Taking My New Lens Out For A Spin!

So Lap Dog Knits and I took the two chihuahuas and the dalmatian out for a trail walk yesterday around sunset... the perfect time to try out my new lens that came in the mail from Amazon. It's a 16 - 35mm wide angle lens, and it's going to be great for those big, open desert sky shots that I love to take. While admittedly still in the "honeymoon" period, I'm really happy with it. Can't wait to get out to the desert again!

Added a texture to this one to make it interesting...

Desert Christ Park, Yucca Valley, CA

On our drive out to the desert on Friday we stopped by an area call "Desert Christ Park".  Here's a brief history: 
Desert Christ Park was dedicated on Easter Sunday 1951. These remarkable works of steel-reinforced concrete were the vision and creation of the gifted artist-sculptor Frank Antone Martin as a benchmark for peace.  Between 1951 and 1961, Martin completed over 50 works, including the three-story, 125 ton facade depicting the last supper. Martin passed away in December 1961 at the age of 74.
Walking around in this park is both eerie and fascinating. The desert setting with the Joshua Trees all around is surreal. I would like to return sometime at sunset when the shadows are long for some really dramatic photos. Hope you are enjoying your Easter Sunday.

Not sure if this little chapel is part of Christ Park or owned by the church next door...

Linking to: 

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Five Desert Cabins

All shot Saturday afternoon, 3/24/2012, just randomly driving the Jeep around the Wonder Valley area... starting around 4 PM and ending up around 7:30 PM. The photos are posted in order so you can see the day getting darker. Do you have a favorite??
Cabin #1

Love the trail heading up the mountain on the right:  f10, 1/40 sec, iso 160, hand-held

Cabin #2

"Little Pink" with wide open spaces all around:  f22, 1/30 sec, iso 640, tripod (I think?)

Cabin #3

Bare wood:  f22, 1/15 sec, iso 200, tripod

Getting a little closer, desaturating and adding a texture: f22, 1/4 sec, iso 200, tripod

Cabin #4

A fun one to photograph because it is leaning over!  f22, 1/2 sec, iso 200, tripod

Texture/border added:  f22, 1/6 sec, iso 200, tripod

Cabin #5

You can see my Jeep on the left... f22, 1.3 sec, iso 200, flash fill, tripod

f22, 1/4 sec, iso 200, tripod

Linking to Skywatch Friday.  Check it out 

for great sky shots from around the world. 

Have a great weekend!

Raindrops in the Garden

We get so little rain here in S CA, that it's always nice when a storm rolls through. Last Sunday night we had a cold, wet storm followed by a crisp, clear and sunny Monday morning. It was so bright that I noticed light reflecting off water drops in the garden like little jewels!

 Linking to Lisa's Chaos/Macro Monday.

Have a great week!