tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54351957236579047312024-03-04T22:56:54.793-07:00Ross Walker photographyPhotography discussion and photos by Ross Walker. There are photos from various shoots, and I plan to discuss photography tips and activities from our Sharp Shooters Camera Club. More of my photos are available at www.hisandhersphoto.comRoss Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-19001390789904214752021-07-13T21:50:00.002-06:002021-07-13T21:50:59.103-06:00Spring In Yellowstone<p> Linda and I hadn’t gone on an overnight trip just for fun since the COVID-19 pandemic started, so we decided on a trip to Yellowstone to celebrate her 80th birthday last May. We were lucky to have beautiful weather, especially since it snowed the day after we left, closing the roads out of there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71HmuI8W-DM/YO0K2X1UrJI/AAAAAAAAC0M/N3fWKCbA2U0vRsH88BD1Xedsc5FyFf9YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s3016/052021a_283-4-5_286-7-8a%2Byellowstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="3016" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71HmuI8W-DM/YO0K2X1UrJI/AAAAAAAAC0M/N3fWKCbA2U0vRsH88BD1Xedsc5FyFf9YwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h222/052021a_283-4-5_286-7-8a%2Byellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bison herd, Madison River</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now that pandemic restrictions are easing up, there are
record crowds at Yellowstone and outrageous prices at motels in West Yellowstone, Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being stuck in
traffic much of our first day we decided on a different strategy for day two,
and it worked well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed in West
Yellowstone most of the morning, had a nice restaurant meal for lunch, and took
snacks into the park for the evening meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The crowds left in late afternoon and we were finally able to find
parking spaces at the geyser basins.<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXtyBr3nV8E/YO0LRyc1tII/AAAAAAAAC0U/uarL5Vkfq103EeyXVO8OC0x0pWfeyElZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021a%2BR_167_8_9_yellowstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXtyBr3nV8E/YO0LRyc1tII/AAAAAAAAC0U/uarL5Vkfq103EeyXVO8OC0x0pWfeyElZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/052021a%2BR_167_8_9_yellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Midway Geyser Basin</b></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5cSZM3_4GE/YO0LkUFDEiI/AAAAAAAAC0c/z8bgGOe5ib0Ttoar7LVrznL6nNJoJ5bAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021a%2BR_198_9_a%2Byellowstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5cSZM3_4GE/YO0LkUFDEiI/AAAAAAAAC0c/z8bgGOe5ib0Ttoar7LVrznL6nNJoJ5bAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/052021a%2BR_198_9_a%2Byellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4Ys-mieFk/YO0Mdl6hzKI/AAAAAAAAC0k/zchv4F-8SGgfkvU8tulnxc_CNB9EXRLHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021a%2BR_217b%2Byellowstone.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1587" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9T4Ys-mieFk/YO0Mdl6hzKI/AAAAAAAAC0k/zchv4F-8SGgfkvU8tulnxc_CNB9EXRLHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w253-h326/052021a%2BR_217b%2Byellowstone.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span></span>Grand Prismatic Spring</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>One disadvantage of visiting the park in spring is limited
access to many areas because of exposure to bears. For example, the entire Firehole area was
closed because of high levels of bear activity.
As a result, I was unable to visit two sites on my bucket list and we
saw just one bear from about a half mile away.
On the other hand, there were plenty of cooperative bison, like this one:<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hs7kusPC5w/YO0NfmPVyBI/AAAAAAAAC0s/Z5pl1pJ0KGAolrRopg9BGQ_bhhpd28axgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021a%2BR_155_6_7_yellowstone.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hs7kusPC5w/YO0NfmPVyBI/AAAAAAAAC0s/Z5pl1pJ0KGAolrRopg9BGQ_bhhpd28axgCLcBGAsYHQ/w379-h252/052021a%2BR_155_6_7_yellowstone.jpg" width="379" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span> </span>Midway Geyser Basin Run-off, Firehole River</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">We visited most of the open attractions on the west side of the park except Old Faithful. It was crowded and of course we had been there before. I thoroughly enjoyed some of the lightly used places like Terrace Springs, Sheepeater Cliffs, and Biscuit Basin. It was also fun to photograph some of the unusual details that may be less obvious than the geysers and blue pools, like dead trees and oddly colored run-off from the hot springs.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id4_N6lC5t0/YO0Prw_K9TI/AAAAAAAAC00/HEfnqR8owlgpmXJlIY8BituQB63-UVIPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021%2BR_225_6_yellowstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-id4_N6lC5t0/YO0Prw_K9TI/AAAAAAAAC00/HEfnqR8owlgpmXJlIY8BituQB63-UVIPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/052021%2BR_225_6_yellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>Porcelain Basin acidic run-off, colored green by Cyanidium bacteria</b><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkkZYkR1uaY/YO0QQqq4P7I/AAAAAAAAC1E/DkdTmZu49cgWI6LOWFZmhGOSW5vRc2cuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021a%2BR_126b%2Byellowstone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkkZYkR1uaY/YO0QQqq4P7I/AAAAAAAAC1E/DkdTmZu49cgWI6LOWFZmhGOSW5vRc2cuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/052021a%2BR_126b%2Byellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trees killed by hot springs at Biscuit Basin</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">I hope you enjoyed these photos, but remember, they are
copyrighted and can not be used for any purpose without my permission and
usually a small fee.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cVMyUAjtMQ/YO5dlzuD0zI/AAAAAAAAC1M/F8bAN1tn2FczOCIsZFzxZ575qGFxE4lPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052021%2BR_32a%2Byellowstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cVMyUAjtMQ/YO5dlzuD0zI/AAAAAAAAC1M/F8bAN1tn2FczOCIsZFzxZ575qGFxE4lPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/052021%2BR_32a%2Byellowstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Upper Terrace Spring</b></div></b><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-40782871861687108182021-04-18T20:55:00.000-06:002021-04-18T20:55:43.293-06:00Branding Calves in the Bear Lake Valley<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCKJnz2vJdo/YHzqyyWZWHI/AAAAAAAACw8/LfD6MtWEY5YS5UH8cRTzieQpyjUMV5WdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_113a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1759" data-original-width="2048" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCKJnz2vJdo/YHzqyyWZWHI/AAAAAAAACw8/LfD6MtWEY5YS5UH8cRTzieQpyjUMV5WdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h344/041021%2BR_113a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> It is hard to believe that I only posted to this blog twice
in 2020, but we were stuck at home most of the year because of the COVID-19
pandemic. Now we have received our vaccinations
and feel better about getting out of the house a bit more. But I am sure I will post much less often
than in the past.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are several big cattle ranches in the Bear Lake
Valley, Idaho. Calves are born in winter and
when spring comes, they need to be branded, ear-tagged, immunized, and more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yejafHaJ1fg/YHzra9i3X1I/AAAAAAAACxE/IrElTKWBSlI9aTUwIVZZKoW_duxQNsdvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_29a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yejafHaJ1fg/YHzra9i3X1I/AAAAAAAACxE/IrElTKWBSlI9aTUwIVZZKoW_duxQNsdvgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h406/041021%2BR_29a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The action starts when the header cowboy ropes a calf’s head. The men and women really enjoy their work and
their skill with ropes and horses is amazing.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zZhjpJfS3U/YHzr3sLam1I/AAAAAAAACxM/NemPdxMfupAE_DdNERERMpp6z1XJ1iNdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_52a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zZhjpJfS3U/YHzr3sLam1I/AAAAAAAACxM/NemPdxMfupAE_DdNERERMpp6z1XJ1iNdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/041021%2BR_52a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">The unlucky calf is roped around the back legs by a second
cowboy, the heeler.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjhegkDiEHE/YHzsREWm3qI/AAAAAAAACxU/hKLAMIlyhPEYylEmcN3tA-tjtZAwdq3UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_31a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2048" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjhegkDiEHE/YHzsREWm3qI/AAAAAAAACxU/hKLAMIlyhPEYylEmcN3tA-tjtZAwdq3UwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h418/041021%2BR_31a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">After the calf has been headed and heeled, the horses
stretch the ropes tight, immobilizing the calf.
