Michelle Ranee Johnson Photography

Michelle Ranee Johnson Photography An award-winning landscape, climbing, and fine-art photographer who has been on exhibit with National Geographic Yourshot at Photofest 2019 in Mexico.

“You know what Pride means? PRIDE means Passionate, PRIDE means Resilient, PRIDE means Indefatigable, PRIDE means Determ...
06/02/2026

“You know what Pride means? PRIDE means Passionate, PRIDE means Resilient, PRIDE means Indefatigable, PRIDE means Determined, PRIDE means Equal.” — Abhijit Naskar (Bulldozer on Duty).

here in the USA and in many other countries!!!! This is a month to celebrate all the fabulous + people out there! I have many LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors, and cousins, and I want to show my support to all of them and say I see you, love you, and am so proud of you!

The gay rights movements in North America and Europe started in the early 1900s, and organizations like the Society for Human Rights (founded in Chicago in the 1920s by Henry Ge**er). Then, after WWII, the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis started publishing positive LGBTQ+ newsletters. However, most LGBTQ+ civil rights were denied to them until the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn (a bar in Greenwich Village) and dragged patrons out onto the street. This led to six days of protest with the NYPD, and when they ended on July 2, 1969, the gay rights movement went from fringe to front-page news.

The first gay pride parade occurred in Manhattan in 1970, a year after the riots, and was organized by the Eastern Regional Conference of Hemophile Organizations (ERCHO) and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Umbrella Committee. The march was named the Christopher Street Liberation Day March. An estimated 3-5000 participants went 51 blocks from Greenwich Village to Central Park. Marches also took place in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago.

June became in 2000 under President Bill Clinton, and in 2009, President Barack Obama expanded it to Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. Obama also created the Stonewall National Monument.

Here are several Pride Month celebrations: June 4-6: Milwaukee Pride; June 6: Boston Pride for the People; June 8-14: WorldPride in Washington, D.C.; June 14: LA Pride Parade & Festival; June 20-27: Paris Pride; June 27: Dublin Pride; and many more. Please check the website for more information on the different events!

How are you going to celebrate Pride 🏳️‍🌈 Month?

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“There is pleasure in the pathless woods. There is rapture on the lonely shore. There is society where none intrudes, by...
06/01/2026

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods. There is rapture on the lonely shore. There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea and music in its roar. I love not man the less, but Nature more.” –Lord Byron.

June is the and !!!!! Do you have any camping/hiking/outdoor activities planned for this month? Do you prefer camping in a tent? RV/van? Or do you dislike roughing it and would choose a hotel or cabin?

I like all three, depending on my mood and where I am!

Here’s a list of outdoor days this month:

June 3: National Trails Day
June 5: World Environment Day
June 8: World Ocean Day
June 10: National Get Outdoors Day
June 15: Nature Photography Day

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery. Air, mountains, trees, people. I thought: this is what it is to be happy.” — Sylvia Plath.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/great-outdoors-month/

Photo: “Pathless woods” - There are plenty of paths in Yosemite, but this place made me feel there weren’t any. Tis-sa-ack ( ) at Sunset was starting to glow this golden color, and it was so beautiful to witness. Ahwahnechee Ancestral Homeland. , ,

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise mo...
05/31/2026

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson.

So, today, I want to celebrate one last time!

What do you love most about photography?

“Art is what we call…the thing an artist does.
It’s not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt, and made something worth making. Something risky. Something human.
Art is not in the…eye of the beholder. It’s in the soul of the artist.” — Seth Godin.

And remember…

“A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into.” — Ansel Adams ().

Photo: “Precipitous”—The rises high above the high desert at the , November 2023. Nüümü Witü, Newe Sogobia, & Nüümü Ancestral Homeland.

“When someone asks how I’m doing, I always give the same response: ‘A little bit better every day.’ If you say it often ...
05/30/2026

“When someone asks how I’m doing, I always give the same response: ‘A little bit better every day.’ If you say it often enough, it becomes your reality.” — Randy W., brain injury survivor.

