Photographic Thoughts — 08/07/2022 to 08/13/2022

“Photography has nothing to do with cameras.” — Lucas Gentry

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

Sunday, 08/07/2022: Posted photo — American Bison.

Photo location: Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Difference between a bison and a buffalo:

Range: Wild American bison occur only in North America, European bison in Europe, water buffalo in Asia, and African buffalo in Africa.

Size: Most buffalo species are larger than bison species—1,900 to 2,600 pounds versus 1,600 to 2,000 pounds.1

Horns: Bison have short and stubby horns whereas buffalo’s are long and curvy.

Beard: Only bison have long, shaggy beards.

Shoulder hump: Only bison have a distinctive shoulder hump, the American bison’s more prominent than the European bison’s.

Source: https://www.treehugger.com/difference-between-bison-and-buffalo-6499776

Monday, 08/08/2022: Posted photo — Brown Pelican.

Photo location: Key West Florida

To find Brown Pelicans, head to the southern coasts of the US (Atlantic, Gulf, or Pacific) and look for huge birds gliding low over the water—check nearby gulls and cormorants as a size reference. These birds plunge into the water to feed. The huge splashes they make can, from out of the corner of your eye, look like a whale’s spout. If you see a splash, look for the bird on the water’s surface as it drains water from its throat pouch, or scan for other pelicans circling around to dive in the same spot. If you can’t find pelicans over the water, head to a jetty, mudflat, or estuary to look for groups of them resting.

Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/overview

Tuesday, 08/09/2022: Posted photo — Dall’s Porpoise.

Photo location: Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The Dall’s Porpoise is the largest porpoise species, reaching 210-220 cm long and 200 kg. There is some sexual dimorphism in size with females being slightly smaller at 160-206 cm long. The size difference between the sexes varies across the species range.

Source: https://porpoise.org/about-porpoises/dalls-porpoise/

Wednesday, 08/10/2022: Posted photo — Humpback Whales.

Photo location: Juno, Alaska

Bubble-net feeding is a feeding behavior engaged in by humpback whales and Bryde’s whales. It is one of the few surface feeding behaviors that humpback whales are known to engage in. This type of feeding can be done alone or in groups with as many as twenty whales participating at once.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble-net_feeding

Thursday, 08/11/2022: Posted photo — Mountain Goats.

Photo location: Glacier National Park, Montana

Mountain goat, (Oreamnos americanus), also called Rocky Mountain goat, a stocky North American ruminant of the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla). Surefooted relatives of the chamois, mountain goats cling to steep cliffs in habitats ranging from ocean shores to glaciated mountain tops. They are agile, methodical climbers, adapted to the insecure footing of snow-covered and icy cliffs, where predators are loath to follow. On these cliffs, they readily turn on their pursuers, including humans.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/mountain-goat

Friday, 08/12/2022: Post photo — Western Tanager.

Photo location: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

While most red birds owe their redness to a variety of plant pigments known as carotenoids, the Western Tanager gets its scarlet head feathers from a rare pigment called rhodoxanthin. Unable to make this substance in their own bodies, Western Tanagers probably obtain it from insects in their diet.

Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/overview

Saturday, 08/13/2022: Post photo — Desert Spiny Lizard.

Photo location: Goosenecks State Park, Utah

An adult male desert spiny lizard usually has conspicuous blue/violet patches on the belly and throat, and a green/blue color on their tails and sides. Females and juveniles have large combined dark spots on their back and belly areas, and the blue/violet and green/blue coloring is absent. Both sexes have brownish/yellow triangular spots on their shoulders. A female desert spiny lizard will lay anywhere from 4 to 24 eggs during the summertime. A fully grown desert spiny lizard will reach a body length of up to 5.6 inches. Besides their bright colors, the desert spiny lizard changes to darker colors during the winter to allow them to absorb more heat from the sun and become lighter during the summer to reflect the sun’s radiation. It is frequently seen doing push-ups, pushing its body up and down, as a form of territorial display. The first recorded case of Leukemia in the family Phrynosomatidae was found in this species.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sceloporus_magister

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 07/31/2022 to 08/06/2022

“Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies.” — Diane Arbus

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

This week is full of sunrises and sunsets.

Sunday, 07/31/2022: Posted photo — Sunrise at the Beach.

On one of my past vacations, I took a sunrise walk on the beach with my camera. During the walk, I saw this great sunrise. I stopped and took this photo.

Monday, 08/01/2022: Posted photo — Jax Beach Sunrise.

