Mountain Meadows Photographs

A Different Look

2011-11-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

Once again no new photos, so I played around with some old ones.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

2011-11-02T00:47:00.000-06:00

On the way home from Zion NP we took a quick side trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument. The trails were snowy or muddy, but it was a nice day.

A Trip to Zion National Park

2011-10-26T02:06:00.000-06:00

Made a quick trip down to Zions last week. Here are some of the photos.

Yellowstone National Park - Landscapes

2011-08-04T22:49:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures taken of Yellowstone on a recent trip there. I did not take any notes on the locations. Since I don't have names for most of the shots I left all names out.

Yellowstone National Park - Geothermal

2011-08-02T00:06:00.000-06:00

Just got back from a short trip to Yellowstone. Here are some photographs of the hot water.

The first ones are from the Mammoth Hot Springs area at the North Entrance. As a kid this was one of my favorite areas in the park, other than the bears. It was colorful and not as stinky. Since the earthquake disrupted the plumbing it has lost much of the color.

The next pools, geysers and hot srpings are from the Norris Geyser Basin. I overheard a tour guide tell her group that this basin shows you everthing the Park has to offer (in hot water) and is usually their first stop.

Echinus Geyser is the largest acid-water geyser known. Its waters are almost as acidic as vinegar with a pH ranging from 3.3 to 3.6 . Acid geysers are extremely rare with the majority of the planet's total being found here at Norris Geyser Basin.

Enerald Spring a hot spring's color often indicates the presence of minerals. In a clear blue pool, the water is absorbing all colors of sunlight except one, blue, which is reflected back to our eyes. Here in Emerald Spring's pool, another factor joins with light refraction to give this spring its color. The 27-foot (8 meter) deep pool is lined with yellow sulfur deposits. The yellow color from the sulfur combines with the reflected blue light, making the hot spring appear a magnificent emerald green.

Porcelain Basin the overflow channels of geysers and hot springs are often brightly colored with minerals and microscopic life forms. Hardy, microscopic, lime-green Cyanidium algae thrives in these warm acid waters. Orange cyanobacteria may be found in the runoff streams in Porcelain Basin. From a distance these bacteria look like rusty, iron-rich mineral deposits.

Steamboat Geyser the world's tallest active geyser, Steamboat can erupt to more than 300 feet (90m), showering viewers with its mineral-rich waters.

The next photo is Old Faithful. Not really my favorite area of the park, but you have to have a photograph of it, right? The one after that is a pool on the Firehole Geyser Basin Loop.

Christmas Meadows

2011-07-29T02:11:00.005-06:00

Here are some pictures of the Uintas taken on a recent trip to Christmas Meadows. Still a lot of snow and the streams were running high blocking most of the hiking trails we tried. Like every trip taken this year we were rained on. I wonder if Texas would pay to have us visit them?

Christmas Meadows at sunset

Colorado Columbine

Elephant Head

(Pedicularis groenlandica)

One of the most interesting plants found in northern Utah. The flower stems grow about one foot high and bear one quarter inch flowers which look exactly like little magneta-pink elephants heads. They flower in July and August and are found damp alpine areas.

We enjoyed the company of this little guy.

Grand Teton National Park - Day Four

2011-06-21T00:54:00.000-06:00

On our last day the skies were still mostly cloudy, but we saw a lot more of the sun. We spent some time looking for and not finding bears. We did find a variety of wildflowers and enjoyed the mountains. I have tried to identify the flowers as best as I can. The source of the identification is from "Mountain Plants of Northeastern Utah" by Berniece Andersen and Arthur Holmgren. Since the book is over thirty years old the scientific names may have changed.

Nuttall Violet (Viola nuttallii)

Yellow Fritillaria (Fritillaria pudica)

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon pauciflorum)

Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum)

Grand Teton National Park - Day Three

2011-06-19T02:13:00.000-06:00

On day three it was raining hard at Grand Teton National Park, so we traveled up to Yellowstone and visited the Old Faithful area. On the way back to Jackson the skies began to clear over the Tetons. We finally saw some bears in the Tetons. A lone black bear feeding on an elk carcass and a black bear with her cub. Even with the bad weather it was a fun day.

