Foto Friday Fun 301–every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 12 readers and includes some rather unusual critters.

Sherry and David chose #7172, one of eight in a panorama.  It doesn’t get much better than a rainbow at Grand Canyon, even through the trees in a side canyon.

George chose #1519.  I was roving on Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim when this crazy looking critter sauntered across the path.  So of course, I stopped to take photos and visitors wanted to know what it was.  I didn’t know then but looked it up.  A Jerusalem Cricket, and never saw another one.

Diane and Nigel chose #401.  It might look like this tree was tied in a knot.  Interestingly, Ponderosa Pines can grow either straight grained or dextral, which is the spiral grain see here.  Typically the growth is determined by soil depth, of which there is little here on the lava flow at Sunset Crater National Monument.

Cheryl chose #4023.  Hogsback, South Africa, a Hobbity kind of place.  The landscape went on and on, and I believe I saw fairies about.

Gayle chose #7517.  Watched this zebra from an underground bird hide in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.  Don’t you love how the mohawk takes away from the shortened ear?

Jodee and Bill chose #1480.  Not all sunsets at Grand Canyon are spectacular.  And neither are all photos.

Pam and John chose #1004.  Rather difficult to put in perspective, this shot looks down into a closed shaft at the Eureka Mine at Death Valley National Park, California.

Sallie and Bill chose #208.  The Great White Throne stands out against the orangey sandstone at Zion National Park, Utah from my first visit there in 2008.

Yogi chose #152.  A 2007 visit to Crater Lake was hazy from nearby fires, the lake obscured by smoke, and even this drive across the Pumice Desert wasn’t ideal.

Jeff chose #106, for Jan, 6 “Three Kings Day celebrated in Mexico with gifts and feasts.”  Instead of a crown, this snail carries its house on its back.  Interesting gift, no thanks for eating.  When I lived in Oregon in 2007 I saw a lot of slugs and snails while hiking in the Siskiyou National Forest.  I always imagine some little people riding on their backs.

TreDeuce chose #1066, the year of “The Battle of Hastings.”  I believe the wars fought at Antelope Slot Canyon were between powerful water and soft sandstone instead of between the French and English.

Rita chose #7934.  The Desertview Watchtower located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon is a must see for both the architecture and the view.

My choices this week, Sierra likes to go outside but she wasn’t overly happy with the snow.  And a glorious sunrise from last Saturday morning taken from my yard in Yarnell.  See, I do get up for these occasionally.

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 1 and 9999 in your comment below.

Do you have a favorite this week?