A flanker repositions the rope from the head to the front feet and positions
the calf properly for the next step.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFqPdc9EGrk/YHzspmVlfwI/AAAAAAAACxc/U1ZdD0HbIjIFUlTPIavIAilBkijo4Y5YACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_26a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFqPdc9EGrk/YHzspmVlfwI/AAAAAAAACxc/U1ZdD0HbIjIFUlTPIavIAilBkijo4Y5YACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/041021%2BR_26a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">In this photo, father and daughter, Chad and Daysha, brand
and immunize the calf. Once the process
is started it is done very quickly and the calf is released and usually trots
away wondering what the heck just happened.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xE_WTODw8Es/YHzs-K7CjZI/AAAAAAAACxk/U1xoJkVA6XESdJZth1cQaoNTkeh634GVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/041021%2BR_67a%2Bbrand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1430" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xE_WTODw8Es/YHzs-K7CjZI/AAAAAAAACxk/U1xoJkVA6XESdJZth1cQaoNTkeh634GVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w279-h400/041021%2BR_67a%2Bbrand.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I thought this photo of cowgirl Daysha with her long blonde braid and a knife on her belt was an interesting way to show one of the tools essential to the job.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Branding day is a big event on a cattle ranch. Branding proves ownership of lost or stolen animals. Idaho has strict laws regarding brands, including brand registration and inspection. A brand is considered proof of ownership.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please note that these photos are copyrighted and must not be used for any purpose without permission, and usually a small payment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-78580387517280850322020-10-26T22:01:00.000-06:002020-10-26T22:01:09.491-06:00Slide Scan Project<p> <br />It has been a long time since I posted to this blog, mostly
because I haven’t gone on any trips or adventures in ages. This has been a tough year because of the
COVID-19 global pandemic. Linda and I
are both in the high-risk category, so we try hard to minimize contact with
other people.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NS5dz8gYaRs/X5Y3SYW7uUI/AAAAAAAACsE/YM247Z5N32I0qOh-poB9CfBGjipa9aMLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/141%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1649" data-original-width="2048" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NS5dz8gYaRs/X5Y3SYW7uUI/AAAAAAAACsE/YM247Z5N32I0qOh-poB9CfBGjipa9aMLgCLcBGAsYHQ/w486-h393/141%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="486" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">However, it has been a great chance to complete a huge photography project scanning thousands of slides dating back to 1965. I started with 42 shoeboxes of slides that filled most of a closet, and as of today I have 3 boxes to go. The sorting process has been time consuming and the vast majority have been discarded without being scanned. Even the ones I decide to scan are discarded after the digital images have been created and backed up. As of today, over 13,000 slides have been scanned, so I am sure I started with over 100,000.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is one of those photos from 1965 taken on a cross-country trip from Connecticut in a 1962 VW van. It shows our van in the Wawona tunnel tree in Yosemite National Park, California.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHvBq1FP6So/X5Y60RmEwpI/AAAAAAAACsQ/g0AmhBogQn0MJgozrJ8L7B6QyUg_WVseACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AAN36a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1299" height="373" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHvBq1FP6So/X5Y60RmEwpI/AAAAAAAACsQ/g0AmhBogQn0MJgozrJ8L7B6QyUg_WVseACLcBGAsYHQ/w234-h373/AAN36a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="234" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">This has been a rewarding project that has brought back hundreds of memories of events and people I had totally forgotten about. I have become reacquainted with places I visited decades ago, and it has taken me through the ups and downs of life. I have seen old friends when they were younger and watched my son grow up. I have photos of wonderful times spent with my wife, Linda, and have seen the changes we made when we moved from California to Idaho.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This photo was taken in 1975 of my son Brian's first fish, caught at Collins Lake in California. I was delighted to find the slide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">I have been able to send digital photos to Brian covering
his years from birth to adult. I found nostalgic photos of my two brothers
and Linda’s sister who have all passed away. <o:p></o:p> I sent dozens of photos to my camping buddies showing them on our annual trips.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_EJKHFHVZo/X5ZCtLNDMjI/AAAAAAAACsc/hE8cBGVae-0BFH2LX_FKru5ZhWQ2XApygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AKX35a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_EJKHFHVZo/X5ZCtLNDMjI/AAAAAAAACsc/hE8cBGVae-0BFH2LX_FKru5ZhWQ2XApygCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/AKX35a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">For example, in 1984 Bruce Gregory, Stephen Johnson, and I got stuck in the Devil's Playground in the Mojave Desert on one of our early camping trips. We have now been on 50 camping trips and this slide is a priceless photo from an early trip.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I have also seen my photography improve from blurry, poorly
composed photos of the cross-country trip in 1965 to photos that are, uh… less
blurry and poorly composed. The scans
are not done yet, but I am up to 2005 when I started shooting both digital and
film photos. It took a while to complete the conversion to digital cameras, and after this project I can use my old slides as digital photos
in email, flickr, my web site, etc.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISHf0myWPyE/X5eQNzkYm2I/AAAAAAAACs4/tNcUb8vmGTw2xwlj4IGaSdWEvwuOXLIOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BJN40a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISHf0myWPyE/X5eQNzkYm2I/AAAAAAAACs4/tNcUb8vmGTw2xwlj4IGaSdWEvwuOXLIOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/BJN40a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A shipyard in Treffiagat, Brittany, France taken on a trip with Linda in 1998, scanned from a slide.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPU0WQLEkd0/X5eQ-GDLleI/AAAAAAAACtA/d7OsYusA3WAfd8aRQyblQkL6C-Xctl7UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BQR19a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPU0WQLEkd0/X5eQ-GDLleI/AAAAAAAACtA/d7OsYusA3WAfd8aRQyblQkL6C-Xctl7UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/BQR19a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Cunningham cabin in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, scanned from a slide taken in 2003.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">I am very impressed with my scanner, an Epson Perfection
V800 which scans 12 slides at a time and does a great job eliminating dust
spots. I use Vuescan software which has
more control than the Epson software. I
think Vuescan is more user friendly than comparable Silverfast software. Another helpful purchase was an electronic
duster which has saved me from buying countless cans of canned air. The scanner has worked perfectly through
this long project.<o:p></o:p></p></div></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QvqjthhO5o/X5eT7twg6oI/AAAAAAAACtU/hz5dZE_x-4YMExCWmIddQSHyir5GmlvfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/051720%2BR_8a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QvqjthhO5o/X5eT7twg6oI/AAAAAAAACtU/hz5dZE_x-4YMExCWmIddQSHyir5GmlvfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/051720%2BR_8a%2Bslide%2Bscan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal">If you have a closet full of slides that you haven’t looked
at in years, I recommend scanning them.
Not only will you gain a lot of closet space, your kids won’t have to
throw them out someday, and you will be rewarded with a lot of wonderful
memories. What should I do when I
complete this project? Maybe I will scan
my old black and white negatives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please note that my photos are all copyrighted and cannot be used for any purpose without my permission, and sometimes a small fee.</p></div></div></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div>Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0502 Boise St, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.3286845 -111.3012469-6.7327325675476146 178.3862531 90 -40.988746899999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-89594732647142313092020-01-04T21:18:00.001-07:002020-01-04T21:18:23.620-07:00Winter Fog<br />
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This has been a cold foggy winter with some hoarfrost and
beautiful soft light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showcased hoarfrost
in my January 28, 2014 post, so this time I will show a few photos of the fog
that creates the frost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9yoeRMIaEg/XhFdjUyXnlI/AAAAAAAACm8/m61vSA3QR9EI9JYB7sURnM4Zk_5q99c_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/122119%2BR_13b%2Bfog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9yoeRMIaEg/XhFdjUyXnlI/AAAAAAAACm8/m61vSA3QR9EI9JYB7sURnM4Zk_5q99c_QCEwYBhgL/s640/122119%2BR_13b%2Bfog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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December 21, 2019 started out as a very foggy morning here
in Montpelier, Idaho. It was just 10 degrees
(F), so I had to psych myself up to grab my camera, bundle up, and go outside
before the sun appeared over the eastern hills.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kuYMLVUbg0/XhFeAss2g9I/AAAAAAAACnE/bOkGDn3qslUfCl5RuGTM6e1xLkdq3X-9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/122119%2BR_37_8_9_b%2Bfog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kuYMLVUbg0/XhFeAss2g9I/AAAAAAAACnE/bOkGDn3qslUfCl5RuGTM6e1xLkdq3X-9gCEwYBhgL/s640/122119%2BR_37_8_9_b%2Bfog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I didn’t have to go far.
The cemetery and adjacent golf course are nearby where the fog was rolling in. The sun barely
appeared through the fog over the snowed-in golf course.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSZXuzUB7Bw/XhFei0bzQGI/AAAAAAAACnQ/Htb-qPifslkRIUZ0VhhvmpIQcNQ1cFr3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/122119%2BR_82a%2Bfog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSZXuzUB7Bw/XhFei0bzQGI/AAAAAAAACnQ/Htb-qPifslkRIUZ0VhhvmpIQcNQ1cFr3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/122119%2BR_82a%2Bfog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Naturally fog and a cemetery work well together to create an
eerie atmosphere. The subdued light and
extreme cold tend to create blue light.
