Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture

Opening Weekend for Umeå 2014

January 31, 2014 marks the opening weekend for Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture.   Umeå, Sweden is the most northerly Capital of Culture and was so appointed with the objective to promote human growth, strengthen the role of culture as a driving force for sustainable development of society, and reinforce cultural life’s international relations and dimensions. 

Umeå, located on the Ume Rivera is a university town and one of Sweden's fastest growing cities.
In becoming the European Capital of Culture, Umeå strives to encourage new forms of cultural expression by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures.  Umeå 2014 goes by the motto of Curiosity and Passion - the art of co-creation. The vision of The Culturized City, the mission to Stay Cool, and the Open Source strategy form the main theme of the program.

Europe's Capital of Culture is part of Umeå's long-term development strategy up to 2050. The award will accelerate investment and growth. Culture and sport will have new opportunities for development in cooperation with the rest of Europe and the world. Umeå will be more attractive to students, people who move here, entrepreneurs, creators and investors. Young Umeå will be the most northerly capital of culture ever. Umeå 2014 will be realized in collaboration with many municipalities, cultural institutions, associations and companies in Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland, and will contribute to co-operation and development throughout the northern region.http://umea2014.se/en/  

I am honored at this year's Umeå 2014 opening to have my PhotoGraphic Expressions selected as one of the sponsors for this outstanding cultural event.  Congratulations to Umeå, a big (tack) thank you to Ambassador Lyza Sahertian for sharing the opening events:  http://umea2014.se/en/opening-weekend/.  To everyone with Umeå 2014, "Jag önskar er lycka till"!!!

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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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Exploring Nevada's Legends

The Hanging Tree

Trees have always held a special fascination for me, especially when the branches are bare on a moonlight night.  It was during a phase of the full moon when I was exploring in Lincoln County, Nevada that I came across a very notorious tree close to the famous Million Dollar Courthouse. 

You might wonder why a tiny, unincorporated town that lies approximately 180 miles (290 km) northeast of Las Vegas would have need of such an expensive courthouse.  During the late 1800's Pioche not only had the fame of being one of the most important silver mines in Nevada,  it also had the reputation for one of the roughest towns in the Old West! 

This tree that caught my attention was known as the Hanging Tree and no doubt that it lived up to its ominous name when the local lore boasts of 72 men killed in gunfights.  Furthermore, that was even prior to the first natural death that occurred in the mine.

The Hanging Tree still reaches out toward the full moon, but today, in modern times only the spirits and a few ravens are found hanging around.   

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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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Lee-Allen Hot Springs

 Exploring Hot Springs on a Cold, Winter Morning

What better time than a cold January morning to go out exploring one of Nevada's geothermal springs, located just off  U.S. Highway 95 and within the Walker Lane Fault Zone. 

 The area is known as Lee-Allen Springs, where just a weathered and almost unreadable sign with scull and crossbones warns of  Danger Hot Water--185°f. (85c)

 The primitive, undeveloped geothermal system was thought to be discovered in 1912 by road workers that were hand digging a pit.

 Today, Lee-Allen Springs or Lee Hot Springs appears to be just a desolate reminder of the volcanism that formed part of Nevada's landscape thousands to millions of  years ago.

 Strange rock formations are strewn throughout the area that appears to have been spawned from deep within the earth's mantle. 

 Almost appearing like a rugged form from Stonehenge or having been sculpted by the abstract hands of nature. 

The small alkaline stream that is probably no wider than 5 feet across flows up from an under ground well, possibly being heated from where the fault line reaches close to the surface.

  From the entrance to the stream's bend is approximately 8 feet.  

With an additional 16--20 feet as it narrows to seep back into the grass.

 Algae grow in the alkaline water and thrive from the heat and direct sunlight.  

On this cold sunny morning with temperatures below freezing and snow still clinging to the distant mountains, steam rises up from the hot springs creating a surreal effect.    

Sand and silt have gained a foothold on most of the area, but erosion from wind and rain help to reveal glimpses of the violent history.  

Some boulders lie cemented with coral like features or Tufa: a type of limestone or calcium carbonate that precipitates when calcium-rich water seeps into an alkaline lake.

Gas bubbles or vesicles became trapped and preserved in time as the lava cooled.

An opening in one of the rock formations could have been where lava flowed from a vent.

Recent footprints lead off in to the distance reminding me that I am not entirely alone in this desolate landscape.

For additional reading:
Allen Springs, NV

http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/Nevada.asp

Lee Hot Spring | Fallon Nevada Hot Spring Trails | Trails.com http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailId=HGS271-030#ixzz2pI5MIzmS

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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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