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2013-05-14 21:33:47 (57 comments, 0 reshares, 57 +1s)

I am having fun playing with textures and overlays, and since this has a TREE in it I might as well share it for #treetuesday  , +Tree Tuesday  with +Allan Cabrera , +Christina Lawrie , +Shannon S. Myers , +Kim Troutman and +Ralph Mendoza .

2013-05-10 20:12:21 (54 comments, 1 reshares, 55 +1s)

Just one of the scenes I witnessed this week!  Sorry I haven't been around much...Things are getting crazy around here.     

Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with my friends +Irene Kato , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger , +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall and +Alex Lapidus.

Happy Friday!!

2013-05-10 06:21:32 (57 comments, 0 reshares, 69 +1s)

We were out at 3 am watching the Aurora Borealis and saw this!!  Of course I need to report it to  +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with my friends +Irene Kato, +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Jon Beall and +Alex Lapidus !


Happy Friday!  ::)

2013-04-30 20:53:06 (52 comments, 1 reshares, 69 +1s)

A scary shadow monster for #treetuesday , +Tree Tuesday with +Allan Cabrera , +Shannon S. Myers , +Christina Lawrie and +Ralph Mendoza.

Another one from my California trip! 

2013-04-28 11:04:39 (60 comments, 1 reshares, 76 +1s)

I found this when I was processing my photos from the high desert!  It was probably just a lone scout, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were building a base in these remote areas.  Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with my friends +Irene Kato , +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Jon Beall and +Alex Lapidus .

Happy Friday!!

2013-04-22 19:28:40 (69 comments, 1 reshares, 63 +1s)

"Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization." - Charles Lindbergh

On Saturday we spent over an hour watching bald eagles soaring over the Kachemak Bay.  Sometimes two of them would fly together, and then do some strange maneuvers locking talons in mid air.  They don't mate in the air, but it is a mating ritual.  I did get some photos of it, but I like this background better.  :)  Here is a link to a video that shows it:  http://birdnote.org/video/2012/07/bald-eagle-mating-ritual-sky-dancing

Happy Earth Day!  I hope you can get outside and enjoy nature, one of the best ways to celebrate.     #earthday  .

2013-04-19 19:03:11 (57 comments, 0 reshares, 58 +1s)

"There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew."  - Marshall McLuhan

Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with my friends +Irene Kato ,  +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall and +Alex Lapidus .    (I will also tag +Rob Patterson since he is interested in Photoshop little planets!)  

Happy Friday!!  

2013-04-16 21:11:03 (92 comments, 19 reshares, 103 +1s)

"Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness."  ~Kahlil Gibran

I spent some time with ancient cottonwood trees in California, and am enjoying manipulating them.  I haven't been submitting to themes lately, but it is +Tree Tuesday ,   #treetuesday  with +Allan Cabrera, +Christina Lawrie and +Shannon S. Myers. 

2013-04-14 22:59:36 (64 comments, 1 reshares, 91 +1s)

A little northern light glow from last night!  We might see it again tonight, and maybe on Monday too... Even a little show is worth missing sleep for, and it is wonderful to be out in the crisp night air gazing at the stars.  Hope your weekend was good!

2013-04-08 19:47:10 (54 comments, 0 reshares, 57 +1s)

Open spaces wide enough for dreams
Dirt trails leading nowhere
The sound of silence, the voice of the wind.

The high desert on the eastern side of the Sierras is one of my favorite places to visit, and I can't wait to go back and spend more time there.  A week was not enough!

2013-04-05 17:49:24 (88 comments, 1 reshares, 77 +1s)

8,000 years ago, these symbols were chipped into the volcanic rock on the eastern side of the Sierras in California.  When I visited these petroglyphs last week I could tell right away that they were documentation of early alien encounters!  Of course this is for #alienabductionfriday  , +Alien Abduction Friday with my friends +Irene Kato , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr ,  +Heiko Mahr ,  +Jon Beall, and +Alex Lapidus .

