Snowbird 25/26 Random shots

A few random shots from our back yard and an outing to catch the sunset at Usery Park.  

 

Snowbird 25/27 In Search of the Horses

A few of us from Gold Canyon Photo Club went in search of the elusive wild horses.  While we struck out along the Salt River (did get a nice landscape shot) we did find Moonfire's band along Bush Highway.  Moonfire was born last spring and has really grown. 

Moonfire

   

Snowbird 25/26 Snaps from our patio

Last few days it's been in the 30's so a little hot for doing anything requiring any exertion. Sitting out back reading, snoozing and enjoying the local birdlife is fine with me. If this heat doesn't break I will need to get more beer.

One of my pictures took 2nd place in the Nature category of the Photo Expo competition. Of the pictures I entered this wasn't my favourite but obviously I was wrong.

Gila Woodpecker resting in the shade of our cactus

Heard the leaves of our palm tree rustling and looked up.  
This Harris Hawk had landed and was checking me out. 

Purple Finch

Another beautiful Arizona sunset.  

2nd place in the Nature category of our Photo Expo competition.  
I do love the multi layers in the mountains. 

Iceland May 30/25 Day 5 Cont'd

Lots more stops on Day 5.  

Seljalandsfoss 

We got our water gear on and got to walk behind the waterfall.  

Gljufrabui  

Only a short walk away was another waterfall only accessible by walking through a narrow chasm and a shallow stream.  Lots of people and very dark so took a quick shot and left.  Lori stayed high and dry.

Skogafoss 

Again lots of people so a few quick shots and off to the next site.  

Reynisdrangar 

Famous for its sea stacks, basalt rock columns and black sand beach.  Most of the beaches are black sand.  Results of volcanic activity over the millennia.  Got to watch out for the rogue waves.  A few tourists have been caught off guard and dragged into the ocean by the undertow.  

Again lots of tourists.  Have to get to these places early before the tour buses.  We found that there was less tourist activity once we moved north and got off the south shore.  

Vik i Myrdal Church 

I didn't get a great shot of the church but the lupins and view back to the ocean was pretty good.  The sky was pretty dismal so while I didn't replace the sky I did take  some liberties in editing. 

Mossy Lava Fields

Lava fields covered in thick moss with a great backdrop of mountains and the glacier which covers much of the islands interior.    

Fjadrargljufur

If you are struggling with the pronunciations you are not alone.  

Foss A Sidu

The one thing I did figure out early on was any name with Foss in it is a waterfall.  Any Kirkja is a church.  

It is really hard to capture the grandeur of the landscape.  

That's it for day 5

Iceland May 30/25 Day 5 Dyrholaey

We stopped at Dyrholaey later on Day 5 which has black sand beaches and rugged shore lines.  Great for long exposures to calm the sea and black and white to create some mystery. 

Snowbird 25/26 Tempe Blooms Festival

We took a drive to Tempe to take in the Tempe Blooms Festival.  Its street festival with a collection of vendors selling their wares primarily focused on anything floral.  There are also many flower displays along the street.  It's a great opportunity to practice street photography and get random shots of people and things.   

A number of young ladies on stilts with
bright costumes decorated with flowers

Large and tough looking but teddy bear at heart.

Tattoo caught my attention

It's been a long day.  Time for a nap.

Creativity on display

Tempe skyline