Keep the Sea Free of Debris
Art Credit: Madison Wrightsville Beach School 4th grade
Heron Soaring
Apex Community Park.
Drying
Cormorant drying in the sunshine after several days of heavy rain at Apex Community Park.
Saxapahaw Vine
Haw River at Saxapahaw Island Park
Planting a white Natchez Crape Myrtle tree at our home on January 26, 2024.
Hybrid Bus
New York City hybrid buses use compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and some are using diesel -electric motors.
Collin' Off
Summer camp enjoying fountain at New York City park in Manhattan along Hudson River near Intrepid Museum.
Outer Banks
Lots of speed boats and sail boats observed off coastal VA-NC as we flew at an altitude of 8,000 feet on July 4th, 2023.
Coastal VA-NC
Skirting the Thunderstorms
The American Airlines pilot flying between NYC and RDU avoided several large clouds flying at 8,000 feet,
Roadway cleanup
Our son’s Y13-15 baseball coach invited us to join the clean up along Richardson Road in Apex, NC for the Adopt-A-Highway program. Two groups covered both sides of the two mile stretch of road within about two hours. Our bags were very full collecting lots of debris including beer cans and fast food trash.
Geologist At Work
My friend Dr. Gerry Stirewalt, whom I met 43 years ago when I was a college student, points to a picture of basaltic rocks at Hell’s Half Acre near Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Wildflower Grows in Basaltic Rocks
My botanist friend Roy Woodward shared information on this wildflower: Tufted Evening-Primrose (Oenothera caspitosa). It’s fragrant white flowers open at night are pollinated by moths and close in the morning appear pink.
Great Blue Heron
This Great Blue Heron perched in the early morning at Apex, NC Community Park, just half a mile away from Costco!
Pileated Woodpeckers
Two male Pileated woodpeckers visited our backyard in central North Carolina.
The Big Oak
The 337 year old oak tree in Thomasville, Georgia - see related blog.
Guilford Woods
The Guilford College Woods in Greensboro, NC are preserved for their beauty and historical significance.
Guilford Woods2
Great Ride
Enjoying a bike ride through the Cary, NC greenspace.
Instructor's Favorite Ear
Professor Bronwyn Tucker with the Guilford College Environmental and Sustainability Studies program shows her favorite colorful ear of Kentucky Rainbow corn.
Waterfall Shower
The boy hiked 1.5 miles in the Pisgah National Forest to shower in the Moore Cove waterfall near Brevard, NC.
Going Up
Climbing on slate above the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Richland Balsam, NC overlook at 6,053 feet.
How's It Hanging?
The boys enjoy hanging out in the Cascades Preserve, NC forest.
Beautiful
Kanokrat took a selfie capturing the light rays spreading through the Cascades Preserve forest!
Cabbage Harvest
Ann and Walt Trout with Two Fishes Farm picking cabbage at the community garden on July 20, 2021 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Community Gardening
Ann Trout and a volunteer are harvesting tomatoes at the Two Fishes Community Garden in Grand Junction, Colorado.
GreenFriends Tree Planting
See related blog about Greenfriends. This photo provided by Jacquie Ostrom shown on the right for planting trees in Denver, Colorado on May 15, 2021.
Brian with Denver Parks employee and with him are Arati and Shankari.
Koi Feeding
A neighbor feeds the koi fish at the local pond.
Moka Walking AJ
Out for a walk in the Nawamin neighborhood park.
Happy Sign
Other side of sign at the Bangkok Crystal Design Center CDC.
Inspiration
A sign showing positive affirmations at the Bangkok Crystal Design Center (CDC).
Elephant Water Fountain
At the Bankampu Tropical Cafe in Navamin, Bangkok Thailand, the water feature with elephant statues and mist.
Spirit Statues
A collection of statues for a spirit house in our Navamin Bangkok community neighborhood.
Fishing for Small Fry
This Thai fisherman in a stagnant Bangkok pond caught 3 inch long fish that he will fry and dry with salt.
Net Fishing in the Deeper Water
A Thai man works his net in a Bangkok lake.
Traditional Thai Home
This Bangkok home now used for weddings is open air made from Teak wood in a natural setting.
Monitor Lizard
We saw this large lizard about 5 feet in length in a Bangkok park on May 16, 2021.
Shiny Bark and Leaves
Monsoonal rainfall illuminates this tree in Bangkok.
