Photo: The Mystical Waters of Sonoma Coast

Here is a magical photo that Dave Selden of www.costaricadailyphoto.com took while on the rugged but beautiful Sonoma Coast in Calfornia.

This photo was taken with a neutral density filter with a long exposure.

Dave took this photo on  a photography tour last year with Justin Black of Visionary Wild and Jerry Doodril. Both were great photo instructors.

Have a happy Monday!

We have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  This week we are showing photos of the Spanish colonial architecture of Grenada, Nicaragua.

Photo: Roosevelt Lake

From near the top of Four Peaks, looking farther northeast, a portion of Roosevelt Lake comes into view. Roosevelt Dam is the oldest federal Bureau of Reclamation project in the country, with President Theodore Roosevelt traveling here in 1911 to dedicate the dam upon completion.

Roosevelt Lake is the largest of the Salt River lakes that store water supply for the Phoenix metropolitan area. At the time it was built, it created the largest artificial lake in the world. The lake inundates 10 miles (16 km) of the Salt River. Every year or so they will release water from the lake when it is at capacity, and water will flow in the Salt River like it did in the 1800's when Phoenix was founded.

Several weeks ago I showed some photos of a few of the canals in Scottsdale. This lake, and 5 other lakes, is the source of the water that is crucial to making life possible for the 4 million people who live in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

This week we are showing photos of the architecture and theater district of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Salt River Project Canal

Here is a photo of one of the canals that are part of the Salt River Project canal system.

The ancient Hohokam Indians developed the base of this irrigation system in the desert and, in modern day, the Salt River Project, built and expanded the canal system.

This is the canal where people walk, job and bike.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos. Check out our new photos of the Wonders of Egypt at our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: McCormick Ranch Lake

This photo shows a view down McCormick Ranch Lake. This is a large lake. To me, it looks more like Florida, not Arizona.

Former Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt, who later ran for President and was Secretary of the Interior under President Clinton, caused Arizona to enact pioneering laws in the early to 1980's prohibit developers from using groundwater for decorative lakes and ponds.

McCormick Ranch was a 4,200 acre horse ranch that was developed by Kaiser-Aetna into a master-planned community in the 1970's, with lots of hiking and biking trails lacing through the beautifully landscaped neighborhoods. And, yes, they have lots of lakes to make the 25,000 residents feel like they are not in the desert.

This week we are showing photos of the fall colors in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Last light reflections on McCormick Ranch Office & Lake

This is another photo of the office building on McCormick Ranch lake catching the last rays of the sun.

We have a lot of Spanish colonial architecture in Scottsdale and throughout the Phoenix metro area. And, yes, there is an irony that many people support building a wall to keep out people from south of the border, yet we love the romance of architecture from south of the border.

This office building is the headquarters of Forever Living Products, which is a multi-level marketing company that sells aloe vera products. The building also houses some investment businesses.

This week we are showing photos of the fall colors in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

McCormick Ranch Lake, Office, Egret and the Moon

This is a photo of an office building across the lake at McCormick Ranch. There is an egret, the daytime moon, and a reflection of the moon in the photo as well. The bird has just plucked a fish from the lake, which caused the rings of water below his beak.

This does not look like a scene in the middle of the desert, but we do have places with lakes within Scottsdale and the other cities in the Valley of the Sun.

This week we are showing photos of Canadian Thanksgiving on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Photo: Horseshoe Bend

Here is a photo of Horseshoe Bend up near Page, Arizona.

This week I am sharing postcard photos from Arizona. I hope you enjoy them.

Check out travel photos of the fabulous architecture of the actively used Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona, Spain at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Baby Duck with Green Markings

We are back at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale walking along the Lakes and Indian Bend Wash.

And, here is this cute duck wearing what looks like a mask.

Look at the dark green and black on its face.

Check out fabulous photos from intriguing Easter Island at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Bird and Park

Here is a photo of a walk through Indian Bend Wash at McCormick Ranch.

