Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

Going after a big bird: Sandhill Cranes

It’s a yearly expedition–shooting the Sandhill Cranes. They are found in and around the Sacramento Delta. This trip, Laura and I started out at Consumnes River Preserve.  Right away, I learned another valuable lesson: have your camera ready before you leave home! I was going to put the big F/4, 300 mm lens on the D7100 once we got to Consumnes, but as soon as we got off the freeway we saw a flock of Sandhills near the fence. They usually like to be deep in the fields. By the time I got my camera ready–they were deep in the field.

I’m always learning lessons! For me, experience is the best teacher. I’m not crying over not having my camera ready for the best shot of the day. I did manage to get some good images as we went from preserve to preserve.

I was amazed at how many Sandhills there were this year. They were everywhere. In past years they were scarce. The drought may have contributed to that.

It was a fun day, chasing the big birds, finding other wildlife and shooting landscapes. Here are the results.

Sandhill walking.
They stick together.
In the middle of the field.
Not facing his friends.
Up close.
This Great Blue Heron was walking along.
Here he sort of blends into the background.
Up close.
Snowy Egret
I did some landscapes.
I liked the sky in this one.
This plowed field has a nice design.
Small bird helping advertise the Preserve.
Flying duck.
Still standing!
Another small bird.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

My heart is full: Sacramento Zoo

Funerals are for the living, and without one, there is no closure. Tonight we had a memorial for Uncle Chuck and my dear friend Carol. We also invited Richard’s friend John whose sister Mary passed away this morning. We were Jews and Christians united in an effort for sending our loved ones on their way.

We did traditional Jewish prayers, John sang the 23rd Psalm and taps. We all told stories about our departed family members and ended it with dessert. What a wonderful evening. Uncle Chuck would have been pleased at the variety of religions and camaraderie in the room.

This is what caring and love is all about. He would have also loved the zoo animals and probably given them nicknames. He always gave people he loved nicknames. His girls were Rotten kid 1 and Rotten kid 2. My youngest was just Rotten Kid. My grandson (Chistopher) was JJ.

So as you smile at the Sacramento Zoo animals, send a smile up to Uncle Chuck and Carol; Arthur and Alina; and Mary.

Flamingo reflection.
Not talking to each other.
I am handsome.
What are you looking at?
Baby flamingo.
They aren’t very tall yet.
I’m thirsty.
Baby’s need to drink a lot.
I’m busy eating, but
my brother is sleeping.
I’m elusive, but she finally caught me.
I like to pose.
I gave her my goofiest face.
What happened to my color?
I’m glowing.
This grooming session is going to cost you…..
Oh darn, she managed to shoot through the fence.
I’d better give her my good side.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 6 Comments

Up, up and away: Great Reno Balloon Race

Riding in a hot air balloon is high on my bucket list, but I still haven’t done it. They are so colorful and inviting. I did make it up in a small plane, thanks to my great nephew Daylen. And, twice the balloon ride was within reach, but not taken.

The first opportunity was the Windsor Hot Air Balloon Classic in Windsor. I had just bought my D3100 in 2012, and this festival was my first outing with it. I was truly struggling to learn what this digital camera was all about. All my shots were on auto. Here are two images:

Shot as JPEG. No editing. Didn’t know how!
I knew enough to lay down on the grass to get this one.

My second opportunity came this past weekend at the Great Reno Balloon Race in Reno, Nevada. I have improved since Windsor and was anxious to shoot on manual/RAW.  However, I wasn’t ready for the differences in the two festivals. At Windsor, some balloons went up in the dark; at Reno, they waited until daylight. At Windsor, the balloons left at different times; at Reno, most left at once–it was a race. So, I wasn’t able to capture shots like those above.

We did get an opportunity to shoot the balloons in the dark, but it was a challenge. They didn’t stay lit for very long. My exposure meter was all over the place. I did the best I could, and I got some good shots.

The other difference: They weren’t offering rides like they did at Windsor. It was a larger event and more people attended. So, I guess I’ll just have to find a hot air balloon ride somewhere. Next year is the year!

