Thursday, April 19, 2012

In Celebration of Earth Day


 Senator Gaylord Nelsen's Idea Realized


On April 22nd. people across the world join together and participate in Earth Day  to share in their appreciation for our planet.  It is a time for us with different beliefs and cultures to stand united with one common goal, the protection of our home, the Earth. 



Earth Day evolved over 40 years ago and was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelsen, under the administration of President Kennedy for the purpose of getting the environment in to the political agenda.  Since 1962, Senator Nelsen's idea has grown in to a world wide event. In 2014, it is even timelier with the significance on coming together for our sustainable future.  http://earthday.envirolink.org/history.html

In my appreciation of Earth Day 2014, I would like to take a look at a few of my favorite places that might not be preserved as they are today had it not been for the efforts of conservationists like Senator Nelsen. 

White Sands National Monument is located in south central New Mexico.  Standing at an elevation of 4235 feet (1291 m) the white gypsum crystal sand dunes comprise an area of approximately 275-mi²(710-km² ) that is also shared with the White Sands Missile Range.  White Sands National Monument preserves the terrain and inhabitants that have adapted to this ever changing environment in the world's largest gypsum dune field.




Death Valley National Park, located in the states of California and Nevada is the largest national park in the lower 48 states and had been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, with 95% of the park designated as a wilderness area.



 International Biosphere Reserves are areas that are forecast to have the most difficult challenges with maintaining and conserving the diversity of the ecosystem while at the same time meeting the material needs of the growing population.  Known for its extremes, Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the summer with an elevation that ranges from the saltpan at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level to the sub-alpine conditions found on the summit of Telescope Peak, which rises to 11,049 feet (3,368 m).  




 Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located the Mojave Desert and is approximately 15 miles (24 km) west of the sprawling city of Las Vegas, Nevada.  In 1990, special legislation changed the status of the Red Rock Recreation Lands to a National Conservation Area, which provides funds to maintain and protect the 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) as a National Conservation Area.   A one-way 13 mile (21 km) long paved loop road provides access to the colorful topography of large red rock formations and sandstone peaks that make up the 3,000 feet (910 m) high canyon walls. 




With the growing world wide population, as we use more and more of our natural resources, I believe the responsibility for our sustainable future must come from all of the Earth's citizens. Not only are we responsible for handing down a legacy of natural wonders to future generations but also for nurturing our planet in order that it will sustain us for generations to come.  






What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.














Monday, April 16, 2012

Newberry Rescue Farm


Bringing People and Wildlife Together


Being a wildlife photographer, nothing thrills me as much as seeing animals out in their natural habitat.  However for those who do not have this opportunity, the next best thing is to visit a rescue facility where animals are given proper treatment and a new chance for survival.  I have visited several of these facilities where I have had some great photo opportunities and learned about different types of wildlife.  



Sally Newberry is working on such a project to turn her Sally's Rescue in Washington State into the Newberry Rescue Farm.  Her dream is to enlarge her present facility through grants, donations and sponsors into an educational arena where children, adults and the disabled can come, see, touch, and have close encounters with wildlife of different types, including: llamas, goats, dogs, cats, peacocks, rabbits and guinea fowl. 



As a former teacher, I know the benefits from experiencing a close relationship with nature that teaches understanding and respect.  As a child, I was fortunate to grow up spending so much time in nature and around animals on my uncle's farm in Georgia.  For these reasons, I would like to introduce the public to Sally Newberry and her "I Have a Dream". 



 If anyone has information on grants and funding or would like to sponsor an animal for a small fee of $12.00 a month, please contact Sally through the following link:


http://dog.chipin.com/rescue-farm







What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.














Thursday, April 5, 2012

Sophie's Easter Basket




 Easter Tail or Two 

Early on Easter morning, Sophie found some eggs that were left by the Easter Bunny

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She decides to gather all the eggs for a special Easter treat.

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Being such a social kitty, Sophie is going to have a Easter party. 

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Sophie begins the task of decorating her Easter basket.  Reaching up high, she breaks twigs from the mulberry tree which she carefully chews down to the perfect size and later adds grass for a more natural look. 



Sophie carefully arranges each egg to be placed in the best order.  She takes a close look, inspecting her creative endeavors.  




Sophie then calls Sasha over to join in the Easter fun and help hunt for the eggs.




After a fun day, Sophie relaxes in her garden, enjoying her basket of eggs.


http://www.bonnierannald.com





What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.














Sunday, April 1, 2012

Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui


Spring Migration, 2012
Over the week of March 25--30, 2012, I have been noticing a large number of Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies in my yard at Walker Lake, Nevada. For this time of year, the temperatures have been very mild, ranging from the high 60's (15.6 c) during the day and only dropping to the 40's (4.4c) at night.  Walker Lake is located in Northern Nevada, in the Great Basin Desert, 38.71N and 118.72W at an elevation of approximately 4,300 feet (1310.64m).

The Painted Ladies are migratory, beginning their northern trek from Baja California up through the northwestern states in the early spring, when the temperatures warm and wildflowers become abundant.   Their numbers appear to increase every four, five or six years when there has been a good breeding season which is contingent on the rainfall and available food source.   



During migration the Painted Ladies do not stop along the way, flying at night, in straight lines over obstacles and not around them, burning their larval fat as an energy source.  Neither battered nor torn wings keep these amazing creatures from fulfilling their destiny within their two week lifespan. 

The Painted Lady has two eyes that are composed of 10,000 lenses. 


 The proboscis or tongue is used for drinking nectar; however the Painted Lady tastes thought its feet.   


Although the Painted Lady butterfly is the most widespread butterfly in the world, its numbers are decreasing in the United States due to loss of habitat and climate changes. 



For more information on the Painted Lady, please visit the following links:

http://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/node/446
http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Article/painted-lady-butterfly








What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.