Photography: My Shot – Canyonlands Wooden Shoe Arch

January 31, 2018Jeff

The southwest is truly a spectacular part of the United States. That is not to say other states, sections, etc. do not have beauiful areas as well, but the southwest has been blessed with an abundance natural wonders.

Utah, for example, has their Mighty Five:

Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion National Park

I am glad to report that we have been to all of the above and we yearn to return to several of them to see more of what they have to offer. We hiked Zion two times and want to return at least once more. For those who love nature, hiking, etc. it is hard to overestimate the amount of wonder that can be found in all of the parks listed above.

As a side trip to visiting Arches National Park, we took a day to go to Canyonlands National Park’s Needles District. The day was stormy with periods of rain, but as long as it is safe, we hike rain or shine.

One site we saw was the Wooden Shoe Arch. I only had my 8 MP Canon point-and-shoot, but as they say: “The best camera is the one you have with you.” I took the picture below and I think it captures the beauty of the area.

You may have to look carefully to see the “shoe.” It is the formation in the distance on the right. The heel and front of the shoe are separated by a space. The cloudy day makes it hard to discern so I put an arrow above the shoe in the picture below.

**********

Metadata

File Name: 8968_cl_woodenshoe_arch.JPG
Capture time: 3:02:01 PM
Capture date: September 11, 2012
Exposure: 1/200 sec @ f/5.5
Focal Length: 23.2mm
ISO: 200
Camera: Canon PowerShot AS590 IS
Lens: 4.3-215mm

Edited in Lightroom

**********

Funny Pictures: Trees Eat!

January 15, 2018January 15, 2018Jeff

With all of the intense weather, volcanoes, etc. we really don’t need any more proof about the power of nature. Mother nature does what she does sometimes in spite of the efforts of mankind.

One example of this is the behavior of trees. I have seen examples of this when I have been hiking, but I haven’t seen any as extreme as the one pictured below.

A tree face created by nature’s indomitable will!

If you want to see more examples of trees growing in unusual places and around man’s barriers, check out BuzzFeed’s 17 Trees That Love Eating Almost As Much As You Do

Read more miscellaneous JBRish.com stories HERE

**********

All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2018 – JBRish.com

Photography: As Shot – Colorful Tom Turkey

November 23, 2017Jeff

NOTE – “As Shot” photographs are some that I have posted on Instagram, but without any unwarranted imposed crops, less detail reduction and more of an explanation.

On the road near Hereford, Arizona with storm clouds closing in

Tom shows his colors when is around the hens – Happy Thanksgiving – 2017!

On a hiking trip to Brown Canyon in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona, we were treated to a display by this Tom Turkey who was parading around in front of two hens.

**********

Metadata

File Name: turkey_tom_0597.CR2
Capture time: 2:26:46 PM
Capture date: April 12, 2014
Exposure: 1/640 sec @ f/5.6
Focal Length: 25.065mm
ISO: 100
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Lens: 4.3-215mm
Edited in Lightroom

**********

Birds of Arizona – Phainopepla ( Phainopepla nitens )

November 16, 2017November 18, 2017Jeff

Yesterday was an interesting day for me as the weather prediction was not excellent, but still fair and relatively mild with a predicted high in the low 80’s and we were eager to take a hike. We decided to select a route off of the Granite Mountain Trailhead (The Bootlegger Trail) which is part of the McDowell Mountain Preserve.

Whenever I hike, I anticipate capturing a picture of a bird that is either better than one that I currently have of that bird or, as a bonus, a bird for which I do not have a picture.

I have seen many Phainopeplas, but I have never been able to take a good picture of one. I also know that this is the time of the year that they visit the Sonoran Desert. I spotted one just 100 yards from my backyard a few days ago, but it was not in a very nice setting so I passed.

Today I was able to take a “starter picture” of a Phainopepla that we spotted along the Bootlegger Trail. I am labeling this a starter because I am hoping to capture a photograph that is even better one of these days!

As I have stated on this blog before, I am an amateur photographer with very limited bird photography experience and just a bit more as a birder. The only camera I have with a long reach is my Canon PowerShot SX50HS and that is the equipment I used for the shot below.

Phainopepla captured at the McDowell Mountain Preserve

Phainopepla captured at the Granite Mountain Trailhead along the Bootlegger Trail which is part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Phainopeplas remind me of Cardinals or Waxwings because of their sleek profile and the tuft. Males are black while females are more grey. Interestingly enough, they have a red eye which is very striking and not always easy to capture in a photograph. I am placing a cropped image below to show more detail even though it may not be as sharp as I would like.

A cropped version of the image above

Now I have one more picture for my collection!

STATUS QUOtes — Picture Quote — 20170730

July 30, 2017July 30, 2017Jeff

Today’s Picture Quote

Not all classrooms have four walls.

“Not all classrooms have four walls.”

