Summer Stories. Flotilla

How to fit 14 people on two rafts and a kayak: Step 1—Don't.
 

Summer Stories. Three

 

Summer Stories - II

 

or memories...

On the Edge of Speed

 

One water skier. One turn. And Pineview reservoir was transformed into silver light and motion.

Glowing Threads of Algae

Sunlight moves gently through the water, turning simple river algae into soft, glowing threads — a quiet reminder that beauty often lives in the smallest, unnoticed places.

Generally, life is good.

An Ancient Guardian Watching Over the Water

 

There has always been a quiet magic in this tree, something that draws you closer, as if asking you to pause for a moment. I’m certain it carries countless untold stories within its silence, though it seems unwilling to share them with anyone.

Generally, life is good.

You Don't Have To Understand Everything You See

Yesterday I accidentally stumbled upon this creation and had no idea what it was. I found it interesting and tried to create something intriguing. 

Jesús Castellano, the Spanish photographer, suggested to crop the first image and make it vertical. Great idea!

Life goes on.

The Intense Storm is Approaching at Bear River MBR

Driving in the rain to Bear River MBR was pretty insane but I told myself that if rain would become heavy I any time could turn back. 

To my surprise, arriving to Bear River MBR rain stopped and the sun picked out from behind the heavy thunderclouds.  Not knowing how much time I had before the storm would strike the refuge in a full force I began to photograph without waisting precious time.

That wasn't a good idea because mindless photography never ends well.  I had to slow down, to calm myself, to "forget" about fear and start to think.

I have never seen the refuge so beautifully threatening.

  

Being at the deserted Bear River MBR when the intense storm was approaching  didn't scare me in opposite made me think.  Maybe it's frivolity.  Or just an irresistible desire to capture moments that happen only once in a lifetime. Or to be more precise, it's just an addiction mixed with passion.

Generally, life is good!

Tundra Swan is Taking Off. Step by Step

 

Tundra Swans are big birds and before they take off they need a long, open "runway". Thus, a Swan on the photo above unexpectedly decided to leave this place and ready to start its run on the water.

To start a run on the open water is more difficult than on the ground but the Swans have a few good techniques that help them to start their run.

Just a little more and the Swan will start its run. 

The Swan is running with its wings flapping fast, it's almost ready to take off, its feet are hardly touching the water.  Soon the Swan will tuck its feet under its tail and start to fly.

At the beginning the Swan's flight will be low.

In a few seconds the Swan will be high in the sky.

Generally, life is good!

Two Brave Travelers

Over the past several years I have dreamed of photographing at least one Snow Goose. Last Sunday my dream came true and I met two Snow Geese at Bear River MBR, the adult and juvenile.  

What brought this couple to Bear River MBR? Usually, Snow Geese don't like to travel without company of another couple of dozens geese.  I think that fresh accessible water and food brought this couple in the refuge.  

Snow Geese are drinking water. 

Geese use their bills to lift the water in the mouth and then toss their head back to run water down their throat. That is what exactly Snow geese are doing on the photo above.

Snow Geese breed in Arctic Tundra but they migrate to Northern Utah during winter and stay there until it's time to go back to their breeding grounds.  

Generally, life is good!