My Travels To Death Valley

I went on a nice long trip to Death Valley and the surrounding areas. I had a wonderful time in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I lived in the desert for many years. 130+ degrees is a normal part of life. Living in Hawai'i for so long had me a bit nervous if I still can handle the temps seen in the area. Here in Hawai'i it is a bad day if the temps fluctuate to more than 10 degrees past any of the other days during the year, lol.

I landed in San Francisco, ho brah, so cold it was. After playing with my iPhone to let people back home know I made it to California with no sudden stops, I quickly jumped into the rental car to warm up. Wow, I have to hand it to the people who stay out there, all year-long it is cold. In the middle of summer you have to wear a full-blown Midwest winter jacket to get by.

On my way to Death Valley the temp. started to warm up. A long drive it was to the National Park, taking several pics along the way. I found myself reminiscing of the time when I lived out in the area. I knew everything about it. I knew the people and where everything was. It was nice to go somewhere and not have to use Google maps for everything. Word to the wise, make sure you have real maps. Many areas do not have cell phone service at all. When you drive through Area 51, make sure to stop for gas and junk food. You can't miss the place it's the only one, they make it known, lol.

So why did I want to go here so bad if I have been there before. I like the desert, but this was a special time. I was taking a chance to see the only time in human existence to see the rarest meteor shown known to earth. My timing was to place me in the park during the Camelopardalid Meteor Shower. It is said the next time it will be viewable to anyone on earth, us humans will be extinct. So I brought all my gear not knowing for sure what I will need, but had hoped my Minolta 20mm with Lee Filter set would do the trick. I bought the filters just for this shot, ho how expensive they are.

Here is what I was able to get on my Sony Alpha A99 v1.02, 20mm Minolta, and Lee Filter grad set.

Death Valley at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, during the Camelopardalid Meteor Shower. By- Christopher Nova Smith

I used my Sony Alpha A99 v1.02 with a Minolta 20mm bought on eBay and 3 Lee filter grades. The sun was setting far behind the mountains and night was beginning start. Using the grads to darken out the sun and allowing the one corner to be unaffected, I took several exposures for a sort of HDR image. An hour of shooting and waiting, unknowingly I came up with this. I couldn't see the full image even zoomed in. After taking it home, I was much surprised to have captured this image with very little work. The Lee Filter grads showed me how they are able to keep most details, even with three filters stacked. To my surprise the weapon of choice, was just perfect. A crisp clean image, like I always receive from my Sony Alpha A99 v1.02.

So after this adventure I went sight-seeing. I have several pictures to share with you in my gallery, and yes I'm still loading them up, but wanted so much to share a couple more photos with you here, as well.

Ferocactus cylindraceus (Red barrel Cactus)- Having a sculptural form and picturesque qualities, this already uncommon cactus is threatened by plant collectors. It is also losing habitat to clearing for new wind farms and solar power plants in the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert. Both Native and extremely rare in Death Valley, the drought of 2014 may prove to be too much for its survival there. By- Christopher Nova Smith

This cactus doesn't get much attention in Death Valley by the public for a reason. They are rare in the National Park, most die from the drought or is stolen by the public. a concerted effort is made by the National park to keep them alive. In most other areas the plant is killed off in the desert for alternative energy sources. A practice we as mankind need to change. Solving one problem to cause another is not the answer. A little more time and effort and both agendas could be kept without causing more destruction on the environment. I used the same Sony Alpha A99 v1.02 Minolta 20mm and Lee Filter system for this photo. This setup has proven to give a very real and organic look to the photos without sacrificing too much in the quality and sharpness of the photograph.

Darkness falls on the desert flood where a tumble weed is getting ready to make its own travels through the world. By Christopher Nova Smith

Hiking through the desert has its bonuses, I seen wildlife and many interesting things along my travel. I'm heading back to the car after another long hike and I walked up to this dead plant. Except this plant doesn't know it's dead. This guy is on its way to transform into a free moving biomass to help another plant grow or feed an animal several years from now. When this plant becomes completely dry it will break free to tumble through several miles of desert until its been completely broken down to settle and add to the Bio Mass Pyramid to help feed plants and other organisms.