I am back in Alaska, and am so glad it is warmer here now than when I left.  Happy Friday!  Have a wonderful weekend...  ::)

2013-03-26 05:30:11 (57 comments, 2 reshares, 81 +1s)

I will be boarding a plane for California in a few hours and will be away from here for a week.  It will be nice to be warm and get away from snow!.  I will catch up when I get back... Have a wonderful week!    :)

2013-03-28 22:55:22 (44 comments, 0 reshares, 58 +1s)

"The belief that one's own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions."  - Paul Watzlawick 

My reality is askew today!  Good thing it is +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  so I can get help from my friends including curators +Irene Kato,  +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr and +Alex Lapidus .  

ʎɐpıɹF ʎddɐH !!

2013-03-20 19:17:42 (72 comments, 2 reshares, 90 +1s)

More aurora borealis from Saturday night...It was a grand show!  The predictions for it have been wrong lately so we never know when it will show up, or how long it will last.  The element of surprise makes seeing it even more wonderful!  

2013-03-17 21:10:49 (95 comments, 2 reshares, 67 +1s)

Northern lights from last night!!  I was up until 3 am watching them, but the show is worth missing sleep for.  It filled the entire sky, and was pulsing and flickering!  One of the best shows we have seen so far, and they are supposed to be back tonight.  I am tired, but happy!  

2013-03-16 04:28:26 (79 comments, 1 reshares, 70 +1s)

Postcard from a water planet....Wish you were here!

Of course this is for #alienabductionfriday  , +Alien Abduction Friday with my friends +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall , +Karl Geiger Jr and +Karl Geiger .  Check out the awesome new collage on the +Alien Abduction Friday page!

2013-03-12 19:22:26 (67 comments, 1 reshares, 59 +1s)

“Fly without wings; 
Dream with open eyes; 
See in darkness.”   -   Dejan Stojanovic

Last week it was snowing, and now we have no clouds!  The frustrations of a landscape photographer...While I wait for good clouds, I am playing with old photos and this is a composite with a texture layer.  Hope you are having a good week!

2013-03-09 06:31:48 (73 comments, 0 reshares, 42 +1s)

Since my last abduction, this is what I see when I close my eyes.  Is that bad?

B-52's Planet Clair

Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday   with the wonderful +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger Jr and +Jon Beall .

Happy Friday!!!  

2013-03-05 20:45:41 (68 comments, 0 reshares, 80 +1s)

Things we leave behind - Remains of the Kennecott Mine in Wranglell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.  It was falling down, and now they are fixing it up.  The environmentalist in me wonders what the landscape looked like without the buildings but it was very cool to explore and get a glimpse of the past.

Gray days, bad clouds...I had to play with unprocessed summer photos to come up with new images this week.  Fortunately I have billions of them!  I couldn't help adding birds...  

2013-03-08 07:36:13 (114 comments, 0 reshares, 81 +1s)

Is anybody out there?

There are billions of planets in the Milky Way that could support life, and recent advances in planetary science have changed fundamental assumptions about the possibility of life in the universe.

I just finished a Coursera course on Astrobiology, and the odds are good!

http://www.space.com/15060-billions-habitable-alien-planets-red-dwarfs.html

This is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday   with +Irene Kato , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger , +Heiko Mahr, +Jon Beall , and +Alex Lapidus.

Happy Friday! 

2013-02-26 20:43:01 (81 comments, 3 reshares, 88 +1s)

"To bring anything into your life, imagine it is already there"  - Richard Bach

From last Friday at the beach...Otters playing in the waves and lots of shorebirds.  A much needed break from snow.  It looks like we are getting a break again today, and I am heading back to the beach!  Enjoy your day!  :)

2013-02-23 04:25:39 (77 comments, 0 reshares, 79 +1s)

My last involuntary space flight was a nightmare!  I was transported in a funky old ship that barely made it to the medical center.  We need to advocate for abductee's right to safe and humane transport.  Will you sign my petition?