I just loved the way the sunrise looked as we walked to the beach. I timed it to get the bird in the photo.

Tuesday, 08/02/2022: Posted photo — Sunrise at the Pier.

One of my trips to Jacksonville Beach Florida, I took another sunrise walk. I saw this heron near the shore and near the pier. I just loved the silhouette of the bird, so I took this shot.

Wednesday, 08/03/2022: Posted photo — Lightning at Sea.

We had a condo on the beach and there was a storm at sea. I set my camera on my tripod and set the timer for 15 second. I liked the way this photo came out but was disappointed that I did not set my timer at 30 seconds.

Thursday, 08/04/2022: Posted photo — Sunrise on Wachusett.

Morning winter hike up Wachusett Mountain for sunrise. There was a small coating of ice on the summit. The sunshine on the ice took a great photo.

Friday, 08/05/2022: Post photo — Sunset at the Cape.

One thing my wife and I do is have a weekend away on Cape Cod during the off season. This was one of the sunsets we saw.

Saturday, 08/06/2022: Post photo — Sunset on Wachusett.

Here is a pleasant sunset from the summit of Wachusett Mountain.

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 07/10/2022 to 07/16/2022

“The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.” — Scott Lorenzo

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

I am still trying to be up to date on my blog posts. I am still one post behind. Working on it.

Sunday, 07/10/2022: Posted photo — Chicago.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 290 mm.

The first national park on our trip was Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes is on the shores of Lake Michigan. We decided to go to the lake to take some sunset photos. I took many photos of the sunset. I would normally post a photo of the actual sunset, but I did like this silhouette photo of the city of Chicago.

Monday, 07/11/2022: Posted photo — Milky Way.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/3.5, 20 s, 18 mm.

We arrived at our first campsite at Badlands National Park late at night. After we setup our campsite, my wife and stayed up late to look at all the stars. I practiced my Milky Way photography. Still need much work.

Tuesday, 07/12/2022: Posted photo — Nests.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/320 s, 103 mm.

Walking around Badlands, we saw a swam of birds coming out of a kiosk. When we saw the enclosure, we saw all the nests on it. What you see was on all four sides if the information kiosk.

Wednesday, 07/13/2022: Posted photo — Only in South Dakota.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 35 mm.

This is a sign we saw at a rest stop in South Dakota. True cowboy and farming country.

Thursday, 07/14/2022: Posted photo — Accidental Fire.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/160 s, 50 mm.

The coal fire in Badlands was set during a controlled burn. The burn set off a vein of coal. You could smell smoke in the area. The only time they suggested you reported the fire is if you saw flames from the vein.

Friday, 07/15/2022: Post photo — Campsite.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/100 s, 27 mm.

My campsite in Cody WY at Buffalo Bill State Park.

Saturday, 07/16/2022: Post photo — Looks Like a Good Site.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/250 s, 135 mm.

Here are a couple of bison looking for a campsite at Yellowstone. Looks like they found a good one.

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 06/05/2022 to 06/11/2022

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” — Paul Caponigro

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

For the first time in a while, all these photos were taking this week.

Last week we are played a game — name the national park.

Here are the answers.

Bring Water! — Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez and Mancos, CO
Do not Stand — Natural Bridges National Monument, Blanding, UT
Impassible When Wet — Arches National Park, Moab, UT
Holt Orchards — Capital Reef National Park, Torrey, UT
Dangerous Cliffs — Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon, UT
River Walk — Zion National Park, Springdale, UT
Mules — North Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, AZ

Now for this week’s photos.

Sunday, 06/05/2022: Posted photo — Pentecost.

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

Pentecost is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Monday, 06/06/2022: Posted photo — Batting Cage.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 132, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

This is our son’s batting cage. We purchased it when he was in high school about 10 years ago and he still goes out to hit balls. He is now coaching baseball at the high school that he is teaching. He enjoys going out and hitting balls.

Tuesday, 06/07/2022: Posted photo — Wildflowers.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 83, f/1.8, 1/1462 s, 4 mm.

With rain, comes wildflowers. These are at the parking lot at work. The grass gets cut when wet, and once the sun comes out, these flowers appear.

Wednesday, 06/08/2022: Posted photo — Deer in Backyard.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/250 s, 135 mm.

My son and I were going to the Relay for Life (RFL) to bring more items to our site. The Relay for Life is a 24 hour walk to raise money for cancer research and is put on by the American Cancer Society (ACS). This was the first time in three years that the relay was live.

