Post-processing¹ #24 |

Barbed Wire, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, US 89, October 9, 2015 (Pentax K-3 II) 37°11’10″N 111°59’44″W

While stopped for a stretch and photo break, I took the opportunity to get several DoF (depth of field) photos.

1. Post-processing – Image editing to enhance the photo closer to what the eye “saw.” Images in this series are selected within a day or so of being edited and are either posted at the time or scheduled for posting at a later date.
2. Depth of field – Wikipedia

Exit78 Photo of the Day #108

Clay coil cooking pot, Anasazi State Park Museum, Utah 12, Boulder, Utah, October 6, 2015 (Pentax K-3 II)

Cooking Pot (from Anasazi Pottery – Evolution of a Technology, Penn Museum)

The formula for Anasazi cooking pot clays was achieved by A.D. 700 and remained stable for the subsequent six centuries of occupation in the Four Corners area. However, there were dramatic changes in the appearance of cooking vessels throughout this period. Initially, the coils of clay that made up the pot were carefully scraped on both interior and exterior surfaces, welding coils together and creating plain surfaces. Prior to A.D. 700, and especially during the brown ware phase of Anasazi pottery development, these plain surfaces were then polished to greater or lesser degrees. By A.D. 700, polishing ceased and most cooking jars were left plain. By the late 8th century, potters began to leave unobliterated coil junctures on the exteriors of the vessel necks, creating a neckbanded appearance. In the early 10th century, some neckbands were rhythmically indented, creating a corrugated appear­ance. At first these surface treatments were confined to the neck region of the vessel, but by the late 10th century entire cooking jar exteriors were cov­ered with corrugations. Corrugation became the norm for most Anasazi cooking jars from this time through the 13th century abandonment of the Four Corners area.

Anasazi as a cultural label (Wikipedia)

The term “Anasazi” was established in archaeological terminology through the Pecos Classification system in 1927. It had been adopted from the Navajo. Archaeologist Linda Cordell discussed the word’s etymology and use:

“The name “Anasazi” has come to mean “ancient people,” although the word itself is Navajo, meaning “enemy ancestors.” [The Navajo word is anaasází (<anaa- “enemy”, sází “ancestor”).] The term was first applied to ruins of the Mesa Verde by Richard Wetherill, a rancher and trader who, in 1888–1889, was the first Anglo-American to explore the sites in that area. Wetherill knew and worked with Navajos and understood what the word meant. The name was further sanctioned in archaeology when it was adopted by Alfred V. Kidder, the acknowledged dean of Southwestern Archaeology. Kidder felt that it was less cumbersome than a more technical term he might have used. Subsequently some archaeologists who would try to change the term have worried that because the Pueblos speak different languages, there are different words for “ancestor,” and using one might be offensive to people speaking other languages.”

Many contemporary Pueblo peoples object to the use of the term Anasazi; controversy exists among them on a native alternative. Some modern descendants of this culture often choose to use the term “Ancestral Pueblo” peoples. Contemporary Hopi use the word Hisatsinom in preference to Anasazi.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #107

Wavy looking roof, General Store, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, October 8, 2015 (Pentax K-3 II)

Bryce Canyon General Store (National Park Service informational sign)

“Notice the wavy pattern in the roof? This optical illusion is created by cutting each shingle uniquely.  This was part of Gilbert Stanley Underwood’s plan to help the buildings blend in with the forest of wavy pines.”

This unique shingling pattern is on the original cabins as well as the main lodge buildings, and has been replicated with each re-roofing of the complex, using the original pattern, as a way to keep the craftsman’s trademarks of the original builders and Underwood’s design. (Wikipedia)

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #106

Door of 125 year old stave church, Little Norway living museum and park, Wisconsin, September 17, 2012 (Pentax K-r)

After Little Norway closed permanently — just after our only visit there — the stave church constructed in Norway for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair was disassembled and returned home to Norway.

The journey for the Norway Building comes full circle (Wisconsin State Journal)

The Norway Building is home.

The ornate, stave church replica has returned to its country of origin and was dedicated Saturday not only in front of hundreds of native Norwegians but more than 60 people who traveled from southern Wisconsin to help celebrate what will likely be the final destination in what has been a remarkable 124-year journey. (read more)

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #105

 Muley (mule deer), Morefield Campground, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, September 15, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

From the first time we camped in Mesa Verde back in 1986 or so, we’ve seen numerous deer in Morefield Campground, all of them mule deer, of course.

Mule Deer (Wikipedia)

The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. The several subspecies include the black-tailed deer.

Unlike the related white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer are generally more associated with the land west of the Missouri River, and more specifically with the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Mule deer have also been introduced to Argentina and Kauai, Hawaii.

