Grand Teton

Just a couple for now - this place is breathtaking!

This is Mt. Moran, at Oxbow bend, the location of one of Ansel Adams' iconic photographs. We we there before five am, overcast and raining. Got some nice cloud drama, and then the sun came out, to highlight Mt. Moran.

Top of Jackson Lake, from a little turnout on Rt. 89. More snow on the mountains this year than is normal. Just beautiful!

Both shots are with the iPhone and Snapseed, might have gone a little overboard on Mt. Moran.

Love this place!

 

April Outside in Hocking Hills

Love this place in the Spring! We were lucky enough to get rain Thursday overnight, and the streams and waterfalls in Hocking Hills were gorgeous. This is Cedar Falls. We took the easy way down, since the bridge on the rough but beautiful path was taken out by a falling tree. As you can see by the photo, where I had to lay on the rocks to use the boulders to cover that ugly downed tree, falling trees are fairly common. The soil's really thin, and no matter how burly the roots, wind and water will have their way.

The upper falls at Old Man's Cave. Beautiful old stone bridge.

More falls, leading down to the bowl below Old Man's Cave.

 

A beautiful view from the Conkle's Hollow rim trail. Took this a few minutes before I realized that the drop, straight down, is about 250 ft. And the trail is roughly three inches wide....

Rock House, a very cool cave, and very full of hikers on a Saturday.

Another great trip to Hocking Hills!

 

April Outside: Zoar

Did a little side trip to Zoar before the photo workshop in Hocking Hills. Had lunch at a German restaurant, and took this photo of the footbridge over the Tusc and the remnants of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Hard to believe the Army Corp of Engineers is considering letting Zoar drown instead of repairing the levee or reducing the height of the dam. Worth a side trip on your way down 77 to Amish country.

 

April Outside: Home and Away

Spent Monday evening (almost two weeks ago now!) laying mulch around the remnant of the rhodos I planted last year. Never ever have had a problem with deer eating the rhodos until now. They have buds, so perhaps they'll come back.

This was a pleasant surprise: the robin is nesting under my deck after a years' absence. She gets pretty annoyed when I work in the garden near her though.

And peonies, just starting. They're much taller now, but not leafing out yet.

Which reminds me: so much weeding, so little time!

 

April Outside: Sunday

Pretty cheerful day today - started with a mocha, then lunch with my brothers, a visit to Mom, shooting at St. Hubert's, a hike at Holden, and dinner with Chuck. Just about perfect!

Spotted this guy washing his dinner in a stream.

And two bird watchers pointed out this bittern in Buttonbush Bog at Holden.

 

April Outside: Photowalk

Saturday's Photowalk was to the Bath Rd. Heronry and the Wagner Daffodil Trail. This is one of the nesting trees - very close to the road, which is unusual for birds as shy as herons.

 

April Outside: Finally Daffodils

Tete a Tete, mulch-splattered from the storm.

Ice Follies, my favorite daffodil. They're yellow and cream to start, fading to ivory.

Time to take photos of the garden beds, so I remember where to plant more bulbs next year.