This is obviously for +Alien Abduction Friday, #alienabductionfriday  with the wonderful +Irene Kato , +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr and +Jon Beall.  I will tag +Alex Lapidus also in case he gets internet in other sectors of the universe.

Happy Friday!  

2013-02-19 21:05:01 (81 comments, 1 reshares, 97 +1s)

“hark, now hear the sailors cry, 
smell the sea, and feel the sky 
let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic...”  ― Van Morrison

From Friday at the beach....I wish I had stepped back a bit and included the tip of the foam, but the wind was blowing and my fingers were freezing.  Some days you just enjoy the experience and take what you can get!  

2013-02-17 11:54:53 (86 comments, 2 reshares, 81 +1s)

Is it Friday already?  Things are getting weirder here, and I could be caught in a time warp...I am missing a few days this week!  I might need some help from my friends at +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with +Alex Lapidus , +Heiko Mahr , +Irene Kato , +Jon Beall , +Karl Geiger Jr  and +Karl Geiger .

Happy Friday!  

2013-02-11 21:04:08 (73 comments, 0 reshares, 82 +1s)

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake"  - Thoreau 

A photo from Saturday, with a texture added for fun.  Interesting clouds passing over the sun, and flocks of birds swirling around in the wind...Very dynamic, my type of day.  

I wasn't at all moody, but this might work for +Moody Monday  #moodymonday ...   Happy Monday!  

2013-02-10 23:40:18 (90 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with my friends +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger and +Jon Beall .

Once a year I try to paint, and this is what happens!  This was supposed to be fiddlehead ferns.  I might be a conduit for a message I am unable to translate!  

Happy Friday!!

2013-02-06 20:50:22 (85 comments, 3 reshares, 100 +1s)

A fleeting glimpse of something with an ephemeral nature.  I happened to pass through a dark forest just as the angle of the setting sun was perfect to send beams of light through drops of melting frost on hanging bits of dead moss.  I had about 5 minutes before the light changed.  It looked so magical, and I didn't get get the perfect focus so have been back several times at the same time of day trying to catch it again, but the moss is dry or the clouds come in.  So many things are like that; we don't usually get a second chance.

This might fit for +Photo Journal Worldwide with +andi rivarola !   I finished some of my projects (check the end of the about section in my profile for links if you are interested) but accidentally signed up for two more Coursera courses so will still have limited time here but will check in when I can, and always on Fridays!

2013-02-02 10:20:02 (97 comments, 2 reshares, 88 +1s)

They say "Don't go towards the light!", but I had to take a photo of it...

Of course this is for #alienabductionfriday , +Alien Abduction Friday with +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Heiko Mahr and +Jon Beall .

Happy Friday!! 

2013-01-29 20:52:39 (71 comments, 2 reshares, 76 +1s)

Today I will be shoveling snow, but Friday was a good day at the beach!  A sweet family wandered into my shot.  I love it when that happens.

Sorry I haven't been around here as much...I am working on some projects and trying to be disciplined about it.  I will probably post at least twice a week.  You might see pluses instead of comments for the next few weeks but I will stop by when I can!

2013-01-25 21:21:42 (48 comments, 1 reshares, 68 +1s)

"When you consider things like the stars, our affairs don't seem to matter very much, do they?"  - Virginia Woolf

I was inspired by +Allan Colton to try some night photography, but mine doesn't turn out the same!  Oh well, at least I have something to share with +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  and my friends +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Heiko Mahr , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger and +Jon Beall.

Happy Friday!  

2013-01-21 21:01:44 (59 comments, 1 reshares, 76 +1s)

Nothing epic, just another day in my neighborhood.  The snowshoeing has been wonderful!  

Happy Monday!  

