Sample 146 - Still Flourishing

"The mountains and hills seemed to go on and on into the distance, and though that could have been picture perfect in itself, it seems as if The Lord was saying, 'You ain't seen nuthin' yet, son!' as a cloud in the distance burst with rain over the rolling landscape." 

- Sample 145, 'From A High Point'

I couldn't remember whether the rains subsided, or it seemed as if we were led to another side of the mountain on the way down, just to see even more things, to take more pictures. 

It's because just like that, the grey clouds were gone, and we were brought back to a viewpoint which was more overcast. I wasn't bothered by this at all; in fact, I was fascinated by what I saw next: trees that as far as I knew were known as Bristlecone pines. 

Hi, I'm Troy McTree. You might remember me from previous blog posts such as Sample 73 - Still Standing. 

Okay, I just did a quick Google search and no, these aren't Bristlecone pines... but they do look like they've been alive for quite some time. Older than my father? Probably. Older than me? Definitely. 

It gets me thinking about my current endeavors to blog and to write and to post and to share. I remember posting once, that there's so much life going on to write about it all. Now this may be true, but I suppose I would rather live that way instead of the other way around - more to write about than to live for. Seeing how these pines were still standing, how this one in particular was still blooming, I guess a lesson for me to take from this is that there's always time for writing, and time for living. 

That sounds just like something King Solomon would say. In this day and age, He would write it as part of Ecclesiastes 3, 'A time to blog, and a time to... what, live? Experience?' 

Now that I think about it, it would have been plenty awkward if I insisted on writing all about this while I was up there, with my family waiting, with the clock running... 

Live first, and tell the tale when you've got nothing better to do. 

There is never a dull moment. 

Sample 136 - High

'They look so small from up here!' - Helix Helicopter, Cnc Generals

If I remember this structure was here for a very long time, and was converted to a view deck. 

This was a rare shot where my excitement to see and be in snow for the very first time was contained effectively. 

My brother striking a pose. 

My mom, dancing the way they would from the mountains she came from, on top of another mountain in a totally different range. She was just as excited as I was.

August 24, 2008 continued to be such a great day. I've seen so much so far - from Echo Lake, to Summit Lake, to the rare animal encounters - and I was already so extremely thrilled... but nothing could have prepared me for the top. See, not only was the view from the top breathtaking, but then it started to snow! 

Now for those of us who have never seen snow before, this was a definite treat! I was scrambling between protecting my camera and just enjoying the snow literally slapping against my face; Sure, it could have been more of sleet than snow, but I didn't care!  I was completely ignoring all the previous warnings against taking the (not weather-sealed) Nikon D40 out in rain and snow, and I was just taking all the cold in... 

This was such an awesome time. It's been 6 years since this day, and I can still remember how absolutely excited and thrilled and blessed and thankful I was for my beloved brother to take us up this mountain. It's a day close to my heart, and I just wish everyone would experience this same absolute happiness I had as an individual, and happiness we had as a family.

I remember eventually jumping in the car (where my loving dad was - he couldn't take the cold as much as we could), and just praying with the whole family, claiming the land for Christ. 

Now that I'm talking about it again after so long... Well, all I can just share is that the goodness of God really leads to repentance. Brother, sister, behold the glory of God in all His beautiful creation, and see how absolutely holy and good and powerful He is! 

That's... that's the reason I continued in photography, now that I'm talking about it... It's to project the absolute goodness and glory of God in all creation, for the sole glory of God Almighty! He is so good!

Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria!

Sample 135 - Shots of the Locals, II (Colorado '08)

Shortly after this shot was taken, these ladies were approached by what looked like Park authorities, telling them that this sort of interaction with the deer would disrupt their routine. 

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God."

Psalm 42:1

Just when I thought the sight of mountain goats was a nice treat, we encountered a group of deer as we continued our drive to the highest point of Mount Evans. Though we were tempted to come closer to this friendlier group of locals, my brother spoke against that, saying it would be better to take pictures of them from a distance. 

Again, the 55-200mm shone here. I was on ISO 200, and f5.6 (not sure if this was the maximum aperture of the lens at 200mm). Not all my shots were sharp, but I was still able to get some good ones in. 

Up Next: We make it to the top, and Panoramania sets in. 

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 134 - Shots of the Locals (Colorado '08)

What you lookin' at?

"The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats..." Psalm 104:18a KJV

I've been playing with my X-E2, and I completely forgot that before I started posting shots from it I was going along with posting my backlog, starting from the shots I took with my very first proper camera... the humble Nikon D40, and its kit lens, the (Non-VR) 18-55mm. Well, actually, for these shots I was blessed because my brother's roommate happened to have a (VR) 55-200mm lens I took with me during our first (and, God willing, not the last) trip to the highest points of Mount Evans. 

For us to see these mountain goats was a consolation blessing, a break from the breathtaking landscapes we already beheld on the way up. It was as if they were so used to cars and people - though they kept their distance, they didn't flinch when I took their pictures again and again. 

Now that I look at these shots again, I am seriously thinking of the XF 55-200mm as my next photography purchase. I suppose expanding my focal range would give me more opportunities than, say, a fast prime. 