Back to my story, my son asked me if I had my camera an saw this deer in the street. Shortly after I gathered my camera a car came by and spooked the deer. I followed it into our yard, expecting not to see it. I was surprised to see it posing for me next to out son’s batting cage. This delayed our trip to the RFL.

Thursday, 06/09/2022: Posted photo — Relay Quilt.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/5, 1/80 s, 27 mm.

At the RFL you can do on-site fundraising. One of the members of our team made this mini quilt as a fundraiser. The color of the ribbons indicates a different type of cancer. There are websites that can help you identify the ribbon color to a type of cancer. I was going to list them here for you, but there are so many different colors. Here is a link to on website: https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/cancer-ribbon-colors.

Friday, 06/10/2022: Post photo — Survivors Lap.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/160 s, 76 mm.

At the start of the RFL, cancer survivors take a lap. Encouraging to see so many out walking. There were survivors of less than a month to over 25 years participating in survivors lap this year.

Saturday, 06/11/2022: Post photo — Luminaria.

Settings: Canon EOS 60D, ISO 100, f/7.1, 0.8 s, 27 mm.

One of the most powerful events at the RFL is the luminaria. Each back has the name of a family member, friend, colleague, or acquaintance that is either fighting cancer or has finished their fight. There is a silent lap after some ceremonies. The only noise during that lap is the sound of footprints and the sound of a lone bagpiper leading the lap.

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/.

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/.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 04/17/2022 to 04/23/2022

“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 the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Sunday, 04/17/2022: Posted photo — Bison outside the Park.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/6, 1/500 s, 300 mm.

This week I am posting from a trip we took to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Not many people go to the north rim since it is not near any population area. To drive from the north rim to the south rim of the Grand Canyon takes about 8 hours from closest entrance to closes entrance.

Before you get the sign for the north rim, you go past a bison farm. What a majestic animal to see up close.

Monday, 04/18/2022: Posted photo — North Rim Entrance.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60 s, 32 mm.

Here is the sign for the north rim. I have signs from all the national parks that I have entered. It is a good way to remember what parks the following photos were taken. I also like to take photos of signs along the trails.

Tuesday, 04/19/2022: Posted photo — View from our Campsite.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/100 s, 55 mm.

This is the view we had when we woke up the few days we were at the north rim. Not a bad view!

Wednesday, 04/20/2022: Posted photo — Prehistoric Ruin.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/100 s, 20 mm.

We were walking the Transept Trail to Bright Angel Point to head into the canyon. We saw a sign for ruins that were used 1000 years ago by Pueblo people. There are many historical ruins in Grand Canyon National Park and other parks in the area.

Thursday, 04/21/2022: Posted photo — Western Tanager.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/320 s, 300 mm.

As we were approaching the trailhead area, I spotted this colorful bird in a bush. I like how colorful it is. I have sold a few prints of this photo during some of my gallery showings.

Friday, 04/22/2022: Post photo — Lightning.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/10, 1/400 s, 70 mm.

We did not go down into the canyon because of storms in the area. There was tornado and severe thunderstorm warning in the area. When this storm was approaching, I took out my camera and started to take photos. I did not see the second bolt of lightning until I looked at the photo on my computer.

Saturday, 04/23/2022: Post photo — View of the Canyon.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 s, 40 mm.

As we were leaving the canyon to go from the north rim to the south rim, we stopped an looked at the temples.

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 04/10/2022 to 04/15/2022

“We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” — Ralph Hattersley

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

Happy and blessed Easter Sunday to your all. Here are my thought from last week. This week’s post has somethings new and somethings old.

Sunday, 04/10/2022: Posted photo — Daffodil.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 37, f/1.8, 1/125 s, 4 mm.

Sign of spring, our daffodils are blooming. I have not gotten out of the house much these last few months. Was able to get out today to walk around our yard. Nice to see plants flowering. We do have more daffodils and tulip in front of our house that I have been watching as I walk from the car to inside the house. I have not noticed any crocus this year. I must have been inside when they were blooming.

Monday, 04/11/2022: Posted photo — Roadblock.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 62, f/1.8, 1/198 s, 4 mm.

The turkeys are back. On my way into work, we ran into this rafter of turkeys. I am still not driving so I took this photo from the passenger seat.

Tuesday, 04/12/2022: Posted photo — The Cause of My Pain.

Settings: Google Pixel 2, ISO 251, f/1.8, 1/120 s, 4 mm.