The most noticeable differences between white-tailed and mule deer are the size of their ears, the color of their tails, and the configuration of their antlers. In many cases, body size is also a key difference. The mule deer’s tail is black-tipped, whereas the whitetail’s is not. Mule deer antlers are bifurcated; they “fork” as they grow, rather than branching from a single main beam, as is the case with white-tails.

Each spring, a buck’s antlers start to regrow almost immediately after the old antlers are shed. Shedding typically takes place in mid-February, with variations occurring by locale.

Although capable of running, mule deer are often seen stotting (also called pronking), with all four feet coming down together.

The mule deer is the larger of the two Odocoileus species on average, with a height of 80–106 cm (31–42 in) at the shoulders and a nose-to-tail length ranging from 1.2 to 2.1 m (3.9 to 6.9 ft). Of this, the tail may comprise 11.6 to 23 cm (4.6 to 9.1 in). Adult bucks normally weigh 55–150 kg (121–331 lb), averaging around 92 kg (203 lb), although trophy specimens may weigh up to 210 kg (460 lb). Does (female deer) are rather smaller and typically weigh from 43 to 90 kg (95 to 198 lb), with an average of around 68 kg (150 lb).

Unlike the whitetail, the mule deer does not generally show marked size variation across its range, although environmental conditions can cause considerable weight fluctuations in any given population. An exception to this is the subspecies the Sitka deer (O. h. sitkensis). This race is markedly smaller than other mule deer, with an average weight of 54.5 kg (120 lb) and 36 kg (79 lb) in males and females, respectively

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #104

Chickaree, aka American red squirrel, Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, September 3, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

We’ve taken the 1 mile or so trail around Rocky Mountain National Park’s Bear Lake a number of times over the years.  On this trip, we had heard a chickaree or two chattering and scolding in the woods, but were surprised to come around the bend and find this fellow smack dab in the middle of the trail.

Chickaree (Wikipedia)

The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is one of three species of tree squirrel currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus, known as the pine squirrels (the others are the Douglas squirrel, T. douglasii, and Mearns’s squirrel, T. mearnsi). American red squirrels are also referred to as pine squirrels, North American red squirrels, and chickarees. They are medium-sized (200–250 g) diurnal mammals that defend a year-round exclusive territory. The diet of these tree squirrels is specialized on the seeds of conifer cones. As such, they are widely distributed across North America wherever conifers are common, except on the Pacific Coast of the United States, where they are replaced by Douglas squirrels.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #103

Herd of horses near Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, September 15, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

Over the years, we’ve gone down many roads that travel through grazing lands after passing over a cattle guard.  Most of the time we don’t see any livestock.  If we do, it’s usually cattle.  A very few times, it was sheep.  This time, east of Mesa Verde National Park, is the only time I can recall horses blocking a road we were traveling on.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #102

Karen’s working area has undergone a complete makeover over the last year or so.  Part of a fairly old house, the room is an odd shape, only 9 feet wide and the last third slopes from the normal 8 feet down to just over 6. Knotty pine planking on the wall, laminate and a rug on the floor, and cedar planking on the ceiling, combined with new track lighting and a large storage area (not shown), leaves the room with a totally new and different feeling.

Quilting space, with quilting frame for hand quilting, sewing machine for machine quilting, and a design wall. May 3, 2018, (Apple iPhone 6s)

This post is part of a previous post on Haw Creek, Quilting & Town.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are (usually) randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.

Post-processing¹ #23 |

Old Spanish Trail and road to Paria (aka Pahreah), Utah, ghost town, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, October 9, 2015 (Pentax K-3 II) 37°11’10″N 111°59’44″W

While tempting, we didn’t take this road as we were just passing through and had only pulled into pulled into a view area for a stretch and photo break. US 89, which we were traveling on, is part of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.

Old Spanish Trail²

Across this point, Antonio Armijo and 60 men ventured from New Mexico to California hoping to find a new trade route in 1829.  Following establish Native American trails, the explorers traveled through dry, rugged country for 86 days until they reached San Gabriel Mission near Los Angeles, on January 30, 1830.

The trip turned out to be a lucrative endeavor. Armijo and his men traded woolen goods for horses and mules.  Upon their return to New Mexico, the men sold their stock at premium prices, encouraging other traders to seek their fortune the same way.

Subsequent expeditions to California took more northerly routes for better water resources.  The various routes, including Armijo’s original, together were designated as the Old Spanish National Historic Trail in 2002.

1. Post-processing – Image editing to enhance the photo closer to what the eye “saw.” Images in this series are selected within a day or so of being edited and are either posted at the time or scheduled for posting at a later date.
2. Old Spanish Trail – National Park Service interpretive sign, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (37°11’10″N 111°59’44″W)