Flowering Tree at Sunrise
A Bangkok tree with flowers on top at 6:15 am in May 2021.
Yellow Bells
Flowering tree in Bangkok, Thailand
Star Flower
This flowering tree produces white star flowers in our Navamin, Bangkok neighborhood.
Nature's Bouquet
Multi-colored flowers blooming in Bangkok, Thailand.
Flowering Fern
Orange flowers on fern tree in our Navamin Bangkok suburban neighborhood.
Orange Bells
Flowering tree in Bangkok, Thailand
Tea Street Vendor
A Bangkok woman selling tea.
Street Food
A Bangkok woman cooks and sells fish and other foods for breakfast. One fish on a stick costs 20 Bhat or about $0.66 each.
Lemonade Foodstall
Along a street in Navamin Bangkok travel two woman going to make and sell lemonade and other Thai drinks.
Going to Work
Along Navamin Bangkok street.
Motorcyclist Delivers Dry-cleaning
Door-to-door dry-cleaning delivery service on a motorcycle to a Bangkok, Thailand suburb.
Elephant Shrine
A statue for the Thai elephant as a symbol of fortune is firmly rooted as the people speed by on a motorcycle.
Family Riders
Thai parents taking their young daughter for a motorcycle ride on the streets of Navamin in Bangkok.
Motorcycle Delivery
Man on motorcycle with large box on back in Bangkok, Thailand.
Propane Pro
A brave Thai man delivers propane in the Bangkok Sukhumvit area on May 15, 2021.
Dusters for Sale
A Thai man with a New York hat sells handmade cleaning items from his bike cart.
Boy on Motorcycle Crosses Road with Elephant in Ayruttaya, Thailand
EV Tuk Tuk
On this narrow Bangkok street, an electric vehicle Tuk Tuk ready to roll. Photo on May 16, 2021.
Boundary of Affluence
This street in Navamin, Bangkok Thailand shows a new “exclusive” condo housing development costing from 35.9 to 80 million Bhat (or about $1.2 to $2.7 million) with housing area ranging between 427 to 737 square meters (4600 to 8000 square feet). Contrasting the older neighborhood on the left shows slum like conditions with homes, warehouses, and businesses.
Wires at Sunset
Cable wires glowing at sunset on a Navamin, Bangkok street in May 2021.
Wires and Vines
Cable wires are covered with vines in this Navamin Bangkok suburb in May 2021.
Solar Park
Solar panels installed to run pumps for watering and aeration of pond water.
Bangkok, Thailand
National Housing Authority Botanical Park
Dok Koon
Yellow flowering tree in Kaset Navamin, Bangkok, Thailand
Let's e-Go!
An experimental electric vehicle EV at the Bangkok International Motor Show.
Lotus Pond
Enjoying the meditation center’s lotus pond in Bangkok, Thailand.
Scooter Jumping
A.J. jumps his new scooter after we moved to Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok Trees
In the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, trees grow around, on sides, and on top of many buildings.
Student Painting
Our 6th grade son painted this plant outdoors at school. He said it went from nothing to something. At first he had a large green blob and the teacher suggested he add the dark and light lines to show the contrast of the plant.
Electric Ferry Boats
In November 2020, the City of Bangkok, Thailand began operating electric ferry boats. We rode for free from the Hua Lamphong Railway Station Pier to adjacent to the Chao Phraya River which takes about 30 minutes. The boats are recharged from solar panels and plug in electric charging.
Bangkok Electric Ferry Boats recharging
First Orangutan Hugs and Kisses!
Safari World in Bangkok offers photos with a very friendly Orangutan!
Staredown
This Bengal Tiger at Safari World has us locked in!
We've been waiting!
We returned to Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand on 17 December 2020 with the last visit as an infant.
Feed the Animals
Wetlands
We explored this Thailand National Park on land by boat in December 11, 2020.
Thailand National Park
Located at Amphoe Sam Roi Yot south of Hua Hin.
Flying
Zipline Adventure at the Flying Hanuman park in Phuket, Thailand in December 2018.
Thrilling
Zipline Adventure in Phuket, Thailand.
Thai pool
In Hua Hin, Thailand swimming pool next to Gulf on December 9, 2020.
Fall hiking
Above 9,000 feet between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado we hike in the old mines area.
