Picture of the Day (Dial-up internet users enter at own risk!)

[geoand]

This thread is so much fun. I get to see pictures from around the world and share in the joy of all the photographers.

Thanks to all of you for sharing.

 

[dmharris]

Japanese Garden, Portland Oregon - June

 

[dougp26364]

Gettysburg, PA

 

[easyrider]

Napili Coast

 

[easyrider]

Napoli Coast

 

[Timeshare Von]

Last week when I was in western Minnesota I considered getting some sun dog photos when I was out getting some other early morning pics. But with a -50 degrees wind chill factor, I decided to stay in the car instead.

I hear ya Steve. The cold weather photos can really be painful with those wind chills. I'm just in training for my return to Fairbanks next month, where I'm pretty sure it will be well below zero most nights (and days for that matter).

I'd love to see other photos of the sun dogs, especially since it's still a rather new thing for me to see (and photograph).

 

[Conan]

Corgarth Castle, Scotland

Mazatlan: sunset stroll

Kona: end of day

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I was sitting in the car waiting for the sun to rise high enough to break through some trees to illuminate the scene. When the lighting conditions were right I ran to my vantage point - about 40 yards away and through 6 to 12 inches of snow. I positioned myself, got the picture framed, checked the results, made some exposure adjustments, and reshot. Repeat for a third set of exposures and dash back to the car.

All told, I'm out there for no more than five minutes without gloves on. As I'm finishing the last set of pictures I've reached full numb in my fingers above the knuckles - I can't feel the camera in my fingertips anymore. When I get back to the car all of my fingers are numb and the pale blue color is starting to show in my finger tips. After I'm back in the car my entire hand starts aching - no stinging; just pain throughout the entire hand.

The weather folks say that at -40 wind chill exposed flesh freezes in ten minutes. That sounds about right.

I'm no stranger to subzero temps. I grew up in Minnesota and was a news carrier delivering newspapers in similar temps. I also cannot remember school ever being closed due to cold weather. But I always knew to stay covered up.

If my hand hadn't still been hurting, I might have tried to get some pics of the snow dogs.

 

[RDB]

Try a mountain trail stroll in China

Shagnut sent these and I wanted to share in case you all might wish to travel to China. It looked to me like a Do & See all in one.
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/1391065716/inc/-1

First, take the cable UP.

Keep an eye on the person in front of you.

Be sure to hold onto the railing.

Getsa little steeper here - so put your toes in the holes.

The computer memory is full. Will have to get the rest of the trail photos posted in another reply.

 

[Transit]

I love this thread there should be a photo of the year contest or something simular.

 

[RDB]

Continuing on with the China Teahouse Trail.

Just follow the trail

Now just up a few steps [on the left of the photo]

Be very cafeful when passing someone going in the opposite direction.

A few more steps to go.

Finally in sight, the Teahouse!

 

[swift]

Oh my gosh!!!!! My knees are knocking just looking at the pictures!!!!

 

[easyrider]

Wow, that must be some great tea.

 

[TUGBrian]

Wow, that must be some great tea.

:hysterical:

 

[ricoba]

I think I'll stay with coffee....

That's an amazing site!

 

[geoand]

on the steps of Ma Johnson's hotel in McCarthy, Alaska

 

[geoand]

I'm going to let this horse take me up the trail to the Bonanza Copper Mine

Trip started at Kennicott Mill and was to end up top of Bonanza Ridge.

 

[dmharris]

I love all your photos especially seeing you!

I especially enjoying connecting a face to a poster! Makes it feel more like we're buds.

How do people navigate that tea walk, I'd be passed out from fear!?

 

[dmharris]

Water lilies of glass - Chihuly

 

[Timeshare Von]

My morning drive "to work" today

Hwy20 approximately five miles east of I35 in Iowa:

and someone who didn't make it to work today on time:

I should talk, however. After seeing the whiteout conditions from the blowing of YESTERDAY'S snow in Iowa, I turned around and went home. I'll try to get to Milwaukee tomorrow.

 

[Lee B]

A Town Called Hanalei

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I should talk, however. After seeing the whiteout conditions from the blowing of YESTERDAY'S snow in Iowa, I turned around and went home. I'll try to get to Milwaukee tomorrow.

About eight years ago I was returning to Seattle from Yakima in late winter. Traveling on I-90 just west of Ellensburg, I ran into a sudden intense snowfall at a location where the road climbs about 500 feet elevation in three climbs spaced over about one mile. The snow squall was so intense that in less than one mile the road went from fully clear to more than one foot of snow. The squall developed so suddenly the State Patrol hadn't had time to respond.

I was driving a Ford Ranger 4-WD with snow tires and was in good shape, but lesser equipped vehicles were spinning off the road everywhere. I pulled over onto the shoulder to let the storm pass. As I was on the shoulder, a Dodge Caravan type minivan went skidding off the road behind into the ditch. When it hit the ditch it flipped on its side and rolled over twice, coming to rest on its wheels about 40 yards from me. A young woman forces open the banged up driver-side door open, screaming about her babies in the back seat. I get out to help, and there are two kids under three years old in car seats in the back seat. They're strapped in and perfectly fine - still too young to be frightened about what just happened to them.

I do the 911 call - takes me about five minutes to get through because of the volume of calls coming in. Four emergency vehicles come by, totally ignoring us, on their way to other accidents further up the road. Roadside emergency assistance triage in action - if you weren't gravely injured they were going to get back to you later.

After helping the lady she decided to stay in her car; the engine worked and windows were cracked (but not broken) to wait for help.

After the snow eased up I continued on my way. Over the next half mile until I hit the top of the grade, I stopped counting vehicles off the road after I reached somewhere around 50. There were three major accidents with grave injuries, which were the primary foci of attention.

Within about five to ten miles, the road was once again clear with just scattered ice patches.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Kalaupapa Pali

if the pics don't load, click on the direct links.

This was taken while riding on a mule down the trail on the face of the cliffs.

Direct link

Here are some of the switchbacks on the trail.

direct link

 

[swift]

Hey Steve, your pictures are disappearing on IE again.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Hey Steve, your pictures are disappearing on IE again.

right click on the icon with the red "x" and select "Show picture" from the popup menu.