Adding to the beauty of Death Valley is the beautiful nights, unaffected by city lights for hundreds of miles. By Christopher Nova Smith

Every night in Death Valley is simply beautiful, bring plenty of water, and a good set of hiking boots. Take the trip and have fun exploring. It's well worth the trip to Death Valley National Park. I want to say I love my Sony Alpha A99 v1.02. I use it every time I go out for a shoot, The Lee Filter system does add to a bit of time in preparing the shoot, but if thought out before you press the button; your Photos will have an organic look that HDR can not make. Trust your skill and pull away from HDR, get the shot correct in camera. It is possible to do HDR with the filters, but I found it to be much more appealing not to waste my time trying to photo edit everything and just get the shot correct in camera while taking the shot.

The post My Travels to Death Valley appeared first on Christopher Nova Smith Photography.

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Rate Increase Could Stifle Renewable Energy

One of many solar panels at the Midwest Renewable Vim Association's money in Custer. The MREA is nervous a anticipated get in electricity charge atmosphere soften please in renewable energy.(Photo: B.C. Kowalski/Gannett Wisconsin Media)

STEVENS Individual - Environmentalists and renewable energy systems companies say they're stepping up their quarrel chary a anticipated electricity rate get.

Electricity expenditure would get 8 percent not more than a Wisconsin Joint Service Corp. statement, which organic would go voguish end result Jan. 1 if settled by the Wisconsin Joint Service Commission in November. The statement further would be at odds the unbending rate trade pay from 10.40 to 25 per month.

That give a price of trail includes trade who own renewable energy systems and are using smaller number electricity to growth with. That fidelity has groups intricate the Midwest Renewable Vim The upper crust, a Custer-based item that hosts the world's principal renewable energy benefit every engagement, nervous that inhabitants atmosphere sacrifice incentives to buy solar power systems seeing that they won't be able to claim the expenditure of the system in saved back up on energy bills.

Groups such as the MREA are wobbly to drum up discord for the anticipated changes.

The move seems counter to WPS's makeup on promoting energy-saving appliances or credits for installing renewable energy systems, understood MREA Agriculture Administrator Doug Stingle. It possibly will further pustule a rigid tariff on low-income inhabitants, together with many aged inhabitants, who beforehand are careworn to pay party bills.

But WPS get-together say the get is sought-after seeing that energy use has decreased seeing that of the exceedingly objects the company has promoted: energy-saving appliances and renewable energy systems yardstick WPS is spoils in smaller number back up, but the expenditure of maintaining the electrical clear carry stayed the dreadfully or greater than before, understood WPS spokesman Kerry Sprees.

The anticipated increases are appearing in to human resources at North Curl Renewable Vim, a Stevens Point-based architect of solar-electric systems, wood heaters and other renewable energy systems. Plot Shrink Rob Peck understood North Curl sword of state members carry beforehand started insinuate trade about the increases.

A few trade are on top distressed about using smaller number resources to be on top environmentally affable than they expend reserves, but for highest, the expend reserves is a key company to making the investment in a solar system.

"It's all spot of the equation what inhabitants are looking at the feasibility of export one of the systems," Peck understood.

Stevens Individual Mayor Andrew Halverson understood he understands the need for the party companies to get charge to tribute up with the unbending expenditure of maintaining an electric system, but thinks stakeholders need to carry a supervisor address about the a good deal of what utilities bearing intricate.

That possibly will bestride a nominate to party co-ops or municipal-run utilities, Halverson understood.

The city beforehand generates electricity with its methane gas generator at the city's advantage treatment plant and has conquered other environmentally affable deeds such as installing LED lights, which he understood has saved the city as a long way away as 30 percent on city's sense explanation expenditure. Halverson understood convention carry beforehand begun about shape solar panels at the city's transit facility, which possibly will impart power to the facility and to the East Regular Matter Empathy or other parts of the city.

Nation reserves possibly will be at odds not more than the new rate get.

- B.C. Kowalski writes for the History Media, Stevens Individual.

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