fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks to those of you who looked at Part 1 & commented ... if this is your 1st visit to the posts of my trip, welcome. You can see part 1 at: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-595917-1.html.

After touring Rt 66 in MO, OK, TX & a portion of NM, my buddy Chuck, my Australian Shepherd Gem (also referred to as "The Mutt") & I headed South off the main road ... through some beautiful country ... lots of Antelope (which we later learned were in the middle of their Spring migration North) along with some wonderful scenery. Our 1st destination was White Sands Nat'l Monument ... looked like one of the world's largest beaches without the water ... before heading on to Tucson, AZ & the Saguaro Nat'l Park. I think we were a week or so late for the peak of the flowers, but we still saw quite an amazing assortment & show of color ... & what a variety there were. Sorry I don't know all the names ... guess I was too lazy to ID them all.

I'm including a couple of shots that I like, but which I sort of "muffed" ... I switched cameras just before I took the 1st shot of White Sands & stupidly did not check the ISO, so it was too high for the bright sunlight & white sand which required a very quick shutter speed. But I liked the shot because it gives a sense of the size of that place, albeit a bit surreal, so I've included it. I also included the 2 Sagauro Cactus at sunrise even though the sun was rising in my face in the 2nd one & blew out some of the center. I put them both through Detail extractor in NIK & liked how bright they came out although the 2nd is a bit overdone.

Hope you find some shots you enjoy.

Frank

White Sands Nat'l Monument

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White Sands Nat'l Monument

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Cactus blossoms, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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Cactus blossoms, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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Cactus blossoms, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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And my favorite ... Saguaro Cactus Blossoms which attracted bees like crazy.

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While not the peak, there were still flowers everywhere ... Saguaro Nat'l Park

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Sunrise, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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Sunrise, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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We were about to leave when we noticed a hot air balloon drifting in our direction. Shot taken as it descended behind the hill, Saguaro Nat'l Park

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Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Nice. I especially like the sunrise photos. Thanks for sharing these. I've posted some photos of White Sands here on UHH, you can look them up if you should want to. I envy you your road trip!

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks Chief ... I'll go look them up. It was a beautiful place to visit. Thanks for the visit & comment. Frank

Gabyto

What lenses were used for this pictures?. I really like the first picture.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you Gabyto, I was using a Canon 5dIV with a 24-105mm F/4 IS USM lens. And I appreciate the comment on the 1st shot ... I was disappointed that I muffed the ISO but I too liked. Best, Frank

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Nice set!

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you sir. Appreciate the feedback.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Good set.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you RichardTaylor ... I appreciate the feedback. I also would say that you live in a place that I've always dreamed of visiting. Best to you.

awis01

Great shots of a great trip!

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you awis01 for looking & for the feedback. Much appreciated.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I like the ninth the best.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you Longshadow ... I too, liked that shot. I have to get better at handling the sun when I'm looking at it, to prevent the blow-out. Another professional photographer from California, Michael Frye, whom I follow, recently did a post on how to do that ... but I haven't figured it out yet. However, that said, thank you for the positive comment. That was a shot I almost didn't share because of the blow-out spots.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

In this image I do not find the blowout obtrusive at all.
(Glad you had it behind the cactus.)

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you for that ... there are some folks on UHH who are quite talented & critical, so while I could look beyond it, I was hesitant to post it. So thank you for the feedback. It is much appreciated.