"The tragedy of modern war is that the young men die fighting each other - instead of their real enemies back home in the capitals." -Edward Abbey - and - "I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in." - George McGovern Remembering the fallen on this Memorial Day

“The more you know the chaos in this universe, the better you will understand the sanctity of the peace you encounter in the depths of a forest!” ― Mehmet Murat Ildan Yeah, yeah...still spring and here comes an autumn image. I stand with the quote #landscape #photography #landscapephotography

"...I'd far rather see for myself what's going on in the world outside, than rely on newspapers, television, politicians and religious leaders to tell me what I should be thinking." -Michael Palin Amen. I really enjoyed his global adventuring - Pole to Pole and Full Circle

"In a time of destruction, create something: a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment." -Maxine Hong Kingston I submit an image #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

"The Earth is art, the photographer is only a witness." – Yann Arthus-Bertrand #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #blackandwhite #monochrome

"Finding beauty in a broken world is creating beauty in the world we find." -Terry Tempest Williams #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

Another California buckeye... #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography

Out this morning for a walk in the neighborhood...a buckeye tree along Sycamore Creek... #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

I'm going with 'erosion.' Call it a hunch. From the archives (March, 2022) Gonna have a go at this one in monochrome, too...those highlights on the smoother slope oughta stand out...

“The truth isn't always beauty, but the hunger for it is.” ― Nadine Gordimer

"On the mountains of truth, you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow." -Friedrich Nietzsche For #monochromemonday and Truth #monochrome #blackandwhite #landscapephotography

"Great many wild places of Earth I have not visited...but I have known some of them intimately, with delight, and thus claim citizenship of all the wild place of all the states and nations of all the continents and seas. From citizenship comes responsibility to care.” ― David Brower #EarthDay

“If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer For Earth Day Eve... #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #monochrome #blackandwhite

The poll tax started today. The Better Half got a passport photo. Next is the passport fee. All because it was somewhat customary to assume a husband's last name 35 years ago. Misogyny then, bullshit now...just in case so she can prove she is who she's always been to support a lie

One from the archives, 7 years ago today...a few feet from where we set up camp, well off the grid and far from pavement in the Mojave for one last night of desert adventure

Roughly a month ago up on the local mountain...when it really was that verdant and the poppies were getting started

Some dappled light over Yosemite Valley... #landscape #photography #landscapephotography #blackandwhite #monochrome

it is said universe is expanding perhaps our hearts and minds should, too

“I find that in contemplating the natural world my pleasure is greater if there are not too many others contemplating it with me, at the same time.” -Edward Abbey I love people, but I'm not too fond of crowds. And there's something to be said for quiet contemplation without the throngs...

Well...I captured a lot of images of waterfalls when we visited Yosemite not too long ago. They were flowing quite nicely, so why not? When the flow of the fall bends and breaks...the contrast of shadows, falling water and warm light on granite... I'm a sucker for all that. Happily.

"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...