Delta Daily Photo

Bill Has Moved

2008-10-07T18:14:00.001-06:00

I am now living in Baltimore Maryland with a couple of trips back to Delta each month, and will now be posting over at www.bwidailyphoto.com. Please take a peek and check out my new home!

Moose Hunting

2008-10-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

I flew on this plane from Grand Junction to Denver a couple of weeks ago. That day, Sara Palin was also speaking on the front range, and after hearing about her moose hunting past, I had a slight pause :)

Still Waters

2008-09-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just a lazy summer day.

Be Aware

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

Or ride the albino horse.....

He Went That A Way

2008-09-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

The rare albino horse went to the right.

Hiding Places

2008-09-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

This looks like a good place for a Mountain Lion to hide......

Mountain Lion Sighted

2008-09-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

Please used one of the bags provided to clean up any droppings you may find :)

Note, I have also started to post at www.bwidailyphoto.com

In Mirror Are Closer

2008-09-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Top down, fields flying by, rain threatening, classic rock cranking, daughter dancing in her seat, Mom must take picture!

Live Show

2008-09-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

I am not really sure why, but God seems to put on quite a show around here on a rather regular basis. Who needs TV, step outside and watch a live show!

Summer is Slipping Away

2008-09-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

Continuing from yesterdays post: Or you can watch for other signs....

Fall Clouds

2008-09-20T06:00:00.001-06:00

You can always tell when summer is slipping away by looking at the clouds......

Surprise!

2008-09-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

I was cleaning up shots after doing a batch of posting, and found a completely black shot. On a hunch I hit "I'm feeling Lucky" in Picasa, and out jumped this shot. It kind of set me back in my chair, and I found myself laughing out loud, so I thought I would share it with you :)

On another subject, today is the first day of a new job for me, and we will be moving to Baltimore Maryland as soon as we can sell our home in Delta. During that time, I will be living in the Baltimore area, coming home a couple of times a month. Not ideal, but you do what you gotta do.

I have setup a new blog at www.bwidailyphoto.com to start documenting our new adventure. If you live in Delta, and would like to take over Delta Daily Photo, please let me know. In the mean time, I do plan to continue posting as long as I can still generate material of interest.

Heading In The Right Direction

2008-09-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, my wife was out on the back patio when she came running into the house and in a rather panicked voice said: "There is a a a porky type thing out there"! My 10 year old gave her a rather interesting raised eyebrow look, and being the official handler of porky type things at our house, I grabbed my camera and ran out! This little guy took up a defensive position under one of our vehicles, right next to the tire, so I took out a long plastic pipe and attempted to move him out for a better shot (my wife thought my main objective was to get rid of him). Well it took a little prodding, and this guy/gal (I did not check), decided there was a bit too much activity at our household, and took off across the street and into a field. Unfortunately, none of my shots turned out all that well, but I did get this clear shot of the retreat.

Why is Algebra Important?

2008-09-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was waiting for the teacher to show up for my daughters Photography class, and I saw this sign, so of course I took a picture. As it turns out, there was no class that day, as it actually starts today! Timing is everything.

As it turns out, there is a contest going on in the school where students make posters explaining why Algebra is Important. This student is a shoe in if honesty is considered in the judging!

This also reminded me of a scene I saw on a TV show where a student lamented that they wanted to build a time machine and go back to stop the guy who invented Algebra. Another student commented that they just might need Algebra to build the time machine :) Not related, I just like geek humor :)

Dreams

2008-09-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last week was the 2nd annual Father Daughter Purity ball, and this year I was able to to take 3 of my daughters, and we had a ball! Good food, a good message, lots of dancing, and good talks. Dads, make sure you spend quality time with your daughters, you will not regret it!

This Hole Sponsored By

2008-09-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

If you are a long time visitor to DDP, you may recall my 4th post from August 26, 2006 was from Davis clothing. Well, they are still around, and sponsored this hole. Thanks Much! While I did not win the clubs for a hole in one, perhaps Brad will buy me a new ball to replace the one I managed to loose on this hole :)

The day was a success. There was fun:

Fun
Fellowship
Food
Prizes (I won a new club that I am sure will improve my fairway game (as if I had a fairway game)
I only lost 6 balls
Over $2000 was raised for STL.

Looking forward to next year if we are able to stay in Delta, but that will depend on how the interview goes today that I have down in Florida. Come to think about it, I am looking forward to next year regardless of how the interview goes......