Did you know that May is ? Around 800,000 people (just in the U.S.A.) have a stroke every year, which means one happens every 40 seconds. 1/4 of these strokes occur in someone who has already had a stroke. This became National Stroke Awareness Month in 1989, when then-U.S. President George H.W. Bush issued a Presidential Proclamation. It is supported by the National Stroke Association, the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control, and many other organizations, as it affects many people, including my mom. Fortunately, she has only had two minor strokes, but it is something that has affected her life since it triggered Parkinsonism/Parkinson’s. Her only sign was hand tremors, so she didn’t see a doctor immediately.

The sooner one sees the signs of stroke, the better. Here are some signs:
— Sudden weakness/numbness on one side of the body (face, leg, arm).
— Sudden difficulty seeing in one’s eyes (either both or one) - sometimes with a headache.
— Sudden confusion - could have trouble speaking or talking.
— Sudden difficulty with walking - could lose balance, coordination, or dizziness.
You can use the Acronym F.A.S.T. to remember the signs:
—Face (drooping)
—Arm (weakness/tremors)
—Speech (slurred)
—Time (indicates that you need to call 911 if any of these signs are observed). The sooner you call, the better the diagnosis and prognosis.

If you want to keep up with the latest info, check out !

Source: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-stroke-awareness-month/

Photo: “Little Lakes Basin” - I absolutely adore or on the (even though now it is always so super busy to go to). Nüümü ancestral homeland.

“I loved you for your whole life, and I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.” - Anon.Today would have been the 11th anniver...
05/29/2026

“I loved you for your whole life, and I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.” - Anon.

Today would have been the 11th anniversary (and 13th Birthday!) of my beloved BART, CGC (short for Bay Area Rapid Transit, Canine Good Citizen) (), and me! Happy ! He was my , and I am grateful every day I had him in my life. I miss him terribly, but Max () does help ease the pain and I feel he is another heart dog. Max is a lot like Bart in many ways, just more of a puppy.

I miss him so much, but I am grateful he no longer has to suffer from his horrific seizures. Thank you, BART, for always being there for me, for your peaceful nature, your wonderful soul, and your unconditional love. You touched my life in a way that I will never forget. I will always love you, Bartaboo.

“How lucky I am to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — A.A. Milne.

“When we think of those companions who traveled by our side down life’s road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gentle gratitude that they once were with us.” — Author Unknown.

“Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.” — Inuit Proverb.

Photo: Several photos throughout the years (from earliest to most recent): 1. In Cayucos, CA, in December 2016; 2. Green River Lakes, WY, in August 2017; 3. Little Lakes Basin in July 2018; 4. “Barts Beach” at Green River Lakes, WY in July 2019; 5. Hanging out in the hammock by Rock Creek, Red Lodge, MT, October 2020; 6. Langohr Campground, MT, July 2021; 7. Owens River, November 2022; 8. Jalama Beach, June 2023; 9. Alabama Hills, February 2024. Now the rest are just a few with him and I: 10. Bart and I on his first long hike at Virginia Lakes in 2015; 11. Bart and I at Convict Lake in the fall of 2017;

Bart - I will always love and miss you.

“It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what y...
05/28/2026

“It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.” — Desmond Tutu.

Today is , and today we celebrate those who work diligently for human rights for all. Everyone should be treated equally, and no one should be subjected to harsh treatment or oppression. There are members in over 150 countries with more than 7 million members. This organization works tirelessly to protect children, women, and men worldwide. They seek justice for those who have been exploited. And by doing so, they create a safer world.

How can we help those who are oppressed or exploited?

Source: https://nationaltoday.com/amnesty-international-day/

Photo: “Pair of Seagulls” - These seagulls were enjoying the beautiful sunset at in December 2020. Chumash & Salinan Ancestral Homeland. , , . I used to showcase my photograph on a wall.

“The entire cosmos is a cooperative. The sun, the moon, and the stars live together as a cooperative. The same is true f...
05/27/2026

“The entire cosmos is a cooperative. The sun, the moon, and the stars live together as a cooperative. The same is true for humans and animals, trees, and the Earth. When we realize that the world is a mutual, interdependent, cooperative enterprise — then we can build a noble environment. If our lives are not based on this truth, then we shall perish.” — Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

Phra Dharmakosācārya (Nguam Indapañño) (Thai: พระธรรมโกศาจารย์ (เงื่อม อินฺทปญฺโญ) aka Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu (Thai: พุทธทาสภิกขุ) was born in Phumriang, Thailand on May 27, 1906, and passed at age 86 at Wat Thannamilai, Thailand on May 25, 1993. He was an influential Thai philosopher known for his reinterpretation of Buddhist doctrine. and he felt that “those who have the highest understanding of dhamma feel ‘there is no religion.’” He wrote many books, including “Handbook for Mankind,” “Keys to Natural Truth,” “Mindfulness With Breathing,” and others.

