Total Lunar Eclipse and dark starry night

One of the most clear weather situations, is after rain showers.Feb.09.08,It was very pleasant moments to me to sharing some telescopic views of heavins with some of my relatives for the first time in them life, that was outside dusty-smoky city of Arbil.
The Nawkur plain is one of the reachest agricultural regions,lies abot 70 Kms West of Arbil in northern Iraq.but after my trip,I found out that it is also rich with clear skies and very good for astronomical observations for Sun and all other stars.
Total Lunar eclipse of Feb.21.08 at 06:15 am was a very ince target to take some photos,but with frozen fingures in that morning!.

Chile Vacation

Chile...the land of fertile soil and beautiful people. I feel honored to have spent two weeks helping one of my best friends celebrate her wedding and meeting her husbands friends and family. We spent most of our days in Santiago, but did travel to the coast and two wine districts near the city.

Bald Eagle

I was out on the Gallatin River with my dog last week and there were 2 beautiful Bald Eagle following us around. They were unhappy about us being there in that great fishing spot. They started off perching far away, but gradually got closer landing in trees directly above us. I shot this as it hopped off the branch above me and flew away. Lucky day on the Gallatin!

Finally, winter with Rain and Snow!

Just after my last posted words, a lyres of low dark clouds finally
covered our skies, after 3 days of good rain, snow start falling
over northern Iraqi regions.
I am living in Arbil city; some snow has covered our back yard for a little
while but it melted very fast.
Any way, the mountains now are looks like giant icebergs, also Kanzad
Hills -East of Arbil city- was a good territory for snow fun.
Every body is happy now, although Iraqi peoples are still suffering from terrorists and terrorism dark days.

Dry snow on the right and wet snow on the left!
Every body are invited!
Every body made Snow man!
My son Muhamed try to catch some snow!

Boarding up Mill Creek

Jay and I videotaped and photographed some friends launching their snowboards up Mill Creek yesterday.  Josh built a kicker that was sending them about 65 or 70 feet - another 10 or 15 feet would have them over a little lip and extending their distance up to 120 feet, maybe more.   Good times in the snow...and the air.

Stuckism

I recently watched a documentary called Billy Childish is Dead, on Billy Childish; English musician, artist, poet, photographer, who co-founded an art movement called Stuckism. I claim no connection to the movement, other than the term fit this photograph I took today on the frozen part of Yellowstone River near Sheep Mountain.

Pony Race

As some of you might have read on my personal blog, I went off the road on Valentine's evening and spent the night in the ditch in my car - good times. It was a bit chilly, but not too bad. I found a rancher this morning to pull me out and away I went down the road to find the biggest breakfast Clyde Park, MT had to offer. Here's a shot I took a bit before the night decided to take a turn...

Announcing FineArtPhotoblog.com

Back a few months ago, I was browsing through the massive list of site feeds that I subscribe to.  I came across one that caught my eye - an open call for fine art photography galleries for an upcoming project by Brian Auer, the sole talent behind Epic Edits Weblog.  With nearly 2,500 daily readers, Brian has become a well respected member of the online photographic community - not only because of his stunning images, but also for the knowledge and techniques he offers to his viewers for no apparent reason other than his true passion for the art. :-) 

So, upon Brian's request, galleries were submitted by 30 artists from all over the world and a vote was held.  I can only say that I was incredibly honored the day I received an e-mail from Brian telling me I had been chosen as one of the 6 (seven including Brian) who would launch the effort.  After a couple months of everyone working until 3 and 4am, it's all come down to today -  FineArtPhotoblog.com.

Here is an excerpt from the Press Release and a snapshot of the homepage:

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SAN DIEGO, CA February 11, 2008 - Fine Art Photoblog announces the launch of a unique new website, offering the discerning art buyer opportunities that have so far not been available.

In the manner of a photoblog, seven internationally acclaimed fine art photographers work together, publishing a work of fine art photography daily; every day another photographer, each photographer once per week. The works will be up for purchase in two variants, targeting two groups of buyers.

In the manner of a gallery, the website will acquire and permanently display the works of seven great photographers. An extensive search interface completes the offer, providing capabilities to search for artists, keywords, and certain characteristics of the photographs (horizontal or vertical orientation, colors, etc.).

Right from the start, all works will be available in two qualities:

• as high-quality but unsigned prints from printing services such as Imagekind.com or RedBubble.com (at the discretion of the photographer). These are printed in sizes and on papers of the customer’s choice. They are shipped matted, framed and glazed, according to the customer’s wishes.
• as definitive and collectible signed prints of the highest quality available called The Work. In case of digital prints, The Work will be available in only one size, perfectly fitting the characteristics of the image and printed on exquisite fine art paper of the artist’s choice, either by the artist himself or by a fine art printer under the direction of the artist. The Work is the unique expression of the artist’s creative power.

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A walk in the park

Went down to Yellowstone with CodeRed on tuesday.

Was a perfect day, mostly sunny with temps just above zero.

I learned one thing, Not only is CodeRed creative behind the lens, he is also a great navigator. Here we see Cody pointing the way, NorthWest I believe.

And one photo of Igloo Nation taken last Sunday.

K2

The Aristocat

Which pets are known
To never show their claws?
Which pets are prone
To hardly any flaws? To which pets do the others
Tip their hats? Naturellement! The Aristocats!

They show aristocratic bearing
When they're seen
Upon an airing
And aristocratic flair
In what they do, and what they say!

I caught my little thief in a truly delicious moment. As you can see, he is quite the STAR...
Thanks for the invite, Cody!