Blog Update - November 26th - Another day in Joshua Tree

Great sky today with bright blue and nice clouds...so it was picture day...

Had a couple pictures for the resort to do then it was off again to Joshua Tree!

The office at the Resort!



Number 2



The tennis court!



Now on to Joshua Tree!!









I tried to tackle the 29 Palms sign again!





And the Lens Iris Sculpture one more time - still gonna try for a sunset!



Stay tuned - More to follow!!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - Joshua Tree - November 24th, 2013

Today was still a little cool, but the sky was clearing a little from the past couple days of rain, there were still some clouds around, some a little dark, but at least an interesting sky.

So I decided to take a drive through the park and explore an 18 mile loop 4 wheel drive road in the park. It was like driving on the moon, not sure why they recommended 4 wheel drive the road was pretty good and never a need for 4 wheel drive, but washboard and some deep sand and some tire buster buried sharp rocks, but other than that pretty easy driving.

Anyway, here is the truck in the middle of nowhere....



The Road!



This park is geologically amazing, noted for its huge rocks and of course Joshua Trees, other than that it is like the moon!







Still a few wildflowers around...can't wait until spring when the desert comes back to life with some color!



Finally some wildlife - A wonderful Red Tailed Hawk!

Of course as soon as I started to approach he flew off...



But then this!



Another Joshua Tree!



On the way back to town I have driven by this huge piece of sculpture art and it reminds me of the Iris in a camera, I have been hoping to get there during a sunset and still may...might be able to get it to line up perfectly....that's the goal anyway! I also need to trim some of the weeds down in front of it...another time!



It lends itself well to Black & White!



Busy week here at the park - I hope to take a bunch of pictures around the park this week, weather permitting. Plus a wonderful planned group Thanksgiving Dinner in the Clubhouse, should be fun.

Stay Tuned!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update November 23rd 2013 - Problem Solved

Not much to report this week, have been very busy working on the website for the RV Park and the Christmas Card project for the Lodge...

You can check the new Park Website HERE!

One problem that has plagued me since living in the RV - ICE!! Come cocktail time it is empty out half the freezer to get tiny ice cube trays out which take up over 1/2 the freezer, well no more!!

I have been eyeballing a small counter top ice cube maker and finally went ahead and ordered one and I am here to tell you it works great, no more ice cube trays for me. I have enough ice for a couple cocktails in less than 15 minutes. Plug it it, pour in a pitcher of water and bingo you have ice in a few minutes!



Haven't really taken any other pictures, except for the RV Park blog of Wednesday Happy Hour...but right now we are having some cold weather and rain, so this coming week will be park picture time. I have a bunch to shoot around here to add to the website!

Stay tuned for updates!

News on an opportunity in Florida for next summer coming soon!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - November 18th - Late afternoon visit to Joshua Tree!

Hoping for some better light, I took yesterday off and did some cleaning in the RV in the morning, took a bunch of trash to the dumpster and did a general put some stuff away.

I also decided to take a drive to a nearby town to visit the local Moose Club, found a nice club and enjoyed some conversation and a little lunch and a cocktail. My plan was to wait until the golden hour before sunset and drive back through the Park and see if I could get a few better photographs of the park.

So on with the Pics...I made a Black & White version of several!















Sadly, another day without clouds so the sunset was not very dramatic...I will make a point of heading back to the park on a cloudy day to add some interest to the sunsets....

Stay tuned!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - November 16th - Winter in 29 Palms - Joshua Tree National Park!

I have been remiss in posting here, I have been super busy with my job, with a number of accomplishments under my belt, the past couple weeks.

I am loving the park, the people her are very friendly and I have been making steady headway on my job for the winter. There is still much to be done, but the basics are accomplished and now I can focus on taking some pictures for my own use and for the park and constantly updating the website and new blog I created for the park.

One of my projects was a new map for the park - It has a few revisions left to be made, but for the most part it is complete. And yes it was a PIA to draw all those tiny little rectangles and put the lot numbers in them...



I have also been working on the new website you can see it HERE!

The new BLOG is HERE!

Yesterday I took another drive through Joushua Tree National Park. The landscape is amazing, like being on the moon except you are surrounded by a zillion Joshua Trees...you guys may get tired of seeing photographs of Joshua Trees, but my goal for the winter is to get that ONE shot of a Joshua Tree! You know the one that really stands out. I am afraid I will be making some very early morning and late afternoon ventures into the park. The harsh mid-day light just does not lend itself well to photographs and the clear bluebird skies - need some clouds to add some drama to the shots. More to come as the winter progresses.

On with some pictures!



















There is this sign in town that just begged to be shot for 29 Palms!!



Then I decided to get a little creative....



Always inspired my my good friend and fellow photographer extraordinaire Clyde Butcher I decided to convert a couple to Black and White!





Clyde is a very famous Florida Photographer, back in my commercial printing days in S. Florida we printed a number of prints for him and I have admired his work for years...if you would like to see some of his work - GO HERE! His work is truly amazing he shoots nothing but large format black and white - Old School! he recently made an extended trip out west and some of his stuff is just breathtaking!

The winter is moving along quite nicely, new winter people are arriving in the park daily and the activity list is starting to fill in.

Having fun enjoying the desert....stay tuned for more photos of Joshua Trees!!

FYI - I added a link in the upper right side of the blog to get an email update when I post to the blog...just sign up for email following....

Enjoy,



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - Joshua Tree Drive through!!

Took a drive yesterday, it was cool and windy and very bright out. So the light was not perfect for good pictures, it was a scouting trip for areas I want to explore further and choose the correct time of day. Took some notes on sun position and will make plans to return many times.

It is high desert and lots of Joshua Trees and cactus and some huge boulders. Pretty interesting place and should lend itself to some good photos this winter. Need a nice puffy white cloud day with blue skies and early morning light and late afternoon light to make some photos pop!

On with some pictures....

First a few nice Cholla Cactus in the Cactus Garden!











Now inspired by my friend Clyde Butcher a black and white version.



And finally a nice Joshua Tree there are so many interesting ones to shoot. I am sure I will have a ton of these by the time the winter is over.



First Park function tonight, so will be working and hopefully enough people will be there to start on some good activity shots for their new website and blog!

Stay tuned folks....



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!