How the world looks today, from a wilderness fire lookout tower (PIC HEAVY)

[DemoTex]

These were taken over the last couple of years and posted today to celebrate the SCOTUS decision on DOMA and Prop 8.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Incredible photos my friend

[UTUSN]

39. (Posting to o.p., not to post #1) : Back, eh. n/t

[GentryDixon]

2. Lovely pics.

Where are you this season?

[premium]

3. Beautiful pics.

You ever have any USFS Rangers visit you in your lookout tower.
When I was a Ranger, I used to love visiting you guys/girls during the fire season, share a meal, shoot the shit, you do a much needed service.

[The Straight Story]

4. Oh no! A gay rainbow! No wonder my marriage failed

Nice pics as usual! Thanks for sharing them.

[Safetykitten]

5. Amazing pics!

[Democracyinkind]

6. Wow. Thanks for this. You seem like an interesting character...

... What with you on that mountain all by yourself...

Reminds me of reading Kerouac... I think it was Dharma Bums.. not sure... Long time ago

[geckosfeet]

7. Nice pics. We had a double rainbow here a couple weeks ago - nowhere near as spectacular though

I wonder if it was natures premonition?

[Warpy]

8. The only time I ever saw a double rainbow

I was just north of Santa Fe and saw them arched over the city. I did grumble about the cliche, but it was neat anyway.

Your shots are gorgeous, as usual. Thanks so much for posting them here!

[Autumn]

9. Look at the rainbows!!! It's just like nature is giving a blessing

rec

[niyad]

10. oh my goodness!! those are stunningly beautiful. thank you so much for sharing them. nice

to be reminded that the whole world isn't burning (just sort of seemed like it in this state)

[Triana]

11. Wow! Amazing photos!

Looks like you got one at the end of the rainbow, too. Stunning!

[MoreGOPoop]

12. Beautiful pics!

And so very appropos for this special day.

[Scuba]

13. Thank you DemoTex, again!

[ljm2002]

14. Wow, DemoTex! Amazing shots!

Those are spectacular, and how appropriate to celebrate the death of DOMA!

K&R

[SalviaBlue]

15. Beautiful!

[Bluenorthwest]

16. So beautiful...

nt

[Hekate]

17. Gorgeous

Kicked, Recced, Bookmarked.

[LWolf]

18. Beautiful.

I'm thinking, with the cool, damp weather, you haven't seen much in the way of fires. At least I hope so. There WAS some thundering going on last week.

[Link Speed]

19. Beautiful

[aquart]

20. What a beautiful way to celebrate!

Thank you.

[annabanana]

21. wow wow wow

breathtaking

thank you so much

[Arugula Latte]

22. Maybe this is a sign from the universe that Oregon will legalize gay marriage next year.

We are going to work to make it happen.

[classof56]

25. Yes we are!

[mountain grammy]

44. Make it happen.. my money's on Oregon!

[Arugula Latte]

48. I think we'll pass it in 2014

It will be a scenario similar to Washington state, I'm guessing (or maybe not quite as strong for our side because the Portland metro area isn't as populous as Seattle metro). Stupid bigots voted it down about 10 years ago, but the times they are a changin'.

[mountain grammy]

50. 2 years ago the Republican controlled Colorado legislature

wouldn't bring marriage equality up for a vote. Guess what? The next year Republicans lost their majority. Now we have civil unions for all. It's great, but a little short of marriage. That's coming by next year! Thought I'd never see the day when Colorado would be so blue!

[WillyT]

23. WOW !!! - K & R !!!

Thank you for those.

Beautiful.

[xxqqqzme]

24. Love the last one

with the colors hugging the earth.

[livetohike]

26. Wow!!

Thanks for posting these beautiful pics DemoTex .

[trof]

27. Good on ya', Tex!

[babylonsister]

28. So sweet, and fantastic pix-thank you! nt

[classof56]

29. Hey! You keep providing me with ever more beautiful desktop backgrounds.

Thank you! And thanks for the continuing reminders that I'm fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

[idwiyo]

30. k&r

[glinda]

31. WOW! Wonderful. And a good idea too!

[mckara]

32. Where is This?

[Arugula Latte]

33. If I may answer for the OP, it's in central Oregon.

Thus my reply, #22.

[mckara]

35. Thanks, It Looks like Heaven!

[Arugula Latte]

51. Yes, it is a gorgeous area, with incredibly diverse scenery.

I'll put on my Oregon Tourism Board cap . You have snow-capped Cascade peaks, the high desert, lush forests, magnificent lakes and rivers, and volcanic formations all within a relatively contained area, and it's skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, etc. heaven. Here are some shots of the Bend/Sisters/Fort Rock area in central Oregon:

[mckara]

53. Stunningly Beautiful Area! Thanks

[Arugula Latte]

54. You're welcome!

[DemoTex]

40. N 43.667088 W -120.995796

Fly here on Google Earth. Central Oregon high desert. Deschutes NF.

[mckara]

42. Do you fly a P2?

Are you Navy? I'm a former naval officer, but surface warfare, not aviation.

[malaise]

34. Wow

Thank you Demotex

[barbtries]

36. spectacular

just really beautiful. thank you

[kentuck]

37. Wow!

Wonderful photos!

[Greybnk48]

38. Always love your photos!

Thanks for posting!

[uponit7771]

41. +1

[senseandsensibility]

43. Love these...

Thanks for sharing.

[toby jo]

45. Here in Ohio have seen the doubles a lot, but never the flared type. Pure magic, there.

[mountain grammy]

46. Thank you for these spectacular pictures.

[spanone]

47. k&r...

[CrispyQ]

49. Breathtaking images!

I've never seen a complete double rainbow.

The second to last one is really cool how you are "over the rainbow!"

[RedCappedBandit]

52. That is beautiful. Do you mind if your pictures are shared?

[ancianita]

55. Please? They are so, so beautiful. Thanks for sharing them here.

[RedCappedBandit]

57. Would hate to use without permission

but that first picture is just begging to be my Facebook background or something

(Yeah, I know.. Facebook..)

[DemoTex]

63. Feel free to use any of them.

Glad to share for non-commercial personal use (FB is OK). My copyright is in the metadata.

[RedCappedBandit]

64. Ah, thank you so much!

Always love seeing your threads.

[dionysus]

56. as always, great pics!

[skamaria]

58. A big Keanu Reeves "Whoa" for the rainbows!

[Beartracks]

59. Everything's coming up rainbows! Beautiful photos. n/t

[ramapo]

60. Beauty captured beautifully

You are fortunate to be in a position to observe such wonder on an ongoing basis.

[DonRedwood]

61. K & R Thanks for the treat!!

May your days be boring and free of smoke and fire.

[frylock]

62. always look forward to your fire tower photos!