Via

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

**********

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017

Picture Quote — 20170726

July 26, 2017Jeff

Today’s Picture Quote — 20170726

“You make me understand how wonderful it is for little lizards when they find that one special rock that’s perfect for sunning themselves on. You make me lizard-happy.” – Randy K. Milholland
Original Photograph Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross – 2014 – 2017

***********************************
Photo Meta Data

File Name: IMG_2262.CR2
Capture time: 10:18:27 AM
Capture date: May 9, 2015
Exposure: 1/1250 @ f5.6
Focal Length: 89mm
ISO: 120
Canon Powershot SX50 HS
Location: Las Cruces, NM

*Edited: Lightroom with text added in Photoshop

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

**********

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017

STATUS QUOtes — Picture Quote — 20170714

July 14, 2017Jeff

Today’s Picture Quote

“The Amen of nature is always a flower.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. –
– Photograph ©Jeffrey B. Ross –

***********************************

Photo Meta Data

File Name: DSC_0520.NEF
Capture time: 5:11 PM
Capture date: August 13, 2016
Exposure: 1/60 @ f5
Focal Length: 40 mm
ISO: 140
Nikon D3300
Location: Nature walk in Flagstaff, AZ

*Edited: Lightroom with text added in OS X Preview

NOTE – The picture above was submitted for sale to a stock photography site (just one) and it was rejected because it lacked “commercial interest.” and that may be. I still like the photo, however, and I want to share it with you. I hope you like it as much as I do.

I thought it was an exemplar of the Holmes quote!

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

**********

All content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160619

June 19, 2017Jeff

NOTE – Keep in mind that we took this hike and these pictures represent the trail as we saw it in December, 2009. The trail may have changed a bit since them and some of the flora may no longer be exactly where we are reporting, but this is a good representation of things you may find along the way. Perhaps you will find even more intriguing highlights.

Of course the large rock formations and mountains will remain largely unchanged.

Nature creates unusual and interesting formations

Whenever hiking a trail that is new to me, I enjoy seeing the various rock formations created by nature. Holes in the rock, such as the one pictured above, are often referred to as windows. Wind, sand or dust storms and rain create such holes by pounding away at the weak points in these structures. Over time, the rock, dirt and mud give way and create the interesting holes in the formations.

Read more about the Peralta Trail HERE.

Previous posts and photographs in the Peralta Trail series in chronological order:

Trailhead – Posted June 3, 2017

Trail Sign – Posted June 4, 2017

Rugged Terrain – Posted June 5, 2017

Hands Up Saguaro – Posted June 6, 2017

Mountains beckon hikers to travel upward – Posted June 18, 2017

**********

The Final Post – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 305

June 2, 2017June 2, 2017Jeff

Half dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall

As we prepared to visit the park and hike many of the trails, we realized how overwhelming a visit to Yosemite might be. It is vast and can be daunting. When I first started this project nearly a year ago, I wanted to provide information for those planning to visit Yosemite National Park.

JBRish is a small, narrowly focused blog that I curate as a hobby and hopefully as a service to others who might want to share and discuss many of the same ideas about the skills and interests that I have.

I was hoping to have a dialogue with future and past Yosemite visitors to create a resource as a reference for those who might desire to visit the park. Unfortunately, my posts have generated only a small amount of interest.

I have shared photographs of most of the areas we visited and besides alternate views of places and things I have already posted, I didn’t think there was much new that would compel me to continue the series. Couple this with my recent computer troubles which set me back a bit, and I think it is time to end the project.
I am hopeful that at least a few people will find the information I shared helpful.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better photograph for the final post. The above scene captured from Tunnel View showing two of the major icons of Yosemite, El Capitan and Half Dome along with Bridalveil Falls, provides an example of the amazing natural beauty of this national park.

If you love nature or hiking, I can’t recommend a trip to Yosemite more highly! Just realize that it will be crowded and remote. Bring with you all of what you might need as supplies and food are expensive. If you do have questions, feel free to post them in the comment section of any JBRish post and I will try to respond promptly.

Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Structurer – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 304

June 1, 2017Jeff

Surrounded as it was by the beautiful mountains and aura of the national park, even the mundane structure of the Hetch Hetch Dam appeared attractive. As you can note, there was an abundant water release taking place this day to compensate for the full-flowing waterfalls and recent rains.

Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 304 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0421.CR2
Capture time: 11:05:53 AM
Capture date: June 11, 2016
Exposure: 1/500 sec @ f/6.3
Focal Length: 4.3mm
ISO 100
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS

JBRish.com – quips & queries

A life of musings, queries, quips and quandaries

nature

Photography: My Shot – Canyonlands Wooden Shoe Arch

Funny Pictures: Trees Eat!

Photography: As Shot – Colorful Tom Turkey

Birds of Arizona – Phainopepla ( Phainopepla nitens )

STATUS QUOtes — Picture Quote — 20170730

Today’s Picture Quote

Picture Quote — 20170726

Today’s Picture Quote — 20170726

STATUS QUOtes — Picture Quote — 20170714

Today’s Picture Quote

Hiking the Peralta Trail, Gold Canyon, AZ – 20160619

The Final Post – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 305

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Structurer – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 304