Blue Star Pool

Pump Geyser

Geyser in the Upper Basin, forgot the name

Bacteria growth in the Black Sand Basin

Emerald Pool

Black bear near Jenny Lake

Another black and white shot of the Tetons

Grand Teton National Park - Day Two

2011-06-14T01:22:00.000-06:00

Day two at the park started out pretty good, but by about 3:00 pm the rain came. We went back to Jackson Hole and did the shops. Later, we went back to the Park. No bears were seen. Not much for pictures a few landscapes and some flowers.

Western Spring Beauty (Claytonis lanceolata)

Not sure the name of this bush with the tiny flowers.

Sagebrush Buttercup (Ranunculus jovis)

Grand Teton National Park - Day One

2011-06-12T01:58:00.000-06:00

Our first day at the park was actually only a couple of hours in the evening. After getting directions to some places to find bears, we traveled into the park. The skies were overcast and the tops of the Tetons were in the clouds. It seemed like a black and white day. We did not find any bears, but on Signal Mountain male Dusky Grouse were strutting alongside the road. They were very cooperative. In fact, if you stayed low and got closer to them they would go into full display.

Sequoia National Park and Big Sur

2011-05-08T23:15:00.000-06:00

I am a little slow at posting these photos from our spring trip in April. After Yosemite went went to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. The next day we went up the California Coast to Big Sur. Once we got to Big Sur we found the road was washed away from the Japan tsunami and were forced to backtrack about 100 miles. Needless to say that was one long day.

Yosemite National Park

2011-04-14T02:08:00.001-06:00

School was out so Linda, Lisa and I all went to California. Our first stop was Yosemite National Park. Still a lot of snow there and some of the roads and most of the trails were closed. Here are some of the shots from Yosemite Valley.

El Capitan

This is the view from Mirror Lake which was quite small. Lisa thought it was more like a chubby river than a lake.

Half Dome

One of the many unnamed falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Upper Yosemite Falls

Both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

If you are in Yosemite with a camera you have to attempt to take some black and white shots in the tradition of Ansel Adams. These are my attempts.

Last but not least a little color. These were the only green plants I found.

Eagles and Mt. Ogden

2011-03-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of a bald eagle in Box Elder County and Mt. Ogden as seen from Morgan County.

Presidents Day at Bryce Canyon National Park

2011-02-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Zion we stopped at Bryce Canyon. We saw a little bit more blue sky on this day. The perfect end to a great weekend.

Mountain Chickadee

Steller's Jay

Zion National Park - Day two

2011-02-23T01:52:00.001-07:00

The second day at the park was also wet and snowy. The fog was not as dense and in the afternoon some blue sky was seen and the sun made a brief appearance. We saw some desert bighorn sheep on the east rim.

Zion National Park - Day one

2011-02-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

For President's Weekend we visited Zion National Park. On the first day it was either snowing or raining and the clouds hid most of the formations.

Bear Lake Deer

2011-02-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

A Little Bit Different View of a Bird, a Deer and a Flower

2011-01-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a different view of my world.

These photographs were all modified using the Redfield Fractalius plugin for PaintShop Pro.

Birds and a deer

2011-01-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

Doe - Mule Deer

Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point

2010-11-02T01:23:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures from our recent visit to Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands.

Arches National Park

2010-10-19T23:44:00.000-06:00

Last week Linda and I spent a couple of days in Moab. Here are some of the images from nearby Arches National Park.

North to Alaska Day Fifteen and Sixteen - Mt Lassen National Park - The Final Days

2010-08-31T00:39:00.000-06:00

Day fifteen we are headed home. We stop at Mt Lassen National Park for our final excursion. This is another park where we could of spent more time. On day sixteen we hurried through Nevada on I80, across the Salt Flats and home. It was a great trip.

