Exit78 Photo of the Day #30

Often, when we are camping, picnicking, or stopped for a snack on a trail, we are visited by some kind of small creature such as a bird, a chipmunk, or, in this case, a golden-mantled ground squirrel.  They learn where people eat and visit to snap up and crumbs that may be left behind.  All too often, though, they get habituated to humans and human food because some people, despite the rules prohibiting it and signs that warn against it, are going to feed the wildlife. 

Golden-mantled ground squirrel investigating ice, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, September 2, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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 #29

Almost invariably, if we are anywhere near the ocean or a lake where there are beaches, we’ll take a walk on the beach, even in the middle of winter, so long as it’s not too cold.

Ring-billed gull, Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk, Virginia, December 13, 2007 (Pentax K10D)

This 2007 trip to Virginia was to visit my mom who was in the hospital with a heart problem.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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 #28

After visiting Silverton on a beautiful autumn day in 2015, we decided to do the round trip train excursion from between Durango and Silverton the next day.  The aspens were pretty much at the peak of fall color and, with the train, make for quite a picturesque image.

A day trip on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, September 28, 2015 (Pentax K-r)

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers.

The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from Southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious.

This historic train has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882, carrying passengers behind vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. It is a family-friendly ride sure to create memories that will last a lifetime while offering a view of Colorado’s mountain splendor  inaccessible by highway. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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 #27

In traveling through Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona over the years, we’ve visited a number of Ancestral Puebloan ruins, including those at Mesa Verde, several times, most recently in 2015. One of the most notable at Mesa Verde is Cliff Palace, which contained 150 rooms and 23 kivas and had a population of approximately 100 people. It is an exceptionally large dwelling that may have had special significant to the local culture of the time, perhaps as a social and administrative with high ceremonial usage.

Cliff Palace cliff dwelling, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, September 13, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

Cliff Dwellings

The cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the North American Continent. Sometime during the late 1190s, after primarily living on the mesa top for 600 years, many Ancestral Pueblo people began living in pueblos they built beneath the overhanging cliffs. The structures ranged in size from one-room storage units to villages of more than 150 rooms. While still farming the mesa tops, they continued to reside in the alcoves, repairing, remodeling, and constructing new rooms for nearly a century. By the late 1270s, the population began migrating south into present-day New Mexico and Arizona. By 1300, the Ancestral Puebloan occupation of Mesa Verde ended.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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 #12

“The Hunter” hoodoo/tower, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, October 7, 2015.

In the early years of Bryce Canyon National Park a great effort was made to name many of the more prominent hoodoos. Over the years many of these have fallen or partially fallen so that they look nothing like the things they were originally named for. As a result hoodoos are no longer being named and many of the more obscure names are being dropped from newer publications.²

1. 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. Agua Canyon – National Park Service, Bryce Canyon National Park

Exit78 Photo of the Day #26

September 11, 2009 was a beautiful fall day, with temperature rising into the low 70s.  Camped at the KOA north of Ouray, we decided to make a day trip to the north side of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We ended up making a loop around the entire canyon – for a long day trip.

Sky as we were leaving North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, September 11, 2009 (Pentax K10D)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Deep, Steep and Narrow

Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky. (National Park Service)

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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 #25

In the fall of 2013, we spent some time exploring parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin before heading to the Madison area to visit our daughter, son-in-law and grandkids.  One of the places we visited was Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Boats moored at City Dock, Bayfield, Wisconsin, September 13, 2013 (Pentax K-r)

Bayfield, Wisconsin (Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau)

Bayfield is the type of small town travelers dream about – picturesque and charming with modern amenities and accommodations. The city is the gateway to the stunning Apostle Islands National Lakeshore – 21 gem-like coastal islands that are home to lighthouses, sea caves, hiking trails, camping, terrific blue-water sailing, and some of the best kayaking in the world. Summertime fills this Lake Superior port with sailboats, sea kayaks and charter fishing boats.The Madeline Island Ferry crosses the bay on a 3-mile trip to Madeline Island, home to Big Bay State Park and the Madeline Island Historical Museum, located on the historic site of the former American Fur Company trading post. Bayfield takes pride in its quaint, harbor town atmosphere. Attractions include the Big Top Chautauqua tent shows, a heritage and maritime museum, eclectic retail shops, Victorian B&Bs, fine restaurants, bluff-top orchards, a pair of golf courses with spectacular views, and a burgeoning artisan community.

Series notes:

• The photos in this series are 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.

I am currently posting daily in a “new” project on Haw Creek.  The project, called Photography Now & Then, publishes one photo from “Now,” usually taken the day of the post, and one photo from “Then,” which can be from any time in the past.  The past photos are randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Photography Now and Then. So far, there has been a post for each day of 2016.

Below is the post for March 3, 2018.

Photography Now & Then #62

Today was another really nice day, with a high of 63°.  Spring is arriving, with lots of daffodils all over the place a a few crocuses.  It’s considerably later than last year, when we already had blossoms on our azaleas.

Now: Daffodils in the afternoon sun, west-central Arkansas,  March 3, 2018 (Pentax K-3 II)

______________________________________

We found this little county park while exploring Door County, Wisconsin. Now named George K. Pinney County Park, it was built on the property of the former Leatham and Smith Quarry and is located 4 1/2 miles north of the town of Sturgeon Bay right where Lake Michigan’s Sturgeon Bay opens up into the larger Green Bay. Completed in 2006, facilities include a boat launch, fishing pier, pavilion, picnic area, parking and restrooms.

Then: Olde Stone Quarry County Park (renamed George K. Pinney County Park in 2012), Door County, September 17, 2008

Located in the remnants of the Leathem and Smith Company’s stone quarry north of Sturgeon Bay, George K. Pinney (formerly the Olde Stone Quarry) is surrounded by the impressive dolomite walls left behind from quarrying days. The setting is perfect for picnics, sunset watching and fishing. A modern six-lane boat launch and handicapped-accessible fishing pier provide access to the prime bass, northern and perch fishing waters of Green Bay. Scuba divers can enjoy exploring two shipwrecks, the Joseph L. Hurd and the Mueller, located in shallow waters adjacent to the park.¹

1. Nearly 1000 acres to explore, enjoy – doorcountyadvocat.com

Notes:

• Photography Now & Then series
  • Now photo is a one that is almost always taken the day of the blog post.  In some instances, posts may be backdated if internet access is not available on the day of the photo or other reasons prevent posting Photography Now and Then.
  • Then photo is a randomly selected older photograph from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Photography Now and Then.
• Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.
• Reference links were accessed on the date the blog post was published, unless otherwise stated.
• The title convention for Photography Now & Then blog posts evolved early on from one word related to each photo separated by “&” to usually being the first word in the caption description for each photo.

Exit78 Photo of the Day #24

Fern Falls, Fern Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, September 6, 2009 (Pentax K10D, Composite of 3 images)

On the last day of our 2009 visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we took the Fern Lake Trail as far as Fern Falls. The hike from the trailhead to the falls is is 2.6 miles, for a round trip of 5.2 miles.  However, when we did the hike, the parking area at the trailhead was full, so we had to park up the road at another parking area, which added about 0.2 miles to our round trip hike. The trailhead is at 8165 feet and the falls are at 8855 feet.

Fern Falls is a beautiful 60 ft. high cascade of water in Fern Creek.

This photo is a composite image of three Pentax K10D portrait oriented photos using Autostitch. The intent was to artistically enhance the long exposure effect of the water flowing over the falls. The main difference between the three photos used was the fluctuation of the path of the water.

Notes:

• The photos in this series are 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.