Photography

Mellow fellow, Calypso Blue: LAPC

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I dug through my archives to find pictures of this mellow fellow we once had as a pet. Calypso Blue was a miniature horse and he measured 32 inches at his withers. He was one of the mellowest horses I ever met. His companion, Scooby, pictured here, was a lot more feisty.

Mellow fellow miniature horse 9January2019

I’m posting these because I noticed that one of the Icelandic horses in Leya’s post on the Precious Pets photo challenge looked a lot like Calypso Blue.

Mellow fellow is a photograph of a miniature horse

I think I took these photos on the day we bought him. It took a LONG time to brush out that mane and tail.

Photograph of a miniature horse

It’s hard to tell in these photos, but underneath all that mane he had piercing blue eyes. We sold him when we moved. This mellow fellow went to a home with a little girl who showered him with affection.

Bird Not For Sale: BOTD

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Bird not for sale, robin nest in grape plant, Bend, Oregon 21July2019

I was visiting one of my favorite plant nurseries recently and saw a little sign on one of their grape plants. It says the plant is not currently for sale because it is occupied by a robin and her hatchlings. In other words, this bird is not for sale. You can see her with her beak pointed up in the air at the top of the picture. She is one proud and protective mother!

Granny Shot It Challenge – BOTD

Clouds in my sky: LAPC

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I can be jubilant one moment and pensive the next, and a cloud could go by and make that happen.

Bob Dylan

Here are few clouds in my sky from the last year’s worth of Lens-Artists Photo Challenges. These pictures were taken in Eastern and Central Oregon, my favorite country. Enjoy their many moods.

Steens Mountain 1May2017
A flock of clouds over Steens Mountain
Winter Walks Art Station 9March2019
Light winter clouds over the Art Station
Unusual Clouds in my sky in Bend, Oregon 18October2017
A brilliant sunrise of clouds in my sky from home
The Road To...Fort Rock, Oregon 10June2017
Puffy white clouds over Fort Rock
Blue Basin Bridge, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 26October2018
Storm clouds moving in over the Blue Basin trail
Many moods of clouds in my sky over my muse - Juniper Sunset 29August2016
A fiery sunset of the clouds in my sky over my juniper muse

Special thanks to Patti, Amy, Tina, and Ann-Christine for hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge for one year! Many of us eagerly await the weekly challenge and look forward to seeing all the entries.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – A country that’s special to you

Pining for Ponderosa Pine: LAPC

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Ponderosa pine is a tree for the senses. These trees can grow as tall as 268 feet. Their bark turns an interesting shade of orange-red as they mature.

The branches twist and contort into interesting shapes as the tree ages.

Ponderosa pine tree 31May2019

The furrowed bark has been described as smelling like vanilla, butterscotch, or cinnamon. The bark looks like jigsaw puzzle pieces.

I love taking pictures of bark! See Silent Barks for a few more of my photos.

Ponderosa Pine bark

Ponderosas grow in mountainous areas but can also be found along meandering waterways.

Pine trees 31June2017

Ponderosa pines host a wide variety of wildlife species, including great horned owls.

Great horned owl in a ponderosa pine tree 8May2015

Though young trees are destroyed by fire, older Ponderosa pine trees have thick bark, which can protect them in low intensity fires.

Burned forest near the Sisters, Oregon 2September2015

Trees in burned areas produce cones with more seeds. More seedlings grow in burned areas and in edges between burned and unburned areas.

Ponderosa-Pinecone-15June2019

This lesson will have to end here because my dog is eating my “model.” She likes pinecones better than any toy I can buy her at the store. 😀

Dog eating cone 15June2019

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Trees

Ancient Words: Monochrome Monday

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Ancient-Words at Newspaper Rock, Utah -4May2017
Ancient-Words at Newspaper Rock, Utah -4May2017

These petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument near Monticello, Utah look otherworldly in infrared. To see the whole amazing rock in color, see Newspaper Rock – Ancient Messages in Stone.

Wild Oregon-Steens to the Sea: LAPC

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There are many wild Oregon places and this post highlights just a few of them. The ever changing skies can make familiar landscapes look completely different. Here are some portraits of Oregon’s wild places.

Oregon is an inspiration. Whether you come to it, or are born to it, you become entranced by our state’s beauty, the opportunity she affords, and the independent spirit of her citizens.

