Postcard from Zion

This image, from last month’s trip to Zion, shows the “Great White Throne” (left) and a large rock formation known as “The Organ.” Barely visible at the bottom of the image is the Virgin River. I am not sure of the significance of all the names used in Zion National Park. You would have to ask someone with knowledge of the Book of Mormon…and that is not me. Obviously, since it is in Utah, the names make sense.

All I know is that it is one of the most spectacular places on the planet and I love going there. By the way, the location of these two rock formations is nearly at the end of the canyon. I photographed this image in the later part of the afternoon at a place nicknamed “Photo Point.” It is located on a short trail, down below a small parking lot. There is a plaque on a rock that talks about photography…hence its name. Trust me, it is easy to find. Let your eyes be your guide.

I would love to go back in late spring or summer and capture this scene in sunlight. In November, the sun is lower in the sky and circles around the back of these two monoliths. Of course, I would not be able to capture the Autumn colors then. Stayed tuned for more photographs of Zion and other great places I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card using this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site. Don’t forget, e-mail greeting cards are free.

Postcard from Winterhaven

Free!!! Here is another photo for you to use to send out free e-greeting cards to friends and relatives. Just click on the “Free E-Card” button below the photo and follow the simple instructions. If you want to be remembered to someone and did not send out Christmas cards this year, here is your easy solution. Another Christmas gift for you!

(Note: If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card of this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site. )

Just like my last blog, this photo was taken in Winterhaven, a special neighborhood in Tucson that goes all out at Christmas. It is a tradition here to walk the neighborhood at night to see the spectacular displays set up by homeowners here. This home may not be as spectacular as the last one I showed you, but its hard to pass up a good reflection. See…it does rain in Tucson!

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.

Postcard from Winterhaven

Free!!! Use this photo to send out free e-greeting cards to friends and relatives. Just click on the “Free E-Card” button below the photo and follow the simple instructions. If you want to be remembered to someone and did not send out Christmas cards this year, here is your easy solution. My gift to you!

(Note: If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card of this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site. )

If you have a good memory and read this blog on a regular basis, you know I used this photo last year at Christmas time. A year ago I didn’t have a free e-card solution…which is why I published it again…so please make use of it.

This photo was taken in Winterhaven, a special neighborhood in Tucson that goes all out at Christmas. It is a tradition here to walk the neighborhood at night to see the spectacular displays set up by homeowners here. I hope to go back again this year before Christmas and do it again.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.

Postcard from Kolob Canyon

This photo is of the Kolob Canyon in Utah. Never heard of it? Actually it is in Zion National Park. If you have spent any time in Zion, you are probably scratching your head wondering why you have never seen these mountains.

Well, they are not in the back country on some long arduous trail.  No, no. I took this photo from the road. Actually, Kolob Canyon are in the northwest section of Zion National Park. To get there, you must leave the main section of the park, head west about 30 miles to Interstate 15, then go north for about 17 miles to the Kolob Canyon exit. You will also gain in elevation from about 3,500 to approximately 6 ,000 feet (hence the presence of snow).

There is a visitor center right at the exit where you will pay your fees if you haven’t already done so at the main entrances to Zion. From there it is a short drive up and along the canyon viewpoint road where you can see views like the one here. It is a beautiful section of the park with some interesting trails to explore.

This is not one of my artsier photos, rather much more of a postcard. It was an overcast day, so the light was not good…and while Autumn was flourishing in the main part of Zion, it had long since passed here. I hope someday to go back and see it in sunlight with clouds. But, I went anyway this day as I had never been here. I am glad I did.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card of this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site. Don’t forget, e-mail greeting cards are free.

Postcard from Zion

Travel Haiku - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
my eyes rolling round
and round autumn

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
the colours of fall loosen
my frazzled nerves

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
my pressure drops and
trails the leaves

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
i am a mirror to
nature's allure

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
I help nature
admire itself

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
i feel as colourful as
the leaves

by: john tiong chunghoo

Postcard from Bryce Canyon

This is Inspiration Point, or should I say the trail leading up to Inspiration Point. Its an easy walk from the parking lot to this point, then a fairly steep climb to the top. Well, maybe not so easy as it sits at 8,000 feet. You will do a fair amount of huffing and puffing when you take this walk.

But as you can see, on this cold November day, it was snowed and iced over. There was absolutely no way I was doing this trek this day, especially as it was somewhere between 12 and 15 degrees. Still it made for a fine photograph, which was my goal on this frozen day.

Inspiration Point is close by Sunset Point where I photographed the “first light of day” image I shared with you a couple of weeks ago. Although the parking lot sign says “Inspiration Point,” it really isn’t. The point itself is at the end of a long climb up this trail. Look close (click on the image to see an enlargement) and you will see a railing where you can stop, catch your breath and take a photo or two. But that is not Inspiration Point either! It’s only about halfway there. If you look real, real close, you can see a second rail way above this rail. That is Inspiration Point. Not today, thank you very much.

Even if I had made it to the top, I would have to come down again…and I could just see myself slipping on the ice and sliding all the way down…to the bottom of the canyon. It’s OK as I have already been up there and managed to get some wonderful photos on another trip in friendlier weather.

With all that said, I still like this shot very much.

(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)

To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.

If you subscribe to this blog by e-mail and wish to purchase a print or send a free e-mail greeting card of this image, click this link to the main Postcard Blog Site. Don’t forget, e-mail greeting cards are free. You can also order Christmas Cards using this or any other of my images.