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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Monsoon's Last Hurrah


What has been a lackluster monsoon season with extensive dry spells and little rain from heaven's clouds, the monsoon returned to Southern Arizona today with not a whimper but a bang.

I captured a blazing sun fleeing the monsoon's pending wrath when I snapped this image from my front yard.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

A Rebirth of Sorts




Self Portrait - August 4th, 2009. I took these hoping to use some of these on my cards or with signatures.


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Tucson's Heavy Pounding

More from today's downpour.

From my OTHER blog:
This is the thunderstorm complex that marched into Tucson today and knocked out power to thousands. It downed trees, drowned cars (especially that knucklehead who tried to drive under the Stone Avenue bridge), and made rush hour traffic intolerable. I snapped this from my car as it came over the Santa Rita mountains east of Green Valley, a town that also got clobbered today. I managed to stay high and dry today but was able to capture about 50 cool shots of this event.

Click on the image and see the saguaros and cholla cacti all around. You know you're in southern Az when!

If only I had a bit wider of an angle...










Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Ever Seen A Dog Smile?



Even a little Chihuahua mutt knows when life is good. When she's afforded the opportunity to bask in the warmth of a fresh spring day amidst the desert poppies.

Sometimes I wish I were a dog. She had to be thinking at the time, "It just don't get any better than this."

Woof.

Friday, May 1, 2009

I Miss My Sassy


My now departed Sassy was always there for me. She was always there WITH me. She never judged me. When I was sad and lonely, Sassy lay with me at my side, leaving only to eat and visit the litter box.

Her playful jumps always entertained me as she entertained herself soaring nearly 3 feet into the air trying to catch that elusive feather toy.

I miss my Sassy. I think she LOVED me.


(You can see an elongated bead of snot as a result of a respiratory infection that ultimately shortened her life. I'll never forget having to put her down and watch those baby blue eyes as they closed for the final time.)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Mystery


Self portrait, taken last December, tweaked into black and white with a slight glow added.

I may use it as my next profile photo. I liked the somewhat mysterious gaze.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

My Tired Eye


No mascara, no eyeliner, just my tired eye. Shot with a Canon-Ef 50 mm macro lens.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Even the Rocks Cry Out


A recent day trip to the dazzling red-colored rock town of Sedona yielded a few snapshots that are keepers.

Yes, even the rocks will cry out.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Times of Refreshing



From 98 degrees to 81 -- all within a 45 minute period and following a severe summer thunderstorm in the Arizona desert. You've got to be here and stand in the refreshing air to really understand the temporary state of bliss.

We all need a time of refreshing in our lives, just as the desert longs for the coolness of the rains.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Monsoon Floods




Arizona summers are usually hot, but they are most certainly not dry. The months of July, August, and September are the southern part of the state's wettest months, with warm moist tropical moisture being funneled from both gulfs of Mexico and California to the southeast and southwest.

As a result, this moisture surge is known as the summer monsoon, where on a typical day, mornings start out with clear cool skies only to give way to ominous storm clouds in the afternoon. Many storms are capable of producing several inches of rain in one hour, and due to the immense geographical altitude variation between the 10,000 foot mountain tops to the arid desert valley floors, dangerous flooding happens nearly everywhere.

Near where I live, this road is almost always closed during the storms. Even "Stupid Motorist Laws" have been enacted penalizing people for attempting to cross the washes and need to be rescued by emergency crews.

While it's a beautiful scene to watch empty creeks turn into raging rivers for a brief period, it's still best to remember when you drive up to one to "Turn around, Don't drown."

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Beep Beep!

The first day I used my 70-300 mm telephoto IS Canon lens, I spotted a road runner in my backyard with a lizard snack in its mouth. It paused for a few moments as if giving me an opportunity to spot-meter, focus, and release the shutter.

These two images are from that collection.

Beep beep!

Friday, March 13, 2009

One From the Playground


I snapped this photo while attending a concert by the band Jayden's Playground. My niece, lead vocalist and on keys, can truly draw a crowd into the music and leave them with an incredibly lasting impression of the band's quality and her ethereal voice.

You can check out the band at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=367029330

or search for Jayden's Playground on the MySpace home page!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

San Xavier Mission : Prayer of Faith


Anyone visiting Tucson should not miss the opportunity to visit one of the most decorated missions in the U.S.

Nicknamed the "White Dove of the Desert" because of its bright white external facade, the San Xavier del Bac south of Tucson, Arizona is well known for the incredible detail of sculptures on its walls.

It's nothing less than a photographer's dream with all the brilliant colors scattered throughout. Just don't forget to bring your tripod, the sanctuary is generally lit with diffused sunlight and candles only. Oh, and if you have an ultra wide or fisheye lens, bring that too. You're gonna need it to capture more of the details in such a small space.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Monday, February 23, 2009

Hope for the Flowers





Even in the desert, even in the driest and most challenging times, brilliant colored flowers spring forth, telling the dirt and rock which try to suffocate, that there is hope for the flowers.

Friday, February 20, 2009

I Miss My Mitzy






We lost her when the refrigerator repair man came into the house and she was frightened and ran out the door. How I miss my Mitzy!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009