The Rock

In my last post you saw a bit of winter but that lasted only 2 days then it was gone with warmer tempts and that always makes me wanna go somewhere! Got in the car and headed to a spot we call 40 acre rock..not to be confused with 40 acre woods! This is a landmark in these parts and it is now owned by the SC Hertiage Land Trust and as such is at least protected from development...but not from vandals. For some odd reason teens have always wanted to spray "I love Stacy" or "Stacy Loves Brad" all over this rare spot...it is acutally 1 huge rock 17 acres large!

The wonderful thing about it is not just a different type terrain with the huge rocks but the plants that live in the water pools---they are rare to this area.

The forest service was there doing a controlled burn so we had to endure the smoke meaning I didnt hike over to the stream and waterfall cause the woods were on fire--but I scrambled around the rock and took some photos...Mom sat and admired the view it is a bit over 1/2 mile walk to the rock...

On the way home we passed an old farm complete with a rusty barn...

I used an HDR processing on this shot--sometimes enjoy doing that..

I hope everyone is enjoying the last bits of winter!

Signs--of spring---

The weekend gave us something we rarely get SNOW! We usually get ice or sleet but this time it was just white fluffy snow! The girlz and I had fun going out in the morning while it was still fresh and brisk. They had a great run all over the place and I took photos!! So here's what we brought back-- IT started about 3 pm in the afternoon and by nightfall a white blanket had been laid all around the house...the girls needed a P-break so I let them out you can see the tracks headed under the magnolia tree-

  Then in the morning we headed out early--the road was covered as was all the trees!

   

                                               Waiting on my Valentines to Arrive....

                                                                              Floss

 But Spring is only a couple weeks away!! I got my latest copy of the Arizona Highways magazine and this issue was mostly dedicated to the wild flowers that will soon be emerging in the warm desert areas---I would LOVE to see that for myself--- Hope the last blows of winter are kind to everyone!! The snow melted yesterday-- we had rain!! My son is coming over today for a belated Birthday celebration!! Veggie Lasagna and

 chocolate/carrot cake-




 The big oak out back---never looked happier!

Twilight Photography-

ITS been very cold and if not cold and windy, then rain--other areas are having record snow fall! This winter has provided some challenges. Getting out with the camera when your hands are freezing is not very pleasant!! I think the desert rats have the right idea right about now!! But there was that one night I decided to brave the cold and took a drive over by the Power Substation and snapped these shots! Im usually photo-shopping power lines, telephone poles, and other bits of urbanization, out of my photos....but this time I went in search of it!! Its very heavily forested where I live so just finding an opening in the canopy is a challenge (cant see the forest for the trees sort of). The western sun was lighting my way to the substation--

Follow the power lines:

                                         

                                          

 These towers looked pretty snazzy against that twilight blue sky-- 

 Over by the airport there is a large tract of open area..and a good sunset can be seen from here..

 

 Not far away is my target the substation---the power grid-- 

                                        

 The air was cooling off the bit of warmth of the day and there was ice still on the trees so the fog rolled

 in on my way back home---

 

 I want to learn how to do some star trails...maybe when it gets warmer!

Good Night,,,

February Walk with the Girlz

We had an ice strom here over the weekend..its gone now but still cold. Mom has gone to spend 2 weeks with my SIS up in the foothill country...the same one I dog sit for...she is happy to get some time away and Im happy for the solitude--something I enjoy very much, although I miss her a LOT! The girlz miss her too!!

So I went out with my camera and took the girlz for their walk..they both got so much mud on them I had to wash their feet in a tub of warm water when we got home..lol IT just wouldnt come off otherwise..and these girlz come inside the house at night and we have some carpet so they endured the footbath!! (wish someone would give me a footbath*g*) So we brought back some photos--first I caught this Northern Cardinal-

and American Goldfinch

 Then we headed out to photograph the ice--

 Later the sky brightened....

 

 We headed up Timber Creek Rd..one of my favorite walks its about 3 miles round trip a bit much for the girlz but I got caught up in taking lots of photos so they got a chance to rest!

Flickr Ate My Photos 

   

 We had a great walk and they napped after dinner...then I went out again to catch the sunset, because its hard to find open space among the forest...I head to the right of way for a long shot of the sunset and the rising fog on this very cold night!!

  I have more of my twilight sunset shots but will save them for next time. WOW its February already-time is flying~ and daylights a burning~ Hope everyone has a great week!