My 7 Super Shots

A special welcome to those of you from Tales of a Mountain Mama! I hope you’ll make yourself at home, take a look around and hang out for a while.

Today I’m having a little fun reminiscing. Thanks to Sarah V. of Wandering Off for inviting me to participate in Hostelbooker’s 7 Super Shots game. To play, I must choose a photo in each of seven pre-chosen categories, write a short description of each, then nominate five more bloggers to do the same.

No problem, right? Here goes:

1. A photo that … takes my breath away

No matter how many times I see this view – the Tunnel View in Yosemite Valley – I never tire of it. It is humbling and reassuring at the same time. I try to take a family picture every time we visit, but this one remains one of my favorites.

2. A photo that … makes me laugh or smile

I have an 8×10 print of this photo hanging in my bedroom; I love it that much. It captures the essence of my two boys, at least at that moment in time. The Big Explorer saying something silly with his fists full of sand, and little brother thrilled to be included in the excitement.

3. A photo that … makes me dream

I don’t often have the opportunity to capture either of my kids having a pensive moment like this one. In it, The Big Explorer is gazing at the Pacific Ocean one early January morning. I see the endless possibilities that are his future. And I can’t help but dream a little.

4. A photo that … makes me think

We took our first trip to the E.R. this past Thanksgiving when The Little Explorer gouged his eyebrow open on a rock while we were playing along the river near our cabin in Yosemite National Park. That experience prompted me to second-guess my sense of invulnerability, since we often go adventuring in nature without the company of another adult.

5. A photo that … makes my mouth water

Strawberry picking is a favorite springtime activity around these parts. Of course, when you go strawberry picking with kids, you gotta expect that a ton of berries will get eaten straight off the vine. That’s what makes it so fun, right?!

6. A photo that … tells a story

Ah, the joy of unstructured outdoor play. Give a kid a cardboard box and watch the fun ensue.

7. A photo that … I am most proud of (aka my worthy-of-National Geographic shot)

I have probably taken hundreds of photos of mule deer in Yosemite over my lifetime. None have come even close to the beauty of this one. The warm tones, the perfect glance at the perfect moment – and the fact that I took this shot in the meadow in front of our cabin.

OK, on to the final step of this little game. I must nominate five bloggers to join the fun. Here is my awesome and eclectic list of nominees (with apologies in advance to those who’d rather not play along):

Adventure Tykes
Exploring Portland’s Natural Areas
Remarkably Domestic
Travel Mamas
Walk Simply