Here are some images. No captions necessary.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

On the road again: A small town gets ready for a big event, Weiser, Idaho

The sky will turn dark this morning as we experience a total solar eclipse. The timing for our trip to Glacier National Park revolved around our getting to a place for viewing the eclipse–a once in our lifetime event.

So here we are in Weiser, Idaho, a tiny town living in the past as much as it can and enjoying it. When we arrived, a children’s festival was being prepared, an adult festival was already in progress, eclipse shirts and viewing glasses were being sold. Around our campground (which is really the lawn of the National Old Time Fiddlers’ Association), there are food and drink vendors. Two young boys are selling popsicles and ice cream.

The Old Time Fiddlers’ Association building.
Festival in Memorial Park.
Getting ready for a children’s festival.
Food vendor.
Drink vendor.

The field across the street has filled with people, tents and RVs. NASA and MIT have taken spots on the High School’s track.

Tents in the High School Field.
There’s always a solution!
NASA
Following the sun.
MIT

Right now at 8:20 Mountain Time, there are a lot of people setting up. Breakfast is being sold. It’s a bit chilly, so I’m going to get a light jacket and join everyone. I’m still not sure whether I’ll shoot the eclipse. Reason: I really don’t know what I’m doing. Last night, we fashioned a solar filter for my 55 – 300 mm lens, but maybe I’ll be better off taking photos of the eclectic crowd.

I only have a couple of hours to decide before the sky turns dark.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 2 Comments

On the road again: Leaving Glacier National Park

Right now, I’m sitting inside my air conditioned trailer courtesy of the National Oldtime Fiddlers Association in Weiser ID. It’s hot outside and people from all over are coming in to view tomorrow’s solar eclipse. Whether I will be able to shoot it is still up in the air.

In the meantime, I’m going to show you some images from the Going To The Sun Road that are new, a couple from a pull out on the road heading into Idaho and one of a new fire.

I’m glad we went to Glacier National Park. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I can wish there was no smoke and no fires, but I’ve learned to deal with what I’ve got. That was my part of the trip and now we’re on to Richard’s part. Not that he didn’t enjoy Montana, and I’m certainly going to enjoy my once-in-a lifetime eclipse.

So here’s the end of Glacier National Park and, looking forward, perhaps, a way for me to shoot the eclipse.

On the shore of Lake McDonald.
Rocky shore!
Once into Idaho, we were stopped and advised about this new roadside fire.
This was a new fire also.
We pulled out at this beautiful river.
Idaho is beautiful.
White sand beach.
A drive by shot.
This one too.
And a third

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

On the road again: Two Medicine Lake & Twin Falls, GNP

It was a lot easier coming down on twisty Highway 95 than going up. We left Columbia Falls yesterday and are now in Weiser, Idaho for the solar eclipse.

But, before we get into the preparation for the eclipse, I need to close out our adventures in Glacier National Park (GNP). The first day of no smoke we, fortunately, had arranged to take a boat ride on Two Medicine Lake and hike to Twin Falls. It was an easy 1.8 mile hike each way, but our guide was young and walked fast. We had seniors and young couples with small children with us, and he sometimes had the group lagging behind. I almost had to run to keep up–short legs!

It was an enjoyable hike with beautiful scenery. The falls were nice, but not spectacular. I tried some handheld slow shutter on the wider one. I think I’m saying they weren’t spectacular because it was difficult to shoot. Nature had put barriers in the way and kids were climbing on the rocks.

Coming back, we missed the boat and waited with some others about 30 minutes for the boat to come back. I didn’t mind because it gave me a chance to relax and rest. It also gave me an opportunity to shoot some more of the lake. Of course, I was shooting, out the boat’s open window, all the way there and back.

We had one more day of sightseeing in Montana and a day of re-stocking and cleaning before our trip to Weiser. That will be in my next post.

My first shot at the lake.
Pulling away from the dock.
Beautiful clear skies.
Another view.
One of the bridges we walked over.
A fungi. The only one I saw.
Fallen trees in the brush.
The wider of the twin falls. Slow shutter s;peed handheld.
The taller of the twin falls.
Kids playing. You can barely see the two falls.
The creek.
This mountain is the centerpiece.
A creek on our walk.
While we waited for the boat to return.
These mountains have names.
I can’t remember them.
Mostly because I had my head stuck out the window.
On the way back. Just wanted to show you something different, so it’s in black and white.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

On the road again: Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada

It was just a peak at Waterton Lakes National Park, (WLNP) that is at Glacier National Park’s (GNP) most northern end. But, because it’s located in southern Alberta, Canada you need to show a passport at the border. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive, going around the east boundary of GNP since the western border was closed. Well, it was worth it.

