The Desert in Bloom

[azkaisr]

Had yesterday off and just picked up a new camera

 

The new Pentax K10D is really a nice camera.

Having really wanted a SLR for a while, getting one allowed me to remount the Nikon 5600 back on the bike for Video shoots and on board stills. The new tripod works good, but needs to sit tighter to eliminate the shake that appears at speed.

 

Took some pictures in the back yard. My Grapes are coming in great and I should have a banner crop this June.

 

My roses are blooming too

The fish in the tank have totally become pets. The almost beg for food whenever I come outside.

Especially the big one!

Wanting to test it out some more, I decided to take the RT to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior. We ride by the place at least twice a month on our rides, but never stop.

 

Well today I paid the man my $7.50 and wandered on in. What a great place to visit!

 

The buildings are all made of local stone

The desert is far from just a few Saguaros and a bunch of Sand Dunes

I love the macro feature of this camera

 

A forest of Barrel Cacti

The trail drops down into the Riparian area around Queen Creek. No Richard, I did not just make that word up.

 

They have a really cool suspension bridge

 

It was such a nice day. High in the upper 80's

 

Everything is lush and green

 

Some really cool colors

 

These flowers dwarfed the parent plant

 

Ok Junior Botanists...what plant is this?

 

 

 

Man these were worthy and they had this really distinct aroma.

 

I could get this sick if somebody doesn't stop me.....soon

 

So I leave the park and decide to head back to Phoenix to get home in time to do some work around the house. I get about 4 miles out of Superior and everything comes to a halt. Sat there for about an hour. Two MedEvac Helicopters later they let us through. All I saw was a Harley on the back of a flatbed tow truck and a mangled Honda on another one. The Harley didn't look all that beat up.

 

Traffic the other way was backed up for about 10 miles. This picture is from the shelf mounted Nikon.

 

Stopped to look at a house in Apache Junction that a friend is interested in. The street ain't much

But the view up hill sure is nice

 

Mr Perez welcomed me back to the house himself. Of course he was more concerned with the bike then with me. Oh well.

 

Great day out there as usual. Might have to go somewhere new tomorrow!

 

Kaisr

[johnlt]

Really great shots Tom. I guess I'll have to take a run up there and look around. It seems to be hidden treasure.

 

john

[Limecreek]

Those are great pictures Tom. I love the desert in the spring.

[BFish]

very impressive. thanks for sharing.

[Paul_Burkett]

Cool pics, it makes me want to get my SLR out, but I don't like film. Perhaps it is time to get a digital SLR, I like the point and shoot aspect but being able to focus in and make the picture is so much more rewarding. Keep sending us pictures.

[W8NONU]

Hey Tom,

 

Great shots. That is a really interesting place and looks like it is well worth the entry fee. Keep sending the pics.

[Couchrocket]

Tom,

 

The exposure accuracy and dynamic range of that new K10D is really GOOD! I'm impressed. Terrific photos! Thanks for sharing.

[azkaisr]

Tom,

 

The exposure accuracy and dynamic range of that new K10D is really GOOD! I'm impressed. Terrific photos! Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks Scott, I appreciate the feedback a lot.

 

This camera is great. I played with Whip's Nikon in Texas and knew I needed an SLR (I have to keep up with him you know). My first camera was a K1000 from Pentax which I bought back in 1980. I still have it and a few of the lenses. As I was looking for what SLR to buy, I saw that the K10D was getting really good reviews and had the ability to take those older lenses. Not cheap, but if it is like my other Pentax, the cost of ownership over 27 years will be bearable

[mlambo]

Tom:

 

Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing your ride. I am very envious of you guys in Arizona. It truly is motorcycle heaven.

[Lets_Play_Two]

Thanks Scott, I appreciate the feedback a lot.

 

This camera is great. I played with Whip's Nikon in Texas and knew I needed an SLR (I have to keep up with him you know). My first camera was a K1000 from Pentax which I bought back in 1980. I still have it and a few of the lenses. As I was looking for what SLR to buy, I saw that the K10D was getting really good reviews and had the ability to take those older lenses. Not cheap, but if it is like my other Pentax, the cost of ownership over 27 years will be bearable

 

It's not the camera body that will get you....it's those lenses and the carbon fiber tripod

[Les is more]

Ok Junior Botanists...what plant is this?

