Russian River Valley Fall of 2014

 

This is always an wonderful drive in the Fall.  I have several places that I love to go to this time of year.  I usually start out with Bishop and Virginia Creek Settlement near Bodie with my shooting buddy Jeremy, but things were changed up this year.  I made plans and drove to the Grand Tetons at the height of the season.  That was in-fact an awesome experience (If you scroll down a couple of posts you will see the results of that trip.).  Next it usually is Hope Valley, but the colors changed at least two weeks early this year due to the lack of rain and change in temperatures and so when Jeremy and I went it had come and gone.  Then I usually head up to Plumas to catch the Fall colors there and then off to Yosemite.  But, missed those as well.  Hmmmmm, what to do.  Well, I am fortunate to live in an area where Fall is extended over a lengthy period and the vineyards near Santa Rosa show their colors later than other places.  So, there is always next year for the other areas, but I definitely was blessed on two separate weekends to find God's beautiful colors nestled in the rolling hills in the Russian River Valley.  God bless and have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

Shingletown Wild Horse Sanctuary

Their Mission 

"To protect and preserve America's wild horses as a "living national treasure in a publicly accessible and ecologically balanced environment with other wildlif for future generations."

Robin and I are very grateful for Diane, Jill, and all the others for providing this wonderful service.  It is a great place to visit and we love these creatures, great and small.  Please visit them at www.wildhorsesanctuary.org/

Grand Teton Fall Colors 2014

I had never been to the Grand Tetons before.   I had never been able to photograph Moose and Buffalo.  I had seen pictures over the years, but nothing prepared me for how incredible and Grand the Grand Tetons are.  Several people helped me to be able to go.  My wife, Robin, who sacrificed in order for me to travel there, my buddy Brother Jeremy who allowed me to use his sleeping bag,  his dad, Brother Mike Mester, who allowed me to borrow his 400mm lens which afforded me the ability  to capture the animals close up, and last, but not least, Brother Danny and Sister Janet Maitland who lent me some pads for sleeping so that I could camp out in the back of the Taurus Station Wagon, home sweet home.  God blessed me with rain, clouds, blue sky with clouds and blue sky alone.  I couldn't have asked for more.  Here is a smattering of the photos that God blessed me with so that I could share them with you.  I hope you enjoy them.