I converted some of these images to black and white to present more
neutral tones.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2_T68FC2Dg/XhFe2k9WrQI/AAAAAAAACnY/nlzpAHDSNxUGdFb-7U0vgnSRKg3_omOXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/122119%2BR_52b%2Bfog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2_T68FC2Dg/XhFe2k9WrQI/AAAAAAAACnY/nlzpAHDSNxUGdFb-7U0vgnSRKg3_omOXwCEwYBhgL/s640/122119%2BR_52b%2Bfog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
There are fields on the north side of the cemetery where this
fence and the irrigation lines in the first photo seemed to stretch into
infinity.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oa5jIfp2u4k/XhFfgPF-6qI/AAAAAAAACnk/OjxbvUt7r9YNFmz-RPn-Towx3Au8bwi-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/122119%2BR_67_9_fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oa5jIfp2u4k/XhFfgPF-6qI/AAAAAAAACnk/OjxbvUt7r9YNFmz-RPn-Towx3Au8bwi-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/122119%2BR_67_9_fog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here are some tips for taking photos in these cold damp conditions. Batteries die in the cold so I keep one in an
inside pocket or in my fairly warm truck.
Don’t keep your vehicle too warm because cold lenses will fog up when
you get in out of the cold. Try not to
change lenses or your cold camera mirror can fog up. Fingers get painfully cold in a hurry so I
use warm mittens with fold-off finger covers.
I hope this helps your winter photo adventures.<br />
<br />
Please respect my copyright and do not use my photos for any
purpose without permission, and probably a small payment.<br />
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com2Unnamed Road, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.33574478804487 -111.2873618020385642.332810288044868 -111.29240430203856 42.338679288044872 -111.28231930203856tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-24529362365788259612019-12-19T21:23:00.000-07:002019-12-19T21:23:26.363-07:00Living Nativity<br />
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It has been a long time since I posted anything to this
blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some problems kept us from getting
out much, but we hope to do better soon.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqI-wvEebnU/XfxGeoIuCQI/AAAAAAAACmE/8PvNmJBhyWkjQuvbNrMfThbzKeUkIfuNACEwYBhgL/s1600/121419%2BR_1a%2Bnativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1442" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqI-wvEebnU/XfxGeoIuCQI/AAAAAAAACmE/8PvNmJBhyWkjQuvbNrMfThbzKeUkIfuNACEwYBhgL/s400/121419%2BR_1a%2Bnativity.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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This is the story of a living nativity staged every year
just before Christmas in Montpelier, Idaho.
Over the years it has been presented in various locations around town,
and I think this year at Wells Stock Park near the National Oregon California
Trail Center is the best one yet.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Joseph led a donkey with Mary riding through the snow. A manger was set up under a tree and the wise men visited Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus while shepherds looked on. There were even two camels.</div>
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It was a cold day just a few hours after a big snowstorm, and a local caterer, David Ream, supplied homemade donuts and hot chocolate. David has been instrumental in putting this event together over the years. Despite the cold, a good crowd listened to him tell the story of the baby Jesus’ birth in the manger. There was live music and kids scrambled to have their pictures taken with the animals.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WliLBXcdFmg/XfxHDbd_nwI/AAAAAAAACmM/5JGEGmV-BkI3aFW5jTD63RFbyiMdKszGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/121419%2BR_16a%2Bnativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WliLBXcdFmg/XfxHDbd_nwI/AAAAAAAACmM/5JGEGmV-BkI3aFW5jTD63RFbyiMdKszGACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/121419%2BR_16a%2Bnativity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It isn’t every day we see camels in the snow in
Montpelier. They were very friendly, but
“Dude” snacked on the pine trees around the Oregon Trail center.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-oew8_98Yc/XfxI7A_fjYI/AAAAAAAACmk/RP9CZUZUdh85IO_n_ucl01SU5IbxijKGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/121419%2BR_31a%2Bnativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-oew8_98Yc/XfxI7A_fjYI/AAAAAAAACmk/RP9CZUZUdh85IO_n_ucl01SU5IbxijKGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/121419%2BR_31a%2Bnativity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The community is grateful to Jeral and Jenine
Williams for bringing the animals from Pine Tree Dairy in Idaho Falls every
winter. This year, the roads were terrible,
but they still made it.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1bRSPxIYbY/XfxH1EiXShI/AAAAAAAACmY/dNJiS3ROGY8i35lyYH5nq_0h-uLumU2dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/121419%2BR_34a%2Bnativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1bRSPxIYbY/XfxH1EiXShI/AAAAAAAACmY/dNJiS3ROGY8i35lyYH5nq_0h-uLumU2dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/121419%2BR_34a%2Bnativity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This sort of event helps us remember what Christmas is
really about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can forget the
commercialism and stress for a little while and reflect on the birth of Christ.</div>
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I hope you enjoy the photos and story, but please remember
that my photos are copyrighted and must not be used without permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Wells Stock Park, 322 N 4th St, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.323260352625816 -111.2967602624266942.321792852625819 -111.29928176242669 42.324727852625813 -111.29423876242669tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-53674274997999699012019-07-20T20:40:00.001-06:002019-07-20T20:40:13.914-06:00That NW Bus<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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I was on my 50<sup>th</sup> camping trip in 38 years with
Stephen Johnson and Bruce Gregory driving to Palouse Falls, Washington when I spotted a
colorful bus near the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPuKxiir_34/XTPLm6JOXFI/AAAAAAAACkc/tSqEAl2KsbUGC6028aEzjmY_tRJfWAxGgCLcBGAs/s1600/062719_R_85_6_7_a_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPuKxiir_34/XTPLm6JOXFI/AAAAAAAACkc/tSqEAl2KsbUGC6028aEzjmY_tRJfWAxGgCLcBGAs/s640/062719_R_85_6_7_a_bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For decades the old bus sat next to highway 261 in
Washtucna, Washington where it was spray painted by graffiti artists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time it became a popular spot for
painters and photographers as the bus’s appearance continually changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNVMgP7rrdo/XTPL8nKPAgI/AAAAAAAACkk/clqNgN6gU8YAcDGp6drQk69VUm91F9DqACLcBGAs/s1600/062719_R_98_9_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNVMgP7rrdo/XTPL8nKPAgI/AAAAAAAACkk/clqNgN6gU8YAcDGp6drQk69VUm91F9DqACLcBGAs/s640/062719_R_98_9_bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eventually the bus was destined for the scrapyard when a
letter was written by Lee Ann Blankenship, President of WHMCC (Washtucna
Historical Museum and Community Center) to the Washington State Department of
Natural Resources to explain the significance of the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually an agreement was made to move the
bus to land donated by Blankenship Farms near the intersection of Highways 26
and 261.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNKGe_QvE9SOr0JcXVBNlMtgUsDfRZLQ3WVsKBwN__HiBxtvqGuPkUcHa1o2RZwHj43DGmUY6Fk2qQeYMSZS584rgWEev2bRVoZknaeBVcNw1JyAlkfcx6hsGX_gp9zht4z7EJDlXEAQ/s1600/062719_R_134a_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNKGe_QvE9SOr0JcXVBNlMtgUsDfRZLQ3WVsKBwN__HiBxtvqGuPkUcHa1o2RZwHj43DGmUY6Fk2qQeYMSZS584rgWEev2bRVoZknaeBVcNw1JyAlkfcx6hsGX_gp9zht4z7EJDlXEAQ/s640/062719_R_134a_bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bus, well known as #ThatNWBus, has now been donated to
WHMCC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Artists and photographers enjoy
adding their personal touch to the iconic bus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5xrYIKJQzs/XTPM8NNo-8I/AAAAAAAACk4/THs91VWM354UTWVNidR8NS4hNFX5NeYBgCLcBGAs/s1600/062719_R_94a_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5xrYIKJQzs/XTPM8NNo-8I/AAAAAAAACk4/THs91VWM354UTWVNidR8NS4hNFX5NeYBgCLcBGAs/s320/062719_R_94a_bus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The vibrant colors include everything from love notes to
abstracts and political messages. I
loved photographing it but had some reservations that I was merely copying
someone else’s “art”. So, it was a
challenge to use the colors and designs creatively.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you enjoy the photos, but please remember they are
copyrighted and must not be used without my permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vsDtQpXJvUPoJBoulVjorISuhN6bzPWMouElDVDpyzcKmrDfWxoA4b1oP1BqeFEGzUglCKrNI0r_n9daZcDfMMSmtpdSTx8WULWl66Jkrjw4Ph8Y3AJQbnlkKtg6OjmctTc_bxf34U/s1600/062719_R_112a_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vsDtQpXJvUPoJBoulVjorISuhN6bzPWMouElDVDpyzcKmrDfWxoA4b1oP1BqeFEGzUglCKrNI0r_n9daZcDfMMSmtpdSTx8WULWl66Jkrjw4Ph8Y3AJQbnlkKtg6OjmctTc_bxf34U/s320/062719_R_112a_bus.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWvLd54X6uc/XTPMyQfOhRI/AAAAAAAACk0/1_WqxZDDwI0DWWzp7E0PtLtGndoHWtk-wCLcBGAs/s1600/062719_R_105a_bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWvLd54X6uc/XTPMyQfOhRI/AAAAAAAACk0/1_WqxZDDwI0DWWzp7E0PtLtGndoHWtk-wCLcBGAs/s320/062719_R_105a_bus.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Washtucna, WA 99371, USA46.75869245515922 -118.3071351554522246.753253455159218 -118.31722015545222 46.764131455159223 -118.29705015545221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-24923125897092211372019-05-31T21:31:00.000-06:002019-05-31T21:31:58.371-06:00Painted Desert, Arizona<br />
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My most recent post showed petrified wood at Petrified
Forest National Park in Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other big attraction at the park is often called the “painted desert”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zeBLHXkFhs/XPHuW-y2ZlI/AAAAAAAACjw/Hkdb97NvAoM1C1_iUJCT_LL7_0v_wC8RgCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_178a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zeBLHXkFhs/XPHuW-y2ZlI/AAAAAAAACjw/Hkdb97NvAoM1C1_iUJCT_LL7_0v_wC8RgCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_178a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The painted desert stretches across much of northern Arizona,
so this national park covers just a small portion, but it is easily accessible
here. The brown debris near the center
of this photo is probably fragments of petrified logs.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnbWhVzwyXU/XPHuuMB7gJI/AAAAAAAACj4/SEFp3h4QlS8yVucls4qCSOTXcybHRnyJQCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_185a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnbWhVzwyXU/XPHuuMB7gJI/AAAAAAAACj4/SEFp3h4QlS8yVucls4qCSOTXcybHRnyJQCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_185a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The layers of color were created over millions of years of
change in the earth’s surface.
