Tag Archives: Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday – The Super Moon a Day Late

Super Moon A Day Late-Edit Topaz Textures

Here is my Super Moon photo!! Actually I was a day late. I flew up to Idaho to visit my Dad in his Assisted Living Center and I neglected to take my moon camera. So I took this the day after the Super Moon Full Moon so I was close. I have a Canon SX40 SuperZoom and boy does it take great (at least I think they are great, okay) moon shots. I used to use a tripod with it but now I just hold in my hands on the auto setting a let her rip (as we say in Oklahoma). And if you know me, you know I cheated. If the skies are clear I haul out the Canon every time the moon is full and take a few shots . Of course the moon being the moon it doesn’t ever change much so I could really be cheating on this. But you know that I would never do that.

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Dad and I. I think this is like his third or so ever selfie. He has a lot of catching up to do. Not that he feels the need for it. He doesn’t understand why everybody spends all their time looking at their phones.

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This is a door wreath that my sweet, crafty, and considerate sister Ellen made for Dad. If you look closely at his US Forest Service Arm patch from his uniforms, a Smokey Bear, and a University of Idaho rifle team patch from his letter sweater. Dad had to drastically downsize when he moved early this year and Ellen was able to recycle some of the items into this wreath.

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I took a run on Idaho Falls’ river trails. It was ridiculously warm while I was there but is frosty now. Just so you know I’m going to recycle this pic at some point in the future. Idaho is just so beautiful!

I stayed in a separate room at the Assisted Living Center. I think he is in a good place. The staff is very nice and very patient and they know everybody. The rooms are nice and the food is pretty decent. They have lots of activities planned and a couple of vehicles to get everybody to their doctor’s appointments and shopping and such.

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The Falls that give the town its name are very dramatic. I never get tired of going to see them.

So we had a good visit. I got him to go to an exercise class and we both had a great time. The two instructors were very nice and inclusive and very supportive and the other students were having a great time so hopefully dad will go back.

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A cool link between Idaho Falls where my Dad lives and northeast Oklahoma where I live is that Wilson Rawls, who wrote “Where the Red Fern Grows” wrote it while he lived in Idaho Falls. He and the book are celebrated with this sculpture in front of the city library.

But I didn’t take my camera so I took the pic of the moon after I got back to Tulsa.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday – Orange Beach Sky

Orange Beach Sky - Impressions Okeefe

This week for Skywatch Friday I’m going back to our summer vacation in Orange Beach, Alabama.  I can sit and look at the Gulf of Mexico for hours, and have especially when there is a little color in the sky. Our Fall here in Oklahoma has been way too dang warm. I know the cold and ice is coming. I’m hoping we get back to the Gulf next summer.

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Skywatch Friday – Evening on the Arkansas River

Arkansas River Sunset 3-Edit- Topaz Textures

Evenings on the Arkansas River this time of year are very peaceful. The weather is mild and pleasant and there are lots of people out strolling with the kids, bike riding, running, and skateboarding. Its the place to be.

I cheated on this and used a texture backed off about 75%.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday – A Sunset From the Old Office

ONEOK Paza Sunset Topaz Adjust

It’s October and the sun is getting lower so when I left my office I took the elevator up to the 17th floor to my old office. (Which is still empty by the way!!! After almost two years!!!) And I took this photo. If you look not too hard you will see a reflection of my bright red camera. I thought about knocking the window out so I could take the pic without the reflection but I decided not to do so. Maybe next time, but probably not.

The weather is getting milder, the temperatures cooler, and the humidity lower. Pretty soon the leaves will start changing and the various Fall races that I love will happen. Yep, things are looking up.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday – Arkansas River Sunset

Arkansas River Sunset 2

Tuesday night I made a run late in the day on the Arkansas River Trail right off downtown here in Tulsa. I was able to get this shot above of a sunset. Pretty soon my evening runs will be in pitch dark but now I’m enjoying the earlier sunset and slightly cooler weather.

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Turkey Mountain Skywatch – Eastern Sky at Sunset

Turkey Mountain Skywatch 2 - Topaz

This is a cell phone photo from the lower yellow trail on Turkey Mountain looking roughly northeast across the Arkansas River across south Tulsa. I’ve learned over the years that sometimes the best view at sunset is not towards the sun. I love how the river is reflecting some of the pink in the sky.

Summer is rapidly coming to a close. The temperatures are a bit lower, the humidity is much less, and the mornings are very nice.  Autumn is my favorite season in Tulsa.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday

Skywatch – Back at the Beach

Orange Beach - Topaz Impressions

Back at the beach in Alabama from last month. That’s my wife Heather up there heading back to the condo after a family walk on the beach. She’s okay with me stopping to take photos, or stopping to look for geocaches, but she isn’t stopping. So for me its shoot and trot, shoot and trot. I don’t mind though.

We love the beach. We know we should be taking vacations that are good for us like going to New York City, or Washington D.C. but you know, there is nothing like the beach.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday.