Was that run your fastest time ever?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sancho
I truly admire everyone's dedication to photography. I think I am missing the photo-gene. Hardly ever occurs to me to take photos.
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Was that run your fastest time ever?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sancho
I truly admire everyone's dedication to photography. I think I am missing the photo-gene. Hardly ever occurs to me to take photos.
Well, not exactly. I’ve found, with critters, it’s generally best to hold your ground and try to look as big as possible. Running away usually triggers chase mechanism. They’re like cops: if you run – they will chase you. It’s instinctual. This guy, however, wasn’t buying it. He started towards me, building momentum, and in that moment, like a lightning bolt burnt across my brain, I knew exactly what he was thinking: You suck. I’m going to stick you, Spandex-boy. So I zigged and zagged back up the road, frequently checking six and snapping photos until I found a big-ole, buffalo-proof rock to hide behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
These are from a different day, but in the same general vicinity. The ladies (as is the case with most species) were much more even tempered than their male counterparts, and they let me get a lot closer.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...tstooclose.jpg
Should I touch her?
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...swithbison.jpg
Also I was operating the zoom function on cell-phone camera – from inside my rent-a-car, which had full insurance coverage. I love rent-a-cars. No curb too high.
Beautiful colours, Gilliatt!
No wonder that Pushkin loved this season so much!
'A melancholy time! So charming to the eye!
Your beauty in its parting pleases me -
I love the lavish withering of nature...'
Sweet pix, Gill.
You must be in East Texas.
I grew this from seed:
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6...1417074741.jpg
:cheers2:
:hurray: I've been waiting for forever for this thing to bloom and it bloomed while I was gone. :p
Thanks for taking time to look.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olga4real
Thanks, but not quite East Texas, I live in what is referred to as North Central Texas. (I'm north of Dallas / Ft. Worth near Denton)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sancho
The trail is known as the Pilot Knoll trail that runs along Hickory Creek feeding Lake Lewisville.
Congratutaions!, A few hundred more and you can make a tee shirt.Quote:
Originally Posted by papayahed
This was a splendid day last month in the Pacific Northwest.
Towards Mount Eleanor more-or-less from the lower trailhead
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...no/Eleanor.jpg
Lake Cushman from Mount Eleanor
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...no/Cushman.jpg
Mount Washington from Mount Eleanor
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...Washington.jpg
Towards Mount Rose from Mount Eleanor (they were sisters, you know)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...bruno/Rose.jpg
Yes, well, so anyway, there I was…it was a gorgeous day in October and I’m out for a hike in the Olympic National Forest/Park. There’s a sign-in log and map at the lower trailhead – pretty much standard for a Forest Service Trail. They’ll also usually have any pertinent safety information, such as forest fire prevalence, and in this case – wild animal threats. They had a bunch of pictures of mountain goats tacked up at the trailhead with a warning notice that the goats, while normally placid and unaggressive, had lately been attacking hikers, causing much distress and hiker intestinal spillage on the trail – so, be forewarned.
Off I go, and what a great day it was in the Northwest. They don’t have too many sun-shiny days like that in the fall up there, so lots of folks were out hiking, and while I like solitude in nature, I also like chatting it up with my fellow hikers – come what may. Mount Eleanor isn’t exactly a nature-hike, it’s relatively steep, but none-the-less it’s a walk-up. It’s only 5 or 6 thousand feet in elevation. So I get to the top and there are already a few people up there and they’re all looking off towards Mount Rose, to the West.
I’m not shy. I said, “What’re yous looking at?”
A guy hands me his binos and says, “Look in the clearing down there, a freaking huge grizz snorting around.”
Sure enough. I’ve gotta tell ya, I get a jolt of energy whenever I see a wild animal out there, a survivor, a king of his tiny wild-space. What a rush.
So I’m pumped, I’m floating all the way back down the trail, grinning from ear to ear. I’m almost back to my car when I meet a couple of hikers heading up. She’s a nice-looking lady – 60ish – and he’s clearly her husband. She’s dressed to the nines in her Abercrombie and Finch hiking apparel and I’m starting to feel conscientious about my hiking gear: a pair of Army boots (I don’t know, they just fit me well), some BDU trousers (woodland camo army pants) that I’d cleverly modified into shorts years ago by cutting off the legs just below the cargo pockets with my pocket knife, a T-shirt with a picture of Shemp Howard and the inscription Legalize Shemp, a threadbare fleece jacket (also compliments of Uncle Sam), and a boonie hat.
I’m still working on my nature high and I say, “What a great day for a hike, eh?”
The woman comes at me with this: “Have you been to the top?”
I said, “Well, yeah. It ain’t too bad. It‘ll take you a couple of hours.”
She said, “Did you see any mountain goats?”
I said, “No, I didn’t get to see any. I think there’s too many people up there. They probably scared ‘em all away.”
She said, “Well good.”
It was then that I realized she probably doesn’t travel too far from her Seattle penthouse apartment often.
