Skywatch Friday: Thursday Sunset

As I drove home from work Thursday evening and looked around at the setting sun I could hardly wait to pull into the garage and grab my camera. This is just the beginning of the monsoon season which means 3 things.

1) Obey the law when the road sign up ahead says "Do Not Enter When Flooded" when the road is actually flooded. Every year some "stupid" folks do just that - Enter when Flooded. I can use the word "stupid" because in fact (yes, this is true) Arizona has a law on the books called the "Stupid Motorist Law" for such folks mentioned above that try to pass through a road that is indeed flooded. If you make it across, well good for you. But, if you don't .... it will cost you a $1,500 fine plus any associated rescue fees and for good measure you'll (name included) make the local news. Hence, you'll feel STUPID! Not to mention you'll be laughed at at work. I know you're all wondering and wanting to ask one question huh? The answer is NO! But, given enough time...............

2) Lots of rain.

3) Clouds. Where do you think the rain comes from? Mix in a little wind add a setting Sun and you've got mother nature's live art exhibition!

Anyway, these 3 shots are a sampler of what I saw from my front yard and a nearby walk into the evening sky.

For more awesome pics go to: Wigger's World.

Skywatch Friday: Reflections

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I went for a short 14 mile drive that took 4 hours to complete. I took over 300 pictures (isn't digital wonderful) and asked myself if I had to narrow it down to one single photo that captured the day what would it be and why?

Well, after looking through all those photos (some were really whiz bang stuff) this is the one that best captured that day. After selecting it and doing the "tweaks" you know the cropping, enhancing, sharpening and brighting something was still missing. What was it? As it turned out it had nothing to do with the "wow" factor of the picture but more to do with simplicity of that peaceful drive. That was it! It reminded me of a carefree week spent at my Meme's (grandmother) house during the summer when I was 11 years old. Yeah, that was it. No hustle/bustle, no traffic or traffic lights. Hell, not even any pavement. The only sounds were leaves rustling by a slight breeze and birds singing.

Being out in nature with my best friend who also happens to be my bride of 31 years was one of the most peaceful days I'd had since I was 11 years old. So, after removing all the "tweaks", even the color, I realized it was more than a picture it was a wonderful memory.

For more Skywatch Friday visit Wigger's World.

Skywatch Friday: Cactus Sunset

These 2 shots were taken 17May08 in southern AZ at a park a short distance from home. This Saguaro cactus has many "arms" and from what I've been told the age is well over 100 years. Unfortunately, it has no "legs" so it has had the same view all these years.

My back was towards the sunset and the moon must of had late dinner plans as it just couldn't wait for the final rays to go down before it jumped into the early evening sky to chase the setting sun.

I am always captivated when I can see both sun and moon in one turn of my head. But then again, I'm easily entertained by natures ever changing moods.

Thanks for taking a "peek"

Gusto!




























To see more Skywatch "pics" go to : Wiggers World.

Vermillion Sunset

Believe it or not but these shots have not been enhanced in any way, shape, or form. My wife and I had gone for an evening walk in southern Arizona and I captured these awesome pics with our new digital camera that we purchased at Christmas time.





These photos were taken by me with our Nikon D80
ON: 05Jan08 5:51 to 5:52 PM
SPECS: JPEG (8-bit) Normal
Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
Lens: VR 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 G



Skywatch Friday hosted by: Wiggers World.