Ocean View near San Diego, California

As I watch the leaves turn to red and golden yellow here in Utah Valley, I decided to remember some of my earlier travels around the United States. We spent some lovely time in San Diego, California this past year. This image reminds me that beautiful landscapes are all around us, even when we are only a very short distance from a major city such as San Diego.

Wind Damage

In a recent drive through the Wasatch Mountains, we saw considerable damage to trees apparently done by the wind. It is fortunate that the wind doesn't blow quite as hard here in the valley as it does in the mountains.

A Wasatch Mountain Panorama

This is a photo high in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. You may have to click on the photo to see any detail since it is a panorama. The canyon on the right side of the photo, shaded by the sun, is Rock Canyon.

A close encounter

It might take you a few minutes to try and figure out how this photograph was taken. But the explanation is quite simple. This lovely praying mantis landed on the window of our car. We had a fun time trying to get photos until we finally drove on and the praying mantis flew away. You never know when you're going to have an interesting photo opportunity.

Pumpkin Varieties

These fancy pumpkin varieties are cultivars of a squash plant. They are varieties of Cucurbita pepo. Larger varieties are derived from Cucurbita maxima. There are dozens of varieties of pumpkins and their near relatives, winter squash. This is another of a series of photos I will be taking with my iPhone

Pumpkin Time

Contrary to the usual use for pumpkins this time of year, we like to eat them. We love squash and pumpkins are just another variety of squash. Up until the end of October they are a little pricey, but after the end of October, they all go on sale and we can eat all we want for practically nothing.

A Frosting of Snow

We are contemplating our move to the East Coast and I am wondering how much I will miss the grand vistas of the mountains? We had a beautiful day taking a short trip up the Squaw Peak Road just east of where we now live. We don't know yet where we will be living, but it will be in the area of Washington, D.C. and the last time I was there, they didn't have any mountains like these. But I obviously still have my cameras and I can still find beautiful things to photograph.