She said, “Well, what should we do if we see one?”
I said, “I donno, just try to look like a badass, I guess.”
Her husband broke in, “Sweetheart, I know just what to do.”
I said, “Yeah, he knows what to do. Don’t worry about it. It’s a great day. Have fun.”
She said, “Well, okay, but you swear, you didn’t see any mountain goats up there, right?”
I said, “Right.”
And so, we parted ways. I went down the trail, towards my car, and they went up the trail, towards the…
And then, over my shoulder, I said, “You know what, though? There is a big ole grizzly bear up there.”
I never really knew what was meant by the expression, eyes bugged out, until that moment. She said, “What’re we supposed to do when we see the bear?”
I said, “Ah, you know, sometimes you eat the bar, sometimes the bar eats you.”
The husband was bent over, grabbing his knees, squirting tears, and shaking with laughter.
I, meanwhile, headed on down the trail.
Ain’t I a stinkah?
You seem to cover a lot of ground my friend; Atlanta to WMWR Oklahoma to the Pacific Northwest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sancho
Magnificent vistas and accopanying story! Thanks for the laugh.
Sancho ~ great photos! Envy you and being there.
sigh..............
kittypaws
Absolutely gorgeous! Looks very much like my weather here....the last shot of the yellow maple ?? and the crisp blue sky is IT! I also really like the second one....a trail to follow...it makes me think of one of Robert Frost's poems....You have to appreciate Mother Nature....great photos GillattQuote:
Originally Posted by Gilliatt Gurgle
Kudos!
kittypaws
Here are some pictures taken a few days ago of Autumn in England; including Polesden Lacey, a much visited Regency house in Surrey and its dog cemetery in the grounds.
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7951/dsc0903n.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7364/dsc0895c.jpg
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/4308/dsc0897l.jpg
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4670/dsc0906g.jpg
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3460/dsc0907b.jpg
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9944/dsc0908s.jpg
http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4111/dsc0910w.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9764/dsc0915q.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3294/dsc0917j.jpg
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8558/dsc0918d.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/174/dsc0919o.jpg
Oh how pretty all of these are! Now I feel like I'm having autumn. Autumn seemed to completely bypass me, and last night we got a half foot of snow.
I want to be buried in the dog cemetery some day!
Thank you Kittypaws,Quote:
Originally Posted by kittypaws
I'm certain the tree with the yellow leaves is not a Maple, since they are not native to this region of Texas, they have been planted successfully. On the other hand I didn't bother to get close enough to identify it. It is possibly Hickory, Oak or Ash. Most of the trees in the first shot are Cedar Elm and and at least one Cedar/ Juniper. The second includes Cedar Elm, Oak, I see some Cedar/ Juniper mixed in. The close up of the leaves is most definately Oak (Shumard?).
You're right about Frost, all that's lacking is the snow.
Another tree that I pass on this trail is known as "Overcup Oak". You can't miss this tree since the trunk diameter is roughly 36 inches. Anyhow, this type of Oak produces very large acorns:
http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMGP2193.jpg
The cap is like a small espresso cup, hence the name.
Magnificent countryside Emil. The long shadows of Auumn are evident not to mention the colors. Looks like a rare(?) sunny day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Emil Miller
.
Thanks Gilliatt, Autumn varies quite a lot here as far as the colours go. I don't know what conditions it but a couple of years ago the colours were brilliant to the point of being garish, unfortunately there is quite a small time frame in which to catch them at their best as the weather is variable at this time and a couple of days of rain and strong winds knocks off much of the foliage. This year the weather has been all at sea temperature wise with cold days interspersed with unseasonably warm periods and it has left the wildlife confused. There are still a couple of roses growing in the garden and some perennials that would normally be dormant are beginning to sprout. Of course, when the winter does set in, they will probably be killed off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilliatt Gurgle
The countryside shown is just a short train journey from London and very accessible. I intend doing some winter walking there this year, like I used to do when I was a lot younger, as part of a get fit regime that has been in place for a couple of months now.
Well that's the intention anyway.
Sweet pix, Emil. You could frame those and hang them up somewhere. I think the difference between you guys’ pictures and mine can best be described as the difference between a photograph and a snapshot. Mine are always a little out of focus and usually have part of my thumb somewhere down in the corner of the shot.
And thank you, Gill. (also Kittypaws)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gilliatt Gurgle
I, more or less, travel for a living. I’m happiest when I’m on the move, living out of a suitcase, going new places, seeing new things, annoying other peoples. Back home I have responsibilities – P’tooey! – the car’s making a funny noise, and so is the furnace, the roof needs fixing, and I’m pretty sure the house is sliding off its foundation.
Anyhow, here’s one from last weekend:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...no/pelican.jpg
Me and La Roja (Missus Sancho) were just up the coast from Monterey, California. Red is behind me, down on the dock, trying to get herself attacked by the sea lions. But I prefer birds. I don’t know why. So I was easing my way down the pier with my i-pad, trying to get close to the pelican. Meanwhile he (or she, I’m not sure which) keeps sidestepping away from me, down the railing, and giving me the hairy eyeball. Finally, I get too close and the bird blasts off – click.
