Yosemite and More

Last weekend I got up very early, for me at least (5:15am) and headed to Clovis California for the Balloon Festival. Too bad (for me) there were a lot of people in the way of my photography. Don't they know how important I am?! When I went a couple of years ago, because of the wind the farthest they got was to inflate a few of the balloons, None left the ground This year it was different.Very little wind. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

Here are some photos of Bodie at night. I didn't use any additional lights or flashes.All the light is from the moon or setting sun.  I did make  adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

When it was getting near sunset I positioned myself for what I hoped would be a beautiful sunset behind the Methodist Church and steeple. Well I was all wrong, The best sunset was in the northern, eastern and southern skies. I found myself running around trying to find 'the' location. Here are three of the results. This is the Southern view. Here's the Eastern view And the Northern View I actually felt kinda privileged to have been there and gotten these images. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave 

Once again when I went to Bodie I chose to shoot in black and white. That is until sunset and later. Here are a couple of my B&W's will post more later but my computer is extremely slow while it runs it's security scan and I don't  want it to stop. Recently had my debit card hacked, a little paranoid. Guess I was in the mood for framing the photos in camera. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

Yeah, I know I seem to be obsessed with Bodie. I make no excuses. On my most recent two day trip I stopped several times at various locations. Here are a few photos from my first days non-Bodie stops. Who doesn't like a bee and flower photo. This was taken off of Highway 395 I'd never stopped at the Mono Lake North Tuffas before. But since it was lunchtime....... They are quite different from the towering ones located in the south. These are much smaller but there were a lot more birds and a great sky helps any photograph. While I didn't actually see any lakes on the Virginia Lakes Road, I did see some pretty spectacular landscapes More to come. Bodie Black and White, Bodie Sunset, Bodie at Night, Clothing Optional Hot Springs (all my photos are G rated), and Lembert Dome. Go, See, Enjoy Dave

While on my vacation a couple of weeks ago I visited and took a ride at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Knowing I like trains and lines, who could resist this shot. Here's the driving wheel on the museum's #25 I grew up to the sound of the Mc Cloud River Railroad, though steam was pretty much gone by my time. They kept two steam engines for excursions, etc. The Nevada State Railroad Museum acquired Mc Cloud's #18 a while back and that is my main reason for visiting the museum. They use it for the 1 1/2 hour trip between Carson City and Virginia City. The locomotive isn't fast, but it is powerful. Just before we set out they put on a little show. I sat on the wrong side of the train and with only three cars there wasn't  a very good angle. Next time I'll know. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

I recently went to Carson City, Nevada. While I was there I visited the  State Capitol building, and also learned the difference between;  Capital and Capitol. Capital is the city, Capitol is the building. But YOU knew that. The building wasn't earthquake proof so they saved everything they could, gutted the inside, put up a concrete structure inside to support the old  shell then put back everything from the floor tiles to the dome. I think they did Okay. Here's the Capitol Dome and the cupola's from the state library. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

Here are a couple of images of  high country flowers I really like the contrast of the flowers and the granite background. Now it's time for the yellow flower to be the backdrop. Go. See, Enjoy. Dave

Here's a couple more from my trip to Bodie where I shot only Black and White. I've tried several times to make something of the telephone poles. I like the contrast between the telephone pole and the clouds, even the misty clouds add a little texture to the sky. One of the iconic pieces of equipment. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

On my way to Rainbow Falls I came across this butterfly taking a little rest. It was about the size of a quarter. This is what awaited me at Rainbow Falls Well worth the hike. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave