SYLVIA PATTON - 2019 - 2021 - CALENDAR EXTRAS

I love lava almost as much as I love ice! AUGUST was taken on my most recent visit to the Big Island at the beginning of January 2020. The last time I was outside the house :-)) Every time I go to the Big Island I try and visit the latest lava flow areas. Brand spanking new lava is bright and shiny and is so sensuous! The shapes, patterns, and lines are infinite. I can wander among the lava fields forever. However,  AUGUST isn't my favorite lava shot. (I used most of those in my 2013 Calendar, HAWAII, and it didn't seem kosher to use them again!)  Still,  I enjoy imagining what this lava must have looked like as it flowed down the mountain. Three of my favorite lava shots from the 2013 Calendar are below. While two were captured on the Big Island from a fresh lava flow, the third was not. FACES was found on an older lava flow in a field above the Kona airport. The sun has bleached the lava into a blue-gray that I found captivating. So even older lava fields have their dra...

           You can  look back at April's image, which was captured in Yellowstone National Park, as was JULY's image above. Yellowstone is a wonderful place to observe and photograph design and detail. I have gone there multiple times, and never cease to wonder at its visual splendor. Below are several of my favorite images taken in various years since 2007.  Have a favorite? Let me know! And have a wonderful 4th of July. See you next month, Sylvia

NATURE COLORS THE FENCE             Wow! May flew by quickly! I have to say I'm not tired of the green soup alligator, but we have to move on.            Thus, if you haven't read MAY's blog, do it now. This month's shot also was taken on the Big Cypress Boardwalk, A whole section of the fence along the swamp was colored by these little lichens, fungi, algae, and who knows what else. It was lovely!                                      I have included a couple of other residents of the swamp below. Another BLUE HERON, I believe RAT SNAKE I had the pleasure of being the first person to spot this guy on the morning I was there. A docent thanked me for pointing him/her out, and put a sign on the fence to make her/him easier for others to find.          I hope everyone had a satisfying...

        May is here, and LA is getting ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Many people believe it is a remembrance of the Battle of Puebla, but it really is a celebration of MY birthday :-)) It's so nice when everyone is happy on one's birthday!     This month's photo is a bit  different from the others in that it has a definite subject! It was captured on the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk in 2011.  I had gotten together for a reunion with some of my Peace Corps buddies in Venice, Florida. I took the opportunity to spend some extra time in the swamps and byways of the Western Everglades. Having never spent any time in Florida, it was a new experience. The flora and fauna there are all not found in SoCal :-)) The Boardwalk was quiet, I had it to myself, and there were many birds and reptiles along the way.      I did fear for the bird, but nothing happened while I was there! The "cousin" hanging out down the road a bit. Where's the Barbie...

     The above image was taken in Yellowstone National Park at Mammoth Hot Springs. Different algae grows at different temperatures. The variety of colors  which make Yellowstone so magical is due to the different water temperatures from hot springs mixing with cold river water and springs. Different temperatures, different colors, and different textures. Have a good month and see you in May. Stay safe!        Sylvia

  This photo is for fun! I like it well enough, but what makes it REALLY special is you can play a game with it! Look at it, and decide which tree is the front tree. Got it? Now tell your brain that it really is the OTHER tree that is in front. Can you make your eyes believe it? You should be able to - AND - you can flip back and forth at will! Fun, no? While the above image was captured in Kona, Hawaii, from the balcony of Stacey's condo, the below image was captured in the Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park.  It has the same attribute as the above image, but I find it a bit more challenging! Are there valleys, which are lighter, with dark ridges (concave)? Or - are they light humps with dark valleys (convex)? Right now, for me, they are  concave, light valleys with raised dark ridges. I can switch it, but it's harder. Let me know what you think, and which was your first impression as to which was front, in the first image, and whether you see convex or concave i...

BLUE ICE is one of my favorite things in the world to see, to experience and to photograph.      This up close and personal view was captured in Antarctica in 2007. I went there on a Russian ice cutter with some 50 plus other photographers. That was my first big adventure on a ship. I had the good fortune to share that extraordinary experience with my good friend, and yours, Rick Allen.      For more pictures of that trip, go to the link below. Lots to noodle around in there, should you be so inclined.  https://pbase.com/sylviapatton/antarctica__2007&page=5     And of course you have seen lots of grand vistas of blue ice in previous blogs.     If you live in the right place, right now,  - say Minnesota - you may have more snow and BLACK ice than you wish! Big storm coming through!     Stay safe and warm. I'll see you next month.                      ...