I have not looked at my microspikes since my accident. There were put in the back seat of my car when one of my hiking companions drove my car back to my house. I just left them there since the car was not used that often. My car has a manual transmission, so I am not able to shift since I cannot use my left foot for the clutch. We are trading in my car for one with an automatic transmission so I can drive myself to work.

I took out my microspikes to see if they were broken. The first one I looked at had a stick embedded in one of the spikes. The was why I went down, no spike available to grip the ice! What a freak accident. I am glad that I know what happened and happy that it was not an equipment malfunction.

Wednesday, 04/13/2022: Posted photo — Hoodoos.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/160 s, 37 mm.

These are hoodoos in Goblin Valley State Park. Goblin Valley State Park is in Green River, UT. Goblin Valley was the set for the movie “Galaxy Quest”, one of our favorite movies. We were surprised that we were able to into the goblins, which we did, and we reenacted some scenes from the movie. The park features thousands of hoodoos, referred to locally as goblins, which are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some as tall as several yards.

Thursday, 04/14/2022: Posted photo — Sunrise.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/16, 1/2000 s, 300 mm.

This is the sunrise from Goblin Valley. We had a wonderful dark sky night and a great sunrise.

Friday, 04/15/2022: Post photo — Delicate Arch.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/200 s, 300 mm.

This is as close as we were to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall freestanding natural arch. What you do not see is the drop off just after the arch. Delicate Arch stands at the edge of a cliff. We arrived in the park late and did not do the hike out to the arch. We did other hikes in the park the couple of days we were there. The longest hike was about a 10-mile hike in extremely hot weather. We followed the rule of at least one gallon of water per person per day. I carried the water and my wife and son carried other supplies during our hike.

Saturday, 04/16/2022: Post photo — Upper Slot Canyon.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 640, f/3.5, 1/25 s, 18 mm.

We found Antelope Slot Canyon by accident. We were looking for grocery stores in the area as we were traveling between the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon. We saw pickup truck that had Antelope Slot Canyon on then. My wife had a friend that went to a canyon in that area that looked like a great stop for us. We did some research and found out the canyon was Antilope Slot Canyon. We arrived in Page, AZ midday to the upper slot canyon was the only place we could get tickets. I know of others that have gone to lower slot and they also looked impressive. Need to go back to visit.

For those of you who know the area, we did not go to Horseshoe Bend since we were just camping at Goosenecks State Park a few nights before.

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 04/03/2022 to 04/09/2022

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind

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

Here are some more photos of a road trip we took. Looking forward to traveling again this summer. Hiking will be limited, but I will pick up my 50th state (North Dakota).

This week’s blog will only contain information that I have referenced off various web sites. This was the easiest way for me to describe each location. I could ramble on and on about the wonders and beauties of each of these parks.

Sunday, 04/03/2022: Posted photo — Monument Valley.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/400 s, 150 mm.

“Monument Valley, a red-sand desert region on the Arizona-Utah border, is known for the towering sandstone buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The park, frequently a filming location for Western movies, is accessed by the looping, 17-mile Valley Drive. The famous, steeply sloped Mittens buttes can be viewed from the road or from overlooks such as John Ford’s Point.” ― Google

Monday, 04/04/2022: Posted photo — Goosnecks State Park.

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

“On the edge of a deep canyon above the sinuous river meander known as a gooseneck, this small park affords impressive views of one of the most striking examples of an entrenched river meander on the North American continent. The San Juan River twists and turns through the meander, flowing a distance of over six miles while advancing one and a half miles west on its way to Lake Powell. Gaze at the results of 300 million years of geological activity, where the San Juan River winds and carves its way through the desert 1,000 feet below.”https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goosenecks/

Tuesday, 04/05/2022: Posted photo — Balance Rock.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/8, 1/125 s, 45 mm.

Arches National Park

“Balanced Rock, one of the most iconic features in the park, stands a staggering 128 feet (39m) tall. While this formation may appear to be an epic balancing act, it’s actually not balanced at all. The slick rock boulder of Entrada Sandstone sits attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone. The exposure of these two rock strata layers are ideal for the formation of arches and balanced rocks.”https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/balancedrock.htm

Wednesday, 04/06/2022: Posted photo — Landscape Arch.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 s, 24 mm.

Arches National Park

“Landscape Arch is the longest arch in North America with a light opening of 306 feet (93.3 meters). This awe-inspiring expanse is only 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter at its narrowest. Large segments of the arch came crashing down in the 1990s – proof that the park’s landscape can change dramatically in a instant. Although other arches have fallen, Landscape Arch still hangs on by a very thin thread.”https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/devils-garden.htm

Thursday, 04/07/2022: Posted photo — Amphitheater.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/10, 1/200 s, 42 mm.