Earthquakes, volcanic ash, and flooding deposited layer after layer of
different minerals, and erosion exposed them for us to see.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVT4-rc_ooE/XPHvDfebmNI/AAAAAAAACkA/zdYSZatJ1EA6e1sujzL4Jp0aIYuHLSPxQCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_225a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVT4-rc_ooE/XPHvDfebmNI/AAAAAAAACkA/zdYSZatJ1EA6e1sujzL4Jp0aIYuHLSPxQCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_225a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
These hills are known as “the tepees”.<br />
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I only had a few hours to explore the park, but I noticed
that the best petrified logs are in the south, and the best views of the
painted desert are in the north.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SB7T9nc5PI4/XPHvU8VsICI/AAAAAAAACkI/UXK-4IYIml8hCoUjCs-baf3zmPlfUm_fgCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_302a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SB7T9nc5PI4/XPHvU8VsICI/AAAAAAAACkI/UXK-4IYIml8hCoUjCs-baf3zmPlfUm_fgCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_302a%2Bpainted%2Bdesert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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The variations of color are just amazing, and this photo gives
some idea of the vast uninhabited space around the Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are other attractions in the park including
petroglyphs, pueblo ruins, and a Route 66 monument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is well worth the trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for looking, but remember that these are copyrighted
photos that can not be used without permission, and in most cases a reasonable
fee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com2Petrified Forest Rd, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA35.063005894126874 -109.8064482772460935.037014394126871 -109.84678877724609 35.088997394126878 -109.76610777724609tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-34777041906476429602019-05-17T21:00:00.000-06:002019-05-17T21:03:02.131-06:00Petrified Forest<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I drove to Tucson last month to visit my son Brian and his
wife Laura.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way back I took an
extra day to explore Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook,
Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two main attractions
there, the painted desert and the petrified forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the story of the Petrified Forest.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AC_c8tDco8I/XN9xYWyX-CI/AAAAAAAACi8/SxdRcT2JzbwdlYTN9JmVEDaS29EnpCMKwCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_83a%2Bpetrified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AC_c8tDco8I/XN9xYWyX-CI/AAAAAAAACi8/SxdRcT2JzbwdlYTN9JmVEDaS29EnpCMKwCLcBGAs/s400/043019_R_83a%2Bpetrified.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some people think they are going to see a standing forest
here, but the trees turned to stone after they fell and were washed downstream
and buried during the late Triassic period around 200 million years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As millions of years passed, the buried logs absorbed water
and silica from volcanic ash which crystallized into quartz which often kept
some of the logs’ details.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4KCc65ykcc/XN9yDgiNoTI/AAAAAAAACjI/RNpho3D4N-UXu5hEnHk5RAXfc5MS1uNYgCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_136a%2Bpetrified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4KCc65ykcc/XN9yDgiNoTI/AAAAAAAACjI/RNpho3D4N-UXu5hEnHk5RAXfc5MS1uNYgCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_136a%2Bpetrified.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spectacular colors were added by various minerals. The colors in this photo have not been
altered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AsOHw9Eex4/XN9ygjh5LBI/AAAAAAAACjQ/wgoDMuq0aUAVviYXgbGSAUzML1miwiVyQCLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_150_1_petrified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AsOHw9Eex4/XN9ygjh5LBI/AAAAAAAACjQ/wgoDMuq0aUAVviYXgbGSAUzML1miwiVyQCLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_150_1_petrified.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The crystallized logs were harder than the soil where they
were buried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time, erosion removed
the surrounding dirt and the logs surfaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes the logs helped reduce the erosion under them, leaving them
balanced on a narrow ridge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKaqF4YqLXQ/XN9y63Ya0KI/AAAAAAAACjY/HOqskDrQN3sCRYEbbvjFsOgOyBt_QtvTACLcBGAs/s1600/043019_R_102_3_4_petrified.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKaqF4YqLXQ/XN9y63Ya0KI/AAAAAAAACjY/HOqskDrQN3sCRYEbbvjFsOgOyBt_QtvTACLcBGAs/s640/043019_R_102_3_4_petrified.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Many of the huge logs look like they have been sectioned
with a chainsaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happened when they
were still buried and earth movement caused forces that snapped the crystallized
logs like breaking glass rods.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The petrified logs are mostly in the southern part of the
park, but if you go be sure to see the painted desert in the north as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you enjoy the photos, but remember they are
copyrighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t use them
without permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA34.9099897 -109.806791634.8970632 -109.82696159999999 34.922916199999996 -109.7866216tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-57730553479429575032019-02-19T19:47:00.001-07:002019-02-19T19:47:51.231-07:00Bear Lake Monster Encounter<br />
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I should have written about my encounter with the Bear Lake
monster just after it happened, but I didn’t want trouble from the
skeptics. But since Idaho Magazine
published my article about the event in the February 2019 issue, the secret is
out. I might as well talk about it.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7jM1jG8dRA/XGy4CgTG88I/AAAAAAAACh0/0_wYZTVglNY7zSTAGy1gWhfj4ntzpqN5QCEwYBhgL/s1600/071718%2BR%2B077_8_9_monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7jM1jG8dRA/XGy4CgTG88I/AAAAAAAACh0/0_wYZTVglNY7zSTAGy1gWhfj4ntzpqN5QCEwYBhgL/s640/071718%2BR%2B077_8_9_monster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a dark and stormy night. Well actually, evening just after sunset, and
Linda and I were camped at Bear Lake State Park on the east side of the lake in Idaho during July 2018. A storm was dropping beautiful
sheets of rain on the western mountains across the lake. I set up my camera on a tripod to photograph
the storm and hopefully get a lightning strike.
