John Curran Photoblog 2006/2007

Big Bear Butler Fire

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 23:44:38 GMT

We were up in Bg Bear yesterday staking out our campsite for next week when we saw this fire start. This is how it looked from our backyard in Apple Valley this morning. Here is a good site for Big Bear Information. There are web cams, updated road and weather conditions as well as a complete visitor's guide.

Back From Baja California

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:51:14 GMT

Apple Valley Temperatures Soar

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:18:00 GMT

Last week was one of the hottest on record. This is the thermometer on our back porchWunderground is a great weather resource. We're going to Baja Mar in a couple weeks, so look for an update and more pictures.

Tony Soprano Lives ...on and on and on and on

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:32:15 GMT

Not much new in the photography world, so we've decided to share another of our consuming interests. We've been a fan of the Sopranos since day one and have watched every episode more times than we'd like to admit. So, with speculation running rampant as to Tony's fate here is our definitive answer, and why:

1. Nobody knew where the Soprano family would be dining. It was a last minute decision in which only the immediate family was included. Carmella told Tony of the dinner plans outside of the house (so no eaves-dropping devices were involved) only hours before the appointed meal was to occur. This was not a place the Soprano family frequented because everybody needed to study the menu. Carmella even asked Tony, "What's good here?"

2. True, there were many seemingly suspicious characters in the diner, but everything we've learned about "wacking protocol" over the past seven years would lead us to believe that the hit man would not preceed Tony to the diner, sit around, have a bite, be easily remembered by the other patrons AND then commit the hit. They would come in, do the deed and get out fast.

3. When Meadow ran across the street to enter the diner, the sidewalks were empty and there was no one else that could have opened the diner door but her. The last thing Tony saw before the screen went black was his daughter.

4.And finally:
"Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on"

John has a very interesting interpretation of that sudden cut to black. He says, "It's like THE VIEWER WAS THE ONE WHO GOT WHACKED." This so perfectly explains the cut to black, rather than a fade. In a way, it's Chase's homage to the viewer. As if we are being included by this final act.

Brewster Park, Apple Valley

Wed, 30 May 2007 21:43:15 GMT

May has not been a hotbed of photographic opportunities. We've been keeping busy with The Grumpy Old Men and our daily park walk with the wolfdog. We've been mixing it up at several parks within the excellent Apple Valley Park system.

Bear Mountain in April

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:42:38 GMT

We went to Big Bear in search of snow covered vistas after last week's storm. This is what we found.

Mojave River Forks

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:12:25 GMT

We took a day trip to the Mojave River Forks Campground and Park just days before the Los Flores Fire broke out near Hesperia. The Park was spared, but this view of the 'Mesa" in Hesperia has changed. On a cheerier note, check out the new, free Mount Whitney/Death Valley Screensaver.

Mojave Narrows Regional Park

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:06:28 GMT

Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:51:23 GMT

John stands atop a Jumbo Rock

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:50:19 GMT

Jumbo Rocks Campground

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:47:22 GMT

This was our campsite at Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree. The environs were very cool and unique. We brought the 4X4 as Joshua Tree has many trails for the Four Wheel Drive enthusiast.

Shana the Wolfdog

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:44:36 GMT

Shana always comes with. Dogs are always welcome as long as they are never left unattended or unleashed. The National Parks require that the animal stay off the trails, and in the campground. For a campground partier such as myself, this is no problem:-)

Apple Valley's Horseman's Center

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 21:27:37 GMT

As esisting readers of this blog know, we hang out at Horseman's Center on a pretty regular basis. This is one of the great facilities in the Apple Valley Park network. Over the past year,the park has been the recipient of a major makeover. There are open rides and overnight camping, but with this amazing desert treasure just minutes from our house, we'll save the overnighters for places like Death Valley.

Salt Creek in Death Valley

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 01:56:07 GMT

We were going to camp in Afton Canyon this week, but the weather is supposed to be overcast. I have posted a Death Valley Gallery on the Desert Photography Site. Enjoy!

Zabriskie Point

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:38:09 GMT

We just got back from a week in Death Valley. John shot the above picture of a siltstone wash at Zabriskie point with the Olympus digital. As soon as all the 35mms are developed and digitized you can look forward to the addition of a Death Valley Gallery to the main site. Dogs are only allowed in developed areas, so Shana the wolfdog and I hung at the Furnace Creek campsite (next picture) where everyone was extremely friendly, while John went out shooting everyday. At night we warmed up with Brandy and Bob Marley CDs.

Party at the Furnace Creek Campground

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:32:48 GMT

This was our very cool campsite atFurnace Creek. Shana is in what we call "Queen Shana Position," and if you look closely, you can see the Brandy bottles on the table:-)

Happy New Year's From John Curran Desert Photography!

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 01:50:37 GMT

We had a very busy December with relatives and the holidays, but we're ready to get back into the field. Weather willing, we'll be Death Valley Camping next week.

Mojave Desert Lichens Culture

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 04:06:10 GMT

We haven't been able to go out in the desert as much as we'd like this month, but we did manage a trip to Fairview Valley to shoot some Lichen . John shot the picture above with an Olympus digital. The pictures on the main site were shot using a Nikon with 35mm color slide film.

The Mojave Preserve

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 00:47:43 GMT

Well, as promised, we did our wilderness camp in The Mojave Preserve, and I do mean WILDERNESS! There was nobody for miles, and some of the most awesome scenery I've ever seen. Everybody should try this at least once. Here's some links from the National Park Service and the U.S. Government to get you started.

John Stands on a Lava Flow

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 00:46:42 GMT