Final Four...AZ Highways

[lindyannajones]

Arizona Highways Magazine was first published by the Department of Transportation and was, quite literally, about highways. It gradually evolved into what it has become today and that its a journal of photos that inspire, supplemented with stories, history and travelogues. One of the more notable contributors was Ansel Adams.

These are the last of my photos from the three-day workshop sponsored by Arizona Highways Magazine. From the bottom of my heart, I thank my children for giving me this gift.

Mysteries, Yes
*
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.....

How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

(Excerpt) By Mary Oliver

"Quaking" Aspen - San Francisco Peaks

It was a challenge to take photos with a group of people. While my fellow workshop participants were taking photos of the San Francisco peaks, this lone tree beckoned this introvert for a few minutes of solitude.





The sun sets on an Arizona Highway, of course!

[teedlepeep]

What a great series of shots !! So glad I popped in when they were right here !! Your PP work on these is great. Love the feeling of them. The birch trees just held my view for a long while. Really glad you got a lot out of your present!! I am sure the kids will be pleased.

[Chip]

Hey . . . where's the desert?!

Great way to end the series. Your last photo is particularly compelling: technically well done and nicely composed.

I'm so glad you were trated to such a fantastic b-day present.

[jack russell]

come on, it can't be over this quick! .. LOL .. great set, love the birch, can see why you chose that beauty tree, the building storm as a drop to those pines is foreboding, and what an appropriate close to your adventure .. thank your kids for us!

[Shelley S.]

Those are some amazing shots! Well done!

[fstopMike]

Lindy these are sooo good! My eyes feasted on the birches for awhile, enjoying all those vertical white lines against a dark background, broken up by the occasional fallen birch taking my eyes down to the grass of the forset floor.

I'm so glad you took the road less traveled, turned around and found the lone pine. The pine is well positioned, standing straight and tall towering over the straight tall weeds growing out of the field, a dark blue shadown hiting of a mountain behind the pine on the right. what really makes this picture for me is the clouds. they look like they were painted on canvas!

The golden brown fading light of the afternoon on the trees is a perfect foil for the dark and foreboding clouds in your third. It brings out the hint of purple in the clouds.

The gold and blue in the sky of your last one is a great color combination and matches the golden hue of the car's headlights.

Has Arizona Highways offered you any money for your images??? They should!

[NetG]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

This makes me want to sign up for the same thing... although perhaps same should be in quotation marks, since it would of course be different for all.

I love our state, and am glad you're sharing some shots which differ so much from how others think of it.

[beachcomber]

Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.

What a great gift Linda, you've created and shared some wonderful pictures, and what fun you've had.
May you always keep company with those who say "Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and then bow their heads.

Take care
Steve

[SandeeWig]

Lindy, these are truly wonderful. The first one held my attention for quite some time. With my recent experience, fallen trees seem to speak louder to me than ever before. The white bark amongst the greenery and darkness of the forest behind make for a compelling composition. So thoughtful of you to see and share the forest and the trees.

There is a certain serenity within the second image. So glad you chose to focus your efforts on this lone tree for a moment. You captured its magnificence well. And what beautiful skies surrounding it.

The last image reminds me of an old movie intro, the dark and ominous sky above, a single traveler on an otherwise empty highway. It sets the scene for what trouble might lie ahead.

Excellent work. So glad you enjoyed the wonderful gift. thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.

[VegasMike]

What a great set, as always. I enjoy the story your photos always tell. Thanks for sharing.