He established an International Dhamma Hermitage, and before he passed, he left instructions for a Dhamma-Mātā to be built (a facility for women to study, and Dhamma-Mātā means Dhamma Mothers).

“What is the world of? It is full of things that arise, persist, and cease. Grasp and cling to them, and they produce suffering. Don’t grasp and cling to them, and they do not produce suffering.”

Sources: https://www.suanmokkh.org/buddhadasa and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadasa

Also, the kickstarter for the first ever Yosemite Filmakers Festival and Storytellers Summit happening in a month (June 25-28) has a kickstarter still happening! The link you can find bio! Thanks!

Photo: “Noble Environment” - Higher, Middle, and Lower Cathedral Rock reflecting in a puddle during the flooding of Yosemite Valley in May 2023, during sunset. . Ahwahnechee Ancestral Homeland. , , . In the last frame, I used to showcase my photo on a wall.

“I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” — Marie Curie.Today, I honor Ruth Ella Moore, the first Afri...
05/19/2026

“I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” — Marie Curie.

Today, I honor Ruth Ella Moore, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Natural Science. She was born in Ohio on May 19, 1903, and died in Maryland on July 19, 1994. She was a bacteriologist who worked as a professor and head of Howard University’s Department of Bacteriology. She published work on TB, the gut microbiome’s response to antibiotics, African Americans’ blood types, and immunology.

Ruth attended Ohio State University for her degrees, eventually earning her Ph.D. in 1933. She then worked at Tennessee State College and became a professor (and then Dept. Chair) at Howard University. She continued until she retired in 1973, but held onto her Professor Emeritus of Microbiology position until 1990. She was a member of the American Public Health Association, the American Society of Microbiology (the first African-American to join), and several other organizations.

Awards and Honors: Two Honorary Degrees (Oberlin College and Gettysburg University); Centennial Award for Distinguished Alumni from Ohio State University; and several more.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ella_Moore and https://research.osu.edu/ruth-ella-moore/ &https://npshistory.com/publications/seki/habs-ca-142.pdf

Photo: “Redbud Tree and Oak Grove Bridge” - One of my favorite bridges. As I go over it, I am closer to one of my favorite places: , , CA. The was built in 1923 by the contractor Nate Lovelace. It is made with reinforced concrete and was just renovated not too long ago. March 2025. Wukchumni Ancestral Homeland. , .

“It is the job, the task of all democrats, wherever we are located, to advance this idea: That nothing short of full fre...
05/18/2026

“It is the job, the task of all democrats, wherever we are located, to advance this idea: That nothing short of full freedom will satisfy us.” — Walter Sisulu.

The great Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu was born today (May 18) back in 1912 in South Africa and passed away on May 5, 2003. He was an anti-apartheid activist and hero. He was incarcerated at Robben Island for 25 years and was a member of the African National Congress (ANC), serving as Secretary-General and Deputy President.

After attending a local missionary school, he left in 1926 to work. In 1928, he moved to Johannesburg and did many manual labor jobs. He started Sitha Investments in 1939 to help blacks and Indians buy homes in Apartheid South Africa. Sitha was the only black-owned real estate company in South Africa. He married his wife, Albertina, in 1944 (I discussed her in another post, as she is incredible in her own right). Nelson Mandela was their best man at their wedding. They had five children and adopted four more.

In 1941, he joined the ANC. In 1952, he was a planner of the Defiance Campaign, and he was arrested that year (his sentence was suspended). Over the next ten years, he was jailed seven times. He went underground in 1963, and then his wife, Albertina, was the first woman arrested under the General Laws Amendment Act of 1963. He was caught and then sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial. 26 years later, he was released.

Awards: 1992: Isitwalandwe Seaparankoe (highest honor granted by the ANC); 1998: Padma Vibhushan award given to him by the government of India; May 17, 2003: “special official funeral.” 2004: voted 33rd of the SABC 3’s Great South Africans. Several buildings and a botanical garden are named after him.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Sisulu and https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/sisulu-walter-1912-2003/

Photo: “