Bryce Canyon National Park

“By far the most iconic section of the park, the Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called “hoodoos”) found anywhere on Earth. Viewpoints along the first 3 miles (4.8 km) of the main road provide access to views overlooking this area. This area is referred to as an “amphitheater” as it is a bowl-shaped area shaped by the drainage of seasonal rains and melting snow (not truly a canyon, as those are shaped by flowing rivers)”https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/see-the-bryce-amphitheater.htm

Friday, 04/08/2022: Post photo — View from Navajo Bridge.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/10, 1/125 s, 48 mm.

View from the Navajo Bridge

“Those traveling across the country on Highway 89A between Bitter Springs and Jacob Lake, AZ arrive at two bridges similar in appearance spanning the Colorado River. These two bridges, one historic and one new, represent one of only seven land crossings of the Colorado River for 750 miles (1207 km).”https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/historyculture/navajobridge.htm

Saturday, 04/09/2022: Post photo — Carlsbad Caverns.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/4.5, 6 s, 33 mm.

“High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.”https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

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/.

Photographic Thoughts — 03/27/2022 to 04/02/2022

“Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.” — Anonymous

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

This week I will be posting a few highlights of one of my trips. We called this trip our norther National Part trip. We traveled through Montana, Alberta, Banff, Jasper, Washington state, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa during this trip. This trip included visits to many national parks in the United States and Canada, visiting family, visiting natural movie sets, and when to an amusement park in the Mall of America in which I held with the design of a few of the rides.

Sunday, 03/27/2022: Posted photo — Lake McDonald.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/8, 1/400 s, 75 mm.

The first stop on our northern national park tour was in Glacier National Park in Montana. What a wonderful park. It does have many glaciers, some growing and some receding.

Monday, 03/28/2022: Posted photo — Mountain Goat.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/5, 1/125 s, 200 mm.

While we were in Glacier National Park, we took a hike out to Hidden Lake. On the way out to the lake, we had a few mountain goats walk along the trail with us.

Tuesday, 03/29/2022: Posted photo — Hidden Lake.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 100, f/9, 1/160 s, 25 mm.

This was a destination, Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park. For your information, this hike took place on July 4 and we did most of our hiking in the snow.

Wednesday, 03/30/2022: Posted photo — Johnston Canyon, Lower Falls.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/11, 1/4 s, 33 mm.

Johnston Canyon to Lower Falls is an extremely popular and scenic trail in Banff National Park, in addition to being one of the busiest in the Canadian Rockies. We were driving around Banff and found the falls. We camped in Baff on our way to Jasper National Park.

Thursday, 03/31/2022: Posted photo — Lake Louise.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/13, 1/250 s, 29 mm.

Lake Louise is world famous for its turquoise lakes, the Victoria Glacier, soaring mountain backdrop. We went to Lake Louise on a weekend, so it was very busy. We took a few photos and then went on our way.

Friday, 04/01/2022: Post photo — Diablo Lake.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/13, 1/250 s, 35 mm.

On our way back from visiting family in Bellingham Washington, we took a trip to Northern Cascades National Park. One of the hikes we took was out to Diablo Lake.

From an information search, it was verified that Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern Washington state. It was created by Diablo Dam and is located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River at an elevation of 1,201 feet above sea level.

I really like the color of the water in the lake.

Saturday, 04/02/2022: Post photo — Mount Rainier.

Settings: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS, ISO 200, f/11, 1/250 s, 42 mm.

Mount Rainier National Park. I am impressed every time I see this mountain. Either up close or from the city of Seattle. One time we flew past the mountain. That must have taken about five minutes to do since the girth on the mountain is so great.

Mount Rainier is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest standing at 14,411′ in elevation. The volcano last erupted in 1894, and when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, all eyes were on Mount Rainier since the mountains are in the same chain. It is very interesting to camp in an area that has warnings about the possibility of lava flow. If the mountain erupted, I would think that the lava flow would be the least of our worries.

When we travel to Mount Rainier, we like to visit the Paradise area. I have photographed a few waterfalls in Paradise. When we visited this time, the snow was still very deep. Remember, this was early to mid-July. There was one waterfall that I wanted to photograph in the snow, and I could not find it. I had the GPS coordinates from the times before that I took photos of it. Looking at the GPS coordinates, I came to realize that I was standing on top of the falls.

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/.