Watson Pond was a quiet blend of sunshine and deep shade as we approached it on our walk. The ducks quickly swam away when they heard us coming, so I had to be content to photograph them from a distance.
Nature’s Playground
The bent and broken tree branches reminded me of a tall slide (the kind I was always afraid my kids would fall from when they were little)- and the whole scene looked like somewhere I would have loved to play when I was a little girl. This was taken on a walk in Watson Woods last weekend. The trees have just started to change color here- it’s a race to see if the temperatures drop before the leaves all fall!
A Dog on the Path
There is a really nice area in Oak Creek Canyon that we are usually never able to get into, but, on our way to Flagstaff two weeks ago, we were thrilled to see that traffic was not backed up along the road and that there were parking spaces available in the lot. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we were able to walk along the path for about a half hour or so. The leaves were just beginning to turn, and the overcast skies certainly contributed to the feeling that autumn had arrived.
After we crossed a walking bridge, we encountered a cute dog and his family, and I thought his white and black coat made a nice contrast to the orange, brown, and green fall scene.
And just because I can, here is the same photo with some painterly effects added.
Wispy
Spotted along the trail at the nature center in Homer, Alaska
A Different Look
The heavy monsoon rains have brought an amazing array of wildflowers and grasses to Willow Lake this year, creating a different look from previous summers. I don’t know what these pink flowers are (someone will tell me), but they were everywhere.
We went out a couple times last week (me balancing trekking poles and camera and backpack), and each time my photo shoot was curtailed by thunderstorms. I hear that monsoon season is over now, but I’m not counting on it!
A Quiet Scene
Another view at the Eagle River Nature Center.
Alaska Summer Scene
The gorgeousness of summer in Alaska!
More Green
More Alaska today! This was taken on the trail at the beautiful Eagle River Nature Center (just down the road from where our daughter’s family lives).
Your Basic Alaska-ness
Everywhere you look you see this GREEN! We were there only a few weeks ago, but I imagine that there are spots of fall color already. Summer is short and INTENSE!
Born to Be Wild
Until we moved to Arizona, I had never heard of Apache Plume- but now I photograph the seed heads every summer. We have a big shrub of this native plant in front of our house. I can’t say it is lovely to look at as a landscape element- but the craaaazzzy seed heads and little flowers are quite captivating!
Two Men
I think there are two men in this photo.
- The guy taking pictures from the rocks and . . .
- Can you see the profile on the cliff???
Blue Mesa
This is one of the most amazing areas of Petrified Forest National Park- the gradations of color are gorgeous! To get this shot, I had to fight bad knees and high winds as I set up my tripod in different positions along the trail- and just the trail at the top, mind you. I wish I had started this whole photography thing when I was younger!
Cold Spring
Blossom impressions on a cold day
Branches, Rocks, and Snow
Taken at Willow Lake during the last snowstorm
Change of Season
Although the flower season is always comparatively late here (“Don’t plant until after Mother’s Day!), blossoms have started to appear on the trees- always a welcome sign of Spring. Our plum tree has just a few- just enough show us that Spring is on its way.
melinda anderson photography 