Laughing in the face of Death (Valley) III:

 Death Valley Palms

The Furnace Creek Inn is truly an oasis in the desert.

In-between long, hot hikes, I was able to replenish with cold Long Island Iced Teas (nectar of the gods, don't ya know) and enjoy these palms that fill the gardens at the Inn. 

Laughing in the face of Death (Valley) II:

 Father Crowley Point, Death Valley NP

Angie poses with our rented 4wd at Father Crowley Point. 

This is just one of the breathtaking views that you can see in Death Valley.

Laughing in the face of Death (Valley) I:

 Death Valley Dunes

Angie and I just spent 5 days in Death Valley.

We spent one morning watching the sunrise over these sand dunes - enjoying the breeze, basking in the warm sunlight, spotting tracks, and marveling at the color and lines of the naked earth. Amazing...

Wisteria Flowers in Japan:

 In Nara Park, at Kasuga Taisha

Currently, there are stunning wisteria flowers hanging over the San Tomas Expressway near my house.

There's something very wabi-sabi about seeing beauty in an otherwise 'ugly' place.

In honor of those heroic highway flowers, here's an image of wisteria in Japan. I took this photo at Kasuga Taisha, a quiet shrine nestled against the hills of Nara.

I chosen to accompany it with one of my favorite haiko by Matsuo Basho.

exhausted, i sought  

a country inn, but found 

wisteria in bloom

Balinese Calendar Maker

in Tengannan

Angie bought a traditional Balinese calendar from this man in the ancient town of Tengannan.

The calendars are carved onto bamboo and strung together like a scroll.

He had a great spirit that I hope this photo captures.

It was a joy to be around him...

Fallen Leaf

in Vermont

I took this photo in 1993, when we were living in Vermont.
The fall is a spectacular time there. The color of the leaves is something everyone should experience.

Lunagraphy II

San Francisco Bay

This moonlight picture capture the San Francisco Bay Bridge at night.