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Thirsty Thursday: Waterfalls

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: Ventana Monterey Red Wine (Table)

The last time Beth was completing her residence weekend (at least I think it was the last time, I could be wrong here) in Portland, I was with her...well sort of.  I was staying in the same hotel room as her, but the Mas and I were out exploring.  These waterfalls were above Multnomah Falls.  Not quite as grand, but still quite impressive.  Both shots were taken using a Big Stopper filter.

Massey Monday: Sunbeam

Massey loves sunny Saturday mornings. The sunlight filters in the backdoor and Terry makes sure her bed scoots around to maximize sunbeam exposure. He asks if the bed is in the right spot, too, just to be sure his princess is happy.

Snooze.

Awake.

Conversations.

Tired.

Thirsty Thursday: Swiss Sunset

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2010 Pianetta Cabernet Sauvignon

Something today made me think of hiking in the Swiss Alps.  Perhaps it's just the majestic views of the snow-covered peaks that I remember.  Or perhaps it's being the only people at the top of a mountain to photograph sunset.  Or maybe it's a bit of both or neither.  But, looking through the images now, I don't know if it really matters.  It was simply awe-inspiring to be there, to see the sunset, and to be in the sunset.  Our photographs don't seem to give the spot its due credit.  Amazing. 

Thirsty Thursday: Driving Sunset

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: Ventana Monterey Red Wine (a.k.a., the red table wine)

Okay, so I understand the laws that govern driving–like following the speed limit, stopping at red lights, and not talking on the phone without a handsfree device.  I sure hope there's not a law for taking pictures of the amazing sunset while driving.  Because, if there is, I'm definitely guilty.  Sometimes, the moment requires you to just bend the rules just a bit.  I promise I was careful and next time, I'll have Beth drive.

Thirsty Thursday: Last Hike of 2012

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2010 Ancient Peaks Zinfandel

The last day of 2012 and the last hike of the year.  It was supposed to be a casual hike, but the Mas decided to make it interesting.  She was her typical rambunctious self...but this time it caught up to her.  She decided to go vertical (i.e., up the side of a cliff) and in doing so, she sliced (yes I said sliced) her paws.  Actually, she sliced a front one and a back one.  So, that pretty much ended the hike and poor little Massey is now out of commission.  After a visit to the vet, she's okay, but she won't be running until probably next week.  Tear.  So, our simple hike turned into a "Let's get Massey back to the house (and to the vet) so that she can rest."  But, Thirsty Thursdays aren't really about the adventures of Massey (check out Massey Mondays for those).  Before she decided to go vertical, she discovered this little stream where we were able to blur the water in the shadows.  It was a pretty peaceful place.  Sometimes I think the little pup has eye (or nose) for finding us spots to shoot.  So, even though the hike turned into a bit of a diaster, we were still able to get some decent shots.  Here's to some even better shots in 2013 and injury free hikes (at least for the Mas).

 

Massey and Beth

 

The Welliver Photography Best of 2012

Well, here it is...our best from 2012. Last year wasn't a particularly prolific year of shooting for us, but we did squeeze in a few trips for some focused shooting in new spots. It's always a challenge to narrow down our favorites from the past year to a manageable collection, and in the interest of length, we decided to limit ourselves to 12 images each. Feel free to leave a comment and tell us which images are your favorites! 

Marin County: Golden Gate Bridge at Sunrise by Beth.

Panoche, CA: Brilliant Sunset by Terry. 

Garrapata State Beach: Bowling Balls by Beth.

Kaiser Wilderness: Snowy Trees by Terry. 

Switzerland: Lone Tree on a Snowy Hill by Beth.

Desolation Wilderness: Trail along Lake Aloha by Beth.

Kaiser Wilderness: Snowy Scene by Terry. 

Front Yard, Spreckels: Poppies by Beth.

Switzerland: Kapellbrücke Nacht  (Chapel Bridge Night) in Lucerne by Terry.

Switzerland: Shreckhorn by Beth.

Switzerland: Hut and Eiger by Terry.

Switzerland: Three Alps by Beth.

Switzerland: The view from Männlichen by Beth. Not the best technical execution in this photo, but the story behind this photo is epic. Stay tuned for that blog! 

Big Sur: Bixby Bridge by Terry.

Twenty Lakes Basin, Hoover Wilderness: Trail beside Conness Lake by Beth.

Twenty Lakes Basin, Hoover Wilderness: Cascade by Terry.

Twenty Lakes Basin, Hoover Wilderness: Campsite by Beth.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: Multnomah Falls by Terry.

 

Manzanar National Historic Site: Prayer Flags by Terry. 

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: Waterfall by Terry.

Monterey, CA: Mustang by Terry.

Alabama Hills: Lathe Arch by Terry.

Alabama Hills: Mobius Arch, Rock, and Sierra Crest by Beth.

Alabama Hills: Mobius Arch by Terry.

Iowa: Cold Morning by Beth.

Of course Massey is wondering why she isn't included, so here's a bonus image of the dog posing like a rockstar.

Alabama Hills: Massey in the Mobius Arch by Beth.

We compiled our Best of 2012 in order to participate in Jim Goldstein's annual "Best of" collaborative project. In the next couple week's he'll post a whole long list of links to similar "best of" posts from other photographers. Be sure to check out that list as there is some truly amazing and inspiring work out there! 

Thanks for supporting Welliver Photography in 2012. Big opportunities coming in 2013...plenty of adventures to new places on tap. Here's to textured skies and nice light!

All photographs in this post are available for purchase in our Best of 2012 gallery on our store.

Thirsty Thursday: The Morning After

Rambler: Beth

Drink at Hand: Trader Joe's Cinnamon Blossom Tea...served hot!

Thirsty Thursday here again...time to pour something yummy (or something warm) and make those weekend plans. And since the photos below have an icy feel to them, I highly recommend that TJ's tea to keep you warm.

These photos are from our trip to Iowa. The morning after our arrival, which was a day late due to the raging blizzard. The day after a cancelled flight, a delayed flight, an aborted landing, an actual landing, a bag stuck in airline bag jail, a crazy drive home past the truck grandpa put in the ditch, and a generator-powered evening catching up with my parents, I woke up early, bundled up, and wandered around the farm at sunrise. The 50 mph winds and driving ground blizzard were gone. All that was left was a brilliant sky and clean, white snow.

Wind Sock

Twilight Tree

Fence

Loop

Broken Tree

Pine

Driveway

Windbreak

Bins

Soybeans

Beanstalk
Wire

Snow Ripples

Feets

Snow shapes

Fence Line

There is something magically beautiful on the first clear morning after a Midwestern blizzard. I'm just glad I don't have to deal with them too often anymore. Get out there and find your own beautiful morning this weekend!

UPDATE: If you'd like to purchase any of these photographs, they are available on our store under the Iowa Gallery.