Photographic Thoughts — 06/26/2022 to 07/02/2022

“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” — Sally Mann

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

For this post, I am showing you a few of the mountains and other geological formations that I saw during my vacation.

Sunday, 06/26/2022: Posted photo — Badlands National Park.

Here are some of the formations in Badlands National Park. Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.

Monday, 06/27/2022: Posted photo — Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in North Dakota and is one of the lesser know parks. After visiting the park, I have been in all 50 states! There was a stamp at the park that is a map of North Dakota and stays, “Saving the best for Last”. What a great stamp to put in my National Park passport.

Tuesday, 06/28/2022: Posted photo — First View in Yellowstone.

For a few weeks we were concerned about going to Yellowstone. As you may know, there were floods in the northern part of the park. The northern section of the park was closed when we were there. Some of the northern section opened about 3 days after we left the park. This did not disappoint up since we wanted to explore the southern section more during this visit.

Wednesday, 06/29/2022: Posted photo — Tetons from Yellowstone.

Grand Tetons National Park as seen from the West access road at Yellowstone National Park. We did not visit the Tetons this time. We have visited the Tetons in the past.

Thursday, 06/30/2022: Posted photo — Good Morning View at Yellowstone.

Good morning from Yellowstone. This is what I looked at when I came out of my tent the first morning in Yellowstone. What a great view to wake up to see. Just for your information, the temperature was in the low 30s F when I woke with frost on my tent. Some nearby campers had their water frozen.

Friday, 07/01/2022: Post photo — Mount Baker.

Mount Baker, also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is a 10,781 ft active glacier-covered andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington in the United States. Mount Baker has the second-most thermally active crater in the Cascade Range after Mount St. Helens.

Saturday, 07/02/2022: Post photo — The Sisters.

From left to right North Twin Sister, South Twin and Little Sister. The North Twin is the second highest point in the strikingly jagged ridge known as the Twin Sisters Range, 10 miles southwest of Mount Baker. Pyramid shaped; the North Twin has three ridges which connect directly to the summit area. One to the northeast, one to the southeast which is joined by a saddle to the South Twin, and finally the west ridge. The South Twin is the highest point in the Twin Sisters Range. Little Sister is the lowest and most northerly of the Three Sisters and is in Canmore, Alberta.

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 — 06/19/2022 to 06/25/2022

“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.

These next few posts will be photos only that I have taken over my vacation. This week will show you some of the animals that I encountered.

I will be posting a few times this week to catch up with my postings.

Sunday, 06/19/2022: Posted photo — Prairie Dog.

One of the campsites we were camped, was a remote campground in Badlands National Park. In this campground and the surrounding area, there USGA was doing a study on Prairie Dogs. These were some that were near my tent.

Monday, 06/20/2022: Posted photo — Camping Bison.

In the same campground, there was a bison that used the site markers as scratching posts. This bison also showed up in the morning. The remote campground had only 10 sites. All eyes were on the bison. People did come out of these tents as the bison moved away.

Tuesday, 06/21/2022: Posted photo — Ducks.

These ducks were in one of the rivers at Yellowstone National Park. I did look up the type of ducks these are but did not write it down.

Wednesday, 06/22/2022: Posted photo — Elk.

This elk came to visit us at the first campground we had in Yellowstone.

Thursday, 06/23/2022: Posted photo — Bison by River.

At the second campground in Yellowstone, we took a walk in the morning and saw this bison by the river. There was a plaque at this location that stated that this was the exact location that the idea to make Yellowstone a national park was born.

Friday, 06/24/2022: Post photo — Mini Cow.

One of my sister-in-law’s animals.

Saturday, 06/25/2022: Post photo — Feasting Bald Eagle.

This Bald Eagle just caught a fish, brought it to the top of this tree, and had its dinner.

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 — 06/12/2022 to 06/18/2022

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” — Andy Warhol

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

This week we are taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Since I may not be able to get to the park this summer, I am posting photos from a past trip.

Sunday, 06/12/2022: Posted photo — Old Faithful.

They call it Old “Almost” Faithful. Old Faithful goes off plus or minus a half hour from its scheduled time based on the height of its last eruption. Still wonderful to see.

Monday, 06/13/2022: Posted photo — Thermal Feature.

Grand Prismatic Spring is one of more than 10,000 thermal features in Yellowstone.

Tuesday, 06/14/2022: Posted photo — Moose.

A female moose seen along the road. One of many different forms of wildlife found in the park.

Wednesday, 06/15/2022: Posted photo — Hot Springs.

Mammoth Hot Springs. One of the areas in the northern part of the park. This is the area that received the most flooding.

Thursday, 06/16/2022: Posted photo — Formation.

This is one of the formations caused by the sulfur in the hot springs.

Friday, 06/17/2022: Post photo — Tower Falls.

A spectacular waterfall in the part. Tower Fall is a beautiful, accessible waterfall in Yellowstone located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone near Tower Junction, the fall plunges a stunning 132 feet.

Saturday, 06/18/2022: Post photo — Bison.

Imagine seeing this by the side of the road. Such a docile looking animal. Not very docile and very fast. The people that get attacked by the bison get to close.

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

Next week may be skipped, or with a different format, depending on my availability to the internet.

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 — 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 — 05/29/2022 to 06/04/2022

“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.

This week we are playing a game — name the national park. There are a few easy ones here.

Tell me the park that I took the photos at. Answers next week.

Sunday, 05/29/2022: Posted photo — Bring Water!.

Monday, 05/30/2022: Posted photo — Do not Stand.

Tuesday, 05/31/2022: Posted photo — Impassible When Wet.

Wednesday, 06/01/2022: Posted photo — Holt Orchards.

Thursday, 06/02/2022: Posted photo — Dangerous Cliffs.

Friday, 06/03/2022: Post photo — River Walk.

Saturday, 06/04/2022: Post photo — Mules.

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 — 05/22/2022 to 05/27/2022

“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/.

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/.

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.

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.

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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/.