Relaxing in the sun...

You know a Deer is feeling pretty safe and relaxed when they'll lie down. I found this doe relaxing in the sun a few mornings ago. She didn't even get up when I stopped to take a few pictures!

A Change in Perspective

 Flames on the Water

Flames on the Water

 

While in Hawaii I was on the look out for things I wouldn't generally photograph. Here are two examples. (Above) While waiting for our whale tour to leave early in the morning we were treated to a very colorful sun rise at the harbor. I took a few photos of the sunrise but what caught my eye was the color and texture on the water it was creating. (Below) While on the whale tour the sun was creating what I like to call "Ocean Diamonds." The water was fairly calm while on the tour and created the gentle ripples and the sun sparkled across the surface.  

 Ocean Diamonds

Ocean Diamonds

 

Sunny's Winston Churchill impersonation...

"We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. 

We shall never surrender!"

Winston Churchill

And this is Buster laughing his tail off at Sunny for being such a goof!

Stumped...

When I spotted this old stump hanging off a rock cliff I knew there was a picture that needed to be taken but couldn't figure out how to get the camera how to see what I was seeing until I tried the camera's B&W setting. "Voila" as they say, that did the trick!

I was doing so good...

...and then Aaron had to bring up Hawai'i!

Just a couple of bird photos

Just floating around looking for that next meal.

Hawaiian Day Dreams

 

Wished it was as easy to get there as it was to day dream about. Just a couple shots from the trip.

Dunno flowers and Elder Berry blossoms

I found the red flowers on a small tree or large bush but have no idea what kind it was. I'll be watching to see what kind of fruits or nuts develop later in the season. 

The white flowers are on an Elderberry bush, soon there will be little green berries which later turn a deep crimson red color.

The line starts here

I think they are looking for a warm beach some where!

Lysichiton americanus & Equisetum arvense (Skunk Cabbage & Horsetail weed)

A couple of interesting spore bearing plants native to the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.

Food for the Soul, Part 5

The End

I couldn't think of a better way to end this series than a couple of sunset photos of Mount Scott.

Everybody rides off into the sunset, right?

I guess the only thing better than a sunset is a big ole steak and a cold beer to go with it.

Q said he would cook the steaks if I brought them and I thought that was a great deal so we had a little surf and turf while camping.

I could get used to traveling with a personal chef! LOL

Gone fishing...

It seems to me that Grey Herons have it pretty good. Can you imagine just hanging out on a beach all day fishing? What a life!

Food for the Soul, Part 4

Getting Low

About half of the lakes on the refuge were several feet low however, there were a couple that were completely full. They were the smaller lakes tucked back in the mountains a little more. Oklahoma definitely could use several inches of rain.

You can see the regular water level near the top of the concrete pillars which is about four feet lower than it should be.

Technically these are all flowers but in the big city they would be considered weeds. The wildflowers were few and far between this trip. This year the weather was cooler than normal I think and that kept most of the flowers from blooming just yet.

Food for the Soul, Part 3

The Birds

Since a good portion of the Wichita Mountains is a wildlife refuge there is an abundance of wildlife, even with the government involved.

This trip had the ospreys out but they weren't as active as last year and there were plenty of other birds to keep me busy.

It ain't over till it's over!

We awoke to a surprise dusting of the white stuff on the nearby hills several mornings ago... Just so long as it stays up there and doesn't get any funny ideas about coming any lower!

Food for the Soul Part 2

Mount Scott is the second tallest mountain in the Wichita Mountain range and the only one that has a road to the top. The mountain sees 1.5 million visitors a year.

Stars, moving clouds and a mirror lake gave the mountain the glow it deserves. Sitting by a campfire and seeing this view made for a nice relaxing evening. The cold beer and steaks didn't hurt either!

And it wouldn't be a mountain shot if you didn't have a photo from the top.

Q met up with me on Friday and we camped at the lake that sits at the base of Mount Scott that night.  We were hoping for some osprey photos Saturday morning but it was cold, raining and windy. After a warm breakfast at a nearby diner we decided the only smart thing to do was drive to the top of the mountain where all of the elements working against us were amplified and take photos. 

Okay, so maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to do but we did get a few good shots.

Macro Moss

Food for the Soul, Part 1

I had a chance to get away for a few days this past weekend so I ran like the wind to the Wichita Mountains.

Ever since I was a "wee lad", which was a really long time ago, I have been drawn to the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. There's something about them that gives me the feeling that I belong there and that the mountains are a part of me.

This is no doubt something from a past life but I've never been able to get over it and to be truthful, I have never really tried. There is something reviving to my soul to be able to hike out into these mountains and be alone and feel like I am home, surrounded by the energies that make me me.

I know Parker has this same feeling and in honor of him I am going to post a small series of photos from the Wichita Mountains over the next few days.

You might remember this spot from some night photos Aaron and I posted last year. This is in Medicine Park , Oklahoma, the gateway to the Wichitas.

Colorful Lichens

More from the storm

It was a busy night for lightning!

The dark line you see under the lightning is the heavier storm clouds that were sending the lightning up into the sky.