North to Alaska - Day Fourteen - California Redwoods

2010-08-29T00:02:00.000-06:00

On day fourteen we continued down the coast to California. We spent sometime in the redwoods.

North to Alaska - Days Twelve and Thirteen - Oregon Coast

2010-08-28T02:00:00.000-06:00

For the next two days we made a whirlwind trip down the Oregon Coast. I could have spent two weeks on the coast, but we did a lot in the short time we were there.

North to Alaska - Day Eleven - Mount St. Helens N.P.

2010-08-27T00:30:00.000-06:00

On day eleven we visited Mount St. Helens National Park. We have been lucky with clear cloud free days for both our visit to Mt. Rainier and Mt St. Helens.

Mt. Rainier in the distance.

North to Alaska - Day Ten - Seatle

2010-08-26T02:53:00.000-06:00

It is day ten and the cruise is over. On this day we took in the sights of Seatle.

Our ship from the Space Needle

North to Alaska - Day Nine - Victoria, Canada

2010-08-13T23:25:00.001-06:00

On day nine we made our final stop in Victoria, Canada. This was an evening stop. Earlier in the day I noticed my camera battery was low and I put it in the charger. When we got off the ship I had my camera, but the battery was still in the cabin. The photos taken at Buchart Gardens were done with my wife's point and shoot. It did a nice job. The weakness came in the low light situations.

BUCHART GARDENS

North to Alaska - Day Eight - Ketchikan

2010-08-08T17:57:00.000-06:00

On day seven went stopped at Ketchikan, Alaska. It was raining hard most of the time we were there.

North to Alaska - Day Seven - Glacier Bay National Park

2010-08-07T02:26:00.000-06:00

Day seven was another day spent entirely at sea. On this day we visited Glacier Bay National Park. Here are some of the shots of the area.

North to Alaska - Day Six - Skagway

2010-08-06T01:07:00.002-06:00

On day six we went to Skagway, Alaska. We had a helicopter tour scheduled, but the weather was so bad it was canceled after about a five minute ride. The whole family went on the White Pass train. Here are some of the shots taken on that ride.

North to Alaska - Day Five - Juneau

2010-08-04T00:48:00.003-06:00

On day five we stopped in Juneau. While in Juneau we went on a Whale Watching Excursion. The one thing I did not like about the cruise was how short we spent at each port. Here are some of the shots taken in the Juneau area.

These shot were taken from the ship just before we docked.

Some of the wildlife viewed on the whale watching tour.

Some of the scenery we saw on the tour. It was such a cloudy and gray day I decided the galcier shots looked best in black and white. There was not much color anyway. We were told the name of the flaciers, but I did not retain that information.

North to Alaska - Day Four - Inside Passage, Canada

2010-08-01T18:17:00.003-06:00

On day three we boarded the Norwegian Pearl in Seatle and started the cruise. I did not even get my camera out on this day. Day four was spent at sea going up the inside passage. Here are some shots taken on day four.

North to Alaska - Day Two - Mt Rainier National Park

2010-07-30T23:06:00.003-06:00

The whole gang took a cruise to Alaska. Some of us drove up to Seattle. Day one was a travel day and no photographs were taken. On day two we stopped at Mt. Rainier National Park. Here are some of the images taken there.

Another Weird Day

2010-07-13T01:12:00.002-06:00

Haven't been out lately which means I have been spending too much time at the computer with some of my shots. Here is my world.

Uinta Mountains

2010-07-09T01:09:00.003-06:00

More of Bryce Canyon

2010-07-04T02:24:00.002-06:00

Bryce Canyon

2010-06-29T02:29:00.002-06:00

Bear River Bird Refugee

2010-06-05T01:05:00.002-06:00

Here are some pictures taken at the Bear River Bird Refugee, near Brigham City, Utah.

More Images From Carbon County

2010-05-27T22:31:00.003-06:00

I have been spending a lot of time in Carbon County. Here are some more of the images from there.

The Great Hunt Panel in Cottonwood Canyon. Cottonwood Canyon is a major side canyon in the Nine Mile Canyon drainage.

