travlndon

Solitary windmill stands post over the recently harvested grain field at dawn. Bright highlights and long dark shadows show the rolling Colorado prairies bring out the terrain relief under the fluffy layers of monsoon cumulus clouds exacerbated by the massive smoke and ash from forest fires across the Western States.

Ubiquitous high power electric lines span many miles across the eastern Colorado prairies to bring electricity to the burgeoning populations and isolated farmsteads. Low angle post dawn sunlight creates dimensionality with long highlighted ridge lines and deep shadows.

Found an area of Colorado high prairie with rolling hills and infinite grain fields and used the post dawn light and shadows across the scene to develop the depth of the terrain. Monsoon moisture drawn off the Gulf of Baja and smoke from Western state forest fires help form the cumulus cloud banks.

A late blooming sunflower drinks in the early morning sun just north of Denver International Airport.

Sought to limit my pallet to primary colors for this pair of early morning sunflowers just north of Denver International Airport.

Caught a fly having his breakfast at the center of an early morning sunflower. The field is just outside the north edge of Denver International Airport. Processed using Skylum Luminar 2018 RAW Develop and Golden Hour presets.

Found an east sloping field of ripening sunflowers in the earlier morning sun. Due to heavy forest fire overcast had to correct RAW files for red haze tint.

Three (near macro) of three in a zoom series of this bloom.

Found an east sloping field of ripening sunflowers in the earlier morning sun. Due to heavy forest fire overcast had to correct RAW files for red haze tint.


Two of three in a zoom series of this bloom.

Found an east sloping field of ripening sunflowers in the earlier morning sun. Due to heavy forest fire overcast had to correct RAW files for red haze tint.


One of three in a zoom series of this bloom.

Monochrome version of a waiting stack of crystal goblets from the veranda of a restaurant close by Ponte Rialto (Rialto Bridge) Venice, Italy. This tends to bring out the clarity of the crystal bulbs. The crowd in the background is a phalanx of photographers poised along the bank.

Color version of a waiting stack of crystal goblets from the veranda of a restaurant close by Ponte Rialto (Rialto Bridge) Venice, Italy. This tends to imply a gray creaminess to the crystal bulbs. The crowd in the background is a phalanx of photographers poised along the bank.

Slightly different edit of mid-summer afternoon sun peaking between Rocky Mountain peaks and heavy, nondescript overcast to illuminate the Larimer Square Clock Tower along Downtown Denver's 16th Street Mall.

Taken while leaving Colorado Convention Center along Downtown Denver's 16th Street Mall. Heavy overcast and low afternoon sun created interesting light on Larimer Square Clock Tower and adjacent skyscrapers.

Modern high rises grow in the background across the well protected bay of Cartagena de los Indios ancient defensive works.

Thanks to Pixel Studios, Cartagena, Colombia, who let me take several behind-the-scenes photographs of the post wedding images. Was fascinated by their use of a video drone, as a new piece of equipment, which they used from the newlyweds' exit from the cathedral to include a walk along the 17th century defensive wall under setting sun.

From a recent walkabout the neighborhood, this pine bough glows with late afternoon low sun. Strange to go through March with almost no snow here in Denver.

Used south facing picture window with bright afternoon sunlight as sole light source. Extremely high ISO 12800 and open aperture (f/4.5) to blow out light and hide tree, porch posts, and parked car in background. Tried to manually focus on leading lattice work near center but was fooled by average of front and rear lattices, true image focus is on the plane of the stem.

High key detail of my weekly bouquet for my wife. Used south facing picture window with bright afternoon sunlight as sole light source. Extremely high ISO 12800 and open aperture (f/4.5) to blow out light and hide tree, porch posts, and parked car in background.

Used post edit to bring out the natural high key sky background for this soaring turkey buzzard, which was soaring on midday tropical rising air columns adjacent to Castillo San Felipe des Indios.

Playing around in home studio with no horizon set up. Goal was to garner a minimalist image.

Shanghai incense vendor displays his wares on the street in front of the guardian golden elephants at his front door.

A fellow traveler uses his chop sticks to serve himself the steamed Chinese stuffed dumplings in Shanghai, China.

While walking from the British Polo Field, this chair was sitting in the street at the edge of the parking area and the roadway. Wondering, if this location was selected by the owner to lock down a seating position for a parade.

I see a climbing man on the branch.
This service berry tree was shocked by near zero temperatures and champagne powder snowfall. 1st frost was over 4 months ago, however, most of the days have been unseasonably warm, which fooled this and many other plants into beginning their spring growth.

Gilded security bars practically hide the gold lettering of the window for Harry's Bar, Venice,Italy.
Harry's is the home of the Bellini, peach juice and champagne.

Chena Hot Springs greenhouse, is heated and powered by geothermal hot spot under the site.

