MONSOON!

It is amazing to witness nature's fury as the rain downpours in sheets and lightning shakes the earth. All day today, the clouds looked as if they were building up to something but nothing happened. After dinner, I was photographing the clouds and enjoying the abstract shapes they formed. The downpour came suddenly and lasted a good 15 minutes, leaving almost a half inch of rain in its wake. My wife and I drove to a viewpoint on Glassford Hill to watch the lightning to the South and East.  I got a few lucky photographs of the lightning! Hurray for the Monsoon!

The calm before the storm

Watson Lake at Sunset

Watson Lake is a picturesque place of curious granite boulders, high desert plant life, and reflective waters.  During mid-day, the sun brightly reflects off the rocks, but during sunset with dramatic clouds overhead, the raking light of the sun sets the rocks aglow.  During this particular evening of May 20th, 2011, the lake was in complete shade as the sun was blocked by a massive cloud.  I knew the sun would show through a gap in the clouds eventually.  The moment came, and I was not disapointed. Here are five of my favorite shots:

Signs of Spring

The air is warming, buds are bursting, the grass is green, the lakes are full, the creeks are chortling, and I am enjoying it (despite the pollen). 

Buds at Lynx Creek

Falls at Lynx Creek, south of Lynx Lake

On the shores of Lynx Lake

Moss in the Dells

Watson Lake Dam, overflowing

Lichen, in the Dells

Snow-Shoeing Smith Ravine

 

Snow Day

Here are a few pictures from snow-shoeing near Lynx Lake after a winter storm in AZ.  The last picture is of Mingus Mountain looking over Prescott Valley, not part of the snow-shoeing hike.  I have an itch to try painting snow.  I've heard it can be difficult, it is not simply using white paint but an appropriate color reflected on the snow.  Enjoy!

"Beaver Creek"

"Beaver Creek"

20x16 oil

Beaver Creek is located near Sedona and provides great hiking. This creek is like an oasis in the desert, where plant life abounds next to its clear running waters. I enjoy the looseness of this painting creating an impressionistic and mystical landscape.