Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming

Geologic upheaval about 300 million years ago created this "hog back" located in the front range of the Big Horn Mountains in Northern Wyoming. Elevation about 7,000 feet. The rocks in these ancient mountains consist of igneous, sedimentary, and lime stones. Wild life abounds: deer and bald eagles most abundant. 

NHRA Finals at Pomona, California

NHRA Pro Stock finals at the Pomona Raceway, California.. Winner was Vincent Nobile with an elapsed time of 6.584 and a speed of 210.05 mph. Runner-up: Jeg Coughlin with an elapsed time of 6.571 and a speed of 211.03.

Funny Car finals. Courtney Force defeats Ron Capps for the "Wally Trophy."  Force's elapsed time was 4.025 with a speed of 317.12 miles per hour.  Capps took second with an elapsed time of 6.090 and a speed of 116.92. Not much of a race.

Shawn Langdon, racing for the Al-Anabi Silver Team beats Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel final. Langdon's ET is 3.721 with a speed of 322.27 MPH; Schumacher's ET is 3.747 with a speed of 324.12.
NOTE: Photos shown above were taken during qualifying rounds on Thursday and Friday (14-15 February).

All photographs taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T2i.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Complied with  Zoner Photo Studio 15. 

Nebraska Capitol

The state capitol of Nebraska is located in Lincoln and was built between 1922 and 1932. Designed by Bertrum Grosvenor Goodhue, the building is defined as a "freely interpreted classical style." No building in Lincoln may be taller than the capitol per city building code. Lincoln's capitol building is the second tallest statehouse in the United States; only Louisiana's capitol is taller. Atop the capitol is "the sower"; a symbol of Nebraska's strength: agriculture.

All pictures taken with a Canon EOS T2i.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Complied and further edited with Zoner Photo Studio 15.

Hummmm....

Thinking about going out today and taking some photos of the Capitol.

The Spanish Missions of California

Spain founded a chain of twenty-one missions in Alta California (California) in the late 18th century. The two missions pictured here are in Los Angeles County. Mission San Gabriel (left) was founded in 1771 and Mission San Fernando (right) in 1797. Both missions served as religious/military/agricultural centers until Mexico lost possession of them to the United States following the 1848 Mexican-American War. Both missions now serve their respective communities as Catholic churches, parochial schools, museums, and document centers. Located in busy suburbs of greater Los Angeles, these lovely buildings offer a quiet respite from the hustle-bustle of urban living within their quiet, walled interior courtyards.  
San Gabriel Mission: Canon EOS T21; 1/250s; F10; ISO:100; f=21.00mm, no flash.
San Fernando Mission: Canon EOS T21; 1/100s; F10; ISO:100; f=27.00mm, no flash.
Both images edited with GIMP 2.8 and complied and further edited with Zoner Photo Studio 15.

Comp Eliminator Qualifying Heat

Justin Lamb (Rush bucket coup) versus Alan Ellis (Chevy). February 15, 2013 Comp Eliminator qualifying heat. NHRA Mello Yello drags at Pomona Raceway. Season kick-off. A/AA class with an index of 7.17. Both these cars can run over 200 mph.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i; 1/2000s; F5.6; ISO:320; f=225.00mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Compiled and further edited with Zoner Photo Studio 15.

Funny Car Qualifying Heat (Pomona)

Pomona Funny Car qualifying heat, Thursday 14 February 2013. Gary Densham of Bellflower, California versus Del Worsham (not shown). Funny cars have similar engines to top fuel dragsters. Based on 426 cubic inch Chrysler engine blocks, these 500 cubic inch engines produce 8500-10,000 horse power, have two spark plugs per cylinder, run on two 44 ampere magnetos, and suck about 5 gallons of nitro methane fuel in just under 4 seconds! In a little over 3 seconds, these cars cover 1,000 feet at speeds exceeding 300 mph. Engines can cost $60,000 or more. Top fuel funny cars burn nitro methane fuel (CH3NO2) ... this fuel is produced by treating propane with nitric acid.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i; 1/4000s; F6.3; ISO:1250; f=100.00mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Complied and edited with Zoner Photo Studio 15.
   