Island of Green

2008-09-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

It is not as far as it looks....so they told me! One option was to hit to a green area out of the shot on the right, then over the hill, or if you were manly, just hit it over to the green.......Well I did not want to be non-manly, so I did not shoot to the right. I simply scalped the ball and hit it 20 feet or so into the desert where it was easily findable before it dropped into a ravine :)

Ah the advantages of a scramble. One of our team (who does not understand dead ends) was able to get a playable shot, and another ball was lost forever! (Not mine this time)

I Told You It Was a Dead End!

2008-09-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

I am certain that God was with us that day, otherwise more raking would have been needed in the sand trap after the cart extraction!

Speed The Light

2008-09-12T07:18:00.001-06:00

Our church is a big supporter of an organization called Speed The Light, which is a group that supplies transportation to missionaries. You need a backpack & boots to get to a village in Nepal? No Problem. Need a Bike to get around the town you are serving? No problem. Need a Land Rover to get through the African deserts? No problem. Need a plane to get in the far reaches of South America, let me check.....no problem! Basically they Speed the Light of the Gospel to the world!

Now, don't ever let anyone tell you that supporting missions is not fun! This past Saturday morning, men and women from all around Delta all paid in $50 to get into this 4 person scramble out at Devils Thumb Golf Course. Notice the irony? Here everyone is out at the driving range, getting ready for the event. While I was not able to get a picture of it, perhaps the funniest thing I saw was a heard of antelope in the driving range at about 200 yards. They were completely oblivious to the golf balls flying, or mine that were rolling by :)

Will Drum For Food!

2008-09-11T06:00:00.001-06:00

As seen on the trailer for the brass band we saw in Silverton. There was no admission price, so perhaps this is truth!

Silverton Train

2008-09-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

We got down to see the Silverton train come into town, and I never tire of that.

Silverton Brass Band

2008-09-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Who knew the SLR was considered a brass instrument! I could be in the band!

Calling All Delta Low Lifes

2008-09-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

If this sign was directed at you, please follow the instructions.

Cool Water

2008-09-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cold water is $.50 extra :)

Dunk Tank

2008-09-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Being able to dunk the adults at your school is about as good as it gets for an elementary school student. Of course if the student is not able to hit the target, there is another adult around to make sure the water leaves the tank.

Mesa Flowers

2008-09-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

It was hot in Delta, but 5000 feet higher on Grand Mesa, the air was cooler, and the flowers found that to their liking.

Swimming Hole

2008-09-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

Ready to take a dip?

Beware of Ducks

2008-09-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Right! Keep me covered. What with? W-- just keep me covered. Too late! What? There he is! Where? There! What, behind the duck It is the duck. You silly sod! What? You got us all worked up! Well, that's no ordinary duck! Ohh. That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered water foul you ever set eyes on! You tit! I soiled my armour I was so scared! Look, that duck's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! Get stuffed! He'll do you up a treat, mate. Oh, yeah? You mangy Scots git! I'm warning you! What's he do, peck your bum? He's got huge, sharp-- eh-- he can leap about-- look at the bones! Go on, Bors. Chop his head off! Right! Silly little bleeder. One Duck A La Range comin' right up! Look! Aaaugh!

Certain things trigger deep but completely insignificant memories. Who ever first guesses where the above was adapted from gets some free DDP swag. Check back after posting your guess to see if you won!

Face Lift

2008-09-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

It is interesting to take different routes than you are use to. I always saw this apartment building from the other side, but this day found them hard at work, giving the place a new face lift. It is good to see the people of Delta putting effort in to preserving this wonderful town.

Olathe Sweet Corn

2008-09-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Boiled or grilled, Olathe Sweet Corn is the perfect side to a Labor Day picnic. Happy Labor Day everyone!

This Road

2008-08-31T07:19:00.001-06:00

I mistook the lower right hand picture to include a Convertible G6, as they kind of look the same. This was not a correct interpretation as I soon found out.

This is not 141

2008-08-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

It is probably best we mark things as they are, as opposed to what they are not.....

Be Sure of Your Target

2008-08-29T07:13:00.001-06:00

I wonder what was standing behind the sign......

Sole Aggression

2008-08-28T07:31:00.001-06:00

Last night, a heavy metal Christian band named Sole Aggression came and played a concert for our youth group. They are aptly named! Perhaps the funniest thing I saw that evening was a constant parade of people going in and out of the concert rubbing their ears, especially the adults. I think it had been a long time since most had been at a heavy metal concert. The kids however were having a great time.

