Sunday, December 29, 2013

Highlighs of 2013




 Awards, Events and Photos


The highlights of my photography adventures for 2013 began with a late start in May.  Most of my time through January to May was spent in physical therapy twice a week to regain the use of my left arm from an accident that shattered the shoulder joint.  Fortunately with excellent medical treatment and hours of exercise, I am back in full stride carrying my camera, lens and tripod.

One of my high points during the spring was a presentation in April to students from West Tech High School, Las Vegas, Nevada about Walker Lake.  What an impressive group and did they ever have some interesting questions about the biology and geology of Nevada's unique natural desert lake.




A big surprise in May was having my photography featured by Francesco Russo in Chair Mazagine, "La natura incantata di Bonnie Rannald".  http://chairmag.it/2013/05/la-natura-incantata-di-bonnie-rannald/ 

June turned out to be a busy month, starting on the 2nd with 95th. Annual Photo Fair in Bièvres, France, where I was again honored to have a selection of photographs on exhibit and for purchase.
On the 19th, I enjoyed the closing reception following our preview exhibit for Reno Open Studios at the Truckee Meadows Community College Main Art Gallery.  Furthermore, during the last week of the month on the 23rd, I was out chasing the Supermoon as it appeared over Walker Lake.



 July in Reno is an exciting time for celebrating the arts with the event, Artown. This year, I was thrilled to participate on the 20th. through the Arts in Bloom Art and Wine Festival held at Victorian Square.
 July brought some of the hottest, longest record breaking temperatures to Nevada and with the heat were also noticeable changes to the ecosystems at Walker Lake.  A walk along the shore finds the sandy areas covered in damselfly bodies that after emerging from the water were caught in numerous orb weaver spider webs.   


The month concluded with one of my photos, "Quiet Retreat" taking third place in the international competition project “Together IN Harmony”, developed by Ambassador Lyza Sahertian for the European Capitol of Culture--Umeå2014,. The winners, including my photograph in the mediums of Photography, Painting, Illustration and Sculpture exhibited from July 22nd through August 3rd at the Galerie du Columbier, Paris, France.



August turned out to be a strange and trying month with the Rim Fire at Yosemite National Park which brought poor air and smoke to most of Reno, including Walker Lake.




 Any hope for a return visit via Tioga Pass was extinguished due in part to our government shut down, so I spent a day enjoying the scenery at Sand Mountain.




September began with Art Touring from the 6th. through 8th. at Reno Open Studios  where I shared studio space with sculptor Mike Smith.



Toward the month's end, I explored a volcanic rim at Fallon's Soda Lake.





In the early part of December with temperatures unseasonably mild, I took a journey back in to Nevada's geological past exploring ancient lava flows and strange rock outcroppings at Garfield Flats, near Hawthorne, Nevada.   More blog posts will follow from these interesting outings!




As I wish you a very happy and safe New Year, I also want to thank everyone for their support and patronage over the Holiday Season.  For a 2014 New Year's promotion, I will be offering a discount coupon of 10% off toward purchases on my website, excluding shipping and taxes.  A printable PDF coupon with the promo code is available as a download at http://www.bonnierannald.com/coupon.htm  
The coupon is yours to keep or give as a gift. 








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.















Visit our website at: http://www.bonnierannald.com/





Friday, December 20, 2013

Wildlife Photography to Benefit Safe Haven Rescue Zoo


 Natural Frames for Nature Photography
A special project that I have been working on with my wildlife photography is now going to help benefit the Safe Haven Rescue Zoo in Imlay, Nevada. 

Several years ago, I noticed three tree knots that were almost thrown in to the fireplace and burned.  I set them aside until I figured out what I would do with them. 
 Then one day as I walked by, one of the knots cried out for me to make it into a frame for one of my bird photos. 

After much sawing, chiseling and sanding, the knot was ready for the Barn Owl Giclee print to be framed.


Each tree knot has its own theme as with the "Say's Phoebes" waiting on their nest of grass and string.

The rough and weathered look of this knot became home to a "Squirrel Gathering Nuts" where almonds from my tree were used in the frame.


I am honored to announce that my "Tree Trilogy" hang at the Art Source Gallery in Reno, Nevada, 9748 South Virginia Street, "Unit E".  http://www.artsourcereno.com/

So if you are looking for an original gift that will bring one closer to nature, please visit my unique collection at the Art Source.

A percentage of the purchase will be donated to Safe Haven.  Safe Haven provides rehabilitative services and permanent placement for wildlife in need, by responding to assistance requests from state and federal agencies, law enforcement, veterinarians, and concerned citizens.  Their solar-powered facility is designed to have a minimal impact on the environment and to serve as a model of renewable energy practices.




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.














Saturday, December 14, 2013

Desert Bighorn Sheep Observations at Walker Lake


Ram Visiting the Ewes


On observing the Desert Bighorn Sheep at Walker Lake, Nevada during the fall of 2013, I noticed a large ram hanging close to the ewes.




Desert Bighorn sheep are gregarious animals with a unique social structure of related ewes banding together most of the time.




 Mature males establish separate bachelor groups in the close general area, except during breeding season when they travel between groups of females. 

The breeding season or "Rut" occurs during the late summer or fall, from July through November.  Dominance in mating is determined by horn and body size.  The mating competition of two rams running together and clashing their horns most often occurs during the pre-rut and along the upper, flat area of the cliffs. 



Both rams and ewes develop horns soon after birth, which continue to grow through-out their 10-20 year life span.




Annual growth rings on the horns indicate the sheep's age. Ram's horns develop much larger than ewes, curling to over three feet and weighing more than 30 pounds, after 8 years of growth.





Both rams and ewes use their horns to break open cactus which is consumed as part of their diet along with native grass and other plants. 
 





As the sun drops at day's end, the dominate male begins his trek almost straight up the steep cliff.   What a thrill it is to watch these sure-footed, agile athletes ascend the rugged terrain with their especially adapted shock absorbing feet.









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.














Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Spooky Rock Outcropping




 Adventures in Nevada's Back Country at Garfield Flats


Being one who loves adventure, exploring new places with my camera is part of the thrill of professional photography.  When the adventure has a sense of the macabre, I get even more excited.  Thus was the case when I learned of the Spooky Rock Outcropping that is located off Garfield Flats Road near Hawthorne, Nevada.




The Spooky Rock Outcroppings are deposits from lava flows within the Garfield Flat thrust that possibly go back from 8  to 15  million years in our past.





Resembling a scene from The Danse Macabre, the curved and elongated rocks appear as hooded characters with grimacing looks that definitely send chills up my spine on such a warm autumn day.




I can just imagine the scene at night with a full moon lighting the ensemble.




And yes, you guessed it right.  This will have to be a return visit when it warms back up on the night of a full moon.











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.