It got darker and darker, so my exposures got longer and finally I got a
photo of some lightning. The wind got
stronger, indicating the storm was getting closer, so I knew I had to leave to
avoid the lightning. But just as I got
ready to pack up the tripod I saw something leaping and bounding across the
water coming right at me! My first
thought was the famous Bear Lake monster was coming to get me. What else could it be?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsd2YUFs66M/XGy5rl1EpUI/AAAAAAAACh8/xHc8e_GAXFAAQQ1dg4_qKA9jAvVZ1-TAACLcBGAs/s1600/071718_R_099a_monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xsd2YUFs66M/XGy5rl1EpUI/AAAAAAAACh8/xHc8e_GAXFAAQQ1dg4_qKA9jAvVZ1-TAACLcBGAs/s640/071718_R_099a_monster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I started taking photos as it got closer and closer, but it
was dark and my photos of the charging monster were all blurry because of the
long exposures. The monster hit the
beach nearly at my feet. It was a giant
black inflatable turtle that must have blown all the way across the lake from
the west shore eight miles away. Heart
pounding, I packed up my gear and returned to our trailer just as the rain hit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg0dzS9wL-Q/XGy7-Z_Lc0I/AAAAAAAACiI/dcK-KBtrfggfRee6VT4sKXc-7Z1J1wbnwCLcBGAs/s1600/071718_R_106b_monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg0dzS9wL-Q/XGy7-Z_Lc0I/AAAAAAAACiI/dcK-KBtrfggfRee6VT4sKXc-7Z1J1wbnwCLcBGAs/s640/071718_R_106b_monster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the night a second thunderstorm hit, and when I
looked for the turtle the next morning it was gone. The wind must have blown it to Wyoming.</div>
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I’m glad the folks at Idaho Magazine thought enough of this
yarn to publish it, and I got a kick out of telling the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please remember, my photos are copyrighted and must not be
used without permission. I usually
charge a reasonable fee to use them, except for charitable or academic
purposes.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Eastshore Rd, St Charles, ID 83272, USA42.033182934239186 -111.2588787040191442.019411434239188 -111.29183770401914 42.046954434239183 -111.22591970401913tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-55921623103061501382019-02-09T16:43:00.000-07:002019-02-09T16:43:32.976-07:00Sun Dog<br />
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A sun dog is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates patches
of light about 22<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span> to the side of the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually we see them on cold clear mornings here in the Bear Lake Valley,
but this one showed up in the middle of a misty afternoon.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POMcR5Qaabk/XF9hW73vSvI/AAAAAAAAChM/AZy5rTIb4ko-WQcibWSZ66kD-u1IGDrlwCLcBGAs/s1600/020719_R_055_6_7_sun_dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POMcR5Qaabk/XF9hW73vSvI/AAAAAAAAChM/AZy5rTIb4ko-WQcibWSZ66kD-u1IGDrlwCLcBGAs/s640/020719_R_055_6_7_sun_dog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Suns dogs, or parhelia, are created by sunlight refracting
through icy clouds of hexagonal crystals.
I was out looking for photo opportunities with Bruce Grayum when we saw
this one from a back road near Georgetown, Idaho. The cows didn’t seem impressed by the huge
apparition in the sky near their pasture, but they did provide scale to show the
size the sun dog.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA2Z32hyJP0/XF9hmyUHF7I/AAAAAAAAChU/duXaWCPerbU_jrn93dYPzIetElqsTnHpQCLcBGAs/s1600/020719_R_068_69_70_sun_dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA2Z32hyJP0/XF9hmyUHF7I/AAAAAAAAChU/duXaWCPerbU_jrn93dYPzIetElqsTnHpQCLcBGAs/s640/020719_R_068_69_70_sun_dog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It was a cold day, 9° F as we continued to explore. We stopped at the bridge over the Bear River on
the Nounan road and saw the sun dog again, but this time no clear sky was visible
at all. I liked the reflected light in
the river.<br />
Sometimes the arcs of light form a complete halo around the
sun, and some have faint rainbows of color like this one. Photographing them can be tricky because the
camera must be pointed directly at the sun.
A clean lens is needed to prevent flares, and there is danger of getting
a burned retina. If your camera has it,
live view might be a good option.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSqfuocDzB8/XF9h-i_RKsI/AAAAAAAAChc/Y35yHPoea1oSRrXkD9qSX2OLKTRaF9gDACLcBGAs/s1600/020719_R_081_2_3_sun_dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSqfuocDzB8/XF9h-i_RKsI/AAAAAAAAChc/Y35yHPoea1oSRrXkD9qSX2OLKTRaF9gDACLcBGAs/s640/020719_R_081_2_3_sun_dog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Our last stop was along Creamery Lane between Georgetown and
Nounan where the sun dog appeared in icy mist over a winter landscape of drifts
and sagebrush. Shooting into the sun
causes the lens to stop down, darkening the photo, but if the exposure is
lengthened, the sun dog seems to blend with the sky and disappear. I think the darkened exposure presents an
other-worldly appearance anyway.<br />
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Why are they called “sun dogs”? No one knows for sure, but the term has been
around since the 1600’s and the origin seems to be lost in time. Some say it is because the "dogs" follow the sun around.</div>
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I hope you like this post, but please do not use my
copyrighted photos without permission.Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0South Rd, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.45509020676247 -111.3315986717528942.449232706762473 -111.34168367175289 42.460947706762468 -111.32151367175288tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-4102365139799418932018-12-02T16:53:00.001-07:002019-02-10T14:37:45.689-07:00Comet, Montana Ghost Town<br />
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The last ghost town we visited on our summer camping trip, Comet, Montana, was one of my favorites. Comet’s first mining claim was in 1869 by John W. Russell and the town was started in 1876. The area was called the High Ore Mining District.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z9b_GL_nOY/XARlKCl-JkI/AAAAAAAACfg/Tqqx9NhI44kFWm2OaD7wBXITF_477-K0QCEwYBhgL/s1600/072818%2BR%2B001a%2BComet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z9b_GL_nOY/XARlKCl-JkI/AAAAAAAACfg/Tqqx9NhI44kFWm2OaD7wBXITF_477-K0QCEwYBhgL/s640/072818%2BR%2B001a%2BComet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A row of old cabins greets visitors as they enter town. There were about 300 people here until the mines started to play out and Comet was described as a ghost town in 1913.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmCIS6WIWho/XARmQkeOXDI/AAAAAAAACfo/bld-a121xrw14F-3PHcFjn2GUStqUDG1gCLcBGAs/s1600/072818%2BR%2B034_5_6_fused%2BComet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmCIS6WIWho/XARmQkeOXDI/AAAAAAAACfo/bld-a121xrw14F-3PHcFjn2GUStqUDG1gCLcBGAs/s640/072818%2BR%2B034_5_6_fused%2BComet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In 1926 the Basin Montana Tunnel Company built a 200 ton
concentrator which became the second largest mining venture in Montana. Local mines went on to produce over 20
million dollars of silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper. The mill shown here with the bunkhouse was
closed in 1941 and the equipment salvaged.<br />
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There are lots of wonderful old buildings like this boarding
house. Miners stayed here for 75 cents
room and board.<br />
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There wasn’t enough left of this truck to identify it, but
my guess is it was used to haul ore, based on the 16 leaf springs. Comet is privately owned and there is one
occupied house, so private property must be respected. However, buildings can be viewed from the
road.</div>
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There are still a few houses scattered across the hillside. The town once had a school with 20 pupils,
but they were outnumbered by the 22 saloons.<br />
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We had some pretty good clouds that day, and some of them
worked well with the collapsing buildings.<br />
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There is usually an opportunity for interesting detail photos in places like Comet.<br />
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Comet was built on mining, so I will end with a photo of a
mine headframe with a trestle connected to an ore bin. There is still a winch in a small
building with a cable leading to the shaft on top of the hill.<br />
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Remember, these photos are copyrighted and should not be
used for any purpose without permission, and usually a small payment, unless
used for charitable or academic purposes.</div>
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<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Comet, MT 59632, USA46.311676 -112.1687733.8992095 -132.82306699999998 58.7241425 -91.514473tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-91062911206678274092018-10-25T21:16:00.001-06:002018-10-25T21:16:34.482-06:00Granite, Montana Ghost Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBT5I_afsOE/W9KC_58qA1I/AAAAAAAACes/9xs0OMPWYI0XJxUXitaxpQ6HicLk26qmACLcBGAs/s1600/072618%2BR%2B055a%2BGranite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBT5I_afsOE/W9KC_58qA1I/AAAAAAAACes/9xs0OMPWYI0XJxUXitaxpQ6HicLk26qmACLcBGAs/s320/072618%2BR%2B055a%2BGranite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I knew that Bruce Gregory and Stephen Johnson would enjoy
Granite, Montana based on my visit there in 2005 with my wife and our
neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Granite was one of our
destinations on our summer camping trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There was a silver bonanza in the 1880’s on Granite Mountain,
and soon the mountaintop was packed with buildings. The centerpiece was the magnificent Miner’s
Union Hall, now a big brick ruin. The
elegant building once had a dance floor / auditorium, lodge room, office,
library, and more.</div>
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Mae Werning’s house is down the street. She was the watchman and last resident of
Granite and died in 1969 at age 75. Most
houses now are just piles of lumber or overgrown rock foundations.<br />
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Granite Mills A and B together ran 80 stamps until the
1890’s. In the 1950’s the buildings were
intentionally burned for safety reasons, leaving these gigantic foundations.<br />
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Just down the road along the face of the mountain ruined
structures of the Ruby Mine are on the verge of collapse.<br />
Granite has some of the biggest ghost town structures we
have found on our camping trips. It is
amazing to think about what it was like to live and work here more than a
century ago.<br />
I hope you enjoy these photos, but please be aware that they
are copyrighted and can not be used for any purpose without permission and
reasonable compensation.<br />
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<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com2Granite, MT 59858, USA46.3174258 -113.2445048999999820.795391300000002 -154.55309889999998 71.8394603 -71.935910899999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-84360218862408906282018-10-02T20:59:00.000-06:002018-10-02T20:59:58.505-06:00Elkhorn, Montana Ghost Town<br />
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I am still trying to catch up on reviewing photos from our
annual camping trip to Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, here
are photos of Elkhorn, Montana, one of five ghost towns we visited in July.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This silver mining
town was established in 1872 and had a peak population of about 2500. Now the population is 10, but I’ll bet most
of them are part time residents.</div>
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The big attraction for ghost town hunters is Gillian Hall
(left) and the Fraternity Hall (right).