Tom McCall, former governor of Oregon
Steens Mountain 1May2017
Steens Mountain
Wild Oregon - the Painted Hills 26October2018
Painted Hills
Hart Mountain October 1984
Hart Mountain
Smith Rock, Oregon 10February2016
Smith Rock
The Sisters from McKenzie Pass, wild Oregon 1August2016
The Sisters from McKenzie Pass
Crater Lake, wild Oregon 12October2014
Crater Lake
Mt Hood 14October2017
Mt Hood
Metolius River, Oregon 4June2016
Metolius River
Haystack Rock, Pacific City, Oregon 21June2018
Haystack Rock

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Wild

Yellowstone Elements: LAPC

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The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week is the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Here are pictures that feature several of the elements that I took at Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Elements -Morning Glory Hot Spring, Upper Geyser Basin 30May2018
Morning Glory Hot Spring, Upper Geyser Basin
Yellowstone NP - Firehole River, Midway Geyser Basin 5June2015
Firehole River, Midway Geyser Basin
Yellowstone Elements - Near Blood Geyser, Artists' Paintpots 2June2018
Near Blood Geyser, Artists’ Paintpots
Yellowstone NP - Emerald Pool, Black Sand Basin 2June2018
Emerald Pool, Black Sand Basin
Bison at Churning Caldron, Mud Volcano 5June2015
Bison at Churning Caldron, Mud Volcano

The five pictures above of Yellowstone elements each include wood, water, fire, and earth. In this case, the fire is below the surface. This area sits inside a giant caldera and geysers and hot springs are common in the park. Steam rises over these thermal features.

You may be wondering where the element of “metal” is in these photos. In the photo below, I was using our metal car as a blind to take pictures of the bison and accidentally took a picture of myself holding my metal camera. 😀

Hope you enjoy my interpretation of this challenge!

Siobhan in the Lamar Valley 31May2018
Siobhan in the Lamar Valley

Lens- Artists Photo Challenge – Five Elements

Delicate Beauties: Friday Flowers & LAPC

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I don’t see the desert as barren at all; I see it as full and ripe. It doesn’t need to be flattered with rain. It certainly needs rain, but it does with what it has, and creates amazing beauty.

Joy Harjo

Here are a few delicate beauties growing in the High Desert near Bend, Oregon. Enjoy their rainbow colors and gentle grace.

Delicate-Beauties-Blue flax 24May2019
Blue flax
Prickly poppy-24June2018
Prickly poppy
Delicate-Beauty Dwarf monkeyflower-24May2019
Dwarf monkeyflower
Delicate-Beauty Chive-24May2019
Chive
Delicate-Beauty-Yellow bells 13April2019
Yellow bells

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Delicate

Showing less can reveal more: LAPC

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When focusing on only parts of a scene, showing less can reveal more.

Fox at Yellowstone 7June2018

This fox didn’t pause to smile for the camera, but this image of her running across a sun-dappled meadow captured her spirit.

Peaceful pond 25July2018

This image doesn’t include any wildlife or colorful flowers but it conveys peace.

Less can reveal more Bunchgrass in the snow 5February2019

Snowfall accentuates and enhances the simple and beautiful form of bunchgrass growing in my yard.

larno Pailsades Arch 15June2018

There is an arch at the top of this formation at Clarno Palisades but I was amazed by the stair steps near its base.

Less can reveal more Lunar eclipse 30January2018

Part of the moon hid in the shadows during an eclipse but showing less can reveal more of its interesting details.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge – Less is more

Words into Art-Temperance Creek: LAPC

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Words into Art

Imnaha River - Jackie Smith 6April2019 Words into art
Imnaha River – Jackie Smith

My friend asked me to go hear author Pamela Royes talk about her book Temperance Creek: A Memoir at a quilt shop. At a quilt shop? I thought. I didn’t know that QuiltWorks had a “Books to Quilts” program.

Pamela spoke about her book and showed slides of where she lives in the rugged country near Hells Canyon in northeastern Oregon. A chance encounter with Skip Royes led her into living the life of a wandering shepherder. She and Skip spent four years on a life-changing journey in the wilderness. Pamela transforms from a carefree hippie into a responsible woman who learns to appreciate the wildness of her new home. She also learns of the culture of the Nez Perce, who first occupied this land.

Her lyrical prose helps paint pictures in your mind of her adventures and the surrounding country. Quilters made the “words into art” and they displayed their work in this shop. Pamela became emotional as she described her appreciation for the quilts depicting her words. These creative works meant more to her than any trophy.

