Saguaro - Final Exam

[lindyannajones]

You will be happy to know that Saguaro School is almost out for the summer. Just answer these four questions--open book test--and then you're free to go. Thank you for generous feedback.

It is true, the desert has a stark beauty and it is certainly hot and dry but it is also equally haunting and inspiring. The saguaro, the signature plants of the Sonoran desert has been a life-giving feature, sustaining life for creatures, big and small, in this arid and mysterious place for eons. Tonight, across the desert floor, the saguaro is blooming in the moonlight. I heard the coyotes earlier but they have dispersed for the evening and it is quiet. Wish you were here. I close with this line from a poem entitled "90 Miles to Ajo, Arizona" by Lyetta Toffanelli:

Nothing ever happens here
but glory and too much light.

You, too, can meet a Saguaro in person,
hear the coyotes sing at night, and
watch the moon rise over the Catalina Mountains.

Last question. Does anyone have an interest in a "meet and greet" with other DPS members next spring in Tucson. Keep in mind that spring comes to the desert in March and remains seasonably cool until early May. Give it some thought.

Regarding Post Production: All photos were enhanced, mostly just color tweaking, primarily using vibrance and saturation. Two photos, the Organ Pipe Sunset and the BW photo of the Saguaro had quite a bit of PP. And the moon, of course. If you would be interested in the process, you can PM me. I use Picnik Pro for the collages and most of them have a slight Lomo effect to get the shadows on the edges.

[Fred flyfisher]

Thanks Lindy, It was a beautiful series. I llike you usually tweak the saturation and vibrance. Occasionally I mess with the blacks and contrast. I also shoot in RAW all the time. So much easier in PP. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful series... Now if I could just go back to sleep. It's 0220 AM here.

[pjflan7]

Great finale Lindy, It has been quite the beautiful educational experience. If you weren't so far away, I'd be there!

[tycooder]

Not only doe you see beauty in your work but you are a teacher of the desert .Nice job

[jakethepig]

Well Lindy. I answered all the questions and I know I have passed the test coz I have been paying attention to your excellent lesson. For anyone who want to revise for the test, there is an most interesting reference section to be found in Lindys recent posts.
I have enjoyed every minute of the last few posts and I have learnt so much about this very interesting Suguaro Cactus. Your presentation of this fantastic series has been first class. In answer to the last question. I would love to come over to see it in person but unfortuately a lot of miles separate us. But if circumstances change, I will be over like a shot. Thanks for a very pleasing and intersting Lesson. I wonder what is next? Whatever it is, I can't wait.

Jake.

[teedlepeep]

what a great grand finale to this series !! You have truly outdone yourself. Can't wait to see what you come up with next

A trip out that way and then to the GC might be interesting... hmmmm keep us in mind as this progresses

[Hadianto Sumantri]

to go there ?, maybe on my next life, thank you lindyannajones your presentation and naration very clear

[Chip]

So, the master plan behind this well thought out series has finally been revealed!

I am interested in a meet and greet. I'll just have to see how things work out. For each of the last couple of years, we've taken a family spring break trip. Then there's work, etc. Lots of variables that I hope can be worked out.

Thanks for the series and the lessons. Glad I just audited the class.

[fstopMike]

The answer to the true-false question is TRUE! I'm very interested, but next year will be a very busy vacation year for me. Our daughter-in-law will be getting her doctorate from Johns-Hopkins in May and I have a 40th Anniversary in July, but I would positively LOVE to come to a photo meet in the Spring. Maybe an early anniversary celebration.....Got any ideas for the romantic side of Saguaros?

[lindyannajones]

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

Thanks Lindy, It was a beautiful series. I llike you usually tweak the saturation and vibrance. Occasionally I mess with the blacks and contrast. I also shoot in RAW all the time. So much easier in PP. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful series... Now if I could just go back to sleep. It's 0220 AM here.

I don't know if you saw some of my photos of my grandson from Disneyland. I forgot to adjust my manual settings for the shots of him meeting his heart throb, Cinderella. When I uploaded to my computer and saw black thumbnails I just about fainted. Thanks to camera RAW they were all saved. It's time consuming to convert to jpeg, but in the end, it seems worth it. Thanks, Fred, for following along. Your enthusiastic support has been heart warming.

Originally Posted by pjflan7

Great finale Lindy, It has been quite the beautiful educational experience. If you weren't so far away, I'd be there!

I guess photos will have to suffice. I know you love vistas. There's a "few" good ones here I wish you could see in person. I'll just have to keep you in mind () the next time I see one that I think you might like.

Originally Posted by tycooder

Not only doe you see beauty in your work but you are a teacher of the desert .Nice job

Thanks, Ty. I think the teacher always learns more than the student. It's nice to wake up and see it through fresh eyes. Doesn't photography do a good job of helping us be more mindful. I'm thinking of the photo of your guitar. I bet the work that went into setting up that photo gave you a new appreciation for it. I appreciate your kind thoughts.

Originally Posted by jakethepig

Well Lindy. I answered all the questions and I know I have passed the test coz I have been paying attention to your excellent lesson. For anyone who want to revise for the test, there is an most interesting reference section to be found in Lindys recent posts.
I have enjoyed every minute of the last few posts and I have learnt so much about this very interesting Suguaro Cactus. Your presentation of this fantastic series has been first class. In answer to the last question. I would love to come over to see it in person but unfortuately a lot of miles separate us. But if circumstances change, I will be over like a shot. Thanks for a very pleasing and intersting Lesson. I wonder what is next? Whatever it is, I can't wait.

Jake.

Darn about the miles. I would love to see the desert through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before. Yours, especially. So, Jake. Congratulations. You passed with flying colors. You are now an official honorary member of the Lindyannjones Desert Adventure Club. Hat optional.

Originally Posted by teedlepeep

what a great grand finale to this series !! You have truly outdone yourself. Can't wait to see what you come up with next

A trip out that way and then to the GC might be interesting... hmmmm keep us in mind as this progresses

I thought that might illicit a "hmmmm". We'll see where life takes us but for certain put it on your bucket list with me as your guide. And not just desert. Tucson is close to Tombstone, Bisbee, Old Tucson, The Desert Museum, and Organ Pipe National Park. Even Mexico.

Originally Posted by Hadianto Sumantri

to go there ?, maybe on my next life, thank you lindyannajones your presentation and naration very clear

Well, darn, Hadianto. That's a long wait! I'll just have to take photos until then!

Originally Posted by Chip

So, the master plan behind this well thought out series has finally been revealed!

I am interested in a meet and greet. I'll just have to see how things work out. For each of the last couple of years, we've taken a family spring break trip. Then there's work, etc. Lots of variables that I hope can be worked out.

Thanks for the series and the lessons. Glad I just audited the class.

Did I not tell you? I want to be understood, I just don't want to be transparent. You found me out, though. Name the time and place--if not this spring, then perhaps another. You are such an encouragement. Thank you!

Originally Posted by fstopMike

The answer to the true-false question is TRUE! I'm very interested, but next year will be a very busy vacation year for me. Our daughter-in-law will be getting her doctorate from Johns-Hopkins in May and I have a 40th Anniversary in July, but I would positively LOVE to come to a photo meet in the Spring. Maybe an early anniversary celebration.....Got any ideas for the romantic side of Saguaros?

The romantic side of Saguaros? When you are a romantic at heart, it's all romance all the time! Think Moondance. One of the best questions ever: "Can I just have one more moon dance with you, my love?" So, Mike, if not 2010, then 2011. Maybe two years to plan would allow everyone to make room in their calendars. Thanks for all your encouraging words!