I took a series of eight, wide-angle images while standing on a barrel in the middle of William Hill Vineyards at 6:20 a.m., and this is the merged/stitched result. This panorama probably covers about 200-250 degrees of the view. Unfortunately, it was the wrong season (no grapes or leaves on the vines) and the sunrise was a bust (totally overcast). Otherwise, it could have been spectacular. The William Hill Winery is to the left. For a better view, click on the image from a computer with a big screen.

Posted on April 4th, 2012 under outside of ashland. Tags: california, napa, nikon d7000, panorama, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Vineyard panorama

Another photo today from my adventures this past weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco is one of four or five places I call home. I spent about a year tour guiding in San Francisco in the early 1990s. For some reason I never made it to this overlook of the Golden Gate Bridge until now.

The weather forecast was for heavy rain (over half an inch). Luckily, it didn’t happen. We had rain in Napa and a bit in San Francisco, but I think the high winds may have messed up Mother Nature’s rain plan.

Posted on April 3rd, 2012 under outside of ashland, places. Tags: california, nikon d7000, san francisco, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Golden Gate Bridge

I spent the past few nights in the San Francisco Bay Area. A couple of those were spent at the Silverado Resort in Napa, a place I hadn’t visited since my wedding reception 20 years ago. I woke up early the first morning to see if I could get some sunrise photos. Unfortunately, the sun never rose; we had nothing but clouds the entire time in Napa. I still got some decent pics I’ll be sharing with you.

Posted on April 2nd, 2012 under outside of ashland. Tags: buildings, california, napa, night photography, nikon d7000, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon, trees. Comments Off on Silverado Resort

No students on campus this past week since it was Spring Break. The only sign of life at SOU was my shadow.

Posted on March 31st, 2012 under only in ashland, places. Tags: campus, grizzly peak, nikon d7000, Southern Oregon University, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Spring Break Self Portrait

Posted on March 30th, 2012 under lithia park, nature, only in ashland. Tags: lithia park, nikon d7000, snow, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon, trees, winter. Comments Off on Tree love

I previously mentioned how I was getting better results working with RAW files in concert lighting situations. When going through my jpg image results I almost deleted the above image because the amazing clouds my eyes saw were totally ruined in the jpg file. Before hitting delete, however, I decided to see what I could do with the RAW file. Here is the result:

Posted on March 28th, 2012 under nature, only in ashland. Tags: clouds, grizzly peak, nikon d7000, photography, raw vs. jpg jpeg, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on RAW vs. JPG (RAW isn’t just for weird, indoor lighting)

This time of year, you never know what you are going to get. One day it’s sunny and warm; the next it’s cold and snowy.

Posted on March 26th, 2012 under lithia park, nature, only in ashland, places. Tags: ashland creek, lithia park, nikon d7000, snow, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon, winter. Comments Off on Cold Ashland Creek

A Vietnamese restaurant opened in Phoenix, Oregon a few months back. I just discovered it about 10 days ago and have already gone back. Apparently they originally had a Pho Sur in Grants Pass and this is their second version. I like it, a lot. I had a bowl of noodle soup the first time and green curry with beef (pictured above) for round two. I’m excited for round three.

Not only is the food great, but it is cheap. Most items are just $8, and there is no meals tax since it is out of Ashland.

If you are in the area and want to give it a try, the address is 4150 South Pacific Hwy. It is located behind Jack in the Box, next to Ray’s Market. It’s the only restaurant in Phoenix where you can expect a crowd.

Posted on March 2nd, 2012 under outside of ashland. Tags: food, nikon d7000, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon. Comments Off on Pho Sur Vietnamese Asian Fusion Restaurant – Phoenix, Oregon

Will the Ashland schools be open today with all of this snow? Click here to find out.

Posted on February 29th, 2012 under lithia park, nature, only in ashland. Tags: ashland creek, lithia park, nikon d7000, snow, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX Autofocus Lens for Nikon, water, winter. Comments: 3