We traveled from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Denali National Park. With upgrade we had a 2nd story view of the Alaska wilderness from these upperlevel seats through the almost floor to floor windows.

The early morning sun is rising behind me, is being reflected off the closest office building, is being reflected off office building windows just to my left, and is finally revealed as the dappled pattern on the windows and wall of the original building.
This was taken with my cellphone camera at a stop sign near Cherry Creek in Glendale, CO.

The high contrast and razor sharp edges of LoDo (LOwer DOwntown) buildings and their shadows caught my eye while walking to Coors Field for a Colorado Rockies game.

The sun sets over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is reflected in the high rise building glass over the LoDo (LOwer DOwntown) section of Denver as viewed from an upper deck at Coors Field.
I took this for the brilliant sunset reflection and the urban environment of lampposts and construction cranes.

Really liked how the architects used natural stones as facades for Mountain Village Shopping Center above Telluride, CO. Low, late afternoon sun highlighted the colors and layers of this local stone. Like the matte finish of the lighting fixtures at the corner of this building.

Strong side light from low angle, late afternoon sun highlight and create strong shadows on candy cane shaped wrought iron railing in shopping area of Mountain Village above Telluride, CO.

Trying to figure out what makes this a striking image to my eye.
Taken using sunlight reflected into a courtyard, which otherwise was shaded from the low angle, late afternoon sun, at See Forever Village, Mountain Village Shopping Center, above Telluride, CO.

Was struck by the weathering damage on this shutter along walkway of Mountain Village Shopping Center.

Shy, anxiety ridden, granddaughter sings a solo of "Grease is the Word."

Color version of live solo performance of my granddaughter during Bishop Dunne High School Revue. She overcame extreme shyness and anxiety through practice, stage coaching by drama teacher, and RayBan sunglasses. This was taken from the edge of stage left using my 55-300mm Sony lens attached to my Sony Alpha58 DSLR ISO800 1/100 sec f/5.6 Exp -0.3.

Table setting for formal evening dinner presents a detailed still life in the dining room of Coral Princess during Panama Canal cruise.

Like the play of monotones across the entire image of el Arco at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Our cabin and balcony were on the correct side to watch these crags as Coral Princess crept past the end of the Baja Peninsula in the light of dawn.

We crept into Cabo San Lucas at dawn late in our cruise through the Panama Canal. Luckily, our cabin and balcony were on the side to watch the play of early morning light along the crags which form Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Found this image interesting with the early morning sun glancing off a Denver, CO, skyscraper behind shaded trees and bike racks.

After sunrise this sculpture seemed to pop out of a primordial forest.

Dawn sun rays back light the open petals of this 'old' rose in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science rose garden.

Watched the sunrise create a horizon shadow line along the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The circular area in the foreground is a splash fountain for children during the heat of the day; in the mid ground is the lake, its boathouse, and a water jet fountain, with the Denver skyline below the Rocky Mountain peaks.

Made use of tall park trees to frame downtown Denver, CO, during blue hour. Intentionally, cropped out the streetlight in camera, but found the flare added to the image appearing to provide some of the light for the foreground.

Spotted this potential shot while approaching a group of fellow photographers gathered to take blue hour photographs of the Denver skyline against the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Took several shots from the area where they were gathered, then moved back to catch this image. Was amazed at how few actually moved from their initial set up location to change their viewpoint or perspective.

Champagne cocktail served at Princess Cruise reception aboard Coral Princess.

Ripened heads of native grasses hang heavily along tree shaded, walking path of Highline Canal at Green Valley Ranch Golf Course, Denver, CO

Liked the light and shadow play across the sand trap hazard on the Green Valley Ranch Golf Course, Denver, CO.

Low angle, morning sunlight dramatically lights up a cottonwood tree along walking path in Green Valley Ranch Golf Course and Highline Canal Trail, Denver, CO.

Managed to salvage this rose bush and almost missed the opportunity to photograph the floral world in my own backyard. Allowed the rose bushes to go wild over the last couple years; last fall did major pruning and results are satisfactory for the recovery.
Here, with the late afternoon bright summer sun backlighting the single last rosebud of the year applied diffuse, reflected filler flash to bring out the front petal colors while maintaining the translucence from the sunlight.

My sister-in-law listens intently to family stories told by her siblings around the table after a brunch in honor of the 80th birthday of the oldest. Lighting was complicated by the sliding glass door across the room in front of her and the bright yellow kitchen walls.

Green Valley Ranch Golf Course grounds crew predictably water the fairways of the course at the same time every day. Here the early morning sunlight shines through the sprinkler rooster tail and creates a sharp silhouette and shadows from trees along the fairway. Like the pastel rings around the rising sun, which are the result of applying the "Posterize" function to the basic image.

