This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 12 readers from my photo files which include, of course, photographs and memories from many national parks and monuments.
Mary Lou chose #3187. My favorite animal seen at Addo Elephant National Park South Africa, this visit in 2013. Oh how I could sit by the water watching them for days, weeks, months.
George chose #1949. Besides long hours gazing at the waves splashing at Tsitsikamma National Park I also enjoy watching the birds, like these Cormorants preening on the rocky shoreline. This also from my 2013 visit to South Africa.
Diane chose #9992. It’s not uncommon to get snow and inversion at the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park when I first arrive for work the end of April, like this scene from my RV in 2015. Just remember, the North Rim doesn’t open until May 15th.
Bibi chose #1400, “the altitude in meters in Kathmandu, where I’ll be next month.” I am jealous and wish I was going too. Instead I’ll settle with this memory from a fall visit in 2012 to Starved Rock State Park. A place I grew up playing so just had to return when I attended my 40th class reunion in Illinois.
Sherry chose #939. Fences, put in for livestock grazing on public lands, can be difficult to sink in hard slick rock. I think it ingenious to hang a rock weight in place of a post. Fences like this are pretty common along the Wire Pass trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument where I photographed this in 2011.
Shane chose #6326. I must have 1000s of photos of the crashing waves at Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. Didn’t I mention before spending lots of time just watching the Indian Ocean here? This was taken on a return visit in 2014.
Anne chose #2634. A typical July monsoon sky seen over the Grand Lodge at the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park.
Donna chose #1959. With enough rain the greens sure do contrast nicely with the sandstone at Golden Gate Highlands National Park. This marvelous view was seen from Echo Ravine trail during my 2013 visit to South Africa.
Pam and John chose #876. OK, this is almost too much coincidence. While hiking last Friday with them we talked about the Wire Pass trail to Buckskin Gulch, where this shot was taken in October 2011. I believe someone asked about mud and water.
Sallie chose #7021. That tiny little spot in the middle is a lady bug seen along the Upper Buckskin Guck trail in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness last summer. Guess I should have zoomed in more.
Jodee chose #6986. I’m sure she’s been seeing quite a few lizards during their SW treks but I’m sure not one like this. Just stopped along the road north of George, South Africa for the view when Joan saw several of these Blue-spotted Girdled Lizards sunning on the rocks.
Yogi had random dot org choose #1944. I know he misses the desert Southwest, but this time will have to settle with the lush greens along the Virgin River Walk at Zion National Park seen when Bibi visited in June 2014.
My choice this week taken in early March at Bryce Canyon National Park where I was being filmed for a future documentary.
Please join in for next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment below. A big thanks to everyone for playing along with Foto Friday Fun and allowing me to share these photographs and memories.
Do you have a favorite this week?
Love the South African shots but at the moment of course the North Rim and Bryce Canyon shots intrigue me. Good to see what the Grand Lodge is like as well on the North Rim. Happy Easter and Happy Birthday, with very good wishes Diane. 9993 for next week please.
Thanks Diane. You’re going to love the North Rim, Bryce and Zion too. Have you down for #9993.
9491 they are all amazing photos as usual , love the beautiful colors.
Thanks. Have you down for #9491.
Awesome photos. Please put me down for 2516 for next week.
Thank you Mary Lou. Have you down for #2516.
Liked them all, but your shot of Bryce was number one in my book. Looking forward to another Utah tour in May. Hope to see you on the North Rim shortly after Memorial Day.
Thanks Jerry. Look forward to seeing you on the North Rim.
A documentary! How exciting. Just think how life changes. A year or so ago you were hoping to raise funds for the trip to Africa, a computer, etc. As always, the universe has a plan for us, and it is richer than we can imagine. Your life is good, always! I look forward to visiting with you when I visit the North Rim this summer.
Unfortunately there’s no money in this documentary process. Look forward to seeing you this summer.
Hi Gaelyn, beautiful images. I love the Grand Lodge in the canyon. It almost blends into the nature. the waves on the Western Cape coast are always worth watching. Hugs Jo
Thanks Jo. The Lodge was built to blend in with the canyon.
“I think it ingenious to hang a rock weight in place of a post.”
I have seen hanging rocks used a lot were a fence line crosses a draw and a post can not be put were flash flood water will take it out.
Another good place for a rock fence post.
Great shots! I love the photo of Starved Rock Park….how did it get that name?
Thanks. One local native tribe starved out another on top of the rock. Have you down for #5236.
What a coincidence!
We headed out Wednesday to drive the Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Grosvenor Arch…No!!! The road is closed and impassable. This is our second attempt to see this arch. We tried from the north side a few years ago when we were at Bryce. But it was a drizzly day and the clay made the road impassable. Now the south end is closed!!! I guess I wasn’t meant to see this arch. So we headed to the Upper Buckskin Trail. We had a great six mile hike but didn’t find EdMierer’s Secret. I wasn’t prepared for this hike so I hadn’t looked back at your post and Suzanne’s for tips on where to look. Oh, well, there is always the next time:) And we had the trail to ourselves:)
#7654
That southern approach road can be really nasty. So sorry you didn’t get to the arch. Upper Buckskin is so gorgeous but you really have to know where to look for the “secret”. Wish we’d been along. I wonder if the entire trail isn’t a best kept secret as we rarely see anyone on it. Have you down for #7654. Enjoy Utah!
Ooops. Next week make it 5236, the distance in kilometers from Belgrade to Delhi….
Oh wow – I know any documentary with you in it will be better than the one I just saw narrated by Robert Redford. Love that picture of Bryce. This week has some terrific pictures in it. The inversion is great and so is the River walk. So lush and green. Really great color in both. I don’t much like fences on any land but am glad they didn’t drill into the rocks to put them there. I’ll be happy to sit for hours with you and watch the elephants. How about 3874 for next time.
Let’s go watch elephants. Have you down for #3874.
How did it get to be Friday again so soon? Love my beautiful lizard – hoping to see lots more as the temps warm up here. The river walk is lush and so alive, and the elephant of course is delightful.
Time flies when you’re having fun. Have you down for #698.
Oh darn! 698 for next week please 🙂
Wow. Awesome Bryce Canyon shot. Impressive.
#2345 for me this week, please.
Thanks Shane. Have you down for #2345.
6189
Hi Donna. Have you down for #6189.
Wow you are going to be a star? We are going to be able to say ‘we knew you when!”. Enjoyed globe-trotting with you; such a beautiful world we live in. From lady bugs to elephants — from mountains to desert — from one continent to another — you always find the glorious beauty!!
Happy Easter and as always thanks for sharing the adventure.
4616 next time please. My older great-grandson’s birthday. Incredibly he will be 9 years old!
I’d like to think I’m already a star, just unknown. Don’t think this school project will make me famous. Have you down for #4616.
Happy Easter to you!