Best of 2011 - Nature

OK...Here is my last one. I filtered through last year's images and pulled out some of my favorite places, landscapes and nature. This will close out my 2011 picture series. This project has gotten me very fired up about taking pictures in 2012 so I'm really glad this is over.  

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these images. Better yet, I hope you go back through your images and remember where you've been and use those memories to plan where you are going this year. I know I've got plans. You should too.

Oh...And if you don't like this slideshow viewer, all of these Best of 2011 images are viewable on the Gnat Gallery page at the top of this page. Enjoy!

2010 In Pictures - Five

ISO 400 - f5.6 - 1/125th

Today I start my nature & landscape series.   While most of my photography involves bikes & the people riding them, I also love to shoot landscapes and nature.    These are shots from around the USA that simply show the beauty of the land I live on.   

Photo Friday - Devil's Tower

About 17 years I gazed upon Devil's Tower as I drove to Utah.  Unfortunately, I needed to get to Utah so I only gazed upon it from afar.   I did not have time to stop and look around. [caption id="attachment_1421" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="What is that thing over there? "][/caption] Thankfully, on our recent trip west, the Gnat family took time to take a closer look.   We took the kids on a 1.3 mile nature walk around the base of the tower.    I am still blown away by this mass of rock.  The rock takes on so many looks and moods depending on what angle you view it from.   Here is one of my favorite shots from that day. [caption id="attachment_1422" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="I think the tower looks best in black & white"][/caption] I hope you all have a great weekend planned.   I'm going to catch up on some much needed home time and work on a few projects. In other Gnat photo news, check out Issue #2 of XXC here.   Download all 62 pages or view it on Scribd.   Jason Mahokey gave me a several page spread with some words and pictures from last month's ride on the Kokopelli.   Jason Mahokey, great job and thanks for the opportunity to share my story and a few pics.  I hope I can contribute again in the future. Ride your bike!  Take some pictures!

Springtime Sunset

I love spring.  I love everything about it and it's not just because it comes after our cold and brutal winter.  Nope, it's because the air is fresh.  The flowers bloom.   The environment is filled with color.   The sun is full and the sunsets are beautiful. [caption id="attachment_1320" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="A flower at sunset"][/caption] I love the spring.   I took this shot last night in my back yard as I watched the sun fall below the horizon.  Goes well with a Bell's Two Hearted Ale too!

Photo Friday - The Cobweb Ride

Got another early morning cobweb ride in.   This time, I stopped and tried to capture an image that represented the term.  Here is my first attempt.  Certainly not a very good shot as it's all blown out, but it's an OK first attempt and I learned a bunch.   I'm going to work on this a bit over the course of the summer as it is now a challenge that I intend to conquer. This has been a great week to get the mind back on track.   I hope you all had a great week too.    We've got a busy weekend with a planned trail a bike ride to see and smell the apple blossoms.   Sunday, we've got a big celebration and outreach at the church, check it out and join us if you can. Ride your bike!  Take some pictures!

Time to unpack and go to the woods

This past weekend, we went to the woods.   No, not on bikes, but it did make me think about bikes.   Nope, we went on a much needed and long overdue family hike.   It felt great being in the woods.   While riding in the woods and hiking in the woods have similarities, I'm frequently struck by the "rate" of hiking vs riding.   While hiking,  I often see the little things and take time to appreciate them. [caption id="attachment_1295" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Mother's Day Flowers"][/caption] The hike was beautiful.    The world around us is turning green.     Weather permitting, I'll be riding in these same woods this week.    I guess I better unpack my Big Mama from my Utah trip so I can hit the the trails.   It's time to go to the woods.     I promise, some bike posts are coming.

Another Brick in the Wall

No real post today.  I woke up this morning and found myself paging through photo's and thinking.   I am amazed with the environment and just what is possible.    Most things are really beyond human thought or ability. [caption id="attachment_1287" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="That is one big brick"][/caption] Few things compare to exploring the world and seeing what is out there.   Take some time today and this weekend to look around.  It's easy to be amazed!

Photo Friday - April showers bring May flowers

April is a beautiful time to see the desert.   As I rolled out of Fruita in the early AM, I looked back and saw these flowers glowing in the early morning sun. I hope you all have gotten to ride your bike this week.    If you ride this weekend, take one moment and stop and look at the May flowers. Good luck to all those folks doing Trans Iowa. Ride your bike!  Take some pictures!

Desert Solitaire

I've been enamored with the desert for a long time.    I can't even remember where this love for the south west began.   In December I read one of Everett Ruess' books on the way to Taiwan.    His ramblings, writing and art got me fired up to see and experience the desert again.  I also have memories of Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire which I read on my Alaska to Utah bicycle tour.   I love the desert.   You can see what you want to see in the desert.  If it is remoteness you seek, it's easy to be alone.  If it is simplistic beauty you wish to see, all you have to do is open your eyes.   If it grand and majestic views you seek, look up or look down. [caption id="attachment_1220" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Where does this road go? What will I see? Is there anyone else out here?"][/caption] Well.....If you go around that corner and ride for about 10-12 more hours, you can see this.   [caption id="attachment_1219" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="The view from above Moab. "][/caption] Even though the desert is filled with life and color, thanks to Edward Abbey, Everett Ruess and Ansel Adams I often see the desert in black and white.   For me the desert is a great place of personal contemplation.  I like to go to the desert for it's remoteness and grand beauty.   I like to go the desert to think and get energized.    I sort of go into a cave in the desert.   Black and white seems to fit my personal ideal use and function of the desert.  This time though, I am leaving the desert with a greater appreciation of it's beauty.   I've seen a lot of it on this trip.  I've spent A LOT of hours in the saddle looking around and thinking.  I am also leaving the desert with an appreciation for color and energy.   I love the desert.   [caption id="attachment_1232" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="A view from above - Colorado National Monument"][/caption] This has been a great trip.   I've pushed the limits of my body and my equipment.   One more day.   One last ride.

Kokopelli Mountain Bike Trail

I'm a bit knackered.  Kokopelli is in the bag.  The last few days have really pushed me and tested my equipment.  I can't wait to share my stories, both my successes and my failures.  This has been a great trip thus far.   Great riding.  BIG MILES! Good friends. [caption id="attachment_1212" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Sand & Sidi's"][/caption] Yeah, there is sand and it's gotten into all my gear.   However, there is stunning beauty and great trails too.   Makes it all worth it.   [caption id="attachment_1213" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Spring time color and sweet trails!"][/caption] I've got a lot more to share but I'm not done riding yet.   More to come.......