Also, on a technical level, I believe the best photo I've yet taken is a b&w photo of a pelican during that same holiday to south america last year. It's a bit less eye catching, so I'm putting it here instead:

I'm a femme fatale

She was such a good girl and stood perfectly still the whole time. I'm gonna try to fit her other blanket this weekend if I'm up to it. On top of still being slightly sick still, I found out my grandpa (who I'm SUPER close with) is gonna die any day now, so I've been an absolute mess.

Easy, 0.42 mi out and back

36 ft elevation gain

Hiked 9/5/23

Flickr Album

Located just outside of Olympic National Park in the Quinault Rainforest, this trail takes you to the largest Spruce Tree in the world, measuring 191' tall, with a circumference of ~59' and ~1,000 years old. Short and easy, with a great payoff, it's perfect when headed north towards Olympic National Park.

A massive evergreen stands out among a grove of other tall but skinny trees. This may be one of the 'Quinault Valley Champion Six' trees, but I am uncertain.

The lush Quinault rainforest with moss covering everything it can. The trail runs just out of frame tot the right along the visible handrail.

A younger tree has grown from the base of this large tree stump, with roots dangling on all sides of the stump.

Designed by Le Corbusier, it lies in the Indian city of Chandigarh

Finally recovered enough to go actually do stuff at the barn and Sandy decided she wanted to come in with me to get all the plants out of her mane and tail. I didn't expect her to be so fuzzy! Her winter coat is so thick!!

I also fitted her blanket today for when we'll actually need it and she went from needing the straps as tight as they could go last year, to like a couple feet longer this year. I spent 20 minutes adjusting the straps. I got pics of her in her blanket that I'll be posting over the next couple days lol.

Moderate, 4.53 mi out and back/wander

1,089 ft elevation gain

Hiked 11/2/24

I'm not sure if this was a named trail or not, but was out doing a little rockhounding (See Falcon Guides Rockhounding Nevada for info) and did this sort hike in central Nevada. Something about the desolation of these areas has always drawn me, if only shortly. Rock site was a little underwhelming.

A large rolling hill comes to a rocky crest with various desert grasses in autumn under mostly cloudy skies.

A microwave tower stands in the center of the frame in the distance, surrounded by a rocky hillside up close that turns to more desert grasses in the distance.

A small rock pile sits among the desert grasses in late fall. A steep hillside with a small cliff face may be seen to the left while rolling hills may be seen on the right.

She's 11 years old and a skittish pony and I want to be her friend lol.

Moderate to Hard, 9.84 mi out and back

2,188 ft elevation gain

Hiked 10/26/24

Flickr Album

Sitting on the opposite side of the valley from the famous Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, the trail to North Dome is filled with views of the marvelous behemoth. Along the way, make sure to take the slight detour up to Indian Arch, a delicate arch atop a rock outcrop that also overlooks Half Dome.

A wide shot looking underneath Indian Arch towards the trail that led to it. A roughly 5 ft tall rock structure may be seen on the right with a slot that has slowly eroded in to it.

Half Dome seen from afar, framed by evergreens and with the peaks of a nearby mountain seen behind the dome in the distance.

Half Dome surrounded on all sides by various peaks in the distance, with the slanted rock face on a lower portion of North Dome in the foreground.

The best and brightest I've ever seen aurora. Thanks for the barf, Sun!!!

Easy, 1.33 mi loop

223 ft elevation gain

Hiked 10/19/25

Flickr Album

An easy hike taking you inside an old volcano, filled with obsidian and volcanic rock specimens. At the top a loop taking you around the dome with large mounds and spires great for adventuring on (wear gloves if you are to play at bouldering as it can get sharp). Sierras may be seen in the distance.

A large chunk of obsidian shines among its smaller counterparts.

Standing atop a broken outcrop of volcanic rock, the loop trail on the top of Obsidian Dome may be seen wrapping a large mound.

Lichen grows on weathered volcanic rock boulders while behind it another large ridge of obsidian may be seen in front of a jagged ridgeline in the distance.

In Sardinia, you will truly see all the colors nature has to offer

Moderate, 2.94 mi out and back

587 ft elevation gain

Hiked 10/11/24

Flickr Album

Bluesky Video with a wide view of the pools and the 'screaming' of air leaving the hydrothermal vents.

A short trip to Hell, surrounded by the slight screams of air escaping from hydrothermal vents. This adventure takes you down to a couple of boardwalks around active geothermal mudpots and boiling pools of liquid pyrite and acidic-loving cyanobacteria. Please stay on the boardwalks to avoid injuries.

A serene setting along the early trail among evergreens, concealing the 'hell' that awaits further along.

Looking out from the rocky outcrop that makes an early viewpoint towards what I believe is Pilot Pinnacle.

A steaming and bubbling pool forms above a hydrothermal vent.

I'm fighting off pneumonia, so I couldn't spend a lot of time chasing her around. I'm going to see if one of the barn hands would be able to help me if they're gonna be there tonight.

Hard, 5.1 mi out and back

1,975 ft elevation gain

Hiked 10/11/24

Flickr Album

Home to the youngest rocks (black dacite) in California, which were formed when the mountain last erupted in 1915, this steep hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a real joy for both hikers and geology nerds. Featuring spectacular views of all four types of volcanoes found in the world and a relentless ascent on a well maintained trail.

An early view up the trail when it is still 'steep' but before it gets 'real steep.' Intersecting lines of hillsides cross through the frame while red autumnal ground cover plants contrast with the evergreen trees and light desert brown of the mountain.

The crater near the top of Lassen Peak, still housing a small patch of snow in the Alpine zone. Mt Shasta may be seen over the rim in the distance to the left of center.

Looking down from the true summit, which is a little further than the crater area. The steep ridgeline may be seen with the trail's switchbacks cutting across it. Nearby Lake Helen is also seen down below.

Leeds, England, UK.