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photobyjosephciras

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May 29, 2022

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Photography, Travel, water

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2022

“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

This week we travel to the Badlands, Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

Sunday, 05/22/2022: Posted photo — Badlands.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/250 s, 105 mm.

“The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.” — National Park Service

Monday, 05/23/2022: Posted photo — Female Longhorn Sheep.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/8, 1/500 s, 190 mm.

A female longhorn sheeps, called ewes, have smaller horns that curve slightly to a sharp point within the first four years of life. Ewes and lambs stay together in herds. This is a photo of a female longhorn sheep that was eating grass close to where we were parking.

Tuesday, 05/24/2022: Posted photo — Longhorn Sheep.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/250 s, 300 mm.

This is a male longhorn sheep just sitting out sunning itself.

Wednesday, 05/25/2022: Posted photo — Prairie Dog.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/320 s, 300 mm.

Prairie dogs are herbivorous burrowing mammals native to the grasslands of North America. Within the genus are five species: black-tailed, white-tailed, Gunnison’s, Utah, and Mexican prairie dogs. We have seen many prairie dogs in many parks during our travels.

Thursday, 05/26/2022: Posted photo — Volcanic Formation.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/11, 1/250 s, 37 mm.

The layers of the Badlands correspond with different moments in geologic time. They start with the oldest layer at the bottom, then move upwards in space and time towards the youngest layer, which sits on top of the formations.

Friday, 05/27/2022: Post photo — Sunset.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 130 mm.

Just another wonderful sunset in our national parks.

Saturday, 05/28/2022: Post photo — Moon.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/11.3, 1/60 s, 1150 mm.

Just another moon shot by me. I have taken hundreds if not thousands of photos of the moon. Still working on getting it right.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

My Weebly website has not been updated since February 16, the day before I broke my ankle.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

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photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 22, 2022

Posted under

Nature, Photography

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/15/2022 to 05/21/2022

“You don’t take a photograph. You ask quietly to borrow it.” — Unknown

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Here are some flowers around my house this week. The plan is to post photos from another trip next weeks. Plans do change.

Sunday, 05/15/2022: Posted photo — Azalea.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 141 f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

An Azalea bush is a popular flowering bush and foundation plant, with bright spring blooms. The bushes are native to Asia, Europe, and North America., Azaleas bushes are members of the Rhododendron family.

Monday, 05/16/2022: Posted photo — Lilac.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 82, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

Common lilac bushes are deciduous shrubs that bloom in the springtime. They are part of the olive family.

Tuesday, 05/17/2022: Posted photo — Bluets.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 137, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

These are small, delicate perennial is found growing in compact tufts, 8 in. high.

Wednesday, 05/18/2022: Posted photo — Fiddleheads.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 193, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

Fiddleheads or fiddlehead greens are the furled fronds of a young fern, harvested for use as a vegetable.

Thursday, 05/19/2022: Posted photo — Highbush Blueberries.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 68, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

Blueberry plants come in two main types: highbush and lowbush. Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) grow in a wider geographic range than lowbush, and they are a common choice for home gardeners. These blueberries are just starting to bloom.

Friday, 05/20/2022: Post photo — Pink Azalea.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 44, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

This is the pink variety of azaleas. They bloom after the red variety.

Saturday, 05/21/2022: Post photo — Dandelion.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 316, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

My Weebly website has not been updated since February 16, the day before I broke my ankle.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 15, 2022

Posted under

hiking, Nature, Photography, Thoughts

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/08/2022 to 05/14/2022

“What makes photography a strange invention is that the primary raw materials are light and time.” — John Berger

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

This week we are travelling to Goosenecks State Park on the San Juan River just outside of Mexican Hat, UT. At the time we camped in Goosenecks State Park, it was free camping. There was no water and just a drop toilet. It now costs $10 a night to camp. It was one of the darkest places that we have camped. No ambient light for miles and miles.

Sunday, 05/08/2022: Posted photo — First Gooseneck.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/11, 1/250 s, 18 mm.

Goosenecks State Park is located between Monument Valley – Four Corners Area, UT, CO, NM, AZ and

Natural Bridges National Monument, Blanding, UT just outside the town of Mexican Hat UT. It is situated near two goosenecks along the San Juan River. Many of you may know of Horseshoe Bend in Page AZ. These are the same. This park is not visited by many because of it remote location.

Monday, 05/09/2022: Posted photo — Second Gooseneck.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/10, 1/250 s, 18 mm.

In geology, “goosenecks” is a term used for sinuous canyons and valleys that resemble the curved neck of a goose. The Goosenecks of the San Juan River have rightfully earned themselves a state park designation.

This is the second gooseneck in the park.

Tuesday, 05/10/2022: Posted photo — Desert Spiny Lizard.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 250, f/7.1, 1/400 s, 300 mm.

Here is a lizard that we watched for a while as it was hunting for food. It was very cooperative allowing me to take its photo. We saw a number of lizards in the park, along with black scorpions at night.

Wednesday, 05/11/2022: Posted photo — Second Desert Spiny Lizard.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/400 s, 300 mm.

This was one of the many deserts spiny lizards we saw in the park.

Thursday, 05/12/2022: Posted photo — Sunset.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/13, 1/1250 s, 300 mm.

We experience a wonderful sunset since the air was very clear.