2013-01-23 20:38:05 (55 comments, 1 reshares, 72 +1s)

Something strange crash landed in the Kachemak Bay!  I notified the EPA but they said it wasn't a problem...Don't eat the salmon!

I better report it to  #alienabductionfriday  +Alien Abduction Friday with +Alex Lapidus , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger , +Heiko Mahr and +Jon Beall .  

Happy Friday!  

2013-01-15 03:57:27 (46 comments, 0 reshares, 98 +1s)

I have shared this photo before, but part of the requirement for submitting to the  #PlusOneCollection2012 is posting the submission...  

This is a three exposure HDR of the historic Kennecott Mine in one of my favorite National Parks, Wrangell St. Elias.  I only had a short time to spend there last summer, and will definitely go back!  Walking on the glacier past the mine area was a breathtaking experience.  

It isn't too late to submit an image for the Plus One Collection, the deadline is 1/16. For more info and instructions follow this link : http://plusonecollection.com/about-the-book/

This is a wonderful project with all proceeds going to provide digital cameras for underpriveledged children in Kenya.  Thanks to +Andy Lee and +Ivan Makarov for coordinating this effort!  

2013-01-14 20:57:12 (51 comments, 0 reshares, 85 +1s)

A sunset from last week when we still had ice for +Moody Monday , #moodymonday  with +Philip Daly and +Carole Buckwalter .

 I am feeling moody today because we are having a heat wave and my beautiful snow and ice is melting!!  Elsewhere, people who should be warm are cold.  Things are getting strange...

This would also work for #landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams +Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow +Tom Hierl  +Vishal Kumar  +Michael Blyde  +Carolyn Lim  +Steve Gould  +Jay Gould

2013-01-12 14:16:29 (71 comments, 0 reshares, 63 +1s)

Something from a dream....Or is it a dream?  

For #alienabductionfriday, +Allienabductionfriday with +Irene Kato , +Alex Lapidus , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Heiko Mahr , and +Jon Beall .  

Happy Friday!  

2013-01-09 23:10:41 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

This movie should be seen by every human being on the planet. Outstanding use of photography to tell the real story of what is happening to the worlds glaciers. I highly recommend that you see it if you get the chance. Thank you +James Balog and all who took part in this incredible movie.

2013-01-07 21:26:53 (69 comments, 1 reshares, 62 +1s)

"Our life expresses the result of our dominant thoughts." -Soren Kierkegaard 

I want to think positively...Things are good here, but the news is so disturbing. I want to believe that we will turn things around.  I want to believe that we will do the right thing for the environment and end suffering.  I want to have hope.  I should do more to help...

This is from a sunset at the beach over the weekend, with textures added.  

2013-01-06 05:11:19 (92 comments, 1 reshares, 93 +1s)

More snow (and more on the way)!!  We now have 5 feet...The last storm took out the electricity and internet for a while, but the snowshoeing is wonderful!  We snowshoe 1/4 mile through this area to get out to the plowed road, and haul groceries in on a sled.  I almost always enjoy the trek, and get lots of photos on the way!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

2012-12-31 20:30:22 (57 comments, 1 reshares, 64 +1s)

To another year of creative experiments, colorful sunsets, exploration, wild beauty, natural magic, mental challenges, good books, weird dreams, alien madness, gypsy music, art, laughter, love and friendship...Not necessarily in that order!  

Happy New Year!! 

2012-12-29 03:37:57 (55 comments, 0 reshares, 59 +1s)

Two aliens in a snow storm!  You can see them, can't you?  Not the best photo...They stopped by on Christmas eve for some spiced rum!  

Of course this is for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday   with +Alex Lapidus, +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger , +Jon Beall , +Heiko Mahr  and +Irene Kato .

Happy Friday!  