These buildings are now preserved as Montana’s smallest state park.</div>
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The National Register of Historic Places states that the
Fraternity Hall (built in 1893) is perhaps the most photographed ghost town building
in the United States and lists it as number 1 of 12 western structures that
should be saved. This room was used for dances, meetings, and theatrical shows.</div>
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Elkhorn is a mix of abandoned and restored buildings.</div>
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The beautiful cemetery is on a quiet isolated hillside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large number of children were buried there
after a diphtheria epidemic in 1888 - 1889.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mining relics and ruins are scattered around, but most are
in areas posted “no trespassing”. The
mines opened and closed several times and were finally closed for good in 1937
after producing about $14 million of silver.
Except for the two Halls, most of the town is private property but can be photographed from the road.</div>
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Please be aware that these photos are copyrighted. If you would like to use them for any reason,
please contact me. My fees are very
reasonable, and often free for charitable purposes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0812 Elkhorn Rd, Boulder, MT 59632, USA46.275163727936715 -111.9461099075356946.272419727936715 -111.95115240753569 46.277907727936714 -111.94106740753568tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-48770250860363824292018-09-13T20:31:00.000-06:002018-09-13T20:31:19.353-06:00Fantasy Canyon, Utah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MUZc6OIxyk/W5sWR3QyY6I/AAAAAAAACcw/A-PCKrN1qmsW59UwfByfHOOzGv_lYxNVwCLcBGAs/s1600/091018_R_178a%2Bfantasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1600" height="83" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_MUZc6OIxyk/W5sWR3QyY6I/AAAAAAAACcw/A-PCKrN1qmsW59UwfByfHOOzGv_lYxNVwCLcBGAs/s200/091018_R_178a%2Bfantasy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Fantasy Canyon is a strange area of eroded gray sandstone
about 40 miles from Vernal, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
covers about 10 acres and has an easy trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The entire site is covered with fantastically eroded pillars
and gargoyle-like figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early names
were the “Devil’s Playground” and “Hades Pit”.<br />
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The quartzose rocks of Fantasy Canyon were deposited 38 to
50 million years ago during the Eocene Epoch.
This area was once prehistoric Lake Uinta.<o:p></o:p><br />
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These rocks were on the shore of the lake and different
minerals have weathered at different rates, creating the fantastic figures
here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fantasy Canyon is very fragile. As old formations erode away, new ones will be formed.</div>
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You should be aware that Fantasy Canyon is the territory of pygmy rattlesnakes, although I didn't see any.<br />
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Getting there can be tricky.
After driving on good roads for about 35 miles, you turn into a maze of
dirt roads in a desert gas field, but the BLM has posted very helpful
signs. We have been told than even a
small amount of rain makes these roads impassable, so stay out if clouds are
moving in.<br />
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As usual, my photos are copyrighted, so please ask for
permission before you use them for any purpose.
In most cases, a small fee will be charged.</div>
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<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, Vernal, UT 84078, USA40.061679782674766 -109.391998155584740.037375782674765 -109.4323386555847 40.085983782674766 -109.3516576555847tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-71515805824161764872018-09-09T17:31:00.001-06:002018-09-09T17:31:37.140-06:00Moonshine Arch, Utah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9CYsJRB8O4CrtOX4jecJdswOE0Io-0PbvV3u9eK5YekQLDYgQMkO4AKKpR5rkb9cr3pRsitsK_CRR7rj4bNCFybiYmIK6S1z6DOhyphenhyphenarhm9sXlwQKGCxqUv-5C31aoBoE54uIhopYstA/s1600/090718_R_132a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9CYsJRB8O4CrtOX4jecJdswOE0Io-0PbvV3u9eK5YekQLDYgQMkO4AKKpR5rkb9cr3pRsitsK_CRR7rj4bNCFybiYmIK6S1z6DOhyphenhyphenarhm9sXlwQKGCxqUv-5C31aoBoE54uIhopYstA/s200/090718_R_132a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Linda and I are visiting her sister, Pat, in Vernal,
Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is wild country near Dinosaur
National Monument, and we have explored it several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But until now we have never heard of
Moonshine Arch. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IANHzV6WbFI/W5U5F3qUVqI/AAAAAAAACcM/upPnF8fsn1U_zHqgl4FWJQdEMeOX9ZfWQCLcBGAs/s1600/090718_R_16_7_8_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IANHzV6WbFI/W5U5F3qUVqI/AAAAAAAACcM/upPnF8fsn1U_zHqgl4FWJQdEMeOX9ZfWQCLcBGAs/s640/090718_R_16_7_8_fused.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Getting to the arch was half the fun, and at my age I wasn’t
sure I could do it. I drove about a mile
on dirt roads before hiking another mile or so, including about a half mile up
a fairly steep, rough ridge, and back down again. It wouldn’t be a big deal for a younger
person, but I was glad to find I could still do it.</div>
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The arch is remarkable.
It parallels a huge rock alcove.
