Project #15 -The Wonders of Engineering

This is the Grande Coulee Dam, in Grande Coulee, WA.  ( U.S.)

Ah, the wonders of engineering!  Becuase of dams, we have all the electricity to power all of the modern conveniences that most of us take for granted, every single day. 

 I have so much respect for engineers and the work they do. They forever changed the way the modern world works. And before you make any good arguments about how it also started the slow destruction of the planet and nature all that, maybe you want to pause to unplug the computer you're reading this on? You see because like it or not, the only reason you are able to read this blog, is becuase of dams like these.

Remember the spontaneous road trip I told you about in the last post? Well, this is where I ended up. 

Grande Coulee does light shows on the face of the dam on summer nights. I have yet to see a show cause it's too early in the year, but I've heard they are great, so I really can't wait  to see for myself what al the fuss is about!

And yes, it was still raining when I got there. Good thing I had the umbrella!

Giant hydro dams and even bigger raindrops,

-J

Project #14 - The Randomly Bizarre.....

Every once in awhile, as you drive along on a spontaneous sunday afternoon day trip adventure, something out the window catches your eye that makes you say " Whaaaaaaat the......"  ???

That's where this photo came from.

 Not long ago, I spontaneously jumped in the car to spend a rainy sunday doing a day trip adventure down in "the Americas", as I like to call it,  hehe So, I grabbed my passport and an umbrella, and off I went!

I had been driving awhile, seeing fields of snow and fog and not much else until .....  "Whaaaaaat the...." ?

I actually turned the car around and stopped in front of this scene you see above and just stared, trying to make some sense of what I was seeing.  Wooden (?) cutouts of human sillouettes working in a field.  Just the 6 of them all in a row, in the middle of absolutely NOWHERE!  There were no houses or farms nearby. It was funny, in a ridiculous sort of way!.  

I still don't know their purpose for being there, but I was happy to make them one of my projects =)

Umbrellas and Passports,

-J

Project #13 - Pictograph

This pictograph is one of tbe most unique subjects I have had the priviledge of photographing so far. I have to be careful of how much info I share, since the actual location of this is supposed to be kept low-profile  (only locals know where to find it)

I have loved learning about the native history, culture, art, language, and anything else I can learn about the people of this area.  I was thrilled to be able to photograph this, and learn a little more about it.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, it was by far one of the most bizarre scenes I've ever photographed!

Happy Wednesday! (Is it Friday yet??)

-J



Project #12 -Ultraviolet

This photo is a fun one, the sky is the most beautiful shade of turquoise, and can you see the sun rays causing streaks of light across the sky? You can almost see the ultraviolet waves in layers across the sky!  Regardless of whether that sight is awe-inspiring or just plain scary,  I'm stocking up on the sunscreen already! hahaha 

 I wished my circular polarizing filter hadn't been stolen. I would have loved to try this shot with a polarizer to see what different kinds of sky shot I could have gotten, depending on which way I turn the filter around the lens.  Polarizers are great for that!  

 Turquoise Skies and SPF 5000 (hahaha),

-J

  

Project #11 - Really Big Rocks

This is my Ansel Adams inspired photo, hee hee  =) I have always been intrigued by his work, especially because his work was created before the digital era, before the wonders of Photoshop and similar editing software had taken over the photographic world.  Not that I complain, but I do wish I would spend a little less time in front of the computer, and alot more time behind the camera!

Project #10 Water

This is one of my favorite fountains. Instead of being just a spring-like geyser spouting out of a small  pool or pond, its more of a waterfall type fountain. With the evening sun setting behind it, it takes on an almost peaceful elegance.  I never get tired of hearing the sound of the water on the rocks. although it always makes me have to use the bathroom, hahaha! 

An island girl from birth, I grew up near the ocean, and on the ocean, and in the ocean!  I live in the desert now, which I know, is making you ask how on earth I could be comfortable this far away from the water. Well, I do live almost right on the lake and when I open the windows at night, sometimes I can the hear waves on the beach and it ALMOST makes up for it. 

I love water, and anything to do with water, fountaiins, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans....  But I also love the desert, with it;s bizarre rock formations, tumbleweeds (I can't tell you how comical it is to watch the tumbleweeds rolling across Main Street!)  and all the sagebrush and cactus. It's an entirely different world out here, and I fell in love with it immediately. I"m working on a whole photo book of the desert, it's a personal project of mine. I'll keep you updated! 

I also plan to use soem desert photos in my Project 52 lineup, so watch for those!

By the way, just so you know, I have worked my butt off getting caught up on all my overdue project photos, and I am all caught now to Project #15!  YAY! But instead of posting them all in one day and overwhelming you hehe, I will post one every single day this week until Thursday, which is when I will post Project #15, getting us back on track - Just in time for my Easter adventure! Which I will spend searching out more cool project photos to post.

Hang on to your hats people, it's going to be a big Project week!

Waterfall Fountains and Tumbleweeds,

-J

Project #9 The Essence of Spring

When I see pretty daffodils wth their happy bright yellow faces sprouting up from the earth, that's when I start to finally feel like Spring is here! The shape of the daffodil always reminds me of the sun. A bright yellow circle, with the outer petals forming a halo around the center, almost as if it's trying to emulate rays coming off the sun. For me, it's the perfect spring flower, and I was thrilled when my youngest son picked me a handful of them the other day, just because". What a sweet little man! 

The other good news is that my lovely friend Barb came into my office yesterday with a cord for my camera that she and her husband had found for me.  (Thanks Miles!) So I can load my photos onto my computer without having to use my memory card. Yay!   (I know! Someone ACTUALLY reads my blog! hahaha) My dear friend Barb is one of the most thoughtful, caring, energetic, happy, creative and INSPIRING people you could ever hope to meet. I wish everyone had a Barb in their life, I am SO thankful for mine! =)

So now I am back on the Project 52 bandwagon, trying to catch up. With a little patience (and an insane amount of coffee) I will "get'er done!'  hahaha.

Wishing you all bright daffodils and strong coffee,

-J

-J