Sheep and a special dog

These quilts show different interpretations of sheep. Some are realistic while others are whimsical. Their dog, Puss, helped keep the sheep in line.

  • Come Follow Me - Carol Luther 6April2019
    Come Follow Me – Carol Luther
  • Here's Looking at Ewe- Vicki Roadman 6April2019
    Here’s Looking at Ewe- Vicki Roadman
  • Watching Sheep - Diane Ottenfeld 6April2019
    Watching Sheep – Diane Ottenfeld
  • Endless Sheep - Jill Monley 6April2019
    Endless Sheep – Jill Monley
  • Buttercup - Eileen Heber 6April2019
    Buttercup – Eileen Heber
  • Tom and Peggy - Heidi Thaut 6April2019
    Tom and Peggy – Heidi Thaut
Puss - Vicki Roadman Words into art
Puss – Vicki Roadman

Horsing around

Here are quilts showing horses and mules, an important part of their family.

Horses - Linda Mullholand 6April2019
Horses! – Linda Mullholand
Nez Perce War Pony - Vicki Words into art
Nez Perce War Pony – Vicki Roadm
Mule Dears - Jinks Snow 6April2019
Mule Dears – Jinks Snow

Flora and Fauna

These quilts show some of the plants and animals that live in northeastern Oregon. Pamela and Skip had many exciting encounters with wildlife in the back country.

  • No Country for Fools - Kristin Shields 6April2019
    No Country for Fools – Kristin Shields
  • Into the Wild First Bloom - Elayne Logan Currie 6April2019
    Into the Wild… First Bloom – Elayne Logan Currie
  • Eastern Oregon - Ruth Kinane 6April2019
    Eastern Oregon – Ruth Kinane
  • Flora and Fauna of Hells Canyon - Patti Stewart 6April2019
    Flora and Fauna of Hells Canyon – Patti Stewart
  • Pick-Up Sticks - Kim McCray 6April2019
    Pick-Up Sticks – Kim McCray
  • The Best Time - Kay Gutierrez 6April2019
    The Best Time – Kay Gutierrez

Camping out and remembering

They spent months out in the wilderness living in a tent. They remembered the contributions of Native Americans who called this place home.

  • Outside the Tent - Joan Fox 6April2019
    Outside the Tent – Joan Fox
  • The View Outside the Tent Flaps - Maggie Jaeger 6April2019
    The View Outside the Tent Flaps – Maggie Jaeger
  • Memories - Karen Miller 6April2019
    Memories – Karen Miller
Sweat Lodge - Suzanne Martin 6April2019 Words into art
Sweat Lodge – Suzanne Martin
Black Elk Speaks - Joan Upshaw 6April2019
Black Elk Speaks – Joan Upshaw

Little Details

These quilts focus on some of the small details of their life. Sometimes Pamela had one foot in one world and the other in another.

  • Temperance Creek High Heels - Charlotte Sara Oakes 6 6April2019
    Temperance Creek High Heels – Charlotte Sara Oakes
  • How long will we be gone Well, until we get back - Cathy Smith 6April2019
    “How long will we be gone?” “Well, until we get back” – Cathy Smith
  • Commitment The Significance of Small Things - Jean Wilkinson 6April2019
    Commitment The Significance of Small Things “Christmas on Pony Bar” – Jean Wilkinson
  • Steppin' Out - Cindy O'Neal 6April2019
    Steppin’ Out – Cindy O’Neal
The Murmur of Small Things - Martha Phair Sanders 6April2019 Words into art
The Murmur of Small Things – Martha Phair Sanders

The Land

Many of the quilts focus on the beauty of the land. Some of these are abstract, others are realistic. They vary in appearance and texture, just like the land they represent.

  • Making the Way - Shirlee J. Johnson 6April2019
    Making the Way – Shirlee J. Johnson
  • Imnaha River Valley Gyrification - Suzette Decourcey Shoulders 6April2019
    Imnaha River Valley Gyrification – Suzette Decourcey Shoulders
  • Impressions - Judi Martin 6April2019
    Impressions – Judi Martin
Home, The High Mountains - Bev Henneous 6April2019 Words into art
Home, The High Mountains – Bev Henneous
  • Temperance Creek Trail - Gayle Gassner 6April2019
    Temperance Creek Trail – Gayle Gassner
  • Follow Your Heart - Janet MacConnell 6April2019
    Follow Your Heart – Janet MacConnell
  • Fragments - Marion Miller 6April2019
    Fragments – Marion Miller
Canyons - Jean Wilkinson 6April2019
Canyons – Jean Wilkinson
Gleam of Snake River - Linda S. Ripsch 6April2019 Words into art
Gleam of Snake River – Linda S. Ripsch

And as the sun sinks into the West

This quilt captures the color and majesty of the country around North Temperance Creek. I hope you liked these beautiful words into art quilts as much as I did.

