Lake Tahoe Sunset

The race was on to try and find a vantage point to catch a sunset over Lake Tahoe. We figured we would have to reach the eastern side of the lake. Next challenge was finding a spot you could hike down to that had boulders in the forefront. We got there a few hours ahead and explored the coastline ’til we found the perfect spot and then put our “dubbs” on it. It’s common to find a spot and then return only to find other photographers set up on your chosen spot. So you learn, when you find it, you gotta hold on to it.

Lake Tahoe Sunset
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

Wide Open Space at Wall Street, Arches National Park, Utah

You sure feel the majesty of the red rock formations, as you sit and ponder this vast desert vista. A small hiking path beckons you to not sit, but wonder down it’s sandy trails, to wherever it might lead. I heard the call and like millions before me, picked myself up and made my way ever so slowly down into the vistas, I had previous photographed. A picture-perfect moment, a place to forget the troubled world we live in, de-stress and embrace the wind, and the power of nature you feel all around you. A sense of freedom overtakes and you, and you are indeed somewhere special, a place in time you will never forget.

Wide Open Space, Arches
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

A Rare Snowy Superstition Mountains

There I was, minding my own business when a friend of mine called and said,” You have to come out here right away and photograph the most incredible sight you’re ever going to see. It’s snowing on the cactus in my backyard”! Well he lives right at the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. His backyard  edges to the preserve. I grabbed my gear and jumped in my car and drove east, watching the snow melting and disappearing, right before my eyes. I got there soon enough to catch a few melting cactus plants with the snowy mountains in the background. This is indeed a rare sight for us desert rats and we get a little crazy when it snows. This may well be our last winter storm. Let’s hope not, cause we can use the moisture.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

It’s Snowing on the Superstitions
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

On Snowy Pond, Germany

It’s hard to tell, but it’s snowing. To a lot of folks, that’s not impressive. But to us, having a snowy day on the “Romantic Road” in Germany last fall, was quite fun. Autumn had set in nicely with everything in blazing color, and then the powdery white blanket, finished it off. This little dock was the perfect find. I shot at numerous angles trying to get just the right shot. I didn’t want to leave, but the cold and getting wet finally moved me back to the vehicle. And off we went, on back roads, trying to get lost in this wonderful wanderland.

On Snowy Pond
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

Russian Orthodox Church in downtown Sitka, Alaska

It’s always sunny in Sitka, Alaska. Well, at least the two times we visited this town, it was. You know how we reason about things;  if two people are doing it, then we claim “everyone’s doing it”. Every port we visited, it was cloudy and cold, in the the summer. But Sitka, was different. It’s a comfotable little town that is great to walk. Most of what you want to see is within walking distance. This little church seem to find my camera and an HDR shot was just what it needed to amplify it’s coolness. Hope you agree.

Russian Orthodox Church, Sitka Alaska
Dave Morgan, Creative Commons

Moody Clouds of Crescent Lake, Olympia, Washington

I drove up from Phoenix to Olympia National Park, to attend a 3-day photography seminar. I don’t usually go to photo seminars, but just to get out of Phoenix and get into some old growth forest with waterfalls and lakes and streams, was just the ticket to a long and hot Arizona summer. The trip turned into a 6,ooo mile trek to national parks all over the northwest, including Canada. But that’s another story.

I met a local, one of the teachers, who like myself was itchy to get out and do some more shooting. It was quite cloudy and the sun was setting with no drama to capture. So I said, let’s go down to the lake and just see what happens. The skies to the east were pretty dark, and out of no where they opened up for about 30 seconds. I hurried up and got off some shots, while my friend was still setting up. And that was the end of the light. It pays to be ready, or maybe just lucky.

Got any great ideas of places to travel to this year, let me know.

Moody Clouds of Crescent Lake
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

St Mary’s Lake at Glacier National Park

This is one of the most popular spots to stop and take a picture of St Mary’s Lake. Cars would stop,  someone would jump out, take a quick picture, and off they went. I knew the sunset was going to be special, so I hung out, marked my spot, and waited for the perfect moment. Knowing the rule of sunsets; when the sun cast it’s orange, yellow and red hues, it’s not over, yet that’s when most photographers pack it in. I like to wait for the possible second round of color, the more soft, purple pastels. They don’t always come, but when they do, it’s magic.

See my Gallery by clicking on any photo or see Gallery above

St Mary’s Lake, Glacier National Park
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

Cruisin’ Through Glacier Bay, Alaska

I don’t think I’ve felt farther from civilization, then I felt in Glacier Bay, Alaska. It’s like you get a flat tire there, you’re gonna be eaten by wolves. Well being on a cruiseship, it could break down. I guess that’s not a bad thing. By the time you eat up all the food, another cruiseship is barreling through. You might get a little tired of the entertainment.

Not many people go out on deck, when cruising in Alaska. The air, even in the summer is quite cold, when the boat is moving. But the scenery is like nowhere else in the world. My guess is the only place close, would be up in Sweden and Norway, through the fjords, and down in New Zealand through Fjordland. Got to put those on my bucket list.

Daily Photo:

Glacier Bay, Alaska
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

Towering Plateaus in the forefront of Snow-capped La Sal Mountains in Utah

Leaving Arches National Park heading for Grand Junction, Colorado I spotted these towering plateaus, and just had to stop and grab a photo. They’re so majestic, I decided to wander out into the high desert pasture to grab a quick shot. I noticed some bulls off to the left of me, so I knew I shouldn’t wander to far away from the safety of the barbed wire fence. After a stare-down and nostrils flaring, that was my cue to get out of there.

Daily Photo:

High Desert Plateaus under La Sal Mountains, Utah
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons

Oh Romeo..Oh Romeo! Venice, Italy

I’m always impressed by how pretty balconies, windows and doors are in Venice. They sure make a statement. I could probably spend the whole day doing nothing but photographing windows, doors and balconies around Venice and Burano.

I did a video not long ago using Venice as a backdrop to a song by Michael Buble called “Home”. Those brave enough to click on the” link” below, can have a taste of me singing around Venice. Let me know if you would like me to post others I have done, or stick to photography, or both. You won’t hurt my feelings.

http://www.morganzo.com/Videos/Home/10129722_kSK5Wh#!i=755213640&k=5XcHQmG

Daily Photo:

Balconies in Venice
Dave Morgan-Creative Commons