dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Your visits and comments have been most appreciated, Pete! It's hard to find anything 'new under the sun' on a photography forum, but I hope I've been able to share enough new perspectives on the familiar to keep it interesting.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thank you, DragonsLady--mystery solved! When I looked at different cacti on the web, I wasn't seeing any examples as big and full as these bushes. And the fact the blooms weren't open added to the mystery. Here in the eastern mountains I don't see many cacti. Below is the whole bush.

(Download)

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

A very nice set.
It appears you had a very fruitful day out.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

It was a nice day to end on, JR--so glad to have you join the sharing!

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Beauties!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thanks Bob--glad you like them!

Susan yamakawa

I saw the elephant,dog and skeleton;)

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

These are all absolutely stunning photos, Diane! I've really enjoyed your trip! When are you going to take another one? :)

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Diane - a fittingly beautiful end to a fantastic series! You must have done a lot of preparations to hit so many spectacular spots - just goes to show that hard work before the trip pays out!
But what did I read: you had a fall at the very end of your trip - hope you didn't damage anything more than your ego!

This is a sad day for quite a few of us - over the past few weeks we have been looking out for the next episode in your travels, and now this beautiful series comes to an end - but I know that you will have new trips up your sleeves again.
BTW - I also absolutely loved your single panorama picture you posted a couple of days ago, sorry I didn't get around to comment on that one specifically, but I love the composition and the colors.
Joe

I am actually getting ready to post my own series starting in the next few days, following on from the pictures I posted in August last year on the first part of Central Asia. This time it will mainly be Uzbekistan, but unfortunately, after Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which had some semblance of mountains and interesting landscape, the coming pictures show practically no landscape at all, Uzbekistan, as well as Turkmenistan are really set in very drab desert lands and the only highlights, particularly in Uzbekistan, are the cultural treasures - but luckily there are plenty of them - from the old silk road fame.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I had a good look at your # 6 picture: I can definitely see the dog, and the elephant head/trunk as well as that mighty skull - it looks to me almost like there is another elephant trunk to the left side of the first one, but I don't know where its head went!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

And it wasn't that much of a stretch of the imagination, was it?! I love finding the hidden images in nature's elements.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Actually, Sue, I leave for the San Juan Mountains in Colorado mid-July. I'm hoping this will be a bumper year for the wildflowers--I plan to go to the
high mountain basins and old mine camps. Wish me luck getting there (don't think I can handle any more overnights at an airport)!

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Joe, I was in my glory at the Rainbow Vista section of VoF--so many colors and shapes and infinite ways to compose them. The mostly overcast skies really enhanced the color saturations, too. Thank goodness I didn't have my mishap until late in the afternoon on the last day. I pulled a groin muscle and could barely shuffle along, but I'm all well now. I just hate that my travel buddy got robbed of the chance to photograph the neon lights and the Belagio fountain show in Vegas.
I often see contributors telling people their trips are too ambitious--had some tell me that when I was researching this trip--but this itinerary was typical of all the trips I've done over the past ten years. I start planning about a year out, book flights and hotels as soon as the plane schedules come open, and put together a notebook with copies of information I print form the internet. So, yes, it takes a lot of careful planning to maximize the photo ops. And some things just don't work out, but I usually have alternate plans when I hit a snag.
I sure am glad to hear that you are getting back to posting on UHH. I think those images are the ones I saw on your website? As you say, the cultural treasures are rich with bold colors! When will you finish editing the N.Z. and Australia set? I feel for you having so many images to work through on PP. I have already re-edited a ton of my pictures from this trip, including many that I posted. That's MY downfall--can never decide when I have it 'right'!
I'll be on the lookout for your new posts.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

thanks for all the wonderful images of your fantastic trip

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

The thanks really go to all of you who take the time to share your thoughts about the images through your comments. It helps me develop as a photographer by knowing what is appealing through others' eyes. Glad to count you among my friends in photography, Katherine!