Category: Fun

Have A Happy, And Slightly Twisted, 2023 Holiday Season

Published / by adminjc

Following are some of my favorite Holiday music videos. You’ll find the entire spectrum from traditional to shall we say, unique. I hope you enjoy them.

Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You has been a very popular Christmas song for many years, enjoy.

Here are a couple of songs from Taylor Swift, Santa Baby and Christmas Tree Farm

Check out these very cute birds.

Lindsey Sterling, is an amazing hip-hop violinist with some great moves. Listen to her perform Joy to the World and if you’re wondering, this entire video was shot in France. And there’s also Angels We Have Heard on High and We Three Gentlemen.

Next is Pentatonix, an acappella group whose voices blend beautifully. Listen to their versions of My Favorite Things, Hallelujah, Little Drummer Boy, White Winter Hymnal and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

I’ve always been a big fan of Jewel’s music and poetry, and was fortunate enough to see her in concert once. Listen to her amazing voice as she sings Ave Maria, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night.

Celtic Woman sing Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and two other songs.

There’s always someone who thinks Christmas us just a bunch of Bah Humbug. This video is for you. I hope you enjoy Carol of the Old Ones.

My favorite irreverent Christmas song is The 12 Pains Of Christmas. Have a listen.

Karen Carpenter was an amazing singer, and left us all far too soon. Listen to Merry Christmas Darling by The Carpenters and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

I’ve always liked Gloria Estefan’s voice and music. I was even a member of the Press when she dedicated her statue to the Wax Museum in Buena Park, California. I have some great pictures of that event.

Christmas is more than presents and parties. It’s about reaching out to those in need, righting the wrongs in the world and putting the Christmas Spirit in all we do, all year long. In this video you’ll see wrongs that need to be righted, and successes that have been achieved. We can all do something, big or small, to help others. Go out and help others. Hear Silent Night and This Christmas by Gloria Estefan.

Many years ago there was a great Christmas special called “A Claymation Christmas.” It shows the amazing things that can be done with this form of animation. I hope you enjoy these videos, and remember, it’s all done with clay. Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer and Joy To The World.

The Piano Guys make some great music. Check out Carol Of The Bells and O come, O come, Emmanuel.

Another great piece of Christmas music is the Christmas Canon by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Is it really Christmas without hearing Madonna sing Santa Baby?

And finally, check out this drone show and this house using The Force to show you Star Wars Carol Of The Bells.

What’s your favorite holiday video?

Have a Great Holiday Season! Party on!!!

Have Fun,
Jeff

Eclipse – October 14, 2023

Published / by adminjc

I hope you were able to see the eclipse. I couldn’t get the special solar glasses, but life provides.

This image of the eclipse was provided by a bush just outside our front door.

And this image was created by the slots in our blind over one of our windows. Nature is truly amazing.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Tracking Fall Colors 2023

Published / by adminjc

Global Warming could make this an interesting season for fall colors. With the flooding, excessive heat and numerous wild fires, I’m not sure what to expect. Hopefully, the reds, yellows, oranges and other colors will be popping up soon, so grab your camera and take some great photographs of Mother Nature’s big show.

Click to enlarge

To help you get the most out of your shooting, I’ve updated my annual list of links about fall colors and where to find them. Since I live in Arizona, I’ve put together a special section for my state. But I also have an extensive listing for the rest of the country and a listing for Canada. There are also links to articles to help you take great photographs of Nature’s display of color.

As you go to these websites, you will often find many links to other sites. You could easily spend an entire day following link after link, or just go to the main pages I have listed here.

I hope you get some fantastic photographs this year. Feel free to leave a comment with a link to your images of changing colors. I’m sure everyone would love to see them. And if you have a favorite place to shoot that’s not on my list, let me know.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Leaves changing color
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Arizona

  • Fall Colors on the Coconino – This Coconino National Forest site explains why leaves change colors, what trees produce what colors, and hikes to see this wonder of nature.
  • Fall Colors in Arizona – Links to sites for fall colors, broken down by the month they change color.
  • Leaf-ometer – It tells how the leaves are changing around Flagstaff.
  • The Pinal Mountains near Globe offer several trails with maples, sumacs and sycamores that change color. Colors usually peak in late October. Check out the Ice House Canyon trial, Six-Shooter Canyon trail and the Pinal Mountain Range. Ice House can be hard to find, so get directions from the Ranger station in Globe.

The Rest Of The Country

There’s a National Fall Color Hotline too, 1-800-354-4595. Call this number and choose the area of the country you’re interested in and get information on leaf color, scenic drives, peak times for the colors and other fall activities.

Aspens on the Kachina Trail kachinatrail-0098
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Canada

Articles

Floating Purple Flowers

Published / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Last year we took a trip to southern California. One of the places we visited was The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. When I lived in California I visited here often. If you go, and really want to see and photograph everything, give yourself at least two days to see the gardens, and one day to see the museums. You won’t be disappointed.

Be aware that cameras and tripods are not allowed in some museums.

This photo was taken at a fountain near the main entrance. The blue flowers had fallen off of a bush, and the moving water in the fountain pushed all the blooms against these green plants. I also liked the shadows on the bottom of fountain. You will often see dragonflies and damselflies at this fountain too.

