"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." — Winston Churchill Truth must be our benchmark...for a gubernatorial candidate...for a president...for each of us. Shine a light on ALL OF IT

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." -Carl Jung #landscape #nature #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite

“Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.” ― Michael Palin I wish to believe this #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #blackandwhite #monochrome

“Nature must be described with scientific accuracy but without being deprived thereby of the vivifying breath of imagination.” ― Alexander von Humboldt #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

A #MonochromeMonday submission...from back in January while hiking in the hills of Contra Costa County #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

“The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose.” - Charles Dickens Difficult as it may be, one must...if one can

"If, to expose the fraud and imposition of monarchy...to promote universal peace, civilization, and commerce, and to break the chains of political superstition, and raise degraded man to his proper rank; if these things be libelous...let the name of libeler be engraved on my tomb" -Thomas Paine

A reminder: The servants are in the halls of government, they are elected to serve US. Those on the streets today are not servants to any leader. NO KINGS #NoKings #NoKingsDay

Transitions... Headed up the mountain this morning...I liked the shadows falling on the small ravines on the hillside. The morning sun comes up over a shoulder of the mountain to the right of this view, which shows the transition from our greens of winter and spring to the golden tones of summer...

This morning, on way my down the local mountain...rounded a bend and saw this little scene. A hillside full of oak trees calmed the light and provided some nice shadows and highlights. No idea about the flowers, except they are yellow, purply and wonderful

Another from the 'pre-heat dome' days, just 11 days ago (it was still 85 today)...gonna head back up the local mountain tomorrow before all the green is gone. Buuuut...there should be lupine (purple and yellow), poppies and other colorful flowery thingies

Why... Why does it seem like the branches of many oak trees lay somewhat parallel to the slopes of hillsides? Just another feature of these wonderful trees that I appreciate. I'd post more but character limits blah blah. My posts challenge and oppose policy, etc..so I'm an enemy of the state. WHY?

De Niro: It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent—no one, no one voted for new wars. No one voted for higher prices at the pump. No one voted for higher prices in grocery stores, and no one voted for government-masked thugs shooting down our citizens in the streets.

"Nature in her green, tranquil woods heals and soothes all afflictions." - John Muir One morning last week...

I can't see lupines and not think of this... "Dennis Moore, Dennis Moore, Dum dum dum the night Dennis Moore, Dennis Moore, Dum de dum dum plight He steals dum dum dum And dum dum dum dee Dennis dum, Dennis dee, dum dum dum"

Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth. -William Faulkner

As Mel Brooks said in "History of the World, Part One"... "Everything is so green!"

So bright and brilliant...enjoying the green before this heat wave hits

Headed up the mountain to forage for wildflowers...scored some lupine! Our menu is set for the next couple of weeks...lupine soup, roast lupine, steamed lupine, braised lupine in lupine sauce, lupine in the basket with sautéed lupines, lupine meringue pie and lupine sorbet!

We had dinner early, unless one is accustomed to eating on the Helen/Morty Seinfeld schedule, and then chased the fading light...

The shape of water... #yosemite #landscape #photography #landscapephotography

RIP Country Joe Perhaps a good listen for adults with children, and grandchildren, as POTUS suggests reinstating the draft after threatening to take over Greenland, overthrow Cuba, starting the so-called Shield of the Americas to war against cartels. How much war do u need? youtu.be/eRl6-bHlz-4?...

As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can". -John Muir Same for me

"Our job is to record, each in his own way, this world of light and shadow and time that will never come again exactly as it is today." -Edward Abbey Used this quote months ago, but feel it fits with this image and the current times #monochrome #blackandwhite #photography #landscapephotograpy

"But I am I. And I won't subordinate my taste to the unanimous judgment of mankind..." "I do not live for what the world thinks of me, but for what I think of myself..." - Jack London #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite #landscape #landscapephotography

A couple of works in progress... #monochrome #landscape #landscapephotography #photography #yosemite

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." - Rogers Hornsby For March 1st, Meteorological Spring Additional notes in Alt Text #landscape #photography #landscapephotography

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” – Isaac Asimov

"We've been killing our time here now forever Since way back before all this so-called reality Hell, I remember when you used to have to walk all the way over Just to turn the channel on that goddamn TV..." youtu.be/UM3T3FZumPg?...

