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The Sun Sets Over the Biltmore Estate

I took this last November at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The biggest impression I had was of the size of the place, thousands and thousands of acres of lush rolling hills, vineyards and horse pastures for as far as you can see. I think I'll come back here this year and spend a little more time. Or better yet, how about I come back in a different life and live the life of an aristocrat. That probably won't happen. However, after seeing this place I'd settle for the life of a stable boy, just being here is it’s own reward.

I took this last November at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The biggest impression I had was of the size of the place, thousands and thousands of acres of lush rolling hills, vineyards and horse pastures for as far as you can see. I think I’ll come back here this year and spend a little more time. Or better yet, how about I come back in a different life and live the life of an aristocrat. That probably won’t happen. However, after seeing this place I’d settle for the life of a stable boy, just being here is it’s own reward.

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Sedona Scrub

When I was in Sedona I was a little out of my element. I live by the beach and in central Florida there’s nothing taller than a palm tree. Sedona has crazy big red rock mountains, trees, scrub, …and no palm trees. No matter which way you look the red rock provides an impressive backdrop. This was taken on a short trail up Bell Rock, which is a big rock just off the highway. Just before dusk these mountains glow deep red, kind of how I imagine Mars. In any case, I was so impressed with the change of landscape that I had to take a picture of this Sedona scrub.

When I was in Sedona I was a little out of my element. I live by the beach and in central Florida there’s nothing taller than a palm tree. Sedona has crazy big red rock mountains, trees, scrub, …and no palm trees. No matter which way you look the red rock provides an impressive backdrop. This was taken on a short trail up Bell Rock, which is a big rock just off the highway. Just before dusk these mountains glow deep red, kind of how I imagine Mars. In any case, I was so impressed with the change of landscape that I had to take a picture of this Sedona scrub.

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Cactus Shadow

Found at a rest stop between Sedona and Phoenix a few weeks ago. In Florida it's palm trees, but in Arizona it's all about the cactus. Every kind of cactus, big small, in between, which is my subtle way of avoiding names and types of which I plead ignorance.

Found at a rest stop between Sedona and Phoenix a few weeks ago. In Florida it’s palm trees, but in Arizona it’s all about the cactus. Every kind of cactus, big small, in between, which is my subtle way of avoiding names and types of which I plead ignorance.

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Partial Eclipse

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

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Lake Pleasant Harbor

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir just north of Phoenix. It was nice to see such a big lake in the middle of the dessert and I can only imagine how important this is to the needs the booming city of seven million. At the entrance to the lake is this small harbor with a restaurant at the lower right. Beyond the harbor you can see the dam and then the lights of the highway beyond that. On account of the cirrus clouds I stood here on a hill and watched a most spectacular sunset, one that lingers for thirty minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. That was a lucky night indeed.

Lake Pleasant is a reservoir just north of Phoenix. It was nice to see such a big lake in the middle of the dessert and I can only imagine how important this is to the needs the booming city of seven million. At the entrance to the lake is this small harbor with a restaurant at the lower right. Beyond the harbor you can see the dam and then the lights of the highway beyond that. On account of the cirrus clouds I stood here on a hill and watched a most spectacular sunset, one that lingers for thirty minutes after the sun sinks below the horizon. That was a lucky night indeed.

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Lone Thunder Cloud

A lone thundercloud floats over the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa Florida. This is a common sight most of the year; they resemble pillars rising with a powerful force that is best viewed from a distance. Such was the case on this warm evening a few months ago on Anna Maria Island not far from my home.

A lone thundercloud floats over Tampa Bay in Florida. This is a common sight most of the year; they resemble pillars rising with a powerful force that is best viewed from a distance. Such was the case on this warm evening a few months ago on Anna Maria Island not far from my home.

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Mount Bonpland

This is taken from Mount Bonpland, high up in the New Zealand alps not far from Glenorchy. We landed on these rocks and clamored about looking for shots but mindful of the engine time on the helicopter. I don't recall the exact number but it was more than a dozen stops on peaks with views I could only dream of, this being one. This was taken a few days after a snowfall in the autumn of the southern hemisphere.

This is taken from Mount Bonpland, high up in the New Zealand alps not far from Glenorchy. We landed on these rocks and clamored about looking for shots but mindful of the engine time on the helicopter. I don’t recall the exact number but it was more than a dozen stops on peaks with views I could only dream of, this being one. This was taken a few days after a snowfall in the autumn of the southern hemisphere.

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Goldfield Ghost Town

Goldfield Ghost town is located in Apache Junction adjacent to Superstition Mountain. The scenery here is right out of an old western movie. This building is an old saloon that’s still serves thirsty cowboys and cowgirls. I’ll admit I got a little caught up in the moment and ordered a whiskey, kind of silly since I don’t like even like whiskey. But this is the Wild West and why should I get hung up on details? The only thing I was missing was boots, a hat and my horse. In any case, I’ve fully recovered from the whiskey and the delusion that I am a cowboy. At least until the next time I go out west.

Goldfield Ghost town is located in Apache Junction adjacent to Superstition Mountain. The scenery here is right out of an old western movie. This building is an old saloon that’s still serves thirsty cowboys and cowgirls. I’ll admit I got a little caught up in the moment and ordered a whiskey, kind of silly since I don’t like even like whiskey. But this is the Wild West and why should I get hung up on details? The only thing I was missing was boots, a hat and my horse. In any case, I’ve fully recovered from the whiskey and the delusion that I am a cowboy. At least until the next time I go out west.

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Sunrise Over Sedona

This is the sun rising over the red rock peaks of Sedona Arizona about a week ago. I stayed a couple of days here and did a little exploring, though the flu kept me stuck in my room most of the time. Even so I managed to get out and soak up a little of the good energy from the surrounding wilderness and awe-inspiring red rock mountains. January is a great time to be here, it was cool at night and comfortably warm during the day. I’ve passed through here years ago in August and I remember it quite a bit warmer. But regardless of the time of year Sedona is an amazing place to be.

This is the sun rising over the red rock peaks of Sedona Arizona about a week ago. I stayed a couple of days here and did a little exploring, though the flu kept me stuck in my room most of the time. Even so I managed to get out and soak up a little of the good energy from the surrounding wilderness and awe-inspiring red rock mountains. January is a great time to be here, it was cool at night and comfortably warm during the day. I’ve passed through here years ago in August and I remember it quite a bit warmer. But regardless of the time of year Sedona is an amazing place to be.

Click on photo to enlarge or order print