Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : photography

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

TMCC Main Art Gallery Reception for Reno Open Studios

Meet the Artists at the Preview Exhibit

The art season in Reno is just about ready to move in to high gear and to kick start the events Reno Open Studios is featuring a preview of the 2012 visual artists with an exhibit at the Truckee Meadows Community College Main Art Gallery beginning on June 1st, through June 25th. There will be an open reception on June 20th. from 5 to 8 p.m. Everyone is invited!

"Snow Tree at La Madre Springs" is my selection for the exhibit at the TMCC Main Art Gallery: The 18"X24" limited edition Ilford Colorluxe Photographic Print is framed with Fleckstone finish, picture quality glass, multi-layer matte, gray suede wrap, and wood fillet. Asking price as shown, $775.00.

Reno Open Studios, aligned with Art Touring, is comprised of the top visual artists from Northwestern Nevada who open their studios on September 7-9th to the public for demonstrations and educational opportunities about their various creative processes, including ceramics, glass blowing, gourd art, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, weaving, and wood turning. The most exciting part is that original art is available for purchase right from each individual artist.

Along with promoting the artists, Reno Open Studios also provides a college scholarship through a raffle of donated original art works by the 45 participating artists. More information will be posted featuring my donated photograph with additional information in a later blog.

For additional information on Reno Open Studios:

www.RenoOpenStudios.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.

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, June 2, 2012

49th. International Photo Fair

The 49th. Foire Internationale de la Photo

The 49th. International Photo Fair is taking place this weekend, June 2--3 in Bièvres, France, approximately 12 miles south of Paris. I am very fortunate to have a number of my Nevada photographs that were selected for exhibit and purchase at this year's 2012 event. Included in the selected images are scenes unique to the Western United States of wild horses running free across the desert range and big full moons rising over mountain tops. I will be sharing booth 48 with France's Abstract and Macro Photographer, Lyza Sahertian.

List of Exhibiting Photographers and Booth Assignment:

http://www.foirephoto-bievre.com/index.php/visiteurs/liste-des-artistes

The 49th. Foire Internationale de la Photo is known as "the Mecca of photography" since it draws thousands of professional and amateur camera enthusiasts from every continent who come together to spend two days in a friendly atmosphere to conduct business or to share their passion for photography. Organized by the Photo Club de Paris Val de Bievre with the assistance of the City of Bièvres and the General Council of Essonne, the International Photo Fair is the largest of this type in Europe, offering over 300 stalls with lectures and events throughout the weekend.

Selecting photographs for printing at the Négatif Plus

Follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150870768883730&set=a.264322058729.138971.263941603729&type=1&theater

For more information, please follow these links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foire-Photo-Bievres/316871653659

http://www.foirephoto-bievre.com/index.php

http://negatifplus.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.

"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.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

2011 Death Valley Wildflower Photograpy Sojourn

The 2011 Death Valley Photography Experience

On March 8, 2011 a group of nine people met in Death Valley National Park for the first annual Wildflower Photography Workshop, under the direction of Image Angels professional photographer Karen Linsley and me. Most in the group were unacquainted and what happened over the next one and half days was a remarkable bonding from sharing an adventure in one of the most inhospitable places on earth.

Death Valley was so named when a group of pioneers became lost in the winter of 1849 because they thought they were taking a shortcut to the gold mines in Californian. They were stuck in Death Valley for weeks and assumed dead. However only one in the group died.

What causes Death Valley to be such an inhospitable place is a number of factors. Located between the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, Death Valley has a violent creation over a span of millions of years from earthquake activity and severe erosion. Over time, flood waters rushing in to the lower elevations deposited salt and other minerals which collected in the 200 square miles (520 km2) valley floor, making any standing pools of water undrinkable, thus the name--Badwater. An exaggerated rainshadow effect causes Death Valley to be the driest area in North America, receiving on average 1.5 inches (38 mm) of rain a year. Having the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere, 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, Death Valley is also one of the hottest places on earth with a recorded temperature on 134 °F (56.7 °C) on July 10, 1913. Winter’s can also be harsh when temperatures drop toward the freezing point.

