Howling Point

Moonset over Black Rock Nature Center

Moon setting during an early hike on the Hi-View Trail at the Black Rock Nature Center at the west side of the park.

Hemingway

This is part of a rock climbing / bouldering area of the park known as Hemingway. Various signs pointing to different specific features, including Banana Cracks and Maggies Farm.

Banana Cracks

This is a rock climbing point named Banana Cracks in the Hemingway area of the park.

Nature Finds A Way

When you want that shady forest experience but you're in Joshua Tree? This is how nature finds a way. Taken in the Hemingway climbing area.

Rocks

Nothing more to say. Taken on the Split Rock Trail.

Hidden Mickey?

The fact that I immediately started trying to count hidden Mickeys says I've been spending too much time at that other park. Taken on the Split Rock Trail.

Geology at work

Assuming it's not a manufacturing defect or a rendering error, so now wishing I'd paid more attention in Geology classes over the years. Fascinating.

First Night Star Trails

Star trails from a composite of 30-second exposures shot on a Canon Rebel T6i the night of May 17, 2022. The vantage point was just past Intersection Rock on the Keys Ranch Road, and the camera was set at ISO 3200 and f/5.6.

Second Night Star Trails

Star trails from a composite of 30-second exposures shot on a Canon Rebel T6i the night of May 18, 2022. The vantage point was just north of the Jumbo Rocks campsite turnoff (which was also the source of the red light) on Park Boulevard, and the camera was set at ISO 3200 and f/5.6.

Court of the Patriarchs

The view while waiting just west of the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel.

First Impression

The South Entrance to Zion National Park on the second day of our roadtrip.

Scale

It's been tough for me to pick shots that capture the true vertical scale of this place. Hopefully leaving the road and cars in helps.

Checkerboard Mesa

The ranger says that white stuff is called snow. Apparently it's some sort of natural phenomenon that we don't get here in San Diego.

Tired on Day Two

Onofre wants you to know what he thinks of forced photo ops on scenic overlooks. Taken at the Checkerboard Mesa pullout.

Another First Impression

This is the Capital Reef National Park taken from the Panorama Point pullout near the entrance to the park.

Random erosion

Tough to capture the scale, but this remnant of the erosion process was larger than my car and just sitting there on the side of the road.

Stay on Target

For scale, that's a two-lane lane road, and I think the trench is easily wide enough for an X-Wing to navigate.

Faces in the rock?

Couldn't help but stare at the erosion patterns here. Kinda think this is how Mount Rushmore could have turned out if it had been carved by Picasso or Dali.

Eph Hanks Tower

Viewed from the picnic area at the entrance to Capital Gorge.

Bryce Canyon

Randy provides scale for our first impression of Bryce Canyon National Park.

The First Alternative Horse

This was the first of the alternative animals used for the parade, and captured my attention for the theme.

Bagpipes

Can't have a parade without bagpipes.

Drum Major

Someone has to lead the parade.

Variety

There's more than one way to overcome the lack of live horses at the parade.

A Herd of Alterna-Horsies

Cowgirls making the most of the situation.

Fabulous I

Spectacular outfit acknowledging San Juan Capistrano's sister city in Italy, Capestrano.

Fabulous II

Another spectacular fashion choice by someone promoting San Juan Capistrano's relationship with its Italian sister city, Capestrano.

2D Alterna-Horse

Even lacking a third dimension it showed good spirit.

Another Alterna-Horse

Can't imagine what this would have been like with live horses.

Guard Chihuahua

After seeing this guy eyeball the crowd wondering why more of them weren't riding shotgun on the carriages of the Old West.

Riding

A few of the alternative horses were actually rideable.

A smile

Ending the day with a cute smile.

Ancient History or Future Vision?

Yes, there was a group of Jurassic Park / World vehicles in the parade. I don't know if this was a substitute for a horse group, or just people with a broader historical vision. Admittedly wondering how a Baby T-Rex would match up with a Baby Yoda, but I was in the sun too long today.

Wild Horses

Looked nice, but I would've liked to see the right one in Mach 5 livery.

Mouthful of Foam

When you think you're getting something good but end up with a mouthful of foam.

Shake it off

Can't let a little water bother you if you're at the beach.

Malayan Tiger

Just waiting for someone to fall off the tour bus.

Jaguar Watching

It might have been side-eye, but definitely felt he knew exactly where everyone was at every moment.

I plunged!

Penguin giving me lip (or beak) for not being able to complete the official Penguin Plunge this New Year's.

Yummy

Malayan Tiger eying the breakfast buffet, which in this case was a whole row of photographers enjoying her being up close and personal in her enclosure.

Watching You

Andean Condor is till watching you, but with a bit more of an evil glint in the eye.

Watching You

Andean Condor keeping an eye on the visitors.

The Ears

Never really understood the naming of the Tasmanian Devil until I got these close-ups of the face and ears. And yes, those are overbite canines ready to rip you to shreds in that smile.

Tasmanian Devil

The reality version of the beloved cartoon character was being particularly generous with the photo ops this morning.

December Nights in Daylight

Randy (and the SDGMC) singing at the opening of the second Covid-alternative to San Diego's December Nights celebration, Tastes of December Nights.

December Nights in Daylight

Randy (and the SDGMC) singing at the opening of the second Covid-alternative to San Diego's December Nights celebration, Tastes of December Nights.

December Nights in Daylight

Randy (and the SDGMC) singing at the opening of the second Covid-alternative to San Diego's December Nights celebration, Tastes of December Nights.

Looking adorable

Red Panda (ailurus fulgens) giving the weekday morning crowd some love at the San Diego Zoo.