Ouray Fall
At Ouray, Colorado along Uncompahgre River on November 1, 2020
Ute Mountain Ute Reservation
Located along Cottonwood Wash near Blanding, Utah.
Uranium
Uranium minerals in mine at Cottonwood Wash, Utah
Measuring water flow
A weir is used to measure flow of Cottonwood Wash.
Sunrise on the San Juan River
Sunrise on October 10, 2020 at Bureau of Land Management campground at Sand Island.
Mule Deer
Abundant mule deer at U.S. Forest Service campground near Monticello, Utah.
River Jumpers
An outdoors river group associated with the Four Corners Geological Society raft and jump together on the San Juan River!
Floating the San Juan River
A.J. and Carolyn enjoy a beautiful fall day on the San Juan River near Bluff, Utah.
Cottonwood Wash/Creek at San Juan River
The Cottonwood Wash is dry and when water is flowing it enters the San Juan River at this location in Bluff, Utah.
Petroglyph Tour of Sand Island
Today we hiked at Sand Island along the San Juan River near Bluff, Utah to see petroglyphs!
Petroglyph Rock Art
Trail sign at Sand Island campground near Bluff, Utah.
Ancient Rock Art and Modern Graffiti
Panel of petroglyphs at Sand Island near Bluff, Utah.
Rose of Sharon blooming with drip irrigation
Rose of Sharon at Sunrise
Our white roses, Rose of Sharon - Minerva, are blooming! We water with drip irrigation. With 7 bushes we have many thousands of flowers to brighten our day with complements from the neighbors!
Swallowtail Butterfly
We planted several varieties of lavender including edible plants which this butterfly is enjoying!
White Rose
Rose of Sharon at sunrise grown with drip irrigation.
Wild Turkey
Turkey takes flight near our house by the Colorado River
Deer eating bird seed in front yard
Neighborhood Buck
Community Garden Toad
Orka Encounter
Sea World in San Diego, California
Orka Encounter
Sea World in San Diego, California
Sting Ray
Sting Ray with a happy face at Sea World in San Diego, California
Touch the Manta
Kids manta ray touching pool at Sea World in San Diego, CA on December 27, 2019.
Sea Turtles
At Sea World in San Diego, CA.
Fire at night
The Pine Gulch fire began on Friday, July 31 from lightening strike has grown to burning 30,000 acres as of last night at 9 pm, August 10th when photo was taken. Smoke is affecting the Grand Valley all the way to the Front Range. Over 500 people are working on the fire that began on Bureau of Land Management property which spread to private land.
Photo with Canon EOS Rebel T7, f5.6 with 30 sec exposure on tripod.
First Wake Board Lesson
See related video as A.J. learns enjoys the cool lake water.
Pine Gulch Fire
Photo of wildfire from my back porch in the Redlands area of Grand Junction, Colorado. The Pine Gulch fire captured one week after fire began causing bad air quality and poses a threat to wildlife and the forest on public and private land.
Morning Jumps
Sunrise on August 17, 2020 in Grand Junction.
A.J. at the bike park in Fruita, Colorado
Catching some air while wearing the mask!
Enjoying the Lazy River
The new lazy river feature at Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction, Colorado
Paddling around
Enjoying the new butterfly pond at Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction while staying protected by wearing masks.
Pink Super Moon Over Colorado National Monument
The Supermoon set at 6:55 am over the Colorado National Monument as the Sun rose to illuminate the Wingate Sandstone. See Blog for more details.
Electric vehicle charging station
Burbank Water and Power installed this EV charging station for two vehicles that can park for two hours.
Telsa in Burbank, CA
Our son test drives a Tesla Model X in the showroom.
Lake Mead 2014
Lake Mead shrinking supply of Colorado River water for Las Vegas.
Om
Meditative Sunset Beach Art at the Cliff House in San Francisco on November 15, 2009
Cold Bath
Our boy gets wet despite the cold water at Aspen’s John Denver park.
Front lawns in Los Angles, California with artificial grass
Who would guess in trendy Burbank, California with home prices in this neighborhood around $600,000 and up that neighbors would join together to install artificial grass?
Irrigation water recycled at Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University in Malibu, California conserves precious fresh water supplies for landscaping with 100% recycled water "Giving Water a Second Life."
