chasing rainbows: SkyWatch Friday

chasing rainbows while on vacation in Blanchard, Idaho

This is actually a double rainbow which you can see better in the second photo.

This post is for SkyWatch Friday.  See more wonderful photos HERE.

This edition was hosted by Squirrel Queen, aka Judy of The Road to Here.  This blog and her other blog, Through Squirrel Eyes are favorites of mine.

photos by me © 2008

highways and byways

 off-roading from Silverton to Telluride, Colorado, USA

 Ophir Pass 11,789 ft elevation (mid September; 2 days later it was snow-covered and closed)

The Ophir Pass Road winds through a narrow valley up through tundra to a rocky summit.  It was once a wagon toll road used for transporting ore from the town of Ophir to Silverton for processing.  

The views of the mountains and valley are spectacular.  The road winds down through lush Aspen groves into the valley.  Below are a few views of the road and scenery.

The richness of the Autumn colors-greens, golds, earthy reds and browns, gray; and the sky fading from turquoise to a darker blue, makes this one of the most spectacular places on earth.

printable map here

This post is for The Brenda Photo Challenge.  Read about it HERE and HERE.
This challenge was hosted by Judy:  The Road to Here  and Through Squirrel Eyes

photos by me © 2007

Daylily: Today's Flowers

This post is for TODAY'S FLOWERS. Click here to see other entries. I was introduced to this site by Squirrel Queen at Through Squirrel Eyes. Come join in the fun!
photo by me © 2009

Pink: Today's Flowers

bottlebrush (Phoenix, Arizona, April 2009)

cactus (Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona, April 2009)

bougainvillea (Sint Maarten, NA, July 2009)

This post is for TODAY'S FLOWERS. Click here to see other entries. I was introduced to this site by Squirrel Queen at Through Squirrel Eyes. Come join in the fun!
photo by me © 2009

The Color Purple--The Brenda Photo Challenge

The The Color Purple is the theme for this photo challenge
I discovered this challenge on Squirrel Queen's blog!
You, too can join in! Upload anything purple that you've photographed and post the photo(s) on your blog. Then simply click on the "photo challenge" link above, and follow the directions to leave a comment about your post. Look at the comments to see others' posts.
Have fun!
photo by me © 2009

flower and bee

Trying to photograph an insect is like trying to catch the wind. I was inspired by Squirrel Queen's bee photos on her blog post and by Mackin-Art. And then that very same day, I just happened to see this bumblebee crawling all over the Lantana blossoms, wallowing in its food, sucking lustily. Eating food should be this much fun!
Squirrel Queen has 3 blogs. Do check them out. Her photography is wonderful!
The Road to Here
Through Squirrel Eyes
The Chase for Baja
more about bumblebees:
lots of information-fascinating and
here
more about lantana:
here and
here
photo by me © 2009

oooo....an award!

Kreativ Blogger Award
I have been presented with this award by Squirrel Queen. Her blog is beautiful with lovely photography and inspiring quotes. I found her wonderful blog through AlpHa Buttonpusher. And that's one of the joys of blogging--meeting new bloggy friends. Thank you Squirrel Queen (who loves flowers, photography, cats, and green)! (Check out this particular post and then just peruse her blog. SQ has 2 other blogs, so be sure to look to the right under the kitty.)

Here are the FUN STEPS of this Award:
(1) Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
(2) Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
(3) Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
(4) Name 8 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
(5) Nominate 8 Kreativ Bloggers.
(6) Post links to the 8 blogs you nominate.
(7) Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

8 things about me people might find interesting:
1. I love photographing. Right now I am enthralled with the inside centers of flowers.
2. I would love to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (and back up, of course!)
3. I enjoy riding my road bike and am working on getting stronger.
4. I love old photographs of people.
5. I teach tie dye classes.
6. I have been in love with cats since I was very small. My first cat was named Chocolate. I have 2 cats now-Oliver and Earnest.
7. I love seeing how sunlight filters through leaves.
8. With a friend, we had a camp for kids where we taught art, nature, movement, and music. (for 3 summers at a park)

Be sure to visit these Eight Kreativ Bloggers:
crafts, kids, home, and life (TiLT)
Makin-Art
Mishkat
the weblog of artist athena workman
The Jeweled Postcard
Dorset Hill Beads
A Jedi's Musings
Chunky Chooky

inspiration--Mother's Day style

a few wonderful blog posts for Mother's Day. You simply must go check these out! (inspiring, humorous, and/or perhaps out of the ordinary)

a view of my morning from bed

a beautiful sentiment

a mother and child photo

a thought with a twist

a sweet image

cute, cute, cute!

a sweet tribute

funny, lovely, and baaaddd!

one more:

Lucinda and there are more parts to this story, but you will have to search SQ's blog! Part one starts here.

photos are columbine from my garden on Mother's Day ©2009