Next: Deer.

Soli Deo Gloria. 

Sample 119 - A Panorama Of What I'm Assuming Is Mount Evans

A panorama that's been sitting on my hard drive. I'll never know if it's any good if I never share it. Hey, that's a good line. 

Raw files coming from cameras such as the D40 are still so very usable. 

"Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious.

Say to God,

“How awesome are Your works!

Through the greatness of Your power

Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

All the earth shall worship You

And sing praises to You;

They shall sing praises to Your name.” 

Psalm 66:1-4

Sample 118 - The Ascent (Mt. Evans, 2008)

As I was editing these shots, I saw that it was raining while I was shooting these. I remember that it was raining, but it wasn't too hard for me to leave the window down to shoot with the (non-weather sealed) Nikon D40.

I had to leave this off-angle. 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Sample 117 - A Red Rocks Panorama, More Than 5 Years In The Making.

There are times that we are led to just go through an image, letting the scene declare the glory of God more... 

...more than a quick adding of Scripture. Perhaps this is why I never pushed through with my plans of making a book out of the images of Colorado back in 2008. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Sample 116 - In And Around The Red Rocks Amphitheatre

This shot was inspired by a postcard we saw in the Amphitheater's Souvenir Shop. That little blue dot in the distance - those are my parents. :D

A closer look at my parents... and the rocks. 

Denver (Or Aurora?) from where we were

For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Proverbs 2:6

Sample 115 - Piercing The Clouds

"I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand..."

Happy 2014! God bless you! 

Sample 114 - Big Red (Rocks)

You might have noticed this and the above shot from my slideshow video, posted earlier in this blog. 

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

2 Samuel 22:47

and 

Psalm 18:46

* I am very sorry for not being true to my word in posting during the Christmas week this 2013. I can only say that there have been many opportunities this week to take, considering that the year is coming to a close. I pray you see God's faithfulness in your life as much as I definitely have. 

Sample 113 - To Colorado, 2008

Denver International

DEN Parking Lot

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:9-10

It's pretty timely that I'm posting this set at this time. Colorado 2008 shots will be posted as Christmas comes up next week. God bless you. 

Sample 112 - One Sunset Along Temecula

Yin - Yang

"...those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy."

Psalm 65:8

People can say what they want about sunset shots being too mainstream; but I just have to say, there can be no better way to appreciate the transition of deep orange to blue, than to behold the sun bidding farewell in style. From the sun, to time, to the sky, to the foreground - whether it be on a coast or in the mountains, or on the road - He makes all these beautiful in His time. 

Sample 111 - San Diego Bay Walk 2008 Outtakes

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

That verse can also be known as the 'Outtake Verse'. Jesus never wastes His time. 

Sample 110 - The U.S.S. Midway (CV-41)

This was originally posted here.

The Colonel And The Midway

"CLASS - MIDWAY 
Displacement 45,000 Tons, Dimensions, 968' (oa) x 113' x 35' (Max) 
Armament 18 x 5"/54AA 84 x 40mm, 68 x 20mm, 137 Aircraft. 
Armor, 7.6" Belt, 3 1/2" Flight Deck, 2" Deck, 6 1/2" Conning Tower. 
Machinery, 212,000; SHP, Geared turbines, 4 screws 
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 4104. 
Operational and Building Data
Built by Newport News. Designation changed from CV 41 to CVB 41 15 July 1943. 
Laid down 27 Oct 1943, launched 20 Mar 1945, commissioned 10 Sept 1945.

FATE

Replaced as forward deployed carrier by Independence in 1991 and returned to the US for decommissioning. Decommissioned to reserve 11 April 1992; retained as a potential replacement training carrier. Inactivation overhaul included stripping all electronics and weapons systems. Stricken for disposal 17 March 1997.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson announced, 8 July 2003, that this historic ship would be donated to the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. Donated as a Museum and Memorial (status changed on 29 August 2003).

On 30 September 2003, Midway began her journey from the Navy Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash., to San Diego where she would be a Museum and Memorial. She was docked at the Charles P. Howard Terminal in Oakland, Calif., in October, while the construction of her pier in San Diego was completed. The carrier arrived in San Diego in January 2004 and is now the nation's newest Naval Aviation Museum."

From http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/41.htm

Sample 109.5 - U.S.S. San Diego (CL-53) Memorial

Add caption

Aaron Over Hawaii

"Artist: Eugene Daub - San Pedro, California & Louis Quaintance - Berkeley, California
Location: Harbor Drive at G Street Mole, San Diego, California

The Memorial. This monumental public artwork provides long overdue commemoration of the distinguished service of the cruiser USS San Diego and her crew, serving as a perpetual reminder of their selfless contribution to victory in World War II. The memorial is an original artwork designed by noted sculptors Eugene Daub and Louis Quaintance for the USS San Diego (CL-53) Memorial Association, which has donated it to the Port District for the benefit of the people of San Diego. The memorial's complimentary components serve to remember, inform, illustrate and inspire."

Read more here.