White crowned sparrow at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

This is a close look at a white crowned sparrow.  This little guy was flitting around the reconstructed Coast Miwok village called Kule Loklo near the headquarters of Point Reyes National Seashore.  This National Park unit is some forty miles north of San Francisco on the California coast.

We always look forward to hearing the sing-song call of these little birds, especially when we're staying in the Point Reyes backcountry, and their call kind of tells us that we're "home."  Notice that this little guy has a bird band on its leg.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.

Fly Geyser, geothermal feature in Nevada

We went on a tour of the Fly Ranch on October 20, 2018. The tour includes the world-famous Fly Geyser. It was the result of an attempt to drill into the geothermal area in 1964 to generate electricity but it didn't work out. The feature has been building up minerals ever since. That's 54 years! At the rate of 6-8 inches (15 - 20 cm) per year. It isn't a true geyser, though, because there is never a quiet period, since it's spouts water continuously. We've looked it up and learned that the proper name for this feature is a "perpetual spouter." We counted 5 spouts at the top.

Unfortunately the right side of this formation was shot at, leaving it looking crumbled.

Settings were ISO 100, f16, 1/45 sec, with a 35 mm focal length with a polarizer.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!