Brenor
@brenorbrophy.com
Retired renewable energy engineer, amateur geologist, hiker, & backpacker.
Reared in Ireland, reside in California.
Reared in Ireland, reside in California.
The environmental aftermath of the most destructive gold mining technology ever deployed OR entrance to the fairy kingdom?
It's the first one, but it doesn't usually turn out this well. This is some of the karsk landscape excavated by hydraulic mining during the gold rush in Volcano, #California. ⚒️
It's the first one, but it doesn't usually turn out this well. This is some of the karsk landscape excavated by hydraulic mining during the gold rush in Volcano, #California. ⚒️
November 16, 2025 at 5:54 AM
The environmental aftermath of the most destructive gold mining technology ever deployed OR entrance to the fairy kingdom?
It's the first one, but it doesn't usually turn out this well. This is some of the karsk landscape excavated by hydraulic mining during the gold rush in Volcano, #California. ⚒️
It's the first one, but it doesn't usually turn out this well. This is some of the karsk landscape excavated by hydraulic mining during the gold rush in Volcano, #California. ⚒️
Out trying to get a shot of Comet Lemmon in the bright Bay Area skies, during its closest approach to Earth. Unfortunately I couldn't get more than a smudge, but did capture a nice sunset as I was waiting for it to get dark.
#photography #sanfrancisco #sunset
#photography #sanfrancisco #sunset
October 22, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Out trying to get a shot of Comet Lemmon in the bright Bay Area skies, during its closest approach to Earth. Unfortunately I couldn't get more than a smudge, but did capture a nice sunset as I was waiting for it to get dark.
#photography #sanfrancisco #sunset
#photography #sanfrancisco #sunset
The contact between the Chinle and the base of the Windgate sandstone on the Cohab Canyon trail in Capitol Reef NP. We speculated that the contact is a paleosol and the green reduction marks might be caused by residual carbon from tree roots. What do you think?
#geology ⚒️
#geology ⚒️
October 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The contact between the Chinle and the base of the Windgate sandstone on the Cohab Canyon trail in Capitol Reef NP. We speculated that the contact is a paleosol and the green reduction marks might be caused by residual carbon from tree roots. What do you think?
#geology ⚒️
#geology ⚒️
This statue of Junipero Serra, Spanish missionary, Catholic saint and a major participant in the subjugation and genocide of the native California peoples, has been removed and destroyed by Caltrans. Erected with private money on public land in the 1970s, I for one shall not miss it.
#sanfrancisco
#sanfrancisco
October 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This statue of Junipero Serra, Spanish missionary, Catholic saint and a major participant in the subjugation and genocide of the native California peoples, has been removed and destroyed by Caltrans. Erected with private money on public land in the 1970s, I for one shall not miss it.
#sanfrancisco
#sanfrancisco
A spectacular trackway in the Permian Organ Rock formation of Canyonlands NP. On the Green River, just downstream from The Turk's Head, river-left. I'd guess it's 20-30cm wide, but hard to judge at the distance. Amazing how the slabs are just sitting on display. Anybody know anything about it?
🧪⚒️
🧪⚒️
September 16, 2025 at 2:24 AM
A spectacular trackway in the Permian Organ Rock formation of Canyonlands NP. On the Green River, just downstream from The Turk's Head, river-left. I'd guess it's 20-30cm wide, but hard to judge at the distance. Amazing how the slabs are just sitting on display. Anybody know anything about it?
🧪⚒️
🧪⚒️
The beautiful Point Bonita on the Marin Headlands at the entrance to the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay.
Check out the dark basalt cliffs and the pillows in the arch. They almost look like they erupted yesterday.
⚒️🧪 #seascape #photography
Check out the dark basalt cliffs and the pillows in the arch. They almost look like they erupted yesterday.
⚒️🧪 #seascape #photography
August 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The beautiful Point Bonita on the Marin Headlands at the entrance to the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay.
Check out the dark basalt cliffs and the pillows in the arch. They almost look like they erupted yesterday.
⚒️🧪 #seascape #photography
Check out the dark basalt cliffs and the pillows in the arch. They almost look like they erupted yesterday.
⚒️🧪 #seascape #photography
I met this chap at the top, it all felt a bit mythical.
August 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I met this chap at the top, it all felt a bit mythical.
Carrauntoohill, highest mountain in #Ireland at just over 1000m. An awesome though strenuous hike, the views from the top on a clear day are more than worth it.
#photography #landscapes
#photography #landscapes
August 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Carrauntoohill, highest mountain in #Ireland at just over 1000m. An awesome though strenuous hike, the views from the top on a clear day are more than worth it.
#photography #landscapes
#photography #landscapes
The coast of #Ireland had a vast number of beautiful, unspoiled and almost empty beaches. Here is the spectacular Kilmore Quay in County #Wexford on one of the nicest days of the summer so far.
#seascapes #photography
#seascapes #photography
August 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The coast of #Ireland had a vast number of beautiful, unspoiled and almost empty beaches. Here is the spectacular Kilmore Quay in County #Wexford on one of the nicest days of the summer so far.
#seascapes #photography
#seascapes #photography
The rocks below the Broch of Gurness in #Orkney are wet and seaweedy today, but 390ma they were a dry lakebed with dessication cracks. Mapped as the Rousay Flagstones, these sediments record many cycles of fluctuating levels in Lake Orcadie during the Devonian.
