2014 International Landsailing Championships

Sailors and Yachts race across the Desert Playa in Nevada

What event would lure hundreds of visitors to the dry, hot desert in July other than Burning Man?  That would be the 2014 International Landsailing Championships held during the week of July 14 at the Smith Creek Dry Lake in Nevada.

 All week long the racers compete in fleet races hoping to qualify for the finals at the culmination of the event on Saturday, July 19th. 

Landsailing became a racing sport in 1950 and since 1990, only 3 world championships have been held in the United States and it may be decades before this global competition is held again on U. S. soil.

Other than flat, dry lakes most races are conducted on sandy beaches or airfields.  European racers preferred the desert playa at Smith Creek because unlike busy beaches, the course was better suited to crowd control.  

The racing yachts, AKA: sand yachts or land yachts can reach speeds over 100 mph (120 kmr) and are divided in to four classes. The larger Class 3 and Class 2 yachts have a lightweight fiberglass hull and wing-shaped mast with a wooden rear axle. Class 2 is the largest class with masts reaching 26 feet (8 m).

The racers or pilots recline in a small seat only a few inches off the ground, with goggles and helmet being the only protective gear.  The yachts are steered by foot pedals, while the sail is maneuvered with the hands using a rope or line. Speed is adjusted by the sail and top speed can be reached in only 5 seconds.

   

Sailors relax waiting for the wind. 

 With just a 10 mph (16 kpr) wind, yachts can reach speeds of 40 to 50 mph (64 to 80 kpr).  As the wind increases so does the speed of yachts, which are capable of obtaining speeds two to three times that of the wind.

Early afternoon, the flags begin to move in the wind but the clouds are also starting to build.

  Suddenly the clouds let go and everyone runs for cover. 

 The rain pours down causing some minor flooding.

 The dusty desert playa turns to mud.

  After about 30 minutes the rain stops, the sun dries the mud and the races continue.

 

Two U.S. sailors racing almost neck to neck!  

For more info on Landsailing:

http://www.nalsa.org/
http://www.fisly.org/
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/12/11/landsailing-world-championship-set-july-2014-usa/

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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.

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"Doux Ete" Exhibition, Galarie du Colombier, Paris, France

Celebrating the Sweet Summer of 2014

During the month of July, 2014 I am honored to have three of my fine art photographs selected for the exhibit: "Doux Ete" (Sweet Summer), curated by Lyza Sahertian, Ambassador for European Capital of Culture Umea2014. 

"Summer Oasis", "Westward Ho" and "Court of the Patriarchs, Zion, Utah" are on exhibit at the Galerie du Colombier, Paris, France from July 7--19th along with eight European artists specializing in mixed media. 

All exhibited art in "Doux Ete" is available for purchase, please contact  Galerie du Colombier, 91 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France, Phone: +33 6 08 14 46 50.  http://www.galerieducolombier.eu/

Paris Bouge Events:
http://www.parisbouge.com/event/130325/

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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.

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Wildflower Adventures and Summer Solstice

Exploring Further up the Mining Trail on Spring's Finale 

Still determined to go all the way to the top of the mining trail, I choose a day when calm winds were in the forecast.  Around these mountains, changes in pressure systems may come with strong winds which can be dangerous to be caught outside.

I wanted to make my trip on the Friday before the Summer Solstice and catch the moon just as it was setting over the mountains, which would be around 13:10 PDT.  Summer Solstice for the western U.S. would occur on June 21st 3:51PDT when the moon would not be showing.

 On this morning the summer heat was arriving early and it was already beginning to feel hot.  However, it was a clear day and the moon was hanging high in the deep blue sky. 

After turning off the main highway and putting the Jeep in 4wheel drive, I noticed the moon just beginning its descent over the canyon.  I was hoping to get a view of the moon as it was hovering over the top of the ridge.  Just as I approached the entrance to the canyon, a red-tailed hawk began to circle.  What an awesome photo this would make if the hawk came down closer to the moon.  Sure enough, by the time I was set up the hawk flew lower over the top of the canyon.  From all indications, it had a nest on the back side of the rocky slope.  In respect and appreciation to the hawk's space, I slowly drove off after several photos and was thankful for getting to observe this unique moment.

Heading higher up the trail I reached the point where I was level with and across from the Slim Pickins Mine.

  The landscape appeared barren and the dry heat was taking its toll on any plants that might have bloomed.

Off to the trail's edge, a Grizzly-Bear Prickly Pear was enduring the harsh environment and striving  to produce one flower.

Reaching a higher elevation, Sulfur Buckwheat was doing well and many were showing yellow blooms.

 The Rabbitbrush were also in full bloom and accenting the desert with bright yellow.

As I turned to walk back on the trail a single white flower caught my eye. It was the stunning Sego Lilly that blooms in early summer.   Native Americans roasted, boiled and made the bulbs of this Calochortus species into porridge.

Stretched out across the trail was an interesting arrangement of Leafy Spurge that was turning  shades of red, perhaps due to its water source drying up.

The day was moving on and the heat was becoming more intense.  I was beginning to feel like the Leafy Spurge, red and dried out.  Whether to turn back or keep heading up was the question for the moment.

 I always remember some good advice from an older flight instructor, "You've had a good day when you return to the destination with a safe landing".   So I didn't reach the top this time, I did have some interesting adventures and I can plan a return trip in late summer when it cools down.  Just like in the airplane, you get to fly another day if you set your limits and don't go past your abilities.  I was looking forward to a nice cool shower and some cold lemon tea when I arrived back home.

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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.

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