Here is a selection of the many spring blossoms. The wet winter and spring has created a colorful display in Carbon County

Images of Carbon County, Utah

2010-05-20T23:21:00.002-06:00

I have been spending a lot of time lately in Carbon County. Here are some of the images seen.

Sunnyside Canyon

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Horse Canyon

2010-05-10T01:44:00.003-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to be in the Horse Canyon area of Carbon and Emery Counties. Here are some of the shots I took.

Something a Little Different

2010-05-02T00:03:00.002-06:00

After a great vacation this spring and now that winter is trying to come back, I have spent some time playing with some of the shots in Paint Shop. I hope you enjoy my interpretation of Nature's beauty.

The Last Day at Zion National Park

2010-04-23T12:15:00.005-06:00

On what was to be the last day, we went through Zion National Park. This is my favorite of all of the national parks. After making the drive through the park, we decided to extend our vacation one more day.

On to the Grand Canyon

2010-04-23T00:59:00.002-06:00

The next stop on our vacation was the Grand Canyon where we spent a couple of days. Spring wildflowers had not yet appeared and the California Condor was not to be found.

The Beauty of Death Valley

2010-04-16T00:42:00.003-06:00

The next stop on our vaction was Death Valley. Having never been there before we only planned two days. Next time we will plan for more.

Red Canyon, Nevada

2010-04-14T13:42:00.002-06:00

We recently had a chance to go on vacation and visited some neat areas. As you will see the wild flowers were out in full force. Here are some photos from the first area we visited, Red Canyon, just west of Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Day at Salt Creek

2010-03-09T23:08:00.003-07:00

Loggerhead Shrike

Red-winged Blackbird

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swans

Willard Peak in the Clouds.

A Salt Creek Sunset

Making the best out of winter

2010-02-04T23:51:00.002-07:00

It's hard to find subjects in the winter for my macro lens. I found these old flower heads and then did some work on the computer with them.

Farmington Bay

2010-01-26T20:26:00.002-07:00

First I spent a little time at Farmington Bay and then I spent some time with the computer modifying my images. I hope you enjoy.

Bald Eagle

Great Blue Heron (before)

Great Blue Heron (after)

Great Blue Heron (before)

Great Blue Heron (after)

Fire and Ice

2009-12-30T01:55:00.004-07:00

Just a little fun with some flowers I shot this summer. My daughter Lisa named the first two fire and ice.

Fire

Ice

Lost Creek

2009-12-23T02:14:00.001-07:00

It was a gloomy day, but here are some pics I took in Lost Creek the other day.

Mule Deer

Immature Bald Eagle

Birds at Farmington Bay

2009-12-05T21:07:00.002-07:00

Here are some recent shots taken at Farmington Bay. It is starting to ice up and waterfowl are hard to find.

Great Basin National Park and the trip home.

2009-10-02T23:59:00.003-06:00

With school out Linda and I made a quick trip to Great Basin National Park. We got there late and it was kind of disapointing. The colors had already faded in the high country. Here are some shots of the park and on the way home.

Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Clover Valley, Nevada

Clover Valley, Nevada

Golf Course Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho

Fall Colors and a Dusky Grouse

2009-09-30T23:31:00.002-06:00

Some views from Morgan County, Utah.

The Uinta Mountains

2009-09-08T15:30:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I made a trip to the Mirror Lake Highway and here are some of images seen.

Pass Lake

Pass Lake - A closer view

Bullwinkle

Christmas Meadows

Water Strider

Beaver Creek

The other day I was at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and this phesant came out on the road and posed for me.

Tony Grove Area

2009-08-26T03:47:00.002-06:00

Some shots from a recent trip to the Tony Grove area of Logan Canyon.

Looking west toward Tony Grove Basin

Tony Grove Lake

Mt. Magog

Mt. Magog

Weird Saturday

2009-08-01T03:36:00.002-06:00

Some shots with a different twist.

Pronghorn, Flowers and Insects

2009-07-31T00:17:00.002-06:00

Some of the pictures I took on a recent trip to Rich County.