So why choose such a desolate, inhospitable location for a wildflower photography workshop? Along with the challenges that Death Valley presents, it also offers so much diversity with its rugged terrain, varying saturated colors and thriving ecosystems.

The following are highlights from our 2011 Death Valley Photography Experience:

After setting up camp at Furnace Creek,

the group relaxes before going out on the first photo shoot.

An Antelope Squirrel comes by looking for some snacks.

The first photo shoot was catching the sunset at the Sand Dunes.

Far in the distance, one of the photographers waits for the sun to drop.

A colorful sky greets us at sunrise the following day.

Wildflowers of Blue Phacelia and white Desert Chicory

grow in the slopes and rocky areas close to the main highway.

The Blue Phacelia grow profusely, accented with white Brown-eyed Evening Primrose.

Blue Phacelia and Brown-eyed Evening Primrose accent the rocks and wooded areas.

Creosote Bush and Brittle-bush color the desert with accents of yellow.

Setting out as a group with the goal to photograph the rare and unique wildflowers that bloom ever so timely in the spring, we were soon captivated by the lure of Death Valley’s mystique and the Wildflower Photography Workshop evolved in to a mutual photography experience with lasting memories and friendships. We are now committed and determined to offer The Photography Experience with return visits to Death Valley and other intriguing areas.

Next week's blog will be a continuation of the 2011 Death Valley Photography Experience, The Hike to Natural Bridge.

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.

"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.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Las Vegas Bearpoppy

The Bear Paw Poppy

On March 8-10th, professional photographer Karen Linsley and I will be conducting a wildflower photography workshop in Death Valley. As a prelude to the workshop, I will be writing some posts about wildflowers that grow in the Mojave Desert near Death Valley.

In Part 1 as an introduction, I would like to begin with a very unique wildflower that is only found to grow in a small area near Lake Mead close to Las Vegas, Nevada, the Bear-paw Poppy, Arctomecon californica.

The Bear-paw Poppy or Las Vegas Bearpoppy is endemic to the gypsum-rich soils of the Lake Mead region of the Upper Sonoran and Mojave Desert. Due to the limited area where the Bear-paw Poppy is found to grow and with all the increased urbanization around Las Vegas, it has been placed on the Threatened Species list by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

From March to May, the yellow Bear-paw Poppy can be seen at lower elevations from 1,200 to 3,150 feet (365.7 to 960.12 meters) along eroded, disturbed habitats where the gypsum content ranges between 36 to 69 percent, in what is categorized as the Gypsum Barren Community.

The Bear-paw Poppy grows from a 5 inch (12.7cm) clump of blue-gray, wedge-shaped leaves resembling a hairy 3-5 toed bearpaw.

The 6 petal large poppy grows atop long stems, reaching about 20 inches (50.8cm) from the basal clump of leaves.

At the end of its flowering season in late June, numerous tiny black seeds are expelled when the oval seed pod opens and the Bear-paw Poppy's cycle continues.

The Mojave Desert is home to a huge diversity of plants and animals that have adapted for many years to its unique and harsh conditions. With increased urbanization more of its fragile ecosystems are becoming threatened and even endangered through construction, recreational activities, groundwater pumping and increased grazing of domestic livestock. It takes a conscientious effort on the part of humans to protect and not disturb these fragile ecosystems so that the animal and plants may continue to thrive and make their home in the Mojave Desert.

For more Information on the Bear Paw Poppy:

http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Forbs-P/Arctom_cal/_Arc_cal.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctomecon

http://www.ehow.com/list_7346729_list-protected-plants-mojave-desert.html

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.

