Great Horned Owl on Nest /  by Dave Hileman

This owl is special. First, I never saw one with the feathers all fluffed out over the nest and that was very neat. It was also inside the Great House at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona just south of Phoenix. The Great House, over three stories tall rising out of the flat desert landscape, was built about the year 1200. I find the owl a symbol of wisdom ensconced in this ancient structure that gave the natives here a view of the extensive irrigation system so they could monitor their corn crops to be a neat intertwining of meanings and culture.

Emerald Pool /  by Dave Hileman

We are back in Zion National Park. This is a short and popular hike and last spring the waterfall was full to overflowing. By shooting with a fast shutter speed, some of the green of the nearby trees reflects off the water droplets adding a green tinge to the Emerald Pool. It would be much stronger with the trees fully leafed out but you can still catch the idea behind fhe name of the falls and pool.

A Superior Lake /  by Dave Hileman

Never could quite get the lines of this lighthouse to be in the correct orientation but it is still a pretty shot of a much prettier place on the north shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We were able to climb the stairs in the light house and explore the keeper’s home. It was a windy afternoon.

Turret Arch /  by Dave Hileman

Not as spectacular as Window or Double but in the same area. I find this one is very neat. There is a small arch you can only see on the other side and up a short climb, just about 10 feet across. All of these formations are worth the effort and will reward those who pause and simply relish the beauty all around.

Breathtaking /  by Dave Hileman

These are the La Sal Mountains just a bit south of Arches National Park and the Colorado River. There are a few peaks over 12,000 feet. We drove a road around portions of the range sometimes over 9,000 feet with lots of snow about. It was an awesome experience.

Exit /  by Dave Hileman

This is the Virgin River as it leaves the confines of the Narrows at the head of the valley in Zion National Park. There was significant snow last winter so the river was full and it made the hike in the narrows off limits in the early spring.

Would You Eat Here? /  by Dave Hileman

Here, is the Starlight Theater in the “ghost” town of Terlingua, Texas. It is named the Starlight because for years the handful of residents met here, cooked on grills and often ate together in the old theater that had no roof, hence, the name Starlight. Some years later as tourists discovered the town, a roof was added and it is now a very nice restaurant. We ate here along with Rusty and Janet and all agreed it was excellent. So the correct answer is Yes, you should eat here and enjoy the unique town that surrounds the theater.

Plus look at the dessert.

Ready for the Close Up (2 photos) /  by Dave Hileman

This is a photo of the Double Arch in Utah’s Arches National Park, an absolute wonderland of shapes, arches, turrets and trails. And I think Arches is my favorite of the Utah parks but that could change in five minutes. Just magical places. The second photo is to add scale to the formation. It is huge and you don’t get that unless you are close and suddenly you realize how immense these structures are that from a distance seem like small bumps on the vast landscape.

Pastel /  by Dave Hileman

These two homes are on a less traveled street in Charleston, SC. They were pale pink and light yellow. I softened the shot and made tham a bit more pastel in the edit. Trying new ways to approach my photos.

Yellow House and Horse /  by Dave Hileman

The yellow house in the background is in the Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. It was a Mormon families farm house with orchards all around the valley floor. Remnants of those orchards planted long ago are still here and bearing fruit. One of the reasons why you can buy excellent pies from the shop. We had berry, apple, and cherry pies - they are small! This is a no judgement zone. Also I took a cherry pie home! An advantage of taking your home with you on these adventures. The horse was curious - I think it hoped that I still had some of that pie. Or if you might still have a piece of pumpkin left from yesterday the horse is not picky.

Be Thankful.... /  by Dave Hileman

….for every day that you have

…for every step you can take

…for every joy on your journey

…for every challenge you face

…for each friendship you share

…for the family that blesses you

…for each memory you hold

…for each day’s ordinariness

…for love that is given freely

…for grace poured into your life

…for an absolute cleansing of sin

…for every small, quiet, understated gift of God that is your life.

Still Thrilled /  by Dave Hileman

I saw my second California Condor at Zion National Park this past year. in 2018 I saw my first at the Grand Canyon. This one had a wing span over 10 feet, more like 11 or 12 according to the volunteer watcher at the overlook nearby. I watched it as it sat on the side of a cliff high on a ledge for about 30 minutes then it took off. I have better closer photos (this is nearly one mile away!) but I really liked this photo of the bird against the huge red stone cliff face. That cliff is three or four times what is seen on the image. In case you are wondering the bird in silhouette is not the bird but the shadow. Look above and you will see a black slash, that is the condor.

Top of the Falls (2 photos) /  by Dave Hileman

Another viewpoint of the Emerald Pool Falls at Zion National Park. This is a popular trail that takes you to the base of the falls in a mile or so, but it goes on a long way to other viewpoints and pools. Each of those pools, up steep trails, are less crowded than the previous one:)

Orchard Siesta /  by Dave Hileman

These deer found an idyllic spot for their afternoon rest among the trees of an apple orchard at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. The trees were just past blooming for the most part and the grass was thick and bright green from the winter snow thaw. I edited this a bit differently than my usual process.

Play Ball /  by Dave Hileman

Here is my new friend retrieving the ball tossed into the edge of the surf on the beach at Isle de Palms. It is easy to meet most people if they are walking a dog if you show some interest in their companion. This one was still pretty young and energetic.

Across the Lake /  by Dave Hileman

I walk here most days. I have three other walks but this is the one I take most often, Lake Lynn. It is less than a mile from the house and is 2.2 around the lake on a paved path. It is very popular and even at six in the morning you will encounter others on the trail. I usually walk early in the summer and fall and late in the winter. This day though it was nearly sunset and across the lake the trees glowed. We don’t get a lot of color in Raleigh and it is short lived but that day was very nice. The photo is the one that was intended to post on Wednesday and I messed up.