Sunset on NorthTemperance Creek - Kathy Chism 6April2019 Words into art
Sunset on North Temperance Creek – Kathy Chism

Lens Artists Photography Challenge – Creativity

Indoors at Fort Rock: LAPC

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I’ve featured several outdoor photos taken in and around Fort Rock, but now you’ll get glimpses indoors at the Fort Rock Valley Homestead Museum. Many of these historical buildings were moved here from nearby. The homes and businesses are furnished as they would have been in the early 1900s. This is a place where history truly comes alive.

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

Marcus Garvey
Indoors at Fort Rock 2 20May2015
General Store 20May2015
Fort Rock House 20May2015
Bedroom 20May2015
Fort Rock Kitchen 20May2015
Blacksmith 20May2015
Dining Room 20May2015
School 20May2015
Fort Rock Church 20May2015

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – History

Winter Walks in Bend: LAPC

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Winter is a special time of the year here in Bend. Winter walks around the neighborhood are highlighted with landscapes covered in snow and ice.

He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.

John Burroughs
Winter Walks Art Station 9March2019

Buildings are blanketed with snow and edged with icicles.

Old Mill, Bend, Oregon 9March2019

Twisting trails are carved through snowdrifts.

Meandering rivers are covered with a cool layer of ice.

  • Winter Whirlybirds 3March2019
  • Winter Walks Juniper 9January2019
  • Winter Rose hips 13December2017

Bare branches are clothed in frost and snow.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Around the Neighborhood

Finding a new world in close-ups: LAPC

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When I last visited Yellowstone, I was searching for a new world to inspire me in my fiction writing. Here are some that I found…

New world Artists' Paintpots 2June2018

A new world of waves and wonder

New world at Black Pool 2June2018

A world of contrasting colors

Artists' Paintpots 2 2June2018

A world of muted rainbows

Three Sisters Spring 2June2018

A warm and fuzzy new world

Mud Volcano 30May2018

A cold, colorless, and cracked new world

Grand Prismatic 3June2018

A world where meandering water turns to gold

new world at Anemone Geyser 30May2018

A new world where everyone lives in spherical houses along the shore

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Close-up

Love nature and share the love: LAPC

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Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Here are a few pictures of wild things resting, feeding, and breeding. They are always reminding me to love nature and share that love with others.

Love Nature Gray wolf, MT 2June2018
Gray wolf

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.

George Carlin
Trumpeter swan & mallard, OR 19May2018
Trumpeter swan & mallard

Being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan’s egg.

Hans Christian Andersen
Pronghorn, WY 1June2018
Pronghorn

…When alarmed, their rapid career seems more like the flight of birds than the movement of an earthly being.

George Ord
Love nature, Ospreys on nest, OR 26April2019
Ospreys on nest

It’s not only fine feathers that make a fine bird.

Aesop
Pine siskins, OR 7April2018
Pine siskins

Each bird loves to hear himself sing.

Arapaho

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Nature

Elk of the Shadows: LAPC

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Elk in shadow, Wyoming 2June2018

Solitary grazer

Hiding in filtered light

Antlers flocked in

Downy velvet

Oblivious to his

Wonder

  • Elk in shadowy forest, Wyoming 2June2018
  • Shadowy elk, Wyoming 2June2018
  • Close up of elk in velvet, Wyoming 2June2018

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Shadows

Landscape of Grand Prismatic: LAPC

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The water in some of the springs presents to the eye the colors of all the precious gems known to commerce. In one spring the hue is like that of an emerald, in another like that of the turquoise, another has the ultra-marine hue of the sapphire, another has the color of topaz; and the suggestions has been made that the names of these jewels may very properly be given to many of these springs.

Nathaniel Pitt Langford in Diary of the Washburn Expedition to the Yellowstone and Firehole Rivers in the Year 1870.

