This week’s Foto Friday Fun includes 7 images chosen by readers picking a number out of my photo archives. It’s a real mixed batch this week from Arizona, Utah and South Africa.
Yogi chose #1371, “no idea why that popped in my head but there it is.” This large Poplar sits, or sat, at the edge of a small pond nestled in the Weaver Mountains where I hike near my Yarnell home. Haven’t been up there since the fire so don’t know if it survived. Guess I’ll find out soon enough as I’m headed that way with a layover in Flagstaff where I’ve watched it snow.
Jo chose #911, “For all Americans, also my dad died on that day in 2000.” I don’t know how she does it but this photo was taken when Jo and I met for the first time during my 2013 visit to South Africa. We’ve both been blogging since 2008 and I met her son John in 2010 when he guided me on an overnight backpacking trip into the Drakensberg Mountains.
Firefly chose #1975, “The year I came into this world screaming… or was I a good and quiet baby? Gotta ask my mom.” In 1975 I was getting ready to move from Illinois to California and had this photo taken for my parents. I don’t think it survived the Yarnell fire so sure am glad I took a photo of the photo. My dog at the time, Denver, was very cooperative with the photographer but we did have to sneak into the mall for this shot.
Bibi chose #1111, “no reason, just a cool number.” The reason I took this cool photo was multifold. First I love all the patterns and directions seen in the sandstone cliffs and second the clouds seem to be pointing to this amazing example of deposition and erosion. And I’d bet the Johnson Canyon road is open even if it does travel through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument because many areas on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land are open during the government shutdown.
Arija chose #1944, “the year we fled our homeland with the advancing Russian front in sight, not a pleasant time but a huge turning point in our lives.” I am in awe of this extraordinary woman and herstory which I hope is being documented for her daughter and us all. Knowing Arija likes to visit the sea and watch birds this seems like a good match where I relaxed along the Indian Ocean watching these Cormorants at Tsitsikamma National Park in South Africa.
Elaine chose #333. As another bird watcher I think she’ll like this Swainson’s Hawk I saw along the road into the North Rim on the Kaibab National Forest. I am not the best at capturing birds and this crop is a little fuzzy. But birders get that.
Diane chose #1943, “the year I was born!” This active lady currently lives in France but has lived and traveled in many parts of the world including South Africa where this carved wall of sandstone towered about the Echo Ravine trail in Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
My choice this week is the Ghost Squirrel. The drinking fountain by the campground amphitheater provides a welcome drink to many including this Kaibab squirrel which visitors often think is a skunk. They are uniquely found only on the North Rim area of Grand Canyon.
Thank you for joining in Foto Friday Fun. I really enjoy digging through my archives and pulling the stories from my memories. To join in the fun for next week leave a number between 1 and 2000 in a comment and maybe see your chosen image next week.
Do you have a favorite from this week?
Look for other photos posted on Geogypsy Facebook page not usually seen here.
OMW my choice brought up the photo which you took while we had breakfast on the deck at Guinea Fowl Lodge, Knysna! I love Firefly’s choice – (my favourite for this post) and love that your dog, Denver posed so beautifully for the photo! My choice for next week is 1953, the year I was born (sorry Firefly I copied yours this week!) Have a great weekend, Gaelyn. (((Hugs))) Jo
You are excused
Great photos all, of course the one you picked for me I like and my other favorite is the Sandstone bluffs along the Johnson county road.
Great job, My next number is 1998, the year son was born.
Thanks Yogi. Have you down for 1998.
We have never been to Echo ravine so this is a great choice for me. Thanks so much. I also love the squirrel. My husbands date of birth will do this week, how about 1947? Keep well Diane
I think it’s birthday week. Have you down for 1947.
I like the hawk perched on that bare tree, but if I had to pick a favorite this week it would be the one of you and Denver. I have a series of photos like that of my twin daughters starting when they were little tykes and progressing up to the saloon girl stage, and then several family shots of various kids and grandkids. There seems to be a theme going this week for birthdays, so I’ll choose my daughters birth year of 1973.
That’s the only ‘old time’ photo I ever had taken and I do like them. Nice to have a series of the girls and family. Yes, birthdays seem to be this weeks theme. Have you down for 1973.
I can’t believe I forgot to put a number last week. Shame on me so to make sure for next week I asked Carrie who is visiting and she said 1241. So that’s it. As for a favorite picture – that’s nearly impossible. They are all beautiful and so varied. But I do love your picture with Denver. Thanks for suggesting that I take pictures of any picture I could lose. I also love the kaibab squirrel. I saw them at the North Rim but none of my shots were that cute.
Since the fire and loss I am doubly thankful I take photos of photos, and paintings, and furniture……
Have you down with Carrie’s #1241.
Welcome home.
I love the diversity and randomness; each has its own story to tell!
Every time I see one of your Golden Gate pictures I think what a pity it is that I’ve never explored the area. Gotta go!!! Pity you didn’t get a pic of the squirrel drinking from the tap. LOL! Love the photo of you and your dog. Pity it may have been destroyed.
Number for next week. Mmmmmm…. I choose 2000. LEts see what the last picture in this group looks like.
You really should get to Golden Gate. Great place to camp and hike with the family.
Have you down for 2000.
Oh so many beauties to choose from Gaelyn! How can you expect me to choose just one. I love the one you put up for me, I certainly love the ocean and birds I thank you for that choice. Out of all the glorious landscapes, I choose that sweet old-fashioned portrait of you and your dog, I just couldn’t go past that one.
This time I am picking 1240, there is nothing I can tied that to so You can’t keep putting me on a pedestal, I don’t sit comfortable there at all. I really am a very simple old grandma.
I just love to hear your stories. Have you down for 1240.
I’m so glad you took the picture of the picture, but the loss of the original makes me want to cry (I know I know it’s just ‘things’ but so sad to lose them in that awful way). Love all the pictures — my fav is actually the unique squirrel.
I’m just glad I’m so annal about taking photos of everything. Yes, it’s stuff, but it does hurt that it’s gone. Those Kaibab squirrels are very cute.