IAEA delegation to Jordan Ministry of Water and Irrigation
Jordan child knows every drop of water is precious
Photo from Jordan’s Ministry of Water
Dead Sea on Jordanian side with view towards Israel
Dead Sea sign
Cistern talk for water storage
Pregnant Camel walking along road
View to North of Amman
Photo taken from Citadel hill showing buildings with water tank storage on rooftops.
Citadel Roman Ruins in Amman, Jordan with water catchment
The Open Cistern "Birka"
This open water tank built in 730 A.D. collected up to 48,000 cubic feet of rain water contained water proof plaster to limit leakage!
Jordan
Amman, Jordan on August 10, 2018 view from Citadel Hill of Roman coliseum and current city.
Muiden
Town of Muiden in North Holland on October 18, 2018
Amsterdam Canal
Sea level rise is flooding beautiful Amsterdam!
Amsterdam Canal
Beautiful Amsterdam is flooding due to climate change!
Blown Away
Modern Art at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam!
Water Wheel
Amsterdam’s Science Museum demonstrates a water wheel with jets filling buckets from above creating centrifugal motion.
Let's Make a Rocket
Science Museum in Amsterdam teaches kids how to mix chemicals for safely launch a test-tube rocket!
Greenfriends planting 1 million trees
Freedom
Independence Day week in D.C. 2018.
E-bike and E-scooter in D.C.
My son and I enjoyed visiting Washington, D.C. on July 4, 2018 when the area was closed to motor vehicles! Electric bike and scooter were the way to go. Photo taken my my wife Kanokrat Sukthon.
Naturalized Citizen
Looking back at our visit to the U.S. Capitol on July 7, 2018, we could never have imagined how special this trip was and it will never be forgotten!
A Sustainable Future
Riding a bike along the Colorado River past the SmartFlower at Sorrel Ranch near Moab, Utah.
Smart Flower at Sorrel River Ranch in Moab, Utah
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus in Berkeley, California
Recycling Water for Irrigation
Landscaping in Carlsbad, California requires commercial facilities to use recycled gray water.
Fossils
Collecting 48 million year old Green River Formation fish fossils at Douglas Pass at 9,000 feet near Rangely, Colorado.
Fossil Collecting
At Douglas Pass, Colorado in September 2018 we found fish fossils!
Senator Michael Bennet and Bill Dam
Met at Town Hall on 2-20-2020
Wind Turbines
At Mapleton, Utah south of Salt Lake City are wind turbines.
Long Beach Harbor Container Shipping
Long Beach, California is one of largest container ports in US.
Electric Transmission for Seawater Desalinization Plant
Seawater Desalinization Plant in Carlsbad, California requires significant electric power.
Mud Flats
Gulf of Thailand during low tide exposes sand and mud flats.
Seawater Desalinization Plant
Seawater Desalinization Plant in Carlsbad, California requires significant electric power.
Yellowstone Hot Springs
Pool Bliss
Fun at a hotel pool!
Magical Waters
At Hua Hin, Thailand swimming next to Gulf of Thailand.
Colorado National Monument
Snow clouds moving east
Teton Glacier
Photo from September 2019.
Teton Glacier Shrinking
A photo at Teton National Park displaying climate change reducing the size of the glacier.
Yellowstone Falls
Early morning photo of Yellowstone Falls and River in September 2019.
Jenny Lake at Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Hot Springs
Climate Action at Colorado Mesa University
Irrigation Canal
Colorado River water flows into Grand Junction irrigation canal used primarily for landscaping.
The Lunch Loop Trail
Mountain Biking in Grand Junction, CO.
Airplane View of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Bridge
Water level declines in Lake Mead shown by white “bathtub” rim over past 35 years.
Catch a water drop by the tongue.
This little boy is enjoying the water fountain near Lake Las Vegas.
Snowball Christmas Tree at Arches National Park
Landing over Great Salt Lake
Flying into Salt Lake City at dusk!
Sunset flight from LAX
View of Channel Islands National Park.
Snow Melt
Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado on March 21, 20202.
Colorado National Monument
After a brief snowstorm, the clouds moved quickly to the east.
Sunrise
A beautiful sunrise on a chilly March morning.
First Fish
Our son catches his first fish, a Small Mouth Bass, in Grand Junction,
Sunrise over the Grand Valley, Colorado
View from the Colorado National Monument at sunrise showing Grand Mesa, Bookcliffs, and Colorado River.
Grand Valley
A boy sees the Western Slope of Colorado on the first day of spring 2020.