Except for just a little fun harassment from the Canadian border guard, it was a great day trip. The park staff was very helpful and showed us two drives we could take and sight-see. We did half of one and the total of the other. We also explored the lovely village near the lake.

But before we did anything, we visited the Prince of Wales Hotel. It stood at the top of a hill. When I saw it, I knew I need to get up there to get some spectacular shots. The hotel itself was fun to shoot. Inside they welcomed everyone, hotel guest or not. And, their staff was from different countries.

Next stop was a village by the lake. I saw a doe walk up to a porch and look at the front door. I quickly picked up my camera and focused it. By the time I was ready, she was already feeding on the flowers in the hanging pot!

After lunch, we drove the route called Akamina Parkway half way because I wanted to drive the entire Red Rock Parkway. This was another mountain drive, much like those in GNP.

Red Rock Parkway showed us a different topography–less trees and more of a prairie. I was curious to go to Red Rock Canyon because of all the red rock canyons we have in the western states. It wasn’t as large but it was beautiful. Families took advantage of the water to wade and get wet.

Again, there were fires. The Park staff said one had just started in Alberta, and everyone was warned to be careful. I’m wondering if this is an unusual or typical summer.

It was a long trip back to our trailer in Columbia Falls, but a totally enjoyable day.

Entering Waterton Lakes NP.
Lower Waterton Lake.
Mountain Goats on the road.
A young one turns around and looks back.
The point at which Middle and Upper Waterton Lakes. Taken from the Prince of Wales Hotel back yard.
Looking down Upper Waterton Lake. Again from the Prince of Wales Hotel.
You can see the small village to the right.
The back of the Hotel.
Inside the hotel. A chandelier.
The lobby.
Looking up at the various levels.
The hotel front vew.
The doe enjoying a nice treat.
A water fall on the Akamina Parkway.
Looking down from a turn out on the Akamina Parkway.
Now on the Red Rock Parkway.
These trees were abundant in both National Parks. They sort of look like Aspens.
The Red Rock Canyon.
Taken on our way out.

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler

On the road again: Kalispell, Bigfork, & Swan Lake

Can I grumble just a little? No! Well, it’s just frustrating to be in a beautiful place and shoot through a smokey haze. In fact, Richard has been unable to star or sun gaze. There, I grumbled! Now, let’s continue with our Montana experience.

In this post, I’m showing you three of our day journeys. The fires and smoke made it almost impossible to shoot in Glacier National Park (GNP), and we went wherever a truck could take us.

Again, unless you can hike miles, the Going To The Sun Road is the main attraction. So, one day we took off to Kalispell, a city larger than we’ve experienced in the region. We found a State Park and, at the overlook, saw the valley below. We also found Foy Lake. Lunch was at a small Italian place, and we enjoyed great pizza. Here are some images from Kaliispell.

The overlook view.
Another view of Foy Lake
Foy Lake.
The Flathead County building.

 Bigfork was the following evening. It’s a small community on Flathead Lake–the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. Cute is the word to describe the town. We found a Forest Service picnic area and went down to the lake. You can see the smoke almost covers the horizon on the lake.

Fun on the lake.
You can see how bad the smoke is.
Boat rental closed for the evening.

Also more towards evening was our visit to Swan Lake. Another quaint community, not far from Bigfork. Here we surprised a doe feeding locally. What a trip that was for me. She allowed me to get close, and was only scared away when Richard started the truck engine. Families were packing their picnic supplies and rafts, etc. We talked to a fireman who said the fires will end about October. This was the worst of the smoke. The featured image is from Swan Lake.

Swan Lake is beautiful, but that day it was also dramatic.
The sky was mean. We left when the wind started and the rain began.
This doe was enjoying a meal in the front grass area of a business.
She let me get close to her.
At the boat dock.

