Shiprock, NM.  Even in 100 degree heat, this volcanic monolith with its radiating dikes is impressive.  This shot was done a few days ago, just after sunrise.

Shiprock, NM.  Even in 100 degree heat, this volcanic monolith with its radiating dikes is impressive.  This shot was done a few days ago, just after sunrise.

Transit of Venus observatory, South Georgia, Antarctica.  These remains at Moltke Harbor, visited by more penguins than humans over the last century, are from a German party led by Carl Schrader.  They successfully observed the Venus transit in December of 1882.Today we enjoy the last transit of Venus of our lifetime!

Transit of Venus observatory, South Georgia, Antarctica.  These remains at Moltke Harbor, visited by more penguins than humans over the last century, are from a German party led by Carl Schrader.  They successfully observed the Venus transit in December of 1882.Today we enjoy the last transit of Venus of our lifetime!

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  At night, even without spitting lava, Kilauea is impressive, a portal to our planet’s fiery core…and easily accessible to tourist and photographer alike.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  At night, even without spitting lava, Kilauea is impressive, a portal to our planet’s fiery core…and easily accessible to tourist and photographer alike.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  Even when Kilauea isn’t producing fireworks, it reminds us that our planet isn’t as stable as we would like it to be.  This photo was taken a few months ago when activity was minimal.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  Even when Kilauea isn’t producing fireworks, it reminds us that our planet isn’t as stable as we would like it to be.  This photo was taken a few months ago when activity was minimal.

Elephant Island.  On this day in 1916, Ernest Shackleton and five companions set off in a a small open dinghy, the James Caird, to obtain rescue for the rest of the expedition trapped on rugged, isolated Elephant Island after the loss of their ship Endurance.  The men traveled some 800 miles across the stormy Southern Ocean to reach S. Georgia sixteen days later.  The remaining men had to spend the next 3 months of the Antarctic winter on Elephant Island but were eventually rescued and returned home.

Elephant Island.  On this day in 1916, Ernest Shackleton and five companions set off in a a small open dinghy, the James Caird, to obtain rescue for the rest of the expedition trapped on rugged, isolated Elephant Island after the loss of their ship Endurance.  The men traveled some 800 miles across the stormy Southern Ocean to reach S. Georgia sixteen days later.  The remaining men had to spend the next 3 months of the Antarctic winter on Elephant Island but were eventually rescued and returned home.

Mauna Ulu, Hawaii.  I found this tree, preserved by the lava that engulfed it and now providing shelter for ferns and other vegetation, in Volcano National Park.

Mauna Ulu, Hawaii.  I found this tree, preserved by the lava that engulfed it and now providing shelter for ferns and other vegetation, in Volcano National Park.

Get your dinner cooked in a volcano

Geothermal heat on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands provides an efficient, continuous heat source for the El Diablo restaurant.

Coyotes, Yellowstone.  Yellowstone Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, was the first national park in the world.  The best time to visit, I found, is in the winter.  Animals run freely, few tourists visit, and it’s hard to take a bad photo.

Coyotes, Yellowstone.  Yellowstone Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, was the first national park in the world.  The best time to visit, I found, is in the winter.  Animals run freely, few tourists visit, and it’s hard to take a bad photo.

Yellowstone.  Did life originate in a geothermal pond?  http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtomics/2012/02/16/did-life-evolve-in-a-warm-little-pond/

Yellowstone.  Did life originate in a geothermal pond?  http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtomics/2012/02/16/did-life-evolve-in-a-warm-little-pond/

Shackleton’s signature, Cape Royds, Antarctica.  Today is the birthday of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922).  He left this neat  signature on his bunk in the hut at Cape Royds during the Nimrod Expedition.

Shackleton’s signature, Cape Royds, Antarctica.  Today is the birthday of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922).  He left this neat  signature on his bunk in the hut at Cape Royds during the Nimrod Expedition.