During the show, between songs, the band members would talk, warning the kids about the dangers of drugs, and how drugs and sex won't fill the void they may be feeling, but that the love of Jesus can. The last to speak was the drummer, and he talked about having come close to suicide when he was 19, but how God lead him out of that. As a result, 9 kids gave their life to God for the first time in their lives, and the band ended with one of the most inspired worship sets I have ever heard. Being aggressive for soles made a difference last night.

Property Lines

2008-08-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

I suspect this fence is more for keeping people from falling off the property as opposed to keeping people out.

Fields of Mud

2008-08-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

The mud crop was very good this year......

No Boots!

2008-08-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

I wonder why we need to go barefoot......

Moving Water

2008-08-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Moving water through this arid countryside can require some ingenuity.

Delta From A Distance - 2 Years Later

2008-08-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today marks 2 years of posting on DDP. When I started, I figured I would do this for a year, but that was all. At the one year point, I stopped for a week or so, but found I needed to post, and I don't have any plans to stop now, unless my job takes me to a new place I need to show you.

While traffic on my blog has not been huge, there are a number of you who come back very frequently, and your comments are very much appreciated. It is really a family of sorts. Thanks much for your support

That little green splotch at the end of Black Canyon and at the foot of Grand Mesa is, you guessed it, Delta, the subject of most of my posting for the past two years.

Ouch

2008-08-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Best not to leave your children unattended.

Good Morning Delta

2008-08-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

A new day has begun. Yesterday I got hit by the layoff bus again at AOL, and today I find myself looking at a new beginning. The cool mornings are a good way to clear the head and get a new perspective on life. Good sunrises don't hurt either!

Now, if you know of anyone looking for a very experienced Database Architect, DBA manager, problem solver, or photographer, please point them my way.

It will be fun to see what God has planned!

School Begins

2008-08-20T08:51:00.000-06:00

Today is a big day in delta. The streets are full of busses again, and parents all around town are letting out a sigh of relief! Let the fun begin!

Transitional Species - Missing Link Found

2008-08-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

And it was purple with big floppy ears, could walk erect, and read poetry! If you zoom in for detail, you will probably conclude that this guy won't make it to the Natural History museum.

Up Up And Away!

2008-08-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

Funnel Cake, please stay down.

No Manure

2008-08-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, unexpected issues arise, and new signs are needed.

Wrong Way Piggy

2008-08-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Could you move your ear please.....

Sheep Showing

2008-08-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

These kids were entered in the Sheep Showing contest. It was a battle between the kids and the sheep, and for the most part, the kids won! Our friend Kasey in the center of the shot took second place. Good job Kasey!

Frozen Pickle Juice

2008-08-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

The Delta County fair was in town last week, and this caught my eye. I don't know if you pay them, or they pay you........

Be All You Can Be!

2008-08-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Are you all you can be?

Don't Mess With Delta

2008-08-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

There was a new sheriff(s) in town this past week!

I've Got Your Back Big Guy

2008-08-11T06:28:00.001-06:00

I have talked before about the vendors that setup outside Delta Super, and last week a new one showed up with a very interesting mix of metal art. The owner, Dan, told me that he use to have a store in Grand Junction known as Rattles & Rust, but overhead was an issue, so he has started doing more of these sorts of sales. He says that he plans to be in Delta once a month or so, and I look forward to his visits. So if you need a wire cowboy, road runner, chicken, suite of armor, Harley Davidson sigh, or a cow scull, I have the place for you! If you really need them all, I am sure he would deal! I will show a few more pics of his offerings this week.

Good Marketing People Are Worth Every Dollar

2008-08-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here lies Boris A. Parkridge, a devoted father and husband, well respected in the community and.....(What's that? Its a subdivision entrance sign? backspace, backspace, backspace) Sitting high on Garnet Mesa in Delta Colorado is a lovely new single family housing development known as Parkridge. The new homes are affordable, close to good schools and.....

Alternate Transportation

2008-08-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Guys, I tell ya, this thing will really take us south, and we won't need to do all that flying! Trust me! Where you going? Come back!

Dressing Delta Up

2008-08-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

There is a crew of people who get out early each morning to care for the many flower arrangements that grace Main Street. Their efforts are appreciated by many!

I See You

2008-08-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Can you see me?

