Making the most of a town run and other sundries

Being it’s an all day affair to shop because of the distances I try to make the most of a town run and sometimes include a nature photography fix.  And then sometimes, I get lucky with some local dramatic skies.

Last week I took a friend to an eye appointment in Prescott Valley and discovered Fain Lake Park.  Then on the way home we shopped at Costco.  I was excited to see the brilliant red and orange fall colors at the edge of their parking lot.

I figured on getting a good look as I shop faster than my friend.  General consensus is it’s some kind of Sumac and I’m guessing it’s a landscape planting that spreads by roots and helps hold soil on the bank where it’s growing.

We’d come to Prescott on SR89, the White Spar Highway, with it’s slow twisty curves over the Bradshaw Mountains.  I wanted to return the other route, not quite so curvy, on Iron Springs Road, sort of like a loop trail/drive.  Plus this route took us through Skull Valley that has been on my radar because of the large Cottonwoods that snake along the mostly dry washes.  I wanted to see if the leaves were starting to turn yellow.  Took a little side road and had to stop for this glorious tree-tunnel driveway.  Some of these stately Cottonwoods must be over 100 feet tall.  They probably look older than they are because as Poplars they grow fast.  I hope there are saplings in the deep shade to replace them when they inevitably go.

Since then, I haven’t been out too much but I always keep my eye on the sky.

Living surrounded by mountains means an early sunset in Yarnell.  That’s OK because I can often watch sunset twice a night.  Frequently I drive at least part way down the Yarnell Hill for sunset over the valley below.  If there’s no clouds to the west for more than a pale pastel sunset I look to the east for clouds and possible reverse sunset.

One night I drove a couple miles away from the house to the top of the Mina Road for the view towards Rich Hill.  Too many clouds for full moon rise.

But the light show was good and just kept getting better.  Love nights lights like this.

Sadly I didn’t capture any of the lightning far to the east.

Did get some nice crepuscular rays to the west after the sun disappeared below the Weaver Mountains.

I love clouds.  I’m a nepholographer.  There is so much happening in the sky.  Crazy shapes, perfect for the pareidolia in me as well.  I even started a Facebook group for us cloud watching photographers.

The next night was clear but the moon rose way past sunset and into the dark.  The downside of mountains making the moon rise later.  Getting chilly after dark.  Again drove the Mina Road, but went a little further hoping for an earlier rise.  Instead I met lots of cattle.  The dirt road is not in good shape and I was driving the Toyota car.

When it comes to shooting the moon I’m much better at its set in the morning, and not too early.  Plus there’s more light so easier to photograph.

Some nights I just walk to the end of the driveway for sunset over the Weaver Mountains.

Well, all this happened last week so I suppose next week will be time for another town run.  Every two weeks shopping seems like enough, a luxury even, because I’m used to driving even further away and only once a month.

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I’m linking to SkyWatchFriday.