we had a harsher winter and the fronds are pretty brown. I'll be anxious to know if they come back to their green glory as spring progresses into summer.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

365/71 Saturday March 14, 2009




My sister has Hummingbird feeders in the front and back of her home and it's so much fun to visit and watch the birds come to feed. I just loved the red that showed up on this little guy. They are so amazing to watch.

365/70 Friday March 13, 2009








Raine Kitty

Age 17

Thursday, March 12, 2009

365/69 Thursday March 12-2009


Cowlitz River - Kelso Washington
I'm home visiting family so have missed a few days of photos.
While on the way to my daughter's home this afternoon we pulled off West Side Highway to take this picture of the Cowlitz. Last week she counted 33 seals popping their heads about trying to get some smelt that were in the River. The smelt run is over and the seals are gone in search of better feasts in other areas.

When I took this one it focused on the buds at the front of the camera lens, wonderful perspective with the river in a blur behind, love it. It sure can be a surprise sometimes when you upload your photos to the pc.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

365/65 Sunday March 8-2009


The flowers on the trees have just erupted within a matter of days.
Spring is such a beautiful time of year, like the world is being rebuilt one blossom at a time.
Perhaps a sign of hope for our struggling world right now?


365/64 Saturday March 7-2009


End of Winter

365/63 Friday March 6-2009


Quail

365/62 Thrusday March 5 -2009



This pigeon was sitting on the neighbors roof. I love how he looks like he's winking at me!
A Birth Certificate shows that we were born --- A Death Certificate shows that we died --- Pictures show that we lived!