Lands End

2008-08-06T06:42:00.001-06:00

High a top Grand Mesa, at the end of a long dirt road, there is a place called Lands End, where the land basically..... ends. Actually it is the edge of Grand Mesa, and from this spot, you can look down a couple of thousand feet into the valley. However, if you turn around, and look back over the mesa, you realize how very large it really is. From what I understand, Grand Mesa is the largest flat top mountain in the world, so what you are looking at in this shot is not Nebraska, it is a mountain top!

Perhaps he should have been more careful

2008-08-05T09:17:00.000-06:00

I found myself interviewing in Baltimore recencly, and got a laugh out of the hotel name.

Stay Dry

2008-08-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

They did not follow instructions :)

The Snow Effect

2008-08-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Heavy winter snows make for good wildflowers!

Colleen Wins!

2008-08-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

I am not sure what the game was, but I think she won! Please zoom in for details.

Road Closed

2008-08-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

The road was still blocked by snow in the high country, but walking is just as fun! Those clouds do look like they want to add to the snow however!

Obstacles

2008-07-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

Getting to and from Silver basin is not without difficulty. Decisions such as going over the suspect looking bridge or through the river must be made….

Follow The Leader

2008-07-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Suburbans are not typically the best 4 wheelers, but our little caravan did just fine.

Storm Clouds

2008-07-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

Storm clouds surrounded Silver Basin, but they could not obscure the distant peaks.

Glacier Milk

2008-07-28T08:04:00.001-06:00

In some places, water this color is called Glacier Milk. What ever you call it, the flowers seem to like it!

This was taken on a trip to Silver Basin (Above Ouray) last Saturday. We have a foreign exchange student from Japan living with us for a month, and we are doing a tour of some of the places near Delta. I will be posting more shots from the Silver Basin trip as well as some of the other trips we take, and hope you enjoy the tour.

Looking West

2008-07-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

There are nights I walk outside at sunset, and simply say "wow".

Rotating Stock

2008-07-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes moving the older stock to the front does not help it move faster.....

Lost Creek

2008-07-25T06:00:00.002-06:00

I was able to do some backpacking in Lost Creek this month, and was treated to a very special sunset.

Waiting Is Good

2008-07-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

There is a good reason that the game did not start until 6:30pm!

Waiting For The Game

2008-07-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

My daughter Kelly is ready to play softball!

A Very Grand Mesa

2008-07-22T06:00:00.002-06:00

Grand Mesa lived up to it's name on this warm summer evening.

Night Vision

2008-07-21T06:00:00.002-06:00

July brought the Christian Night Vision concert to Olathe again this year, and even though a strong gust of wind shut down the main stage, a smaller stage was setup within a hour, and the event continued with a number of main stream Christian artists including "Mercy Me". It seems that God even approved buy sending a good backdrop!

Fireside

2008-07-20T06:00:00.002-06:00

A stream side picnic is a good way to spend a summer afternoon in the mountains of Colorado.

Cascade Falls

2008-07-19T06:00:00.002-06:00

I wonder how many "Cascade Falls" there are in Colorado. This one down at the edge of town in Ouray is worth the 5 min walk.

Window Washing

2008-07-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes having a car between you and the parade is a good idea!

All Wet

2008-07-17T17:01:00.002-06:00

Life kind of got in the way of my postings, but I am back at it, picking up back on the 4th of July in Ouray. The parade seems to get to be more of a water fight each year, and this year was not exception. This guy seems somewhat out gunned!

The North Side of Town

2008-07-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

There are a series of small mesas around Delta, and they can give you a different perspective of town.

Yet Another Sunset

2008-07-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sunsets in Delta are routinely spectacular!

Waiting For The Cameraman

2008-07-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

My wife decided to go with me on a photo drive one evening, and she decided not to venture down to the river bank with me, so I shot her....so to speak :)

Reflections

2008-07-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

The waters are not quite still as the sun sinks in the west.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T23:16:00.004-06:00

We spent the day down in Ouray for a good old fashion 4th of July, complete with parade, fighter jet fly over, games, a cookout, and fireworks. There is nothing like the rumble of fireworks as they roll down the canyon. Zoom in for details in this shot!

Blankets

2008-07-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

It seems the most of the summer, there is some vendor setup in the parking lot of the Delta Super, and this summer evening is no exception. Zoom in for detail.

Barns

2008-07-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Growing up I recall playing in an old barn of this sort that I am not sure we were supposed to be in. It has been a few years.

Complex Rules

2008-07-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

I was having a hard time following the rules of my girls softball team until I realized that we were following the complex rules. Perhaps next year they will play at a park with simple rules, and our dog can play short stop.......