"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.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Nevada's State Symbol

The Desert bighorn sheep, Nevada's official state animal is an amazing creature. Found in the mountainous rocky desert terrain, the Ovis canadensis nelsoni grow to around 4-1/2' tall, and a mature ram can weigh up to 200 pounds.

Both ewes and rams grow horns, but of the two, the rams get much larger, curling to over three feet long with a one foot circumference at the base. The horns are used for fighting and to break open cactus, which is one of their food sources.

A ewe is slightly smaller in size and weight than the ram.

The apricot mallow is a preferred food for the bighorn sheep.

Bighorns will consume native grass and other desert vegetation, which not only sustain the diet, also help to provide essential moisture. Adapting to the desert environment, they can go weeks without water and can survive up to 30% lose of their body weight.

Unique padded hooves enable the bighorns to run up or down rocky cliffs with great speed and agility. Keen eyesight is essential for detecting their predators of cougars, coyotes and bobcats.

At one time the desert bighorns were very plentiful in North America, but now its a big treat just to spot them gathered in their small groups. Most of the decline in their population has been caused from excessive hunting, human encroachment in their habitat and diseases transmitted from domestic livestock.

For additional information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Bighorn_Sheep

http://www.desertusa.com/big.html

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.

"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.

Monday, August 30, 2010

FANTASY IN FLIGHT

HUMMINGBIRDS IN FLIGHT

I’ve been fortunate in getting hummingbirds to stop in mid-flight and pose for my camera.

Well, I'll let the secret out, I use a fast lens, a Nikon 2.8mm, a steady tripod, and stand patiently near a hummingbird feeder with my finger glued to the shutter.

Hummingbirds are native only to North and South America, and many species fly as many as 500 miles non-stop during their migration period.

Unlike other birds, hummingbirds have wings that rotate in a figure-8 motion.

This unique wing rotation allows the hummingbird to fly forward, backwards, up, down and sideways. The most exceptional flying skill that the hummingbird possesses is hovering.

The wings of the hummingbird move at a rate of 80 times a second, and during courtship may increase to 200 times a second. In normal flight a hummingbird flies between 20 and 30mph, but when diving can reach speeds as fast as 60mph.

With a heart beat as fast as 1,260 beats per minute, the hummingbird will feed at 45 second intervals, up to 8 times an hours.

A wing beat speed of 60-80 times a second requires a fast shutter speed.

To get the faster shutter speed, I increase the ISO and try to keep the aperture at f/8 for the depth of field. I always pre-focus the lens to an area before the action starts. Shooting in bright sunlight also helps with the shutter speed and brings out the highlights in the feathers. I’ve never used a flash, although some photographers highly recommend it with hummingbirds. My favorite lens for this type of photography is the Nikon 80-200mm 2.8, mounted on a tripod. Getting a clear, sharp photo of a hummingbird sometimes seems a stroke of luck. One of the times when they were putting on the best show was at dusk, when I didn't have my Quantum flash, so I just sat and enjoyed the entertainment.

With my Nikon and tripod, my goal is to recreate the scene as it appears in nature, to preserve in a photographic image the awesome, yet simplistic beauty of the scene that waits around a bend or over a hill. Sometimes it's a colorful landscape, and many times I'm allowed in the presence of the numerous creatures that adapt to life in the wild.

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.

"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.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Playing with Red

Photography Assignment: RED

I subscribe to Darren Rowse's Digital Photography School, and with each new posting he recommends a new subject to photograph as a challenge. This weekend’s challenge is to photograph something "RED". As my Red challenge, I have chosen two photographs:

"Candle with Wine"

"Watchman's Aurora"

The color red brings to me a spirituality that really connects me to nature.

For more information about the challenge follow this link:

http://digital-photography-school.com/red-weekend-photography-challenge

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.

"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.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Life in the Desert

THE DESERT TORTOISE

The Mojave Desert comes alive in the month of March, as ground temperatures rise. With increased sunlight, plants begin their new growth and soon the barren desert will be adorned with an artist’s palette of color. The warm days and abundance of wildlife entice me to take the top off my CJ7 Jeep and go out exploring for photos.