Click to enlarge

Also, check out their special events. I went there once for a Bonsai show, and stumbled onto a display of office furniture that belonged to William Herndon. He was Abraham Lincoln’s law partner, wrote the first biography of Lincoln and he’s my uncle. That was a very pleasant surprise.

This image was processed in ON1 Photo RAW.

If you want to save 20% when you purchase ON1 Photo RAW, or their plugins, just use my discount code, colburn20. The discount can’t be combined with other discounts.

You can purchase ON1 here https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz or sign up for a free 14-day trial.

ON1 also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, so there’s no risk to you.

Give ON1 a try, and save some money too.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Published / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Click to enlarge

Here is the greenest picture I have to celebrate this day. I took it last week at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Arizona.

Yes, the trees are really that green, and due to all the rain we’ve had, there’s a carpet of green clover-like plants covering the ground.

The trees are Chilean Palo Verde, Geoffroea decorticans, and are amazing to see in person.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Spending Your Christmas Money

Published / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

If you received cash, or a gift card, over the holidays, and don’t know what to get with it, check out my RedBubble shop. You can get a gift for yourself, or someone else, that’s both functional and attractive.

tote bag
Click to enlarge

Many items are available with my photographs on them, including:

  • T-shirts
  • Mugs
  • Phone cases
  • Laptop sleeves
  • Tote bags
  • Hoodies
  • And more
phone case
Click to enlarge

You can check out my shop at www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop

If you don’t see the photograph you’re looking for, let me know. I can always add it to my shop.

t-shirt
Click to enlarge

Have Fun,
Jeff

Have A Happy, And Slightly Twisted, 2022 Holiday Season

Published / by adminjc

Following are some of my favorite Holiday music videos. You’ll find the entire spectrum from traditional to shall we say, unique. I hope you enjoy them.

Lindsey Sterling, is an amazing hip-hop violinist with some great moves. Listen to her perform Joy to the World and if you’re wondering, this entire video was shot in France. And there’s also Angels We Have Heard on High and We Three Gentlemen.

Next is Pentatonix, an acappella group whose voices blend beautifully. Listen to their versions of My Favorite Things, Hallelujah, Little Drummer Boy, White Winter Hymnal and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

I’ve always been a big fan of Jewel’s music and poetry, and was fortunate enough to see her in concert once. Listen to her amazing voice as she sings Ave Maria, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night.

Celtic Woman sing Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and two other songs.

There’s always someone who thinks Christmas us just a bunch of Bah Humbug. This video is for you. I hope you enjoy Carol of the Old Ones.

My favorite irreverent Christmas song is The 12 Pains Of Christmas. Have a listen.

Karen Carpenter was an amazing singer, and left us all far too soon. Listen to Merry Christmas Darling by The Carpenters and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

I’ve always liked Gloria Estefan’s voice and music. I was even a member of the Press when she dedicated her statue to the Wax Museum in Buena Park, California. I have some great pictures of that event.

Christmas is more than presents and parties. It’s about reaching out to those in need, righting the wrongs in the world and putting the Christmas Spirit in all we do, all year long. In this video you’ll see wrongs that need to be righted, and successes that have been achieved. We can all do something, big or small, to help others. Go out and help others. Hear Silent Night and This Christmas by Gloria Estefan.

Many years ago there was a great Christmas special called “A Claymation Christmas.” It shows the amazing things that can be done with this form of animation. I hope you enjoy these videos, and remember, it’s all done with clay. Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer and Joy To The World.

The Piano Guys make some great music. Check out Carol Of The Bells and O come, O come, Emmanuel.

Another great piece of Christmas music is the Christmas Canon by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Is it really Christmas without hearing Madonna sing Santa Baby?

And finally, if you think you have a great light display on your house, check out this house and this one too.

What’s your favorite holiday video?

Have a Great Holiday Season! Party on!!!

Have Fun,
Jeff

Are You Looking For Unique Holiday Gifts?

Published / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

If you’re looking for some great, and unique, gifts for friends and family this holiday season, check out my gift offerings.

You’ll find all kinds of products with my photographs on them, including: T-shirts, mugs, bags, phone cases and more at my RedBubble shop www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop

Click to Enlarge

I also have several ebooks for photographers, writers, history buffs of the Old West and children www.jeffcolburn.com/jeffs-ebooks

Click to Enlarge

And, of course, there are my photographs to decorate the walls of your home oroffice www.jeffcolburn.com/photographs

photograph over couch
Click to Enlarge

You can order all of these online, from the comfort of your own home.

Happy Holidays,
Jeff

My Photos On RedBubble Products

Published / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

I have some great news. People have been asking me if my photographs are available on products, like T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etcetera, and now they are. I have created a shop on RedBubble at www.redbubble.com/people/jeffcolburn/shop

iPhone skin
iPhone Skin
click to enlarge

Here you will find many products with my photographs on them, and I will be adding more photographs too. Head on over and take a look. If you don’t see the photograph you’re looking for, let me know. I can always add it to my shop.

T-shirt
T-shirt
click to enlarge
Postcard
Postcard
click to enlarge
Water Bottle
Water Bottle
click to enlarge

Have Fun,
Jeff