"Where were you? I'm just curious." "I'd tell you, but you wouldn't understand." "Don't treat me like a moron. Try me." "I was trapped near the inner circle of thought." "I don't understand." "I told you..." From "Defending Your Life" by Albert Brooks. I'd tell you why I chose this, but...

"Ain't (shooting)" for Pepsi Ain't (shooting) for Coke I don't (shoot) for nobody Makes me look like a joke This (photo's) for you" Apologies to Neil Young... Two oaks on a hillside, one Contra Costa County afternoon... #landscape #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite

Cows to the left of me, oak trees to my right... There was a coyote off on the fence line to the left that had cow attention, too. Anyway...loving the greeeeennnnn

Sharing… Dan’s image captures a Central Valley moment beautifully

"California, where the spring comes in the fall and the fall comes in the summer and the summer comes in the winter, and the winter never comes at all." — Inez Haynes Irwin I would argue we have two seasons in Coastal California: Green, and Not Green Currently, we're in Green

Almost a year ago...it was freezing in the shadows, yet quite comfortable in the light... Like how the truth melts away the ice of lies

Happy Birthday to Ansel...he was one who opened my eyes I included a quote by Mr. Adams in alt text #landscape #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite #landscapephotography #anseladams

How green are the hills? "This" green...methinks March will be epic greenness this year, with rain in the forecast through next week and then a break in the weather. Anyways, ranchland in the hinterlands of Contra Costa County... #green #photography #landscape #contracostacounty

"At the end of the day, we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division." -Jesse Jackson May Reverend Jackson rest in power

Clouds coming and going...shadows and highlights on a Sierra ridge...

“Perhaps it’s my natural pessimism, but it seems that an awfully large part of travel these days is to see things while you still can.” ― Bill Bryson, In a Sunburned Country My glass is typically half-full, though due to my approaching geezerhood - and current socio-political ills - this resonates.

“I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It's still my symbol of rebellion -- against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others' ideas.” ― Johnny Cash

The details of the canyon slopes disappearing into the clouds... And a timeline cleanse #landscape #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite #landscapephotography #yosemite #california

"Even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise" - Victor Hugo, "Les Miserables" #monochrome #landscape #phototgraphy #landscapephotography #blackandwhite

That time when we arrived in Yosemite on the heels of a winter storm as it cleared out... It was interesting how clear the air was below the clouds…really liked how the details of trees and rocks were well defined #landscape #nature #landscapephotography #photography #yosemite

"We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations" - David Brower Late day reflections on a calm stretch of the Colorado River... #landscape #nature #landscapephotography #photography #utah

“I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” ― Langston Hughes A last image (maybe) of this bend on the Colorado...and gratitude to Langston Hughes May all of you live, learn, and grow

A follow up to the last image I posted, captured a few minutes later...the sky was alight and that mixing of cool and warm air began as soon as the shadows overtook the canyon (see alt text for another Abbey quote) #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #utah #canyon

"Truth is always the enemy of power. And power the enemy of truth." - Edward Abbey And it seems readily apparent that truth is the enemy of the current administration (see alt text for more info)

In light of recent developments with the "E" files, very tempted to post on FB (where most family/friends/former coworkers are) a giant middle finger to all of them who think I've been too outspoken in my disdain, disgust, and alarm re: The Orange Menace, since he came down that goddam escalator

“Polite conversationalists leave no mark save the scars upon the Earth that could have been prevented had they stood their ground.” ― David Brower ...this is not a post about environmentalism