Memorial Day 2018 -= This is the storm headed our way was we went to Coor’s Field to watch the Colorado Rockies take on the San Francisco Giants.  We got caught in the lightening/thunder and hail as we went thru the turnstiles.

Captured this great photo of Mammatus Clouds:

• Mammatus are pouch-like cloud structures. They’re also a rare example of clouds in sinking air– most clouds form in rising air. Although mammatus most frequently form on the underside of a cumulonimbus, they can develop underneath cirrocumulus, altostratus, altocumulus and stratocumulus.
  
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• For a mammatus to form, the sinking air must be cooler than the air around it and have high liquid water or ice content. They derive their name from their appearance, like the bag-like sacs that hang beneath the cloud resemble cow’s udders.
  
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• Mammatus are long-lived if the sinking air contains large drops and snow crystals since larger particles require greater amounts of energy for evaporation to occur. Over time, the cloud droplets do eventually evaporate and the mammatus dissolve.
  
• Despite popular misconception, mammatus clouds are not a sign that a tornado is about to form. While associated with thunderstorms, mammatus clouds are not necessarily an indicator of severe weather. Mammatus result from the sinking of moist air into dry air. They are in essence upside-down clouds. The sharp boundary of mammatus is much like the sharp boundary of a rising cumulonimbus cloud before an anvil has formed.
  

Eventually things cleared up.  A hard fought victory for the Rockies into the 10th inning.  6 to 5.  Some bone head tactics on both sides but also some amazing fielding from the likes of Nolan Arenado.

I actually have three tumblrs - this last one is made of mostly my photography with some interspersed articles of interest.

My other Tumblr is more irreverent with political humor, funny things, puppies

Dzihan and Kamien - just wonderful DJ music.  Have been favorites of mine for several years.

I just want people to know about my Tumblr - most of what is posted is NOT mine.  It’s a combination of Art, Photography, Architecture.  There are themes for sure:  Dennis Hopper, the other Hopper, James Dean.  I tend to be drawn to the photography of the 40’s thru the 70’s.

There really should be no happiness with this holiday - shouldn’t be a holiday at all.  This day is to honor those that have given their lives for our country.  For them we absolutely honor you.  But wait….what about those that may not have died but have been physically and/or mentally maimed?  This day is to honor then as well.  And finally we as Americans should try to get into as few a wars as possible.  This is why we can’t have nice things in this country.

Great little camera - weird looking making it look like a toy.  The secret is that it is a hybrid - digital AND Fuji instant film ( Instax).  You can shoot all day digitally and then decide which ones you want to print out OR you can print as you go for little gifts to your subjects

Or you can download as digital and play with them from there ala

Artist’s statements are much like this picture.  It is me but……. it’s 19 years old and doesn’t really tell who I am.  That being said my current artist statement is not bad.  I didn’t write it- my wife did.  Originally I told her I didn’t have one and that I thought most were a bunch of words vomited onto the page, so to speak.  Then I started entering exhibitions and the sponsors insist on an artist statement so here ya’ go:

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I was 13 when my father taught me my first photographic techniques. Re-invigorated by the love of this hobby we shared, I’ve kept a camera close by since his passing in 1996. Now, there’s nothing more relaxing than spending an hour, day or weekend with a camera in hand. The majority of my photographic body of work can be divided into three categories:  landscapes, still life and ironic images.

Landscapes

Being born in a small prairie town—Simla, CO—instilled in me a deep appreciation for open space, the pace of rural life and a life-long love of clouds.

Still Life

Human hands have arranged most of the objects I like to shoot.

Ironic Images

Unintended humor is all around us. Capturing the unplanned juxtaposition of images, thoughts and people easily amuses me.

I hope you enjoy the images I’ve photographed as much as I’ve enjoyed the experience of shooting them.

R David Marks is definitely worth the look.

at age 3. NASCAR

Karted with Lewis Hamilton

@ COTA

List of wins

Our local Porsche club sponsored ” A Conversation with Patrick Long” last nite and it was very interesting to hear about him and from him.  The list of Patrick’s accomplishments is amazing.  

Interesting Tumblr blog with pics of famous folks and their cameras.  

Remi Noel is today’s featured photographer.  Check out his site.  He has am American ’ Lets take a road trip’ sensibility

Katherine Turczan has very interesting photography and I would encourage readers to spend a bit of time going thru her galleries AND reading her essays.

Thought it would be nice to show case other photographers that I’ve admired.  The first one is Inland West

Mitch Dobrowner has some of the most powerful storm photos.  Consider that many are shot in B&W!

Not my GIF but beautiful it is.

While traveling the back roads of Kansas this album came on.  Perfect backdrop for this trip.  Pat was born in the midwest and is a Leo for anyone that cares.  He’s 10 days older than me so he’s automatically in the Leo Club that I run on the side :)

Besides going to Manhattan , KS to celebrate my sister-in-law getting her PhD I had a chance to goof around in the state. The photos below were captured on Old Highway 24 - this is the same Highway 24 that is seen here in Colorado and is literally where I was born

Also on Highway 24 is the nearly abandoned Nicodemus, KS (pop. 17) which is the first town settled by freed slaves west of the Mississippi .  They were mostly from Kentucky and sold the idea that Nicodemus was a Garden of Eden.  It was anything but.  They were free and could make of their lives what they wanted to.  This was good enough for them. The National Park Service has an installation telling the story of Nicodemus.  The docents are dependents of the original settlers which makes this so much more salient

The next stop was the Air Museum in Liberal , KS.  Many of the planes were owned by a Texan who donated some 50 or 60 planes.  He flew them to the museum himself.

On the way home I stopped in at Gobblers Knob rest stop which was mostly filled with trucks

The main point of going out to Kansas was to celebrate my sister-in-law, Robin getting her PhD in History at Kansas State

A small tempest in a teapot erupted when I pointed out that the mascot and colors of KState are the same as my Alma Mater, Northwestern University

Wildcats and Purple and White.  NU was established 1851 12 years before KState , so I rest my case!

My B-in Law

Some dumpster diving

The Sisterhood of the Horse Cup

Welcome to your life
There’s no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world It’s my own design
It’s my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world There’s a room where the light won’t find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do I’ll be right behind you
So glad we’ve almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world I can’t stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you’ll never never never never need it
One headline why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world