#geology #seascapes
#geology #seascapes
August 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The rocks below the Broch of Gurness in #Orkney are wet and seaweedy today, but 390ma they were a dry lakebed with dessication cracks. Mapped as the Rousay Flagstones, these sediments record many cycles of fluctuating levels in Lake Orcadie during the Devonian.
#geology #seascapes
#geology #seascapes
Spectacular noctilucent clouds high over Hudson Bay. I saw them about the same time last year, it seems like they are becoming more common. Tiny ice crystals right at the edge of space.
#photography #noctilucent #cloud #weather
#photography #noctilucent #cloud #weather
July 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Spectacular noctilucent clouds high over Hudson Bay. I saw them about the same time last year, it seems like they are becoming more common. Tiny ice crystals right at the edge of space.
#photography #noctilucent #cloud #weather
#photography #noctilucent #cloud #weather
This is so sad, the loss of the Lodge on the North Rim to the Dragon Bravo fire. I was there just last September, such a beautiful place. At least there were no injuries or lives lost. But I can't help feeling it will take a long time to recover. The picture below was posted to Reddit.
#grandcanyon
#grandcanyon
July 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
This is so sad, the loss of the Lodge on the North Rim to the Dragon Bravo fire. I was there just last September, such a beautiful place. At least there were no injuries or lives lost. But I can't help feeling it will take a long time to recover. The picture below was posted to Reddit.
#grandcanyon
#grandcanyon
A gas vent formed by the likely violent reaction of acidic hydrothermal fluid and the early Cambrian Polecat marble, 14ma, that created Lehman Cave in Great Basin NP. I call it the Cookie Monster. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #caves
#geology #caves
June 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
A gas vent formed by the likely violent reaction of acidic hydrothermal fluid and the early Cambrian Polecat marble, 14ma, that created Lehman Cave in Great Basin NP. I call it the Cookie Monster. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #caves
#geology #caves
The imposing Navajo sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park stand over the hardworking white vans that have been our homes for nearly two weeks. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College for a wonderful geology field trip on the Colorado Plateau.
June 15, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The imposing Navajo sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park stand over the hardworking white vans that have been our homes for nearly two weeks. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College for a wonderful geology field trip on the Colorado Plateau.
For #FossilFriday, a Jurassic pine tree from the famous Morrison formation at Escalente Petrified Forest State Park, #Utah. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology
#geology
June 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
For #FossilFriday, a Jurassic pine tree from the famous Morrison formation at Escalente Petrified Forest State Park, #Utah. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology
#geology
Enigmatic Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park, roots of a Jurassic impact crater or unusual salt dome? I believe the latest research is pointing towards an impact as more likely. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #landscapes
#geology #landscapes
June 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Enigmatic Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park, roots of a Jurassic impact crater or unusual salt dome? I believe the latest research is pointing towards an impact as more likely. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #landscapes
#geology #landscapes
The spectacular view of Monument Valley and the incised meanders of the San Juan River from Muley Point, #Utah. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the intrepid students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #photography
#geology #photography
June 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The spectacular view of Monument Valley and the incised meanders of the San Juan River from Muley Point, #Utah. On the road with @geotripper.bsky.social and the intrepid students of Modesto Junior College.
#geology #photography
#geology #photography
On an amazing geology field trip of the Colorado Plateau with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College. Yesterday some of us hiked down to Cedar Ridge on the South Kiabab trail in Grand Canyon. Awesome!
June 8, 2025 at 4:20 PM
On an amazing geology field trip of the Colorado Plateau with @geotripper.bsky.social and the other students of Modesto Junior College. Yesterday some of us hiked down to Cedar Ridge on the South Kiabab trail in Grand Canyon. Awesome!
The sinuous ridgelines of Sunol Wilderness lit by the setting sun.
#landscape #photography #california #sunset
#landscape #photography #california #sunset
May 14, 2025 at 2:41 AM
The sinuous ridgelines of Sunol Wilderness lit by the setting sun.
#landscape #photography #california #sunset
#landscape #photography #california #sunset
Bush Monkey Flower tenaciously reclaiming its place as part of the primary succession on a fire scarred hillside in Sunol Wilderness, #California. The Creek Fire burned this area last July. This spot on the McCorkle trail was one of the hardest hit, but it's recovering.
#wildfire #wildflowers
#wildfire #wildflowers
May 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Bush Monkey Flower tenaciously reclaiming its place as part of the primary succession on a fire scarred hillside in Sunol Wilderness, #California. The Creek Fire burned this area last July. This spot on the McCorkle trail was one of the hardest hit, but it's recovering.
#wildfire #wildflowers
#wildfire #wildflowers
As Spring gives way to Summer in California's oak woodland the last tranche of wildflowers start to appear heralded by Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia laxa). Amazing numbers on display in Almaden Quicksilver County Park yesterday.
#wildflower #nativeplant #California
#wildflower #nativeplant #California
May 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
As Spring gives way to Summer in California's oak woodland the last tranche of wildflowers start to appear heralded by Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia laxa). Amazing numbers on display in Almaden Quicksilver County Park yesterday.
#wildflower #nativeplant #California
#wildflower #nativeplant #California