Thursday, December 21, 2023

Under Desert Skies

 We had finish up a longish hike, and as is our custom, got camp chairs out of the car to sit and relax. But the sky was gorgeous and kept calling to me, so not much sitting going on. It struck me as kind of comical that I hauled my heavy camera and two lenses all over heck and back, only to get my best shots of the day from the parking lot!
Last light on the boulders.
 




As if the beautiful skies weren't enough to get us out of our chairs, we had the moon pushing up through the clouds in the eastern sky. Wow!
 
Looking west. North, south, east, west... didn't matter. Sky was beautiful in every direction!
 
Birds were an added bonus!
 

Travis with that pesky moon on his shoulder!
 
(All photos taken from the "Keys West" parking lot after finishing the hike.)
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

40 comments:

  1. That's the way it goes with some outings right. Kind of like fishing. Back when I used to do it a lot and had a boat and all that the only fish I would catch would be at the dock after we came back.
    But you got some incredible shots.

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  2. Those are really wonderful clouds, both colors and structures are great.
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

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  3. Those skies are wonderful! Yep, sometimes I do the same thing, haul my camera and gear all over the place and get the best photos near the trailhead.

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  4. Love the way those fluffy pink clouds move like feathers in the wind.

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  5. Oh wow stunning photos. Those skies and love the moon :-D

    Happy Holidays and all the best :-D

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  6. The clouds are amazing and I love all the variations. Beautiful post.

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  7. The light is beautiful in these shots!

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  8. Beautiful, beautiful sky and landscape shots. Love the clouds so much.

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  9. So many fabulous shots! This was really special. Thanks so much. Wishing you magical holidays, but I see you've already started. Aloha!

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  10. Those last light shots are gorgeous.

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  11. Oh my, so beautiful, colours are wonderful. Nice moon photo too...

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  12. That´s Murphy´s Law - best pics on the parking lot! And really great ones, thank you for the time-out! Is always like a mini-holiday!

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  13. Lovely skies! Typical with the gear and the hike. LOL.

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  14. What could be nicer as a spectacular sky show from a chair ;)
    Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

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  15. Stunning array of photos! Thanks for sharing those and have a Merry Christmas.

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  16. My favourite one is the moon shot. It looks neat and near.
    You had a wonderful sky anyway.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, to Lilly. 👋🤶🎅
    Thanks for your kind visits to my blog. 😊

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  17. So beautiful. A good way to go into the new year.

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  18. What a wonderful, serendipitous gift, especially after a not-so-perfect photo hike.
    Well done and Happy Hols.

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  19. That's the kind of sky that photographers can't resist and luckily they don't. Beautiful. That moon photos is wonderful too. Happy Holidays!

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  20. Photo ops can be fickle, but Nature did save the best for last, and you got some great, great captures.

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  21. Stunning photos. Overwhelming beauty.

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  22. Beautiful photos, stunning skies and an incredible moon shot.

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  23. Great sky shots ~ even from the parking lot ~ Merry Christmas to you and your family ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. Dearest Peter,
    Indeed, that yielded some stunning photos.
    Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  25. Beautiful sky shots! You did well

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  26. You get some stunning sky's there in the park, you are lucky. Have a great Christmas

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  27. Oh, those skies! You captured the colors beautifully. I got a kick out of the parking lot location lol You have to be open to the moment, no matter where you are.

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  28. Outstanding photographs! Who cares when and where skies like this happen as long as you get to see them?

    Of course, the views of the surrounding desert landscape certainly enhances the view. And a bonus appearance by the moon doesn't hurt.

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  29. Amazing skies, Great clicks.
    Merry Christmas Greetings.

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  30. I wish I could have all of these photos on my walls. But I'm lucky because I do get clouds like these too in the winter. I just need to remember to look in the early evenings. Thanks for the inspiration and Happy Christmas to you and you family.

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  31. I don't know, I would say they are all great shots. Especially the one of the moon!

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  32. Fabulous skies which really complement the rugged landscape.

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  33. Absolutely magical moments caught from the parking lot!

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