 

This, my talented friend, is a Boojum. The name was given by the botanist Godfrey Sykes, who found it in Baja California in 1922 and said "It must be a Boojum!". He named it after the mythical creature called a Boojum from "The Hunting of the Snark authored by Lewis Carroll. The Spanish common name for the plant is Cirio, because of its candle-like appearance.

 

It's one of the few relatives of our Ocotillo.

 

 

The family is Fouquieriaciae and all 13 members of that family belong to the genus Fouquieria.

 

I'm glad you got your camera. It's going to add a lot of beauty to my life!

[TyTass]

It's either really impressive that you know this Les, or just sick!

 

Tom ... Great pics and thanks for sharin'!

[tobyzusa]

Had yesterday off and just picked up a new camera

 

 

Coolest feature of your new camera is that it can take a picture of itself . Very nice!

[Lynn]

As I was looking for what SLR to buy, I saw that the K10D was getting really good reviews and had the ability to take those older lenses. Not cheap, but if it is like my other Pentax, the cost of ownership over 27 years will be bearable

 

Great photos!

 

Being able to use the lenses he has accumulated over the years is what made Mark stick with Pentax when he went digital a few years ago-and it is why he got the K10d over the winter. It does make a big difference if you can keep using the kit you have, rather than having to get a new one.

 

Interesting use of the Gorilla Pod-I never thought of mounting my point & shoot like that-but I may have to try it out.

[BrianT]

Good job, awesome pics.

[SageRider]

Great pics!

[ericfoerster]

Nice snaps

[glockster]

Had yesterday off and just picked up a new camera

 

The new Pentax K10D is really a nice camera.

 

Hey Tom, I finally picked up a shelf system to mount my GPS on, now I gotta check into that contraption you got the camera mounted on. Somebody in an earlier post referred to it as a "Gorilla Pod" is that its real name?

 

By the way brother Tom, those pictures are awesome. I guess I gotta get out to the desert more often around this time of year, the colors are incredible!

[Lynn]

Hey Tom, I finally picked up a shelf system to mount my GPS on, now I gotta check into that contraption you got the camera mounted on. Somebody in an earlier post referred to it as a "Gorilla Pod" is that its real name?

 

Yep-it really is the Gorilla Pod.

 

http://www.joby.com/

 

(It is snowing here in Denver again-which has left me with too much time on the web today).

[ESokoloff]

I could get this sick if somebody doesn't stop me.....soon

 

So how long till you get one of these & put it on the shelf of your RT

 

Some nice images there Tom

[azkaisr]

Wait till I get my GS with that little windscreen!!!

 

Just like Dr Hook Said..."oh man beautiful"

[ian408]

I could get this sick if somebody doesn't stop me.....soon

 

Too late for me...all I lack is that camo cover for the lens....

[roydog007]

Looks like your new camera is working out great, I'd stick with that one for a while

[Crazy_Canuck]

Those are great Pics Tom!

 

Now whos bike dash did you take a picture of because this sure cant be yours...

 

 

I have seen your bike dash and it doesnt look anyting like the this pic!!!

[azkaisr]

Once I have the GS....I am going to have almost NO wires showing. So there!!!

[AZKomet]

Bravo! BTA is one of my favorite AZ places...should have called me! We could of had a photo contest!! Truly a remarkable set of pics. Keep them coming!!

[Effervescent]

I think my heart just exploded.

 

-Eff

[azkaisr]

When you coming out Eff? Should have the 2nd bike next week.

 

Kaisr

[johnlt]

Tom; once you get the GS an absolute "must do" is the run down from Mt. Lemmon to either Oracle or San Manuel. It is a spectacular ride up on the newly paved road to the top, then the dirt road with many switchbacks drops 8K feet down the the valley floor. spectacular views. If you want to do it, give me a call and I'll meet you at the foot of the mountain. Cheers,

 

john

[Fast Eddy]

Hi Tom Great photos! How did you actualy get them into your post? I have a few photos from a trip I just returned from in New Zealand that I'd like to share.Keep up the good work.

[hindsight]

Most Excellent Photos. Good job and I am looking forward to more ride tales.

 

later,

[Berkley]

gorgeous. thanks!

 

never seen the desert in spring - now i know what i need to do before i go (yea...May Torrey isn't quite like that)

[azkaisr]

Hi Tom Great photos! How did you actualy get them into your post? I have a few photos from a trip I just returned from in New Zealand that I'd like to share.Keep up the good work.

 

Sent you a PM

 

Kaisr