That night, we had a storm and heavy rain. The next morning, the sky was beautiful. Fortunately, we we had arranged for a boat ride at Two Medicine Lake and hike to Twin Falls in GNP that day. You’ll find out about that in another post.

Thanks for letting me grumble for a little bit!

 

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

On the road again: Try again, Glacier National Park & Hungry Horse Dam

I admit it, I am tenacious. I don’t give up easily. I mentioned in my last post that we went back into the Park to find Polebridge and Bowman Lake but the road was closed because of fire. So instead, we took a path near Lake McDonald. It was smokey, but not that bad.

After, we stopped in West Glacier and found the Canadian Visitor’s Center. We were going into Canada the next day to visit Waterton Lake National Park and needed to know the best route to take. The gal was very helpful, and, loaded with maps, directions and confidence, we left.

On the way home (the trailer), we decided to drive up to the Hungry Horse Dam and Hungry Horse Lake. It was a worthy trip. There are so many lakes in this area, and they are beautiful. While there, we met a family from Kansas doing a whirlwind road trip. After they left, I realized how lucky we are to be living on the West Coast. In Sacramento, we are 2 hours away from mountain life and beaches. We enjoy visiting several lakes and are surrounded by rivers.

Back to GNP and surrounding area. This trip would be perfect if it wasn’t for the smoke and the haze it creates. When you see the clouds emerging from the dissipating smoke, you realize what a beautiful sky it is. However this trip, we’re not seeing it. I’m hoping that for at least one day, it will clear. I don’t give up!

From the Lake McDonald shore.
Another shoreline view. I’m getting pretty good at using the dehaze slider in Lightroom.
The sun is peaking through the clouds and haze.
Last on of Lake McDonald.
Along the path.
A sunlit creek.
Colorful West Glacier.
This part of West Glacier is right outside the Park entrance.
This little village is quaint.
Hungry Horse Dam.
Hungry Horse Lake and reservoir.
The Dam.
Another lake view.
The Hungry Horse River. Not too much water is being let out to the river.
South Lion Lake. Just outside of the Hungry Horse Dam area.
Another view of So. Lion Lake.
Posted on by Anne Sandler · 4 Comments

On the road again: Inside/out, Glacier National Park, Montana

Well, we tried. We wanted to get to Polebridge on the west side of Glacier National Park (GNP). We followed the signs within the park, and then we were out of the park. We like to take the challenge of going off the plan and drove on. The map said that if we drove 37 more miles we would get to Canada; Polebridge was before that. Easy? No.

A sign told us that the dirt road we were about to go on was going through private property, meaning—no trespassing. That’s okay. We passed farms and rural scenery, but no livestock. Do people live here all year round? We asked a gal who lives in White Fish, she said that a lot of them only summer here. So, now I’m curious as to why so much property for living around GNP for 3 to 4 months a year!

We did take the road that was supposed to take us back into GNP at Polebridge. After enjoying a delicious cookie at a gift shop, eatery and bakery, we embarked on the dirt road, but it soon turned into the road from hell. We turned back!

That was a couple days ago. I double checked the map and saw where we made our mistake. So today, we took off to find Polebridge and Bowman Lake on the west side of  GNP. We didn’t make it. A fire had forced the rangers to close the road and campground.

After dinner we went into White Fish to experience an evening Farmer’s Market. We did buy some chocolate huckleberry jam–delicious.

I’m not going to tell you what we did next; that will be in a post a few days from now. We just keep trying! Never give up!!

Taken within the Park, this is a fen, not a meadow. A fen is a a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land.
This is a meadow.
This devastation may have been the result of a fire that occurred in 2015.
We’re outside the park now. This guy just looked at me.
He wasn’t afraid and eventually went back to grazing.
We stopped for lunch.
These horse shoes were nailed into the steps.
Someone has a sense of humor.
One of the cabins we passed.
A close view. The feature photo is another we passed.
They sell delicious cookies here. But, I couldn’t tell you how to get there. You ave to get lost first!
Now in White Fish. We went to an evening Farmer’s Market. This band was playing.
These children were dancing to the music.
This little cutie kept dancing alone.
These windows (there were 4) were beautiful mosaics.
An up close view.
A dad and daughter at the train depot.