Slickrock and Shadow

Skyfall, the place Skyfall is a catchy name for a James Bond movie.  The actual location Skyfall is near Glencoe, Scotland.  When exploring around I couldn't resist the urge to see this place, to say I'd been to Skyfall myself. What's there?  Air, mountains, valleys, green growth, big skies. What's not there?  People, James Bond's home, civilization. This panorama is at the end of the road (it's a dead end) looking back over the terrain from Kings House to Skyfall.  Deer jump across the roads, clouds pass surprisingly quickly across the sky and times doesn't seem to matter.  I'd recommend a visit.

Eye:  Hobgoblin Playground (Little Finland) landscape photography This is a timely post because this location was recently designated Gold Butte National Monument.  It is also known as Hobgoblin Playground.  The name that most people recognize is Little Finland.  That name is the most mysterious and curious.  I assume it is referring to the sandstone "fins" which are present on many of these delicate creatures.  The name hobgoblin seems to make more sense because it is similar to Goblin Valley in Utah.  Nevertheless by any name it is an interesting place to visit and I must say it is a long road to visit.  The scenery is pretty, lonely.  I have no idea if President Obama has ever visited this area before turning it into a national monument.  This designation will surely bring more visitors to the area.  The beauty is undisputed. Pincer:  the lobster or crab reaches out in this bizarre sandstone shape. As far as photog...

Pololu Valley Overlook Sunrise Watching the glowing ball of sunlight rise from the flat ocean is a wonderful experience.  Everyone ought to see an ocean sunrise.  While visiting the Big Island of Hawaii, I used a very helpful tool to figure out whether Pololu Overlook would be a good or bad sunrise location.   SunCalc  is a tool that shows the position of the sun at any time of day on any day of the year.  I checked it out for January in the Big Island and found out the sun would rise just left of the landmass.  Therefore, I felt confident this would be a great sunrise location with the alignment of the Kohala Cliffs and the glowing sun.  Enjoy. Please visit my  Big Island of Hawaii gallery  to see more photos from this awesome place! The Wider View:  Pololu Valley sunrise

Warner Valley just outside St. George is a beautiful desert jewel Warner Valley sand dunes is a hidden location just outside St. George.  Local no about it although I have not seen it in a guide book nor are there any signs on the roads to this destination.  It is a small gem but easy to reach and beautiful in the morning light.  From downtown, it takes nearly 20 minutes to reach this gorgeous location.  I love living in southern Utah! Warner Valley Sand Dune Sunrise

San Giovanni Church (also known at St. John's Church) After looking at several photographs of the dolomites, it became apparent that several picturesque churches would you be found in the valleys and on the peaks. This particular church got my attention and I wanted to find out where it was.  After a little bit of research I discovered it is in the Val di Funes.  This is a short trip from Bolzano.  That is not to say it is a straight path.  Following GPS instructions I was led on several winding roads, sharp turns, small streets that seem to be designed more for cows than automobiles.  The farther I traveled the more beautiful scenery became. Me and my family had this lovely valley to ourselves.  A few cows joined us.  As you can see in the photograph, there had been a storm.  In fact it was raining when we arrived.  The rain was very light and I took several photographs, not knowing what the scenery might be later.  After we hi...