When I’m driving on dirt roads in the desert, I always keep careful watch for any creature that might also be sharing the trail. Desert tortoises come out from hibernation in March and are very active during the day, replenishing their diet on the new foliage. Unlike the smaller, faster reptiles, the large land-dwelling gopher tortoise moves slowly, as it ambles along. I have only encountered two desert tortoises in the wild, and both times they were traveling across the same road that I was using. To avoid causing them any harm, I stopped my vehicle at a distance, and took photos until they were clear of the road. In most cases, it is illegal to touch a desert tortoise, however if one is trying to cross a busy road, it may be moved out of harm’s way. The Department of the Interior Park Service recommends that a desert tortoise should be gently picked up and carried level to the ground. It should then be moved to the opposite side of the road, and placed in the same direction that it was heading.

A desert tortoise will spend most of its life underground in burrows that are dug in loose soil. The burrows are shallow and may extend from the tortoise’s shell to several feet in length. The shallowness of the burrows, combined with the loose consistency of soil makes them vulnerable to surface pressure. Walking or driving off established trails can be harmful to the tortoise’s habitat and may also damage the fragile desert ecosystem.

A mature desert tortoise can grow to a length of 9 to 15 inches, and some have been known to live up to 100 years; however 14 to 20 years is the average life span. This desert tortoise photographed by a crescent milk vetch plant was around 12 inches long.

Desert tortoises are not aquatic, but are terrestrial creatures of the Testudinidae family. They do not swim, or have webbed feet, and only go near water for drinking or bathing. Because they live in burrows, their limbs are designed for digging with well-developed claws on elephantine legs. An interesting fact about the desert tortoise is that it will dig a depression in the soil for rainwater to collect, where it patiently waits, sensing that it is going to rain.

The habitat of the desert tortoise is determined largely by the soil consistency in which it can burrow. A number of native plants and wildflowers that subsidize the tortoise’s diet in the spring also prefer lose, gravelly areas of the desert, and can be found along canyon bottoms or in desert washes. These plants include Locoweed, Hairy Lotus, Desert Dandelion, Rock Gilia, Desert Lupine, Blazing Stars and Globe mallow. The areas where the plants grow tend to receive additional moisture from spring monsoons in the form of run-off water. By eating the new moist foliage, the desert tortoise will also supplement most of its water intake for the coming year.

Since April 2, 1990, the desert tortoise has been under the protection of the Endangered Species Act; therefore it is a violation of federal law to touch, harm, harass or collect one. The desert tortoise was categorized as a threatened species after the population reached a 90 percent decline in the 1980’s. The main cause of this decline was urban development; followed by livestock grazing, off-road vehicles, and increases in the raven populations.

As an avenue for promoting good will and responsibility among public land users, the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association developed the Mojave Max Education Program. It is coordinated through the Bureau of Land Management, with Mojave Max, an actual living desert tortoise, as the logo and mascot.

Mojave Max was photographed at the Desert Tortoise Habitat opening ceremonies, in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area Visitor’s Center.

For additional information, please visit the following links:

http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/upload/Desert%20Tortoise.pdf

http://www.geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/impacts/biology/tortoise1/

http://www.deserttortoise.gov/

www.tortoise-tracks.org/gopherus.html

www.deserttortoise.org/

www.tortoisegroup.org/

www.mojavemax.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.

"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.

Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

TMCC Main Art Gallery Reception for Reno Open Studios

Saturday, June 2, 2012

49th. International Photo Fair

Sunday, March 13, 2011

2011 Death Valley Wildflower Photograpy Sojourn

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Las Vegas Bearpoppy

Monday, November 1, 2010

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Monday, August 30, 2010

FANTASY IN FLIGHT

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Playing with Red

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Life in the Desert

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