Obviously, thousands of years of flash floods have roared downhill,
scoured out the alcove in a huge curve, and worn through a wall of rock to form
Moonshine Arch. The arch is about 85
feet long and 40 feet high.</div>
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I made the hike in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat,
and the light was on the back of the arch, visible from the alcove. The outside of the arch was in shadow.<br />
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If you plan to go, take plenty of water, park outside the
fence, and hike the rest of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
ATV or jeep might make it part way, but the ruts and rocks are a real
challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please remember, my photos are copyrighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please contact me if you want to use
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fees are reasonable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com06830 N 250 E, Vernal, UT 84078, USA40.554341956764446 -109.5314555529676640.551325956764444 -109.53649805296766 40.557357956764449 -109.52641305296765tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-75294107485266835492018-07-30T17:59:00.000-06:002018-07-30T17:59:02.346-06:00Mr. Hot Dogs<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcZWdUbVo-0n_wOt1s3ZG6Uws0CHW8M8v2y_UZrZqrOXN9OH-3BaiUxsfV8pnBgBHOKLpgFCKLyTHUxrX-ogcs1sJXj0KX0YrVM05Z-lSBTf_f8ud8p40zW2JKleCbE6S6ssZMxRADVc/s1600/072418+R+072a+hot+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcZWdUbVo-0n_wOt1s3ZG6Uws0CHW8M8v2y_UZrZqrOXN9OH-3BaiUxsfV8pnBgBHOKLpgFCKLyTHUxrX-ogcs1sJXj0KX0YrVM05Z-lSBTf_f8ud8p40zW2JKleCbE6S6ssZMxRADVc/s400/072418+R+072a+hot+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I’ve never posted about a restaurant on my photography blog, but I found one in Butte, Montana that deserves to be here.<br />
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We were on our annual camping trip and stumbled on Mr. Hot
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Every inch of available space inside was devoted to Italian
style decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People Magazine chose
Mr. Hot Dogs the best hot dog in Montana May 23, 2018.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There were lots of fancy hot dogs on the homemade menu sign,
also pizza and other Italian food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
hot dogs are all “100% Montana beef and buffalo”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcBoSXrKGnw/W1-hJMU5BoI/AAAAAAAACbw/_GWMBrfGE0gvzDDSxrYsTOY1ZBQcB7QwQCLcBGAs/s1600/072718%2BR%2B009a%2Bhot%2Bdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wcBoSXrKGnw/W1-hJMU5BoI/AAAAAAAACbw/_GWMBrfGE0gvzDDSxrYsTOY1ZBQcB7QwQCLcBGAs/s640/072718%2BR%2B009a%2Bhot%2Bdog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mr. Hot Dogs appears to be a one man operation. We ate there twice, and both times our order
was taken, cooked, and served by the same friendly gentleman. This is the view through the order window
into the kitchen.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhUWwuHwvFE/W1-hmfw22OI/AAAAAAAACb4/3_omOQr6vKsou57_RTVNR_ZRTSTcxD8nQCLcBGAs/s1600/072718%2BR%2B010a%2Bhot%2Bdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NhUWwuHwvFE/W1-hmfw22OI/AAAAAAAACb4/3_omOQr6vKsou57_RTVNR_ZRTSTcxD8nQCLcBGAs/s640/072718%2BR%2B010a%2Bhot%2Bdog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So how was the food? Here’s the Brat, actually two brats end
to end in a home baked bun. Everything was unique, and very, very good. If you
are ever in Butte, Montana be sure to visit Mr. Hot Dogs at 1806 Cobban Street.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please be aware that these photos are copyrighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are available for a very small fee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com01806 Cobban St, Butte, MT 59701, USA45.993353 -112.5131211000000345.9905955 -112.51816360000004 45.9961105 -112.50807860000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-30579828652997124602018-07-14T20:37:00.001-06:002018-07-14T20:37:36.927-06:00White-faced Ibis<br />
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Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Idaho is
home to about 5000 white-faced ibis in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birds breed in colonies in the bulrushes,
and the refuge has one of the largest nesting colonies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just outside the refuge I came across lots of birds flying
in and landing in the deep grass of a hay field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They eat aquatic insects, earthworms, larvae,
and so on, and often find food in damp soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not sure why they were gathering in this field.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was fun watching them glide in and disappear after they
landed. They just kept coming, and every
once in awhile a few would poke their heads up to see what I was doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have no idea how many were hiding there, but they tend to
congregate in huge colonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lucky
to be able to watch these interesting birds.</div>
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Please remember to ask for permission to use my copyrighted
photos. They are available for a small
fee.</div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Dingle Bottoms Rd, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.237296179908796 -111.3302927798340542.225541179908795 -111.35046277983405 42.2490511799088 -111.31012277983406tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-6963572775212428012018-06-20T20:59:00.000-06:002018-06-20T21:13:22.477-06:00The Shane Cabin<br />
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Linda and I stayed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for two nights
so we could explore Grand Teton National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After seeing most of the popular sights we left the crowds and drove to the
Gros Ventre River Road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we found a
cluster of three log buildings popularly known as the Shane cabin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is an old homestead with a remarkable history in
popular culture. It started In 1916 when
Luther Taylor homesteaded here.<br />
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Extra care was made to make the cabin comfortable. The inside of each log was flattened,
insulated with newspapers, whitewashed and covered with layers of decorative
wallpaper. The marks of the ax or adze
can still be seen, but the paper covering is gone. Through a window we could see one of the
outbuildings.<br />
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In 1948 the property was sold to rancher Andy Chambers and
his son Roy, who rented the cabin out for a couple of years. The cabin had been vacant for a while when it
was used in the 1953 movie "Shane" and has been abandoned since then. The black and white photo shows the other
remaining outbuilding.<br />
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This beautiful view of the Grand Tetons was probably one reason
the cabin was selected for the iconic western movie, thought by many to be one
of the best ever.<br />
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Now the cabin is returning to the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof and floor are gone, and the cabin’s
floor joists balance on a few remaining foundation rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has tried to preserve the site and
there isn’t even a sign to describe its wonderful history as a homestead and then
a movie star.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please be aware that these photos are copyrighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must not be used without my permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Gros Ventre Rd, Kelly, WY 83011, USA43.6449276160796 -110.6048322913172843.6219451160796 -110.64517279131728 43.6679101160796 -110.56449179131728tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-52695270227638042492018-06-04T21:52:00.000-06:002018-06-04T21:52:03.462-06:00Millions of Wildflowers<br />
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There are foothills in the Bear Lake Valley that always have
a lot of spring wildflowers, but this year is exceptional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linda and I were invited to a wedding at a
beautiful house on 300 acres high in the foothills and were amazed at the view
and the mass of wildflowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owners
graciously invited us to return for photos, and we went back twice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of the flowers are arrowleaf balsamroot, a showy, large
flower. Many acres of the hillside are a
mass of yellow because of these flowers.<br />
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This area had several varieties of lupine mixed with the
arrowleaf balsamroot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are two of the many variations of lupine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Patches of blue camas were a surprise because they are
usually found in wetlands. When I went
back a couple of days later many of them were drying out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We continued higher up the hill on our second visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mass of yellow flowers disappeared and were
replaced by scattered Indian paintbrush. It is remarkable how the elevation change made such a difference. It has been a beautiful spring.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please respect my copyright and do not use these photos for
any purpose without permission. Thanks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0801-987 Old Mill Rd, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.337453464413727 -111.4875171436523342.331584964413729 -111.49760214365233 42.343321964413725 -111.47743214365232tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-45951930014397555882018-04-26T21:37:00.000-06:002018-04-26T21:37:54.803-06:00Trumpeter Swans NestingI haven’t been able to get out much lately, so this is my first post in a long time. I went with Bruce Grayum to Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge and saw quite a bit of wildlife, including a few trumpeter swans. They are the world’s largest waterfowl, and were very rare here just a few years ago. Now there are several nesting pairs in the refuge, and they can be seen in several places in the valley.<br />
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There was one pair preparing to nest on an island in the biggest pond along the auto tour route. We could see the female dragging reeds into a pile for the nest.<br />
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Soon she left the nest and swam out to the male, then both took off and flew close to where we were watching. Because of there size, trumpeter swans need a long runway for takeoff.<br />
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The two swam together, often bobbing their heads, which is flirtatious behavior in the swan world.<br />
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They were beautiful to watch swimming together and I hope we will be able to see baby swans soon.<br />
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Thank you for viewing these photos. Please do not use them for any reason without my permission.<br />
<br />Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, Montpelier, ID 83254, USA42.2898472672432 -111.3198810403808942.2781012672432 -111.34005104038089 42.301593267243206 -111.2997110403809tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-90879804080622623802017-11-19T19:39:00.000-07:002017-11-19T19:39:52.047-07:00Catalina Federal Honor Camp<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years I have visited four of the World War II
Japanese Internment camps and learned about the shameful imprisonment of people
just because they were of Japanese descent.
The four camps I have been to are Manzanar, California; Heart Mountain,
Wyoming; Minidoka, Idaho; and Topaz, Utah.
I previously posted photos of Minidoka and Topaz on this blog. Here is the story of another site where
people from those camps were sent if they were “troublemakers”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqwYJUoBgAg/WhI6zVH0T9I/AAAAAAAACXM/iSruAYe7-hQRmWz5Df7jnWpIpmw_IEDXwCLcBGAs/s1600/111117%2BR%2B298a%2Bcatalina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqwYJUoBgAg/WhI6zVH0T9I/AAAAAAAACXM/iSruAYe7-hQRmWz5Df7jnWpIpmw_IEDXwCLcBGAs/s640/111117%2BR%2B298a%2Bcatalina.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just returned from visiting my son and his wife, Brian and
Laura, in Tucson, Arizona and while there visited the remnants of a prison camp. The Catalina Federal Honor Camp housed over
8000 prisoners between 1933 and the early 1950’s. They were there to build the Catalina Highway
up Mt. Lemmon, and among the prisoners were 46 Japanese draft resisters,
conscientious objectors, and Gordon Hirabayashi, who defied the government
relocation and turned himself in to the FBI.