Today is theme day, and the theme is "NO Signs". Check out others here:

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Sundown

2008-06-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

Gold rules the day, for a few minutes anyway.

Trails

2008-06-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

The trail to Mountain View park gets a bit interesting along the way.

Summer Ice

2008-06-28T08:44:00.007-06:00

The water levels of the Gunnison have gone down, and it is back to it's meandering ways.

Redneck Kitchen

2008-06-27T21:44:00.002-06:00

Background: The relatives on my father's side of the family are fairly straight forward Belgian with Italian roots. My mothers side however is a mix of Polish & Hillbilly. My wife has a French Canadian background.

During our remodel of our house outside of Denver these past 2 weeks, we put all the appliances out on the road to get picked up as we were replacing them. When my friend from Minnesota saw my daughter Rose cooking on a grill that was on the ground, he got the idea of grabbing the dolly, and pulling the stove back off the road to use as a table.

So, my French Canadian, Belgian, Italian, Polish, Hillbilly daughter saw no issue using a glass cook top oven to hold the propane grill hooked up to our motorhome to cook the evening meal. I guess the Hillbilly kicked in, and we got the Redneck Kitchen. Said with all due respect :)

Now, it is my friend from Minnesota I should worry about, as it was his idea!

Girls Softball

2008-06-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

We have two of our girls in softball this spring, and it is great fun to watch. One would think it would be boring, but that is far from the case. It is fast pitch softball, base stealing is allowed, and throwing is more natural than catching. I don't ever think I have witnessed a player get three strikes (not foul balls) and score in the same at bat before, but it can happen in this league, especially when 4 errors are made in one play! It goes like this:

Swing and strike III...but the pitch was wild, and the catcher missed!
RUN! Who me? RUN!
Wild throw to first!
Hey I made it!
RUN! Who me?
Missed throw to 2nd!
Hey I made it!
RUN! Who me?
Wild throw to third!
Hey I made it! Do I keep running?
YES!!!
SCORE!

Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of that play, but it was one of the funniest plays I have ever watched :)

We Want A Pitcher

2008-06-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Not a fast spinning rubber wheel that plugs into an electric outlet behind the pitchers mound......hey, that thing is rather cool, I wonder if I could make one.........

Apocalypse Now

2008-06-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

As I made the final approach home, I was somewhat surprised buy a "thump thump thump" followed by this helicopter cresting the trees right in front of me. My first glimpse was head on as it pulled steaply up. It had a bar across the front which at first glance looked like a bracket to hold canons (not cameras) . It turns out to be a crop duster! I turned down the next road to try to get a better shot, but alas, I had the wrong camera for this job, and nothing could capture that first feeling.

In any case, zoom in and take a look. I had never seen anything like this before.

You never know what you will find on an early morning bike ride. I hope you have enjoyed my ride around Delta over the past nine days.

Elks in the Distance

2008-06-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

The Elk Mountains make for a calming early morning backdrop.

Bovine Careers

2008-06-16T06:00:00.001-06:00

When you need to check the health of your grass, simply call in Quality Control cow for an opinion!

Hard Up For A Beach

2008-06-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Delta is not blessed with very many swim beaches, but you need to be rather desperate to play in an irrigation ditch!

How To Photograph a Skunk

2008-06-14T06:00:00.001-06:00

As I rode down the trail, I noticed a black animal ahead, so of course I pulled out the camera and gave chase. About the time I figured out what it was, the back end was pointed my way, and I peddled hard with one hand on the handle bars, the other on the camera. Sorry it is a bit blurry, but I was not ready to stop to steady the camera :)

For the record, it missed me!

Trail Closed

2008-06-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

This trail leads down to the geo-cache I posted shots of a few months back, and today I got an alert about the cache that the contents are spread all over the place and the container gone, due to the flood. Fortunately, that is the only damage I have heard of so far this spring.

Note, I will be away for the next week or two, and don't know when I will be back to comment on your blogs. Hopefully I have pre-posted enough pictures to cover the time I will be gone.

Still Life

2008-06-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

There is no movement in the ponds early this morning.

Early Morning Picnic

2008-06-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

A warm summer morning is the perfect time for a picnic for the regulars at the park.

Silver Linings

2008-06-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

They say every cloud has a silver lining, and this one is no exception, giving promise to a new day.

This is the first in a series taken over a one hour bike ride around Delta last Sunday morning. I need to get the bike out more!

Put Your Left Foot In

2008-06-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Take your Left foot out, put your left foot in, and shake it all about....You on the right, I said your LEFT foot......