I had to show Red right away. I said, “Hey Hon, Look at this. I got the pelican taking off.”
Red said, “Yeah, that’s a nice picture, Sanch’, you really captured well all the bird poop on the pier.”
Now that's the kind of picture I'd love to take if only there were some pelicans flying around where I live.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sancho
Wow! Great pictures everyone thanks for sharing.
Here are few images taken last month when I was in Murree.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/m2.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/m7.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/ma.jpg
Now some pictures from Ayubia National Park. A beautiful place that I visited for the very first time.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/m4.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/a7.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...0Murree/a5.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...Murree/npa.jpg
Well-taken shots that uses the terrain to good advantage. That's a nice picture with the monkeys, we get nothing more exotic than squirrels in England.
Murree looks like a wonderful place to "get away". Some of the photos exhibit a terrain very similar in appearence to that we see in the western Rocky Mountain States.
I had similar thought as Emil regarding the Monkeys. I suppose they are as common place as squirrels or raccoons, opossums as we have here.
.
Thanks Emil and Gilliatt! Murree is a wonderful place to visit. It’s a mountainous area forming part of outer Himalayas. Rhesus monkeys, foxes and flying squirrels are common animals of Murree.
Two more pictures.
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...Murree/mon.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/albums/v...urree/mon3.jpg
Nice pictures of our distant (?) cousins. The one with the baby is very touching and also amusing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowqueen
Love the photos, Snowqueen, especially the last two! :)
Thank you Emil and Pensive! It's unfortunate Emil I can't see your photostream.
Idril *
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/q.../IMG_02811.jpg
Basil **
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/q.../IMG_02911.jpg
Photo Credits
* Basil
** Idril
We each claimed our own little bit of the beach. I feel I must point out that my area was bigger. ;)
It's true: I am just the master of a piddling little rock, while you are Queen of the Beaver Dam. :p
...Is that house sinking into the earth?Quote:
Originally Posted by Emil Miller
It looks like it but in fact it's set in a hollow where the ground level is at variance with the pathway in the picture and it's also built at an angle to the horizon, which make it difficult to avoid giving a sloping look from a distance. Even a picture taken somewhat closer, gives the same impression but moving to the rear of the house in close-up shows that it is in fact perpendicular.Quote:
Originally Posted by JuniperWoolf
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2083/dsc0913c.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8615/dsc0914a.jpg
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idril
Quote:
Originally Posted by Basil
Idril, the men here may disagree with me, but let Basil have the whole beach and I promise you won't regret it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idril
Considering the resources available to each of you, I would say Idril has the advantage. Basil has only rocks with which to survive. Idril has wood for fuel, shelter, a defense wall and could be fashioned into crude spears.Quote:
Originally Posted by Basil
.
Not to mention the fact that Idril can send out her army of large, semi-aquatic rodent minions to do her bidding.
Plus, I know the area like the back of my hand, you are a newcomer. I have the upper hand on many levels. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Basil
What I've seen happen (not this relationship, but some I've seen) is that after a couple of years, it's the same, except the wink is gone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Idril
Quote:
Originally Posted by Basil
In some relationships I've seen, it becomes like this. But I know it won't happen to you two.Quote:
Originally Posted by Idril
Anything's likely to happen when there's beavers involved.
Pictures from my recent weekend picnic:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06394.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06396.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06400.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06458.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06424.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06430.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06444.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06464.jpg
Madhuri,
Thanks for sharing a part of your world.
Do you fell comfortable sharing some details regarding the photos? - (where, subjects, etc.)
.
The place is called Devrayandurga. It's about 60 kms from Bangalore and has some temples that are popular with the locals. We visited those temples, and one was on a hill with a very pretty view. The first three, fifth and the sixth pictures were taken from the temple on the hill.
Another view from the hill top:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06406.jpg
Then we went to a nearby deer park.
A picture of a deer:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06446.jpg
In the park there is this area called Namchilum. Nam - I am not sure if you have seen it, but it's a mark/sandalwood paste/vermillion that many Hindus apply on their forehead and chilum is fountain in Kannada (the local language). It is said that when Lord Rama was in exile he was staying at this place and wanted to apply Nam but as there was no water around he created this fountain using his arrow.
The picture of the fountain and in the picture you'll also see what people think are Lord Rama's footprints:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...5/DSC06456.jpg
It doesn't look like a fountain, though.
Thanks for sharing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Madhuri
RE: Namchilium; no I haven't seen it. I have not travelled to that part of the world, one day perhaps. Not a fountain in the sense that water is sent airborne under pressure, It appears to be a "spring" created by the piercing of the arrow.
I was referring to Nam - I am not sure if you have seen the sandalwood paste mark. Even I wasn't aware of this place until I was told that this was our picnic spot. :)