2009-07-27T03:01:00.002-06:00

Here are some of the flowers and bugs I found at Tony Grove Lake in Logan Canyon.

D is for Dragonfly

2009-06-23T00:22:00.002-06:00

The Milkweed

2009-06-21T17:44:00.004-06:00

Milkweed hosts a variety of animals.

Flowers, Bird and Bugs of Sardine Canyon

2009-06-15T00:51:00.004-06:00

In between rain storms I found some interesting things while traveling the Baxter Hollow road from the summit of Sardine Canyon into Cache Valley.

Green-tailed Towhee

Flowers, dragonflies, bumblebees

2009-06-08T23:37:00.002-06:00

Here are some of the macros I took last weekend.

Air Show

2009-06-08T02:28:00.002-06:00

While I didn't make it in to the air show this weekend, I did get some shots from the outside.

Insects of Davis County

2009-05-26T01:23:00.002-06:00

Monday was a day for insects, especially dragonflies. I don't know my insects, so if anyone knows the names please put them in a comment. Thanks

My World or If I Had a Paintbrush

2009-05-21T01:31:00.003-06:00

I got tired of posting the same old stuff so I went crazy with Paint Shop Pro. Here are some birds as I would like to see them, or perhaps how I see them. Sorry, got to go they are coming to get me.

Bugs

2009-05-20T01:25:00.003-06:00

Some of the bugs I encountered while out trying to get pictures of birds in the area.

Birds of Utah continued

2009-05-19T00:44:00.002-06:00

A few more birds found in Utah.

Brewer's Blackbird

Yellow Warbler

Black-chinned Hummingbird

American Avocet protecting her young

Red-winged Blackbird

2009-05-11T00:04:00.002-06:00

Its that time of the year again, when the wildflowers are out and everyday there are different flowers blooming.

Hodge-podge Thursday

2009-05-07T21:02:00.003-06:00

I was all over the place today and this is a hodge-podge of what I saw.

2009-05-06T19:10:00.002-06:00

One more damselfly I found today.

The Little Things of Davis County

2009-05-04T21:20:00.002-06:00

I went out for a walk on Sheep Road today. I stared at the ground looking to see what I could find and came away with these images.

More Birds of Davis County

2009-05-03T19:06:00.002-06:00

With spring finally arriving I am starting to see a wider variety of birds here in Davis County. I also found a bug or two.

Snowy Egret

White-faced Ibis

Black-necked Stilt on nest.

Killdeer

Rudy Duck

House Finch

Western Kingbird

Midge

Midge

Davis County Birds

2009-04-30T00:17:00.002-06:00

Red-winged Blackbird

Killdeer

Mallard

Great Blue Heron

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

2009-04-26T01:40:00.008-06:00

Here are some of the birds I found the other day at the refuge.

Ring-necked Pheasant - Rooster

Ring-necked Pheasant - Hen

Western Grebe

Mallard Ducks

American Avocet

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Great Blue Heron

A Day With The Birds

2009-04-19T01:38:00.011-06:00

I was watching this Yellow-headed Blackbird when a rival came and pounced on it. For about five minutes I could hear them fighting in the water. One eventually flew off and the victor came up to dry its feathers.

Before the fight

In the wind

After the fight - all wet

Still a little wet

American Avocets playing ring around the roses.

Black-necked Stilt

Snowy Egret

White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

The Sun Came Out

2009-04-17T21:14:00.002-06:00

The sun finally came out this afternoon. It seems like forever since I last saw it. I rushed home got my camera and this is what I found

Eared Grebe

Red-breasted Merganser

Graduation Day

2009-04-12T15:59:00.007-06:00

Friday April 10, 2009 was a great day at our house. Katie graduated from college. She is now a Veterinary Technician looking for a job. As the proud father I wish to share photographs of the graduate, her proud husband, beaming parents and grandparents.

Thank You Linda for the beautiful picture of our daughter

Zions National Park the way I see it.

2009-04-10T23:48:00.022-06:00

Zion National Park can be overwhelming if you don't do it right. First start out small and low. Keep your eyes on the ground and enjoy the flowers.

The cactus might have buds hinting of blossoms to come.

There will always be blossoms to enjoy both large and small.

You may even find evidence of last years bloom.

If you look close enough you may even find the smallest of spiders hidden in the stems.

Now after a short time you can start to look further off the trail.

Where you might see the occasional squirrel or lizard sunning on a rock.

Now it is time to start to notice the water. Whether pouring off the rocks or rushing down the Virgin River. Look and you will find waterfalls to delight you. It may be a desert, but there is water everywhere.

You are now ready to look up and take a few trails and climb above the canyons to look down. After all Zions National Park is all about the rocks.

Out and About Once Again

2009-03-28T01:58:00.007-06:00

More snow this week. Makes me wonder if spring will ever get here. I did get out a little on Friday and this is what I found.

More From 2008

2009-03-22T23:09:00.009-06:00

Last Year's Photos

2009-03-21T22:09:00.008-06:00

I didn't get out much this week, so I thought I would share some photos from last year. I hope to get out more next week and have some fresh material.

More From Box Elder County

2009-03-15T16:56:00.015-06:00

I made another trip to Box Elder County this week. The snow is almost gone down low and the ponds are starting to lose their ice. The birds, especially the waterfowl, are starting to return. I think I made it through another winter.

Western Meadowlark

Snow Goose

Drake, Mallard

Drake, Cinnamon Teal

Hen, Northern Shoveler

White Pelican

Sandhill Crane

Tundra Swan

Wellsville Mountains

Willard Peak

The Swamps of Davis and Box Elder Counties

2009-03-01T21:28:00.010-07:00

Red-Winged Blackbird

Two Ring-Necked Pheasants Sparing

American Kestrel

Swainson's Hawk

White Pelicans

Tundra Swans

Perfect End

A Visit to Cache County

2009-02-16T16:38:00.011-07:00

On Sunday, February 15th I was in Cache County, Utah. The Bald Eagle and Common Goldeneyes were in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. I saw them on the way up to Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area. Hardware is a great place to take the family and see some elk.

Bald Eagle

Hardware Ranch WMA sleigh ride.

Common Goldeneyes - a male courting two females

End of the day.

Eagle Day at Farmington Bay

2009-02-15T20:32:00.015-07:00

Not only was February 14th Valentine's Day it was also Eagle Day at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. As you have probably already noticed I spend I lot of time there. It is only 5 minutes from my home. I went there on Eagle Day and ignored the 25 to 30 Bald Eagles there. Here are some of the other birds I saw.

American Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk)

Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk)

Northern Shoveler and Common Goldeneye

Pied-billed Grebe

American Coot

Red-winged Blackbird

White Pelican

Canada Goose

Happy Valentine's Day

Nothing but frost

2009-02-13T18:25:00.008-07:00

Eagles and others at Farmington Bay WMA

2009-02-08T17:21:00.009-07:00

Pretty Cold

2009-02-05T13:07:00.008-07:00

Rainy Day in January

2009-01-28T13:07:00.005-07:00

Birds of Lost Creek

2009-01-10T23:19:00.010-07:00

Three of the twelve Bald Eagles I observed on this day.

Ben Franklin's choice for a National Symbol.

Farmington Bay Waterfowl Area

2009-01-08T15:34:00.008-07:00

Between The Snow Storms

2008-12-27T18:56:00.003-07:00

A Mixture of 2008 Photos

2008-12-24T00:27:00.009-07:00

Thinking of Warmer Times

2008-12-19T17:42:00.006-07:00

Short_eared Owls, Sunsets, Misc

2008-12-15T00:01:00.004-07:00

Desert Images

2008-10-16T00:20:00.004-06:00

Fall Colors

2008-09-23T01:11:00.005-06:00

Utah Desert

2008-09-19T15:39:00.011-06:00

Wildlife

2008-09-17T19:16:00.027-06:00

Gila monster - Not my photo thanks KC