Horsetail Falls Fireglow, Yosemite National Park

I have been away from blogging since 2013. Wow! Busy with life, but I like to capture images as life passes me by. A monumental moment was this past Feb 2016. I was lucky enough to watch the phenomenal event of Horsetail falls glowing from the sun setting & creating a fire glow on the East side of El Capitan.

Here was my view while I waited sitting in my chair for just the right moment for the water fall fire glow, around 5:15pm. I got there by 3pm & the crowds were already gathered taking up prime spots. I walked around looking for my best vantage point. I found it right on the edge of the river. A group of 3 were leaving, I swooped in & took their site w many thanks!!!

I have never seen so many crazy people in one small place in Yosemite National Park. Everyone looking for that special spot! Hoping for clear skies. Behind me were rows of people observing, capturing w all their gear on display, (camera, tripod, bags, chairs) kids running around, picnics of groups of people of all ages, races & fun was had by all, me included! The craziest part were the cars, parking-legal & illegal. Where were the Park Rangers? Anyway, it was quite the experience!  Too top it off, seeing such a site along the Merced River was amazing!

Perseid Meteor Shower 2013 in Yosemite National Park

The past week has been the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. I had the chance to watch it from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park! It was beautiful, magical & I loved every minute of it even with the freezing temperatures! It dipped down to 40 degrees. Yes, I had lots of layers & even a sleeping bag with a reclining chair to watch the sights! 

You can see the top of Half Dome in the bottom right. The Milky Way is running thru the middle of the images. These images were taken from Washburn Point. I hope you enjoy them!

Where will you be watching the Perseid Meteor Shower?

Beautiful Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, Ca. USA. 

Shot from Glacier Point. Full moon rising in the East. Just after sunset.

I am sure you have heard the a major meteor shower is on it's way in a few days! If not let me tell you that the peak nites are Aug11 & 12. Get out there after 11pm, look to the NE in a dark place away from city lights. I am hoping to be thrilled watching the spectacular skies!

Bakersfield, Ca. PG&E Power Plant Implosion

I got up really early this morning to go out to shoot the Implosion of the PG&E Power Plant in Bakersfield, Ca. There were many angles that I could have shot this from. I chose a view from the West, shooting east into the sunrise. I knew that the sun would be rising right after the implosion. The sky had potential for great light with clouds! Also the mountains to the East would make a great dimension to the scene.

I arrive early to stake my area! Do you see the moon in the sky?

I couldn't believe that the truck pulled into my frame. But now I kind of like it cuz it gives dimension & size to the scene.

I didn't have my cable release in my hand. The explosion was huge & loud. I grabbed my shutter release & this is the 1st shot I got. Goofing around on my iPhone caused me to miss it.....

.02 of a sec between this image & the above one. 

Just smoke now....

Didn't quite level it. 

New skyline looking at a beautiful sunrise in the East!

The sad thing about this story is that there were some shrapnel that flew & injured some people that were observing the implosion! I pray for their speedy recovery & healing! 

Meteor Showers 2013

I just love to get out on a warm late summer nite & look to the skies! It is that time of year, that the Meteor Showers start to brighten the night skies. I was able to go out last nite and capture the below images. 

Star Trails with Meteor. Facing North

 The 1st one is a circular star trail image with a meteor shooting thru the scene. It is approximately 100 images processed in StarStaX to get the results you see here. 

Meteor 7-29-2013

The 2nd one is one image from the above circular star trail image. 

I shot all of the images in Manual Mode 30sec shutter speed, Aperture wide open at 5.6, ISO 800.
With my Nikon D300, Lens 12-24mm, shot at 13mm.

I saw lots of meteors last nite & they were amazing! But not as amazing as it was this morning when I downloaded my images & this popped up on my computer screen! I love it when this happens!

If you are a night sky watcher or shooter, now is the time to plan that trip to view the spectacular showers coming up. Like tonites, Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower & in a few weeks the Perseids Meteor Shower!

Cambria Summer Family Vacation 2013

I just returned from a few days at the beach. We rented a house in Cambria above the forest, with views of the ocean when it was clear enough to see! I relaxed most of the week around the house. Cooking for the family, shooting whatever was looking good from one of the 4 balconies in the house. Can't say that I ventured out much at all. Some days I didn't even get dressed! What a treat! So relaxing!!!

Here are a few things that I captured while there:

These Zebra's were on the side of the road, they belong to the Hearst Land.

Now this guy would dive bomb me on the upper balcony off my bedroom. It would fly around, swoop down on my then circle again. Eventually it would enter the hole & lots of baby birds would be crying for food! This is when it came out, it did swoop down on me when it exited the hole!

Full Moon in Kern County!

I went out last nite to shoot the almost full moon rising just after the sun went down.

sunset to the west!

moon rise to the east!

 

 I am shooting south east. You are looking at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. To the left of the image under the moon & haze, is Pastoria Power Plant. The busy traffic lights to the right of the scene is Hwy 5 on Fri nite, the beginning of a 3 day weekend for lots of us! 

Its Memorial Day on Monday in the USA! Honor those who fought & died for our freedom! 

Thank You very much!!