Pomona Raceway

Pomona Raceway, Los Angeles County Fairplex. Thursday, 14 February 2013, 1:00 pm. The opening day of the 2013 NHRA (National Hotrod Association) Mello Yello racing series. This series will continue all year at various sites throughout the United States and will terminate here, in Pomona, in November. Pomona, a former farming and citrus orchard community is located approximately 30 miles east of Los Angeles in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley. Immediately to the west of Pomona lie the communities of San Dimas, Lavern and Glendora. Puddingstone Lake/Dam also is nearby. The Pomona Complex also is the home of the NHRA Museum which offers an excellent array of drag racing and automobile exhibits. In the background loom snow-covered Mount Baldy and the arid San Gabriel Mountains.
Photo taken with an EOS Rebel T2i; 1/1000s; F4.0; ISO: 100; f=55.00mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Compiled with Zoner Photo Studio 15.
 

Stock Eliminator Qualifying Heat (Pomona)

Clark Holroyd, from Chino, California (389 Chevy NOVA) versus Paul Cannon (Chevy Camaro). Both cars running in the A/SA Stock Eliminator class on Thursday, 14 February 2013. Weather: 75 degrees, sunny, no wind. NHRA index time: 11.30.
Canon EOS T2i. 1/4000s; F5.0; ISO 400; f=146.00mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.
Compiled with Zoner Photo Studio 15.  

Was in Pasadena, California last week at Houston's Restaurant on South Arroyo Parkway. After lunch with old friends (Jim and Deb), we emerged to find this group of photographers milling about the parking lot next to my car. I asked them who their "target" was and they replied, "Brad Pitt." Next thing I know, January Jones (Mad Men) comes strolling by with her young son and a friend. I snapped a couple of quick photos and here is the best. Yes...Southern California at its finest: crazed photographers, movie stars, warm sunshine in February, and palm trees. What more (you might ask) could this Nebraska guy want? Cheers!

NHRA, Las Vegas, Nevada. October, 2012. Pro Stock qualifying heat.
Canon EOS T2i; 1/4000; ISO 6400; f=250.00mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8

Funny Car qualifying heat. Ron Capps; sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts. Nevada, October 2012.
Canon EOS T2i; 1/400; F 7.1; ISO 100; f=109.00 mm; no flash.
Edited with GIMP 2.8.

The Symbolism of Mardi Gras

     It was in 1872 that this trio purple, green, and gold became the official color of the Mardi Gras celebration. The accepted story behind the original selection of these colors originates from 1872 when a group of local businessmen decided that the Mardi Gras parade was so grand that it warranted a king. This King of Carnival became known as “Rex”. The Rex would lead the Mardi Gras parade through New Orleans and act as the official Monarch of Merriment.
     The first coronation of Rex went to the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia who happened to be visiting New Orleans that year.  It is said that the Grand Duke came to the city in pursuit of an actress named Lydia Thompson. During his stay, he was given the honor of selecting the official Mardi Gras colors by the Krewe of Rex.  He chose the rich colors of purple, green, and gold. No one knows for certain why he selected these colors. It has been speculated that he chose them because they reflect a royal tone. He would later choose these same colors for his family crest- the Royal House of Romanoff.
     It would be twenty years before meaning would be attached to the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras. Each year the Rex parade would take on a new theme. In 1892 the parade theme was “The Symbolism of Color.” It was then that the colors received their significance. Purple represented justice, green represented faith, and gold represented power.

From: Colortude.com, 2013.

Pictured are beads from the 2006 Mardi Gras parades held in New Orleans and Gretna, Louisiana. Also pictured is an original Krewe Zulu coconut ... tossed to the revelers on Tuesday morning, February 2012. A Mardi Gras treasure. Proud to own it. 

Cromer, England.
June, 2006. Located in East-Central England north of Norwich (pronounced Nor'ich). On the North Sea facing the inlet commonly called "The Wash." Because of it's location, the buildings show Dutch architectural influences (note the roof lines). Cromer was a vacation spot for the British middle classes at the turn of the last century, toward the end of the Victorian era. Cromer and the surrounding areas are refreshingly free of Americans and Japanese. England at its best.

Country Lane

Country lane, Eastern Nebraska.
Photo statistics: 1/4000, F.6.3, ISO 3200, f=250mm, Canon T2i.
Edited: GIMP 2.8 (5 February 2013)

DE SOTO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE---FEBRUARY 2013

Was out in the cold taking photographs at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Western Iowa/Eastern Nebraska. After I got home I needed to "adjust" my equipment to avoid condensation. Pictured above are: Canon T2i; EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM; EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II; EF-S 55-250mm f/4.5-6 IS II; and a EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM. It's a small beginner's set of lenses and an entry-level camera but I'm having a blast learning photography and appreciating life in the slow lane.

 Dawn. Western Iowa. Dead of winter. Beautiful and serene.