June 14, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

Aurora Borealis in Washington State

The featured image above and this next image are from June7,2013, as Northern lights danced in the midnight and early morning sky while I danced around my camera in the silence of a mountain night… which is never really silent, but alive with the songs of the stars, the movement of nocturnal birds and animals. The sort of silence that refreshes my spirits even without the Aurora dancing overhead!

ahhh, a night when color filled the sky to the north of Mount Adams, in southern Washington. What a great night!

More of the same feeling of the deep night on June 1 as I snapped images from 1 am until sunrise near Mount Adams. The rich tones of the night recharged my spirits and brought me energy. This next slideshow is taken throughout that night into sunrise. I hope you enjoy!

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Please check out the sidebar links for more information on ordering prints of my work, as well as links for photo books .

The About the Photographer page is full of information and links as well!

Some helpful sites for watching Aurora forecasts include the following

http://www.softservenews.com/Aurora.htm

http://spaceweather.com/

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast?Date=20130601

This PDF document from NOAA explains more of how Auroras come about and why

I will include several larger images that are in the slide show, since it is so small and won’t let you click on individual images.

June 6, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain

Recently we have been blessed in the Columbia River Gorge by a visit from the Tall Ships. This set of images were taken as they approached Hood River on the East bound journey

Along their way at various ports these historic Ships give tours (for a small donation of $3) of the ships, often with people in costume and focused on education. And for a larger price they also sell tickets for rides on the sailing vessels.

In these images, the ship with sails up is the Lady Washington, and the other ship is the Hawaiian Chieftain.

They are a joy to watch sail!
You can find more information about their schedule here. http://historicalseaport.org/sail-with-us/public-sail-schedule/
Thurs June 7 in Arlington, Friday in Umatilla, and a mock battle in Pasco Saturday afternoon.

Also please do check out the links on the right-hand side of my blog and my menus. My photography can be found for purchase at smug mug, Or by contacting me directly at starlisa.black@gmail.com. There are also links for my Facebook and Flickr sites. I currently have a small show Amy at North Shore Café for a little bit more time. I have pictures on display at skyline Hospital in the waiting room for the visiting physicians, as well as one in the lobby. North Shore clinic near the hospital also has several of my images, Some of which are for sale along with the ones in the hospital.

If you are in the area I may be set up half the day on Saturday at the new Saturday market in Lyle, Washington. Starting at the end of June for the rest of the summer I will often be found at Trout Lake Saturday Market with my books, cards and prints. I do calendars as well although I am currently out for 2013 and have not yet designed calendars for 2014.
Hope to see you around somewhere! Oh and by the way I am currently having a sale for a few days at North Shore Café in White Salmon, Washington. You can find all of these links available on my about page.

Image May 26, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

Four Kitties and a loving Brother Roger

I love to go visit my brother Roger and his family in The peaceful friendly little mountain town of Trout Lake, Washington. I am always greeted with love and affection from the moment I step on the front porch. These four cats have grown up in this sometimes harsh outdoor environment with extreme heat and cold, and have thrived. Growing up sleeping together in one soft little bed on top of the wood box they’re always wrapping around each other like a continuous dance. I love to bury my face and arms into the pile trying to pet every one of them and receiving love in return. They are a challenge however to get a good picture of, because they’re always moving and so curious, and because the light is not so good under the covered porch. I was thrilled to finally get this picture. I had posted it on Facebook and we had a good laugh as each person in the family claimed those are their kitties. Through winter storms with snow sometimes 10 feet deep, through summer heat with temps up to 104 F, these cats have become the healthiest cats I know.

My brother Roger Black is a kind and loving man, treating others with compassion and humor mingled with a love of others he no doubt learned from our Mother and Father. About 11 years ago he had almost died from a heart fibrillation, alongside the road while driving. His loving daughter Sarah was able to get the car stopped, call 911, and then pull him out of the car onto the road where passersby helped her do CPR until the paramedics got there 15 minutes later. They thought he would possibly be a vegetable after that but because of the CPR he pulled through and surprised them all. If you ask him how old he is he will tell you 11 years old! He has enjoyed his new lease on life and along with it his grandchildren.