Look closely and you will see a white bird at the top of the tree. I will show you a close up of the bird tomorrow.

I liked the reflection and colors in this image.

Check out travel photos of the Como Duomo on Lake Como, Italy at Viva la Voyage!

Theme Day: Fountain

Today is theme day among City Daily Photo Bloggers.

And, the theme is Fountains.

Here is a photo of a fountain and lake with bronze horses right in front of McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale.

This looks so Scottsdale so I hope you enjoy it. I took this last weekend so you can see our great weather.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Check out travel photos of Tanzania in Africa at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: White Heron Reflection

Here is a photo of a white heron at the Indian Bend Lake in Scottsdale.

Such a pretty image in the water!

Check out new travel photos of Spain and Seville at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Salt River Sign

Look at this photo that shows how high the water is.

The Salt River sign is almost flooded completely.

This is high water. No question that those on the east side of the valley cannot cross the river except in only a couple of spots.

Check out travel photos from the Fjords of Norway at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Salt River Flooding

Here is a photo of the Salt River in the Valley of the Sun.

You can see how high the water is. This is the flood that blew out the dam at Tempe Town Lake.

The power of water is actually awesome to experience, but also deadly.

Check out travel photos from the Fjords of Norway at Viva la Voyage!

Photo: Salt River Flooding at Street

Here is a photo of the recent flood of the Salt River.

I have driven this road many times and now it is a river.

Water is powerful and scary and there is no real way to control it.

Check out travel photos from the Fjords of Norway at Viva la Voyage!

Rushing Water at Oak Creek

Here is a photo of rushing water at Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona.

The views along all of the hiking trails in Sedona are dramatic.

As you can see from my photo series of Sedona during the past few weeks, there is a lot of different topography in this area so the hiking is always wonderful and special.

Everyone needs to see Sedona at least once in their lifetime.

Check out the natural wonders on the Big Island of Hawaii Viva la Voyage!

Scenic Oak Creek

Here is a photo from our hike in Oak Creek Canyon.

This is such a pretty area and there are so many hike along the creek in Sedona.

There are green trees all the way down the creek and lots of rocks to hike on to cross over to the other side of the creek. Oftentimes you go back and forth over the rocks in the water to traverse your way down the creek.

Today is Sunday and that means new travel photos. Check out fabulous photos of the Island of Hvar on the Dalmation Coast at Viva la Voyage!

Tree on Water at Sunset

Here is a photo of an old tree with the highlights of the last rays of sunlight basking over the roots of the tree on the banks of the river.

I wanted to stay and take in the moment of this old tree leaning precariously over the slowly rushing water as the sun was setting.

Sedona has all types of hikes and the scenery changes dramatically from red rock hikes to river crossings and green trees and forest.

Check out the architecture of Spain at Viva la Voyage!

Oak Creek and Red Rock

Here is a photo of the running water in Oak Creek curving towards Bell Rock.

I took this photo on a hike into red rock park. It was a very pretty spot.

A special photo for my Mom's special day as it is her birthday today! Happy Birthday!

Check out the architecture of Spain at Viva la Voyage!

Arizona Falls at Sunset

Here is a photo I took at Arizona Falls when the water was running.

The water falls over the small dam and over the equipment that you can now see in this photo.

It is had to take a photo of the running water and making sure the equipment in the back is clear.

Enlarge to feel the splash of the water in your face.

You will not want to miss our travel photos of Wild Animals of Tanzania, Africa at Viva la Voyage! These animal photos are truly superb

Arizona Falls

Here is a photo from a park called Arizona Falls.

This is where the water from the Salt River Project canal drops twenty feet (6.1 meters).

Arizona Falls is part of the G.R. Herberger Park. It has a 750 watt restored hydroelectric plant and art display.

The best part is going to the lower level and sitting there to wait for the water to fall. The water is not always running.

In the photo you can see the water coming down. It is a pretty cool experience.

Check out travel photos of Portugal on Viva la Voyage!