He was convicted of a curfew violation and sentenced to 90 days in
prison after fighting the charge all the way to the Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The prison was an honor camp without walls. Painted white stones and strong warnings were
all that kept the prisoners there. Even
so, the Japanese prisoners were transferred from internment camps in leg irons
by armed guards. Mr. Hirabayashi was the
exception. He hitchhiked to the camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsCHJE2SCtk/WhI7uWVH7fI/AAAAAAAACXg/PK_S5YyEr5cLg6V82L9Bgsbkcojm_6jUgCLcBGAs/s1600/111117%2BR%2B302a%2Bcatalina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="688" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsCHJE2SCtk/WhI7uWVH7fI/AAAAAAAACXg/PK_S5YyEr5cLg6V82L9Bgsbkcojm_6jUgCLcBGAs/s400/111117%2BR%2B302a%2Bcatalina.jpg" width="268" /></a>The draft resisters were pardoned in 1947, and Gordon
Hirabayashi’s conviction was overturned in 1987 when it was discovered that
evidence in his favor had been withheld.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in
2012. After the war, the camp was used
as a labor camp for juvenile offenders, then a youth rehabilitation
center. After it closed in 1973 the
buildings were destroyed, and the site turned into a campground. It is now the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation
Site in honor of its most famous prisoner. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am grateful to an old friend, Merry Lewis, for taking
Linda and me to this historic site. In a
sense, this is a ghost town with nothing but walls and concrete slabs left where there used to be barracks, a mess hall, employee cottages, a baseball field, and many
other buildings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Left, Linda</div>
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Right, Merry</div>
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Photos are copyrighted and must not be used without
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0N Prison Camp Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA32.338393656291487 -110.7183265686035232.335039656291485 -110.72336906860352 32.341747656291489 -110.71328406860351tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-12102077348333082432017-11-01T21:14:00.000-06:002017-11-01T21:16:58.511-06:00Museum of Clean Gallery<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEtqWiJYlPY/WfqG8hPHVkI/AAAAAAAACWg/be3hIJi65Vwyb25T-JI5DDGp0M2gSZJUQCLcBGAs/s1600/110117%2BR%2B011-12_clean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1024" height="231" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PEtqWiJYlPY/WfqG8hPHVkI/AAAAAAAACWg/be3hIJi65Vwyb25T-JI5DDGp0M2gSZJUQCLcBGAs/s400/110117%2BR%2B011-12_clean.jpg" width="400" /></a>The Museum of Clean is a quirky, fun, family oriented museum
in Pocatello, Idaho. They have such
diverse displays as antique pre-electric vacuum cleaners, the world's first motorized vacuum cleaner (which was horse-drawn), a chimney sweep
exhibit, and a replica of Noah’s Ark in a state-of-the-art 74,000 square foot
building. They also have an art gallery
which includes a rotating display by local artists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don Aslett is the founder of the museum. He has written 40 books and completed over
6000 seminars, workshops, and TV filmings all about “clean.” I spoke to him when I visited the museum a
few months ago, and he said he would like to have Linda and me exhibit there. I had forgotten all about it, when one day I
got a phone call inviting us to hang our photos in November 2017.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, Linda and I hung 24 photos in the art gallery at the
museum for the month of November. A few
are shown here. I would like to thank Don
Aslett for the opportunity, and Museum director Brad Kisling for all his help
getting us set up. He could not have
been friendlier or more helpful. Just
about everyone should enjoy a visit to this very unusual museum.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://www.museumofclean.com/">www.museumofclean.com</a></div>
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As usual, our photos are copyrighted and cannot be used
without our permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com2711 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA42.8600409 -112.441275942.8484014 -112.46144589999999 42.8716804 -112.4211059tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-8762075477423034402017-10-27T17:26:00.000-06:002017-10-27T17:26:42.829-06:00Monarch Mine, Nevada<div class="MsoNormal">
After leaving Sprucemont, Nevada (see the previous post), we
continued up Spruce Mountain about two more miles. The road got much rougher, although it was
not nearly as difficult as we expected.
I did use four-wheel drive, and in one or two places low range, and was
glad I recently added skid plates to my truck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our first view of the mine area included a few houses along
a side road. The area is very steep,
with houses on different levels of the hillside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of the buildings are frame houses, but there is one
cabin made from massive logs that probably dates back to the earliest days of
the mine, around 1899.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a true ghost town.
Many buildings are totally collapsed, and those that are still standing
have a lot of damage. Some look like
they were nice at one time, but now the wallpaper is peeling and the ceilings
coming down. But, their positions high
on the mountains had great views from the windows.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a huge crumbling ore bin right in the middle of the
residences, and a mine shaft nearby, so miners didn’t have to go far to
work. The gigantic timbers were held
together with massive nuts, bolts, and square washers. Now many are gone, and others are beautifully
rusty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Monarch Mine was a big producer of lead during World War
I. According to the USGS website, </div>
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"About $200,000 worth up to 1902; 21,000 tons ore worth $475,000 from 1919 to 1921; more production through 1952. Total production was over $1,000,000 worth, including some zinc and copper."</div>
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This photo gives some idea of how steep the mountain is, and
how houses were built on plots leveled out of the hillside. We enjoyed exploring the townsite, but didn’t
stay long because snow flurries started, and we were a long way from
pavement. The Spruce Mountain mining
area was well worth the visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you enjoy the photos, but please respect the
copyrights and do not use them for any purpose without permission.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Bl 1122, Nevada, USA40.566567839823 -114.8215055465698240.563552339823005 -114.82654804656983 40.569583339823 -114.81646304656982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-66013744056114788592017-10-24T20:30:00.001-06:002017-10-24T20:30:16.991-06:00Sprucemont, Nevada<div class="MsoNormal">
We were on our annual fall camping trip with plans to
explore ghost towns in Montana. Then the
weather went bad and we decided to migrate south. We spent a day in Wells, Nevada and searched
for ghost towns in the Spruce Mountain mining district.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were looking for Sprucemont, about 10 miles from the
nearest paved road, and got into a maze of dirt roads on Spruce Mountain. When the roads got worse we decided to turn
around and look for another route, and I spotted the remains of this log cabin
high on a nearby ridge. It is an unusual
double cabin, which makes me think it could have been part of a string of
businesses along the town’s main street.
The other side of the cabin has collapsed, and most of the dirt roof is
gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We looked uphill and saw other structures. These were much newer frame buildings, which
had all been vandalized, and a few had totally collapsed. The weather was heavily overcast with a storm
moving in, so the light wasn’t very good, but then the clouds broke, and I got
a decent photo of this old house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sprucemont began about 1870 when several mines were started
on Spruce Mountain. By 1887 there were
five saloons here, but just a year later, mines were closing and Sprucemont was
nearly deserted. In 1899 the Monarch
Mining Company was started, and Sprucemont came to life, but was again nearly
deserted by 1913. In the 1930’s a third
period of mining started, and continued through about 1952. By 1961 the district had ceased all
production. This helps explain the
different building styles we see at Sprucemont.
The big log cabin likely dates from the first or second era, and the
frame buildings from the third.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The people who lived in Sprucemont had a million-dollar view
of the East Humboldt range. The cloud shadows crossing the valley seemed to
emphasize the immense space of the valley at the base of Spruce Mountain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From here we continued up the mountain to find the Monarch
Mine. I will try to post that adventure
in a few days.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please remember, these photos are copyrighted. I will allow them to be used for charitable
purposes, but charge reasonable fees for personal use.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Spruce Mountain, Nevada, USA40.5524281 -114.8217002000000115.0303936 -156.1302942 66.0744626 -73.51310620000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435195723657904731.post-11846028033405197022017-10-12T21:30:00.000-06:002017-10-12T21:30:30.017-06:00St Charles Canyon, Idaho<div class="MsoNormal">
This has been a strange year for fall color. It seems that wherever I went I was too
early, or too late, or the color just never got very good. The one exception was St Charles Canyon, just
a few miles from home. I went there on a
cold, stormy day with Bruce Gregory and Stephen Johnson who were visiting from California.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The mountain maples were incredible. They had an amazing variety of colors ranging
from yellow to red. Most of the aspens
hadn’t changed yet, so there was some green in the mix as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Blue Pond Spring is one of the most beautiful spots in St
Charles Canyon, but moose have been known to chase people away from here. On this rainy day, I had the pond to myself
and enjoyed the willow reflections.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of the maples were
yellow, making nice substitutes for the still green aspens. They made a beautiful background for the white bark of this aspen.</div>
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The green aspen leaves contrasted with the brilliant maples, especially the red ones.</div>
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Raindrops looked great on incredibly red mountain maple
leaves.</div>
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As we left the canyon we stopped to photograph one last
scene where a line of maples climbed the canyon wall to the top. I think the wet stormy weather had a lot to
do with the amazing color, and St Charles Canyon was the best we saw this year.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please respect copyright laws, and do not use my photos
without permission. I will give
permission to use photos for educational and charitable purposes, but charge a
small fee for personal use.<o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p>Ross Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12921170756703444958noreply@blogger.com0Forest Rd 412, St Charles, ID 83272, USA42.110253156358539 -111.4633185375976742.086696156358542 -111.50365903759767 42.133810156358535 -111.42297803759767