This little guy posed for almost 15 minutes as I took several versions of him laying in the shallows of a local pond.

Biggest bullfrog in the pond. Calmly watched over me taking shots of him and his buddies at a pond nearby my neighborhood. He did not jump away until I stood and began to move to leave. Area was marked "No Trespassing," city policeman did not stop me as I walked back onto public street, got lucky!

A skilled glassblower checks over his handiwork in making the bowl for an octagonally shaped drinking glass. Taken in the kiln work zone of Murano Glass Works, Venice, Italy.

A Murano Glassworks' glassblower stands by the kiln heating the plug of fine glass for an octagonally shaped globe of a hand-blown, drinking glass.

Was amazed at the many growth clusters of plants growing in the crevices of the marble stones of the pontes (bridges) and buildings throughout Venice, Italy.

2 local boaters hesitate to row their punt under a low ponte or bridge over a small canal entrance off the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy.

Many buildings have been remodeled over the centuries. Here a doorway with marble frame has been filled with red bricks to frame a window, flower boxes, and black iron security grating.

Practically every building on the 67 islands of Venice is sinking into the saturated, silty soils. The X's and single bars are the end caps of post-tension tendons, which keep the house, its walls, and its floors held together.

Canal level view of overhanging balcony along Venice, Italy, canal. Many details begin with carved gargoyle on canal level archway keystone and marble column capstones. Was surprised at the cracked and missing stucco sections on exterior walls which revealed the brick and stone with mortar construction.

A sundial graces the south wall of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Denver University campus.

Lila Rose is President of Live Action, an educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a culture of life in America and beyond.

Lila founded Live Action when she was fifteen years old. Live Action changes hearts and minds about abortion and promotes respect for human dignity through national media campaigns, investigative reporting, and targeted youth education programs.

Charlie Kirk is the Founder and Executive Director of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets, and limited government. Since the inception of Turning Point USA on June 5th of 2012, Charlie has grown Turning Point USA from nothing to having representation on over 1,100 high schools and college campuses nationwide and over 75 full time field staff. At 22 years old, he has appeared on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX Business News over 200 times including frequent appearances on “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” and “Varney & Co.” In addition to his entrepreneurial political endeavors, Charlie plays every type of Saxophone, was captain of his school’s Varsity Basketball team, and is a proud Eagle Scout.

Brittany Corona, Director for State Programs and Government Relations for Friedman Foundation for Education Choice, addresses Western Conservative Summit 2016 at Colorado Convention Center, Denver.

Frank Gaffney, author and security advisor, delivers keynote speech on Shariah at Western Conservative Summit 2016. One of his specialties is the impact of EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) burst on high tech equipment and power grids.

Local radio talk show personality, Craig Silverman, introduces US Senate candidate Daryl Glenn at Western Conservative Summit 2016 in Denver Convention Center.

American flag flies proudly atop Larimer Square Clock Tower in the middle of Denver, CO, 16th Street Mall jut before July 4th.

The youngest Senator currently in the US Senate, Tom Cotton of Kansas, gives his keynote speech in Denver, CO, Convention Center before audience at Western Conservative Summit 2016.

Phil Robertson, founder of Duck Commander, Inc, and star of Duck Dynasty, signals approval of audience participation at the start of his keynote speech, July 2, 2016, during the Western Conservative Summit 2016, in the Denver, CO, Convention Center.

US Senate candidate Daryl Glenn during keynote speech at Western Conservative Summit 2016 at Denver Convention Center. As an underfunded underdog with only county commission political experience, Daryl wowed the delegates at Colorado Republican State Assembly in May with a fire-in-the-belly speech to lock out 5 other nominees from the party primary ballot with 70%. With a minor war chest of $11K, he won the party nomination to challenge the appointed incumbent in November.

The shadow of the Rocky Mountains cloaks the houses of Green Valley Ranch while a building hailstorm in the distance is brightly lit above the horizon shadow line.

A freezing,morning fog has coated the grasses of a local new home sales office landscaping.

An array of Mexican primrose on an expanding vine among the grasses of our front yard high alpine meadow.

A deep maroon lily growing in our flower bed is framed by its neighboring ice plant.

A single Mexican primrose close up. This plant is far more aggressive than expected, the vines are expanding across our high alpine meadow.

Forgot to turn on my water before the recent heat wave in Colorado's Front Range, these white veronica's are struggling to bloom.

Blue veronica beginning to bloom among a colorful collection of xeriscaped, high alpine meadow flowers and grasses in our front yard.

A single lavender bloom begins to show forth from our High Mountain Meadow, xeriscape front yard.

Like the brilliant reds and yellows of these Goblin Blanket Flowers, native to Colorado's high mesa prairie ecosystem.
An 11 X 14 version was my 1st professional, framed sale to a friend for her new apartment.