Snowflake Tasting
On February 22, 2015, recalling the Barney song, “If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes, oh what a snow if would be. I would stand outside with my mouth open wide, Ah ah-ah…”
Nice Tarantula
Holding a tarantula spider at the Grand Junction Math and Science Center in June 2015.
Colorado River Contrasts
The Grand Valley depends upon the Colorado River as does many other communities. The foreground southern side shows the arid desert landscape while the distant northern side shows the irrigated fields.
Tree Swing
A boy enjoys swinging near Carbondale, Colorado.
Happy Family at the Springs
Enjoying beautiful Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Hanging Lake
A travertine spring near Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Electrical Grid
Sunrise at Carlsbad, California on December 27, 2019.
Big Spring Kayaking
My brother Bob and I kayaking along a spring-fed river at Wekiwa Springs near Orlando, Florida in June 2016.
Fall Beauty
Yellow aspens turn color in the Grand Mesa.
Drip Irrigation Flowers
Spring flowers blooming one year after planting using drip irrigation.
Happy Boy
Desert landscaping and our son during morning sunrise.
Desert Landscaping
We built a drip irrigation water system for native plants in Spring 2014.
Measuring soil moisture with Etekcity water monitor
Ensuring the proper amount of water to apply to indoor and outdoor plants is so simple that a 5 year old can take the measurements!
Waterfall
Water flowing over rocks in state park near St. George, Utah on March 13, 2020 after heavy rains.
Landscaping Ride
Landscaper driving Bobcat takes our son for a ride.
Lake Mead
Photo on April 26, 2009 showing white bleached rocks from declining water level of Lake Mead at Hoover Dam. Las Vegas depends on water supply from the Colorado River as well as seven states and Mexico.
Pier 39
San Francisco on November 15, 2009
Flowing well
Artesian well in Grand Junction completed in deep rock formations flows on the ground next to cemetery and to Gunnison River.
Discovery
At the Scripts Oceanographic Institute aquarium in La Jolla, California.
Japanese Garden
In San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 2015 during a light rain shower.
Sea Turtle Nursery
On an island in the Thailand gulf near Hua Hin, we visited a sea turtle nursery on November 5, 2012.
Rhinos
At San Diego Wild Animal Park on March 1, 2010 we visited the endangered rhinos.
Protective custody
Asian elephants living at the D.C. National Zoo working to protect the species from extinction.
Elephant Encounter
Our son with an elephant near Hua Hin, Thailand on March 16, 2015.
Mom and Baby Elephant
Our son got attached to this 3-month old elephant and we named him Gemy like a gem stone on our visit on March 16, 2015 to the park in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Elephant Play
Our son playing with the baby elephant we named Gemy at Hua Hin, Thailand on March 16, 2015.
Baby Elephant Ride
Our son on November 12, 2012 on a baby elephant near Hua Hin, Thailand.
Conserve!
A sign at the D.C. National Zoo to save Asian elephants on July 4, 2018.
Gentleness
Our son posing with an elephant in Hua Hin, Thailand on March 16, 2015.
Save Our Elephants!
Sign at D.C. National Zoo
Precious Creatures
Sign at the D.C. National Zoo
Arches National Park
View of rock formations at Arches and La Sal Mountains near Moab, Utah on November 26, 2019.
Grand Valley Water
Two boys learn how to get well water using a cistern on December 22, 2019.
Lavandar Farm
Palisade, Colorado
Learning to Climb
Redwood Encounter
On November 17, 2009 we visited Muir Woods National Monument north of San Francisco to see the Redwood forest.
Baby loves animals
October 16, 2009
Animal baby
On December 23, 2009 we celebrate wildlife!
Floating Market
Thai people share food and conversation at the floating market in 2010.
Save the Koalas
In Brisbane, Australia in 1995 a group protests the building of roads and a nature visitor center that would cut trees and remove koala habitat.
Koala
A rare sighting of a koala in the Brisbane Australia forest.
Australian children wearing sun hats
In Brisbane, Australia the children were required to wear sun hats to protect them from the ozone hole. This photo was taken in 1995.
Thailand commuters
Taken in 1995 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, people commuting on motorcycles continues to increase. Often you will see two to four people on a motorcycle.
Ganesha
The Elephant-head Hindu god worshiped for auspicious beginnings. This photo taken from an artist painting in Ayutthaya, Thailand.