Grand Prismatic Spring is the crown jewel of hot springs at Yellowstone National Park. The landscape of Grand Prismatic has all the colors of the rainbow. The cracks and tracks add some interesting texture as well. This 370-foot wide spring is the largest in the United States and third largest in the world.

Landscape Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 3June2018
Close-up Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 3June2018
Landscape Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 3June2018
Tracks at Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 3June2018
Landscape Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 5June2015
Close-up Grand Prismatic Yellowstone National Park 3June2018

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Landscape

Unusual Clouds Above Bend : LAPC

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The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.

Ram Charan
Unusual Clouds in Bend, Oregon 18October2017
Clouds in Bend, Oregon 25January2016
Clouds in Bend, Oregon 30September2016
Clouds in Bend, Oregon 6October2017
Unusual Clouds in Bend, Oregon 9November2018

We have many beautiful sunrises and sunsets here in Bend, Oregon. Sometimes the unique colors and forms of the clouds are totally unexpected and they’ll take your breath away. Here are a few of those moments my camera allowed me to capture.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Unexpected

The Road To… Oregon: LAPC

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The curving road

Here are some curving roads to various scenic destinations in Oregon. When you’re driving down the road you never know what sights you’ll see just around the bend.

What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it’s curved like a road through mountains.

Tennessee Williams

The Road To...Fort Rock, Oregon 10June2017
The road to… Fort Rock
The Road To... Mt Hood, Oregon 15October2017
The road to… Mt Hood
The Road To...Hart Mountain, Oregon 2November2017
The road to… Hart Mountain
The Road To... Mt Bachelor, Oregon 29September2017
The road to… Mt Bachelor
The Road To...Steens Mountain, Oregon 5April2018
The road to… Steens Mountain

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Curves.

National Park Travels: LAPC

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These photos are of our National Park travels within 1,000 miles of our home. We are lucky to live so close to so much beauty.

I tried to consider what was in the foreground as well as the background in these shots.

National Park Travels - Yellowstone, Wyoming 30May2018
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
National Park Travels - Arches, Utah 2May2017
Arches National Park, Utah
National Park Travels - Canyonlands, Utah 4May2017
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
National Park Travels - Capitol Reef, Utah 5May2017
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
National Park Travels - Bryce Canyon 6May2017
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
National Park Travels - Zion 6May2017
Zion National Park, Utah
National Park Travels - Great Basin 6May2017
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
National Park Travels - Crater Lake 12October2014
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – My Travels

See more of my park photos at Utah National Parks: Trees & Rocks

2018 Favorite Photos: LAPC

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It’s always hard to pick favorite photos at the end of the year. Here are several representing nature, history, and culture. Enjoy and have a great New Year!

Favorite Photos – Nature

  • Many moods of my muse - Juniper Sunset 29August2016
  • Quote on the Cosmos , close-up of cosmos flower 13September2018
  • Branches in a new light , Yellowstone National Park May2018
  • Wisdom Black & White Great Horned Owl 20January2018
  • Blue Basin Bridge, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 26October2018

Favorite Photos – History

  • Shaniko, Oregon 16May2018
  • Steens mountain tour, old cabin eastern Oregon 6April2018
  • Beautiful Beadwork at the High Desert Museum 9December2015
  • Saddle shop, Bend, Oregon 9November2018

Favorite Photos – Culture

  • Tin Pan Alley Art in Bend, Oregon 22December2018
  • By Her Hand Exhibit of Edward S. Curtis Photos, baskets, and beadwork, High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon 
  • Avian Flight Sculpture at High Desert Museum, Bend, OR 23October2018
  • Bridge of Art in Bend, Oregon 14July2017
  • Big bold mural Bend, Oregon 19October2018
  • Seasons Deer Sculpture in the snow 5December2018

Maybe my most favorite photo from 2018…

Green worlds beneath me. Aquatic plants at Yellowstone National Park, WY 2June2018

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Photographic review of 2018

Blue Pool Reflections: LAPC

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The Artwork of Nature

I visited Blue Pool on a cool September day. Mother Nature was busy there producing colorful works of art. The colors in the pool are unbelievably beautiful and intense. On this day, the warm colors of fall leaves were reflected on the water.

As I mentioned in Blue Pool is a Jewel, the reflections look like Impressionist paintings. I could have stayed there for a long time taking pictures. Can you see why?

Blue Pool Reflections 14September2016
Blue Pool Reflections 14September2016