Visitor center reflection~Sunday Stills Challenge~041512

This is part of the visitor center at Red Rock state park near Sedona reflected in a pool of water.  Sunday stills Challenge for April 15, 2012. To visit SSC, please go to:   http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/

Desert blooms~Nature Notes~041312

I forgot that I had some photos on my Nikon, so I uploaded them this morning and found this one of a brittle bush when they were in full bloom.  Unfortunately, their prime blooming time has come and gone and now the bushes are loving their brilliant colors.  But, as these shrubs lose their blooms, the palo verdes are now in full bloom, once again dotting our desert landscape with yellows.  Nature Notes for April 13, 2012. To visit Nature Notes, please go to:    http://ramblingwoods.com/

Fence and hitching post, Sedona~Friday Fences~041312

I found this fence, but more importantly, this hitching post when we stopped on our way to Sedona last week.  We stopped at every turnout and scenic view from Montezuma's Castle to Sedona!  I also liked the fence along the hiking trail, which we didn't take.  Friday Fences for April 13, 2012.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to this link:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Morning walk

A storm is moving into the valley tomorrow, with rain forecast.  Snow is also forecast above 4,500 feet, which means more snow on our mountains.  I went out for my morning walk today, the first time in nearly two weeks.  My leg is starting to move better now, thanks to the glucosamine that I'm taking.  It was so enjoyable to get out, smell the desert,  and see the cottontails and jackrabbits running around the desert.  I saw a pack of 6 jackrabbits about two weeks ago, but this morning I heard quail calling, for the first time.  I see lots of ravens and an occasional Cooper's hawk when I'm out walking, but I haven't seen or heard quail until now.  I see them all the time up in the mountains, but not usually when I'm out for my morning walk.

Castle A, Montezuma's Castle

In addition to the large Montezuma's Castle (which has nothing to do with Montezuma and it doesn't look like a castle), the ruins of Castle A also still exist at the monument.  Castle A is where most of the other inhabitants lived at Montezuma's Castle.  You can actually walk up past them (but not on them!)  Hubby took these photos and I'm using his laptop this morning because Windows did updates on mine and it just takes too long to boot up!  Besides, it's always interesting for me to see spots from a different perspective! And, he has a 24-105 mm lens, while mine is 28-300 (with macro).  I can zoom in a lot more than he can, but he gets the wide angle perspective that I simply cannot get!

Picmonkey photos of Montezuma's Castle

Okay...I googled PicMonkey and found a couple of sites that told me how to "save as you go".  Apparently I wasn't seeing the "save" button at the very bottom of the page.  MAKE SURE you use a full screen when using PicMonkey!!!  Phew!  Now that I found the "save" button, I tried a couple more edits (see below)...I'll try to explain each one.  Just make SURE you DO save a copy of your original photo!  I accidently, on PicMonkey, replaced my original (ACK!), but I had already saved a copy of it using befunky, so I still have it (phew!)...The second photo is one called "papyrus".  To me, it looks grainy and fuzzy and I don't like it AT ALL.  PERIOD.  Ugh!  The next one is "frost".  Now, I kind of like this one...After "frost" is "paint"...again, it looks too dark.  The final one is "smudge"...again, I kinda like this one, but, really, I'm not sure I like ANY of them!  If you wish to try out PicMonkey, here's the link:    http://www.picmonkey.com/  You begin by clicking on the square that says, "Edit your photo"...you will upload one of your photos.  Then, go to the sidebar and choose the editing option you want.  The top symbol has basic edits.  The second one down, with the lab bottle, has the effects that I showed you here, lus others.  JUST MAKE SURE you save your original photo BEFORE you get started.  I renamed mine after the edit and added a ".jpg" to each one to remember it.

Befunky photo editing

Okay, so now that Picnik is going away, I'm going to have to do a LOT more experimenting with befunky.  I really like this program so far.  The ONLY thing I don't like is that I have to remember to save an original copy of the photo on befunky...However, I'm really not sold on some of these effects.  The top one is "old photo".  The second one down is "oil painting".  The third one down is "grunge" and the last one is the original.  I may just go over to picmonkey and try a few of theirs for comparison.  I'm NOT going to pay money to join either one if I don't like their effects.  Frankly, I like the original, untouched one better than any of the effects.  What do you think?  I value your opinions!  Let me know, PLEASE!