Friday, 05/13/2022: Post photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/4, 1/60 s, 70 mm.

After a night that was very windy due to desert cooling, we awoke to see the sun’s soft glow towards Monument Valley as we headed off to Natural Bridges National Monument.

Saturday, 05/14/2022: Post photo — Monument Valley.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160 s, 270 mm.

Here is looking back at Monument Valley from our campsite.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

My Weebly website has not been updated since February 16, the day before I broke my ankle.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 8, 2022

Posted under

hiking, Photography, Thoughts, Travel

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Photographic Thoughts — 05/01/2022 to 05/07/2022

“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” — Don McCullin

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

This week we are travelling to Arlington National Cemetery. I will not be commenting on the post, of giving photo information this week. I am only naming each photo. I want you to reflect on these photos. Arlington National Cemetery was one of the few places that made me cry as I entered. The feeling of pride, honor, and patriotism overwhelms you as you enter.

More than three million people visit Arlington National Cemetery each year. Many come to pay respects at graveside services, or to visit a loved one’s final resting place. Please remember that Arlington is an active cemetery — a place of honor, grieving and reflection. We ask that visitors abide by the following guidelines.

Speak quietly and use headphones if you are listening to something, so that your experience does not distract or disturb other visitors.
Enjoy the space appropriately. You are encouraged to explore the cemetery (you may walk on the grass to find a grave) and attend a public ceremony. However, activities such as running, climbing, bicycling, playing sports or picnicking are not allowed.
Leave your pets at home. Only approved service animals and military working dogs are permitted.
Respect the property. Do not damage or sit on monuments, gravestones, plants or other property. They are historic features of this sacred site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Respect funeral services by staying at a distance. If you encounter a funeral procession, please step aside and wait for the procession to pass. If your exploration of the cemetery brings you near a funeral service, please move along to an area that is not the site of active mourning.
Show respect to the flag. When a flag is used in a ceremony or service, or a bugler plays Taps, civilians should place their right hand over their heart. Military service members and veterans may salute.

Sunday, 05/01/2022: Posted photo — Welcome Sign.

Settings: N/A.

Monday, 05/02/2022: Posted photo — Price of Freedom.

Settings: N/A.

Tuesday, 05/03/2022: Posted photo — Graves.

Settings: N/A.

Wednesday, 05/04/2022: Posted photo — The Eternal Flame.

Settings: N/A.

Thursday, 05/05/2022: Posted photo — Secretary Robert McNamara.

Settings: N/A.

Friday, 05/06/2022: Post photo — Memorial Amphitheater.

Settings: N/A.

Saturday, 05/07/2022: Post photo — The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Settings: N/A.

Hope you enjoyed your tour of Arlington National Cemetery.

Please comment if the blog moved you in any way.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

My Weebly website has not been updated since February 16, the day before I broke my ankle. For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.

Posted by

photobyjosephciras

Posted on

May 1, 2022

Posted under

hiking, Nature, Photography, Travel

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3 Comments

Photographic Thoughts — 04/24/2022 to 04/30/2022

“A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.” — Annie Leibovitz

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

This week we visit Yosemite National Park in 2008. I was just starting out in photography at this time.

Sunday, 04/24/2022: Posted photo — Bridalveil Falls.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO 80, f/6, 1/253 s, 9 mm.

We arrived at Yosemite National Park late one evening in 2008 and did not see the valley. Today we went hiking to Bridalveil Falls. Since this trip took place in the summer, the water was not flowing over the falls as well as it does other times of the year.

Monday, 04/25/2022: Posted photo — Camp Curry.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO 400, f/3, 1/147 s, 8 mm.

This is where we camped, Camp Curry. We occasionally had a visitor near our site. Yosemite bears will open your car doors to get food. All your items that have odor were to be placed inside a bear locker. Yosemite bears are the only bears in the National Park system that will open your door for you.

Tuesday, 04/26/2022: Posted photo — El Capitan.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO 80, f/4.8, 1/434 s, 6 mm.

The famous El Capitan. We saw some climbers on the side of the cliff. It is interesting at night to see their flashlights as they are setting up their sleeping ledges.

Wednesday, 04/27/2022: Posted photo — Half Dome.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO 80, f/8.5, 1/274 s, 18 mm.

Also next to our camp is Half Dome. We did some hiking around Half Dome but did not have the time to climb it ourselves.

Thursday, 04/28/2022: Posted photo — Yosemite Valley.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO 80, f/4.8, 1/360 s, 18 mm.

Here is Yosemite Valley. One of the most picturesque placed that I have visited. We drove in at night and did not see the valley. When we did see the valley later in our visit, we were not disappointed. As I stated above, this was the start of me taking photographs daily. I have an inexpensive camera and did not have much experience with post processing my images.

Friday, 04/29/2022: Post photo — Vernal Falls.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO N/A, f/3.2, 1/350 s, 28 mm.

Another hike, another waterfall.

Saturday, 04/30/2022: Post photo — Yosemite Falls.

Settings: KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA, ISO N/A, f/3.2, 1/500 s, 11 mm.

Since our trip was in the middle of the summer, upper and lower Yosemite Falls were not flowing. Would be nice to get back to Yosemite National Park in the spring to see the water flowing.

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

For more photo of other project I have work, visit my website: https://photobyjosephciras.weebly.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhotobyJosephCiras/.