Posts in Category: Nature
Monument Valley
Still going through the photos from last year’s trips. Monument Valley just before sunset. Everybody needs to visit here, takes your breath away.
Bowing to the Sun
A pelican appears to be showing its respect to the Sun near Hudson Beach, Florida on New Year’s Day.
House Finch
The only finch size bird with a red throat and breast. The Purple Finch is much redder. The House Finch was originally a bird of the southwestern US and Mexico. Released in New York in 1940, the House Finch is crowding out the native Purple Finch and has migrated west of the Mississippi River.
Cold morning
Twisted limbs with snow glistening in the cold morning Sun. This is below Hayden Falls as the water empties into the Scioto River in Columbus, OH.
Frozen
Hayden Falls in Columbus, OH frozen from the unusual sub-zero degree Fahrenheit weather recently. The Falls are one of the area’s best kept secrets…well sort of. Recently there has been an effort to make the Falls more accessible, observation platforms and steps have been built that now allow people to traverse the steep hill to the Falls. Judging from the numerous footprints in the snow the area is now well used. Hopefully, humans will respect the beauty of this natural urban spectacle.
Sunset at Santa Monica Pier
From my 2006 train trip through the Western USA. Taken from the Santa Monica Pier, early evening. Enjoy!
Winter at Darby
Fallen snow, with tracks from a rabbit alongside Big Darby Creek in Franklin County, Ohio.
Hairy Woodpecker
The most widespread resident woodpecker in North America, the Hairy Woodpecker is one of the most familiar too. Forages by gleaning, probing, prying, scaling, tapping, and excavating. Has a size of 7-10 inches and a wingspan of 13-16 inches.
The photo is in the correct orientation, this woodpecker was walking upside down along the branch.
Birds in flight
Flock of seagulls (no not THAT one) at Hudson Beach in Florida. A windy, rainy day and using the 500mm Tamron lens resulted in this unique and interesting shot.
Great Smoky Mountains
Took a detour on the way back from Florida and visited the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the prominent feature of the mountains. It was established as a national park in the 1930s, and with over 9 million visits per year, it is the most-visited national park in the United States. The name of the area comes from the natural haze that often hangs over it. Hydrocarbons produced by trees and other local vegetation, as well as higher humidity produce a bluish cast to the sky. The culture of the area is that of Appalachia, and previously the Cherokee people. Country music legend Dolly Parton is from the Smokies, born and raised in Sevierville. Dollywood amusement park is nearby.