Landscape Images – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge # 222 The Mountains are Calling!

This week Amy (The World is a Book) has challenged me to go to the mountains, and so I shall.
Traveling has been limited to Sacramento lately. Not exactly sure why. But these photo challenges gives me a good reason to check out my library. The highest mountain I ever visited was the Himalayas when I visited Nepal in 1965. At the time Kathmandu had traveler restrictions, and two small hotels. The Royal Nepal Airline had 3 planes, not a modern jet plane. We traveled between the peaks. A pretty scary ride. But alas I don’t have any photographs.
Sacramento is located two hours from the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Heading east Donner Lake is a beautiful, quiet stop.

Outside Bodie located in the eastern Sierras. Do you see what I see?

Bodie California – the Sierras in the distance

Heading east the Sutter Buttes make for a rural landscape.

Northern California’s Coast range provides many photo opportunities just as long as there is a place to pull over. Otherwise commuter traffic makes this prohibitive.

Stopping on this winding road between Livermore and San Jose.
Anne will always remember this drive!

Coastal Range taken near Big Basin Redwoods State Park

My first trip with my dslr Nikon D70 was to Seattle, Washington.

On a clear day I see Mt Rainier from my Seattle hotel room

So this ends my tour of my Western United States mountains that call to me. Any image catch your attention?

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #221 Flower Favorites – and Why?

This week Ann-Christine (Leya – To see a world in a grain of sand) hopes I will bring some colorful joy to us all. She would like a story to go with them. I have plenty of flowers in my photo library. I have a garden, but between lack of time, heat, and a puppy I don’t have many flowers. I love to visit and appreciate the efforts put in by others.

This is my unexpected flowering succulent. An ice plant relative.

Following the annual cycle of blooms, I visited Daffodil Hill in the spring. Over the years it’s popularity grew and overwhelmed this rural setting, and the privately owned ranch closed.

Daffodil Hill provided the backdrop for this photo with some visiting guide dogs in training.

Years ago I went with a friend on a cloudy, misty weekday. Few visitors that day.

So many varieties have been planted over the years. I miss this place.

Spring and tulips go together.
The Hermitage Gardens in Grass Valley never disappoints!

With friends we go out searching, and come across many beautiful flowers as a bonus!

Mustard flowers bloom among the grape vines in Napa Valley

Sunflowers, zinnias, lotus, irises thistle and cactus flowers found on many outings around Northern California

Finding pollinators among the flowers is always a fun photograph.

Going to the California coast I love the different flowers I find.

Botanical Garden and local nurseries display flowers of the area.

As you can see I love love being out finding flowers. My macro lens often brings a breeze, so not many macro shots. My gear now is Fuji xt4. I used my Nikon D7100 for my earlier shots. Now even my iPhone 13 pro gets some use.
i hope these flowers brought some beauty into your day, Any particular flower or image caught your attention?

Oh I forgot to say what flower is my favorite! I don’t have one. I am just not a real fan of cut flowers. I don’t like when they fade.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #220 One Subject Three Ways

For this week’s challenge, Patti (P.A. Moed-Exploration in Words and Pictures) asks us to explore what professional photographers call “working a shot.” What does that mean? Photographers pick a subject (a place, an object, a person, for instance) and take a variety of photos–by zooming in on the details or stepping back for a wider view. They also vary the angle of the shot–looking up or down or even sideways. They might walk around the subject to get a unique view.

Why? This method can help us discover the best way to capture the subject. And I agree that taking time and changing perspectives improves my photography.

An abandoned dock at the Berkeley Marina is the subject. First I create a frame for the dock. Then I move closer. I get closer still, creating a leading line with the dock. The seagull adds a bit of interest.

Color provides the subject matter for my images taken at a casino restaurant in Las Vegas. This ceiling really caught my attention, and I spent some time photographing it from many perspectives. I don’t know which one I favored.

I found this topiary display at Bellagio Las Vegas. With a fall-inspired nonmoving subject, I could take photographs from many angles. Which one is your favorite?

While visiting my parents in Sun City West, Arizona I wandered around with my Nikon d7100 camera. Plenty of downtimes when it is hot, and my retired parents are resting.

Images of rusty things, gears, and machinery are often subjects of mine. Using different f-stops and focusing on different parts make for interesting photos. My last photograph fits my idea of pareidolia.

Found this beetle on a cactus in Sedona, Arizona. When I stepped back the cactus reminded me of Mickey Mouse ears. Walking away, the landscape called for another look resulting in a wonderful landscape of the desert.

This last image of a California poppy compliments my banner image. Often I like the backlit look when I take photographs of flowers and foliage.

The one thing most of these images have in common when it comes to looking at life from different perspectives is that most objects did not move. My fast-moving Moxie would be another story. Stop, slow down, and look at life from different angles! You may be surprised!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #219 Treasure Hunt

As Tina announced last week, this week’s challenge is a Treasure Hunt. In the past, I have created a list of treasures to be found on my photographic journey. Now I will go through my images to uncover these treasures.

Pet