Roger and his kitties are survivors full of love and appreciation for life. I learned from them things like being grateful for the moment, being grateful for a roof over my head and food to eat and those who love me. I am grateful to those who believe in my talent, and my brother Roger is one of my biggest supporters And encouragers. He carried me on his shoulders when I was two and he was 18. He carries me through hard times now when he is 70 and I am 55. In spite of ongoing CLL Cancer, COPD and other problems, Roger keeps on ticking (with a defibrillator in his chest) and always has an encouraging word for others. He has great love for his wife Connie, his houseful of kids and grandkids (daughter Sarah, her husband Mark and son Aidan; a grown grandson Bugsy), as well as his daughter Carmen and her big family in Goldendale.
And still he always has lots of loving pets for the four beautiful Kitties on the porch
In this old family photo Roger is in the middle in the back row. I am the baby on Mom’s lap
.

And this is Roger today

May 25, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

Rockaway Beach Kite Festival 2013

I was at the coast last week and caught the Kite Festival at Rockaway Beach in Oregon. The day started out cloudy but some blue sky started peeking out from the clouds, and it was a lovely day for kites.

Here are a few of the many shots I took. I may well add more as time goes on!

Enjoy

May 24, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

About the Photographer

I have been updating my About page with many links for current events and history if you would care to come see.

About the Photographer.

May 21, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

The Earth Cries

My heart and prayers go out to the people of Moore, Oklahoma as they struggle to overcome and find their lives after the tornado tore through their town and life on May 20, 2013. The stories that are pouring out on the news are unbelievably heartbreaking.

You can find links on the side bar for more information about my work and products along with the music of Leannan Sidhe. Thank you for viewing, and for adding your prayers for those who struggle.

May 10, 2013 by Starlisa Black Photography

Wild Horses Couldn’t Drag Me Away!

I had the opportunity to drive over Satus Pass and see some herds of Wild Horses, with nearly as many colts as adults. They are so beautiful to watch, and the herds were made up of all colors. What a great treat! My one zoom lens, an EF 55-250 IS just was not up to the challenge and the detail is not great on the shots… I had to crop them hard to show the horses big enough, but they are still worth seeing!

This next two shots brought back happy memories of childhood… my favorite book was The Black Stallion! This might be a mare, I could not tell for sure at that distance.. but it really made me smile!

And a zoom in on a colt with a mop top bristle of a mane, they were so adorable!

WOW, HUH???

On the same day I also saw a Black Bear sniffing along after a Cinnamon Bear… I can guess what he wanted! She was PURTY! lol

Then he noticed us watching from the road

But his chosen Lady was calling his name and leaving scent for him

So on down the hill he went after her

After one more glance to be sure we were not coming any closer they both disappeared down into the draw

We waited around for a few moments, and sure enough they came back up closer to us, but the Bitterbrush and Sage was so tall along the slope all we could see was the tops of their backs moving, until the big Black came to a Ponderosa Tree and stood up in the shelter of its branches to better see what we were up to. When he threw himself back down I think the ground shook… his fur rippled heavily. Needless to say we were staying right in by the truck ready to jump back in if necessary.

It was also a lovely wildflower day, but I will save that for another post! Thanks for looking, and PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO SHARE MY POST AND MY PAGE ON YOUR FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE PLUS, DROP ME A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW SO I CAN COME VISIT. I LOVE COMPANY!

Also check out the links in the sidebar for prints and calendars and books, and there is even a donation button for those who just enjoy seeing my work online and wish to help me be able to continue sharing. I would not EVEN be able to take all these photos or have sharing sites without the support of those who believed in me and helped me out to this point.My heart is full of gratitude!

Thanks so much for your visit!