Another of a series of Shasta daisies for Limes Wright comparison with UK coastal daisies.

A scraggly pair of Shasta daisies standing tall in our High Alpine Meadow, front yard, near Denver International Airport. Taken to share with Limes Wright after an excellent shot of UK seacoast Moon daisies.

Close up of a blossoming apple branch in front of the Grand Mercure Hotel, Xi'an, China.
This image is straight out of camera (SOOC).

Butterflies, an icon for the city of Beijing, form a mural on the elevator back wall above the Four Seasons-Beijing atrium and are visible from each floor.

From an interior terrace of the Chinese Imperial Palace's Forbidden City, the ancient roof lines provide an artificial horizon line for both the the modern skyline of Beijing and a new soaring white domed, Buddhist stupa.

Blooming fruit branch along walkway to Great Wall, Beijing, China, stands out against the front wood paneling of a tourist shop near the front entrance.

Chinese maintenance worker paints gold highlights around characters of commemoration monument along approach to The Great Wall.

Yinjang beer awaits selection by the diners of our party as beverage of choice for lunch near the Great Wall of China outside Beijing.
Chinese beers tend to be very light tasting.
Caution, Chinese white wine is compatible with kerosene and distilled from sorghum grains. In general, white grape wines are difficult to find outside of major hotels.

Broiled, deboned trout and fried rice as part of a Chinese restaurant lunch near the Great Wall outside Beijing, China. On another photography page, a fellow shooter paid me the greatest complement stating, "Now, I am hungry!" I think that is the idea with food and other product shots.

This fish was fried Sichuan style to accompany the evenings main course of Peking Duck, at Da Dong Restaurant in Beijing, China.

My wife, Jane did a much better job of my portrait, here. Some cropping and minor tweaking from post.

Breakfast buffet chef prepares eggs to order. Difficult to set white balance since the foreground porcelain was under florescent overhead lights and the infrared heat lamps were highlighting the chef's face; decided to correct for porcelain white and let the highlights fall naturally on his face.

Cleaning is a constant job in Beijing with a population approaching 20 million and growing at 44% for the last decade. A major public awareness campaign tied to the Summer Olympics has increased recycling and decreased littering. Many teams of 1-5 uniformed workers were dispersed ubiquitously throughout the city.

Hand drawn detailed icon of Chinese man's drama mask marks entrance to the men's restroom at the Red Wall Garden Hotel, Beijing, China. Like the strong blue cloth behind wooden window filigree covering.

Needed my tripod as have some motion blur on the lit windows and the edges of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.
First built to a height of 60 meters (197 feet) with five stories, it is now 64.5 meters (211.6 feet) high with an additional two stories. It was said that after that addition came the saying-'Saving a life exceeds building a seven-storied pagoda'. Externally it looks like a square cone, simple but grand and it is a masterpiece of Buddhist construction. Built of brick, its structure is very firm. Inside the pagoda, stairs twist up so that visitors can climb and overlook the panorama of the city from the arch-shaped doors on four sides of each storey. On the walls are engraved fine statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben of the Tang Dynasty. Steles by noted calligraphers also grace the pagoda.
According to ancient stories of Buddhists, there were two branches, for one of which eating meat was not a taboo. One day, they couldn't find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.' At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke its wings and fell to the ground. All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious. They established a pagoda where the wild goose fell and stopped eating meat. Hence its name.

This line of creatures along the gable of a Chinese Imperial building inside the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, denotes a building of minor importance among the family apartments. The man riding a chicken and the dragon-like mythological creature at the ends are not counted for precedence, only the animals in the middle, here 3, are counted and the count varies from 0 to 10 animals. Only the Imperial Palace has 10.
A practical need for these is as part of a lightning strike prevention system. Modern society has added a metal bar along the roof crests to augment this function.

A Chinese gondola approaches Yinding Bridge near Imperial Summer Palace, near Beijing, China.
The name translates to silver bar, which is the shape locals see in this bridge.

Young female attendant waits to welcome passengers aboard a Chinese National Railroad bullet train at Beijing railway station.
Was trying to figure out from which clone factory these young ladies came. Their statures were very uniform and their faces uniformly comely. Almost as if the central railroad agency only wanted to make one size uniform and be able to replace the attendants with no effort.

This treasure chest of local sweet treats greeted us in our room at Four Seasons Hotel, Beijing, China.

One of dozens of incense burners, which adorn the front stairs leading to the imperial palace. These are about the size of a 55-gallon drum and were constantly lit while the emperor was in residence at the Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
Believe the purpose was a blatant display of ostentation in combination with the practical keeping bugs away and suppressing the massive odor of so many people in a confined space.