2012-12-27 20:52:03 (77 comments, 15 reshares, 114 +1s)

Three feet of fresh snow!  Yippee!!!  It is hard to hike cross country here since we have deep hummocks, chest high fireweed and willow brush.  Enough snow smooths out the bumps and we can snow shoe over the top of it and go anywhere.  Plus the bears are sleeping!  This is a strange photo, but I like the weird shadows...  

2012-12-23 20:36:36 (68 comments, 5 reshares, 86 +1s)

The beaches here are different every time I visit with tides, seasons, weather and clouds.  Earlier in the week biting wind was whipping frothy waves, but yesterday at sunset all was calm.  Variety is good!  There should be snow for Christmas...  :)

For +Landscape Photography #landscapephotography +Landscape Photography +Margaret Tompkins +Carra Riley +paul t beard +David Heath Williams
+Bill Wood +Jim Warthman +Ben T +jeff beddow  +Tom Hierl
+Vishal Kumar +Michael Blyde 

2012-12-21 20:32:48 (47 comments, 0 reshares, 47 +1s)

I see many UFOs when I am out looking at stars, but this one caught my eye since it seems to be covered with Festive Triangles!  #festivetriangle .  I wonder if +Paul Stickland is involved with the aliens?

This is a question for +Alien Abduction Friday , #alienabductionfriday  with +Alex Lapidus , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Jon Beall and +Heiko Mahr .  +Irene Kato and +Karl Geiger might not be around, but I will tag them too, just in case.  

 We are still here...That is cause for celebration!  My soundtrack for the day includes U2 Until The End Of The World  and Rem, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine) With Lyrics.  Happy Friday! 

2012-12-19 22:20:15 (36 comments, 0 reshares, 43 +1s)

Busy with holiday things, but I keep getting sidetracked by the pretty lights...One of many experiments.  Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!  

2012-12-16 20:56:31 (59 comments, 0 reshares, 78 +1s)

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order"  - John Burroughs.

Winter brings good sunsets, a good time to go out hiking.  It will be challenging today with the cold...4 degrees F here now!  Hope your weekend has been good.  

2012-12-14 21:52:27 (45 comments, 1 reshares, 66 +1s)

A UHO (Unidentified Hovering Object) spotted over the Kachemak Bay...I better report this to +Alien Abduction Friday.  It looks like a planet, with a smaller one below it.  A bad day to forget my zoom lens....Any idea what this could be?

#alienabductionfriday  , with +Alex Lapidus with help from +Karl Geiger Jr , +Karl Geiger (possibly abducted), +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall and of course +Irene Kato . 

I posted this before listening to the news...I decided to remove my Happy Friday since it sure doesn't feel happy now.  These are strange times.

2012-12-13 20:41:57 (64 comments, 1 reshares, 64 +1s)

"Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice"  - Robert Frost

An experiment using my Lensbaby with extension tubes for a macro of ice patterns for #lensbabythursday  with +Gloria Roldan and +AJ Schroetlin.  

2012-12-10 21:00:56 (39 comments, 3 reshares, 56 +1s)

Some winter sun glow through a tree I like to visit (with textures added).  On these short winter days, every beam hitting my face is precious.

Last night we finally got a few inches of snow!  The landscape is transformed, and I can't wait to get out and take photos of it.  Happy Monday!!

2012-12-07 20:48:35 (62 comments, 1 reshares, 45 +1s)

A Hyperwarp Thought Transference Continuum  (or a photomanipulation of Christmas lights).... whichever you prefer!  Pick the first one, it is more fun.  

For +Alien Abduction Friday  #alienabductionfriday with +Alex Lapidus , +Karl Geiger , +Karl Geiger Jr , +Heiko Mahr , +Jon Beall and of course +Irene Kato 

Happy Friday!!
 

2012-12-06 21:01:15 (95 comments, 5 reshares, 62 +1s)

"Those less grounded in reality often soar higher because they believe they can."

Sunset at the beach from yesterday!  The waves weren't as big, but it was still beautiful.  A chilly 9 degrees F but worth every minute to be out enjoying it.