I have two of the small Quantum brand from Harbor Freight and two that I don't recall for certain where I bought them but it might have been from Amazon. The latter two are slightly larger and have rechargable batteries. They are labled Wsiiroon and XML-T6. Light output is similar. The Wsiiroon were a bit more expensive but still reasonable. I prefer the rechargable ones because of that feature and they have a very long life before needing recharges. All four are still functioning properly afte several years. Just my experience.

This is a difficult call because of the sunlight on the head and shadow on the body making it appear that it could be either accoriding to my two bird guides. However, the Finches beak, and this birds beak, is shorter than the Siskens and shorter as shown in both guides, and I think it is a female House Finch. But am by no means certain.

The North Cascades Highway which crosses the Cascade through the North Cascades National Park should be part of your itinerary I think. There are some water falls and lakes in that area. The Olympic Mountains also.

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I especially appreciate the info on the Valles Caldera and Jemez areas. Looks like we will be going there in the spring or early summer, and possibly some other places that you mention also.

I hope I'm not intruding if I ask a question instead of providing information (I don't know NM well enough do that). If so I apologize. I'm also planning an RV trip to NM. I don't believe anyone has mentioned the Valles Caldera National Monument - if they have I missed it. How is that area(including Jemez Springs, etc.) for a few days RV camping? I don't know if there is camping in the Monument but there are campgrounds around it on the map. The Caldera is often seen on the TV series Longmire and it's beautiful on TV. Thanks much for any info on the area.

My impression from his posts is that learning and using Photoshop was a problem for him as it would be for me. If so, there are easy to use and inexpensive alternatives and Affinity Photo is one of them. If I can learn to remove objects with it than anyone can. Was just trying to be helpful, sorry if I had a misimpression as to why he was unable to remove spots with Photoshop and asked for help.

I use Affinity Photo to remove objects, both small and large. It's easy and does a good job and is very inexpensive to buy. Surely you will have need of this tool in the future and won't want to go online for help every time??

As a follow up I checked online regarding Induro products. They are now part of Benro and most products are in that name. They do have 3 way panheads as low as 89.85 but I do not know how they compare to my old Induro. These can be seen at: https://benrousa.com/photo/tripod-heads/3-way-heads/

Hope this is of some help.

I have an Induro pan head that I have used for almost 10 years of heavy outdooor use, never a problem. Don't recall the model. I believe Benro owns Induro now.

Recently my wife and I watched the Australian serial McLeods Daugters, all 6 seasons, and saw a lot of scenery like this. Very nice.

Totally agree Jerry. I've watched almost every episode. There is much evidence that people were there centuries ago and went underground, exactly for what being uncertain.

We had the season opener last Tuesday, the 15th. This was in Colorado. I thought the opener would be the same date everywhere in the country. Odd.

I have had the VI for a couple of years, purchasing it as a back up to my full frame DSLR for landscape photgraphy. I find the IQ to be outstanding, almost unbelievable for such a tiny camera (at times the result is indistinguishable from that of my FF camera). The only drawback for me, and this is because of me and not a fault of the camera (at least as I view it), is that it is very complicated and difficult to learn. Part of this is probably because this is the first and only Sony I have ever used. I purchased the Guide for the VI written by Alexander White and that does help (260 pages for this tiny camera!!). However, every once in awhile I am puzzled by something. This problem is probably fairly unique to me and is also contributed to by me now being a slow learner in my old age.

If image quality is very important to you I would go for it.

According to Microsoft Win 11 has better security. Don't know if this is true or not.

I took Last Dollar Road earlier this fall in the same direction (starting at Road 62) and have a somewhat more negative impression of part of it. I found the first 1/3 and the last 1/3 (apporoximately) to be maintained and in good condition. However, the middle 1/3 appeared not to have any maintenance recently and was very rough in many places. Not that it was dangerous or anything like that, just very unpleasant, uncomfortable, slow, and hard on the vehicle. I have considerable off road experience and was driving a 4X4 pickup (I would recommend a 4X4 to anyone planning to drive the entire route). But still worth it for the great scenery. This area surrounding Telluride is my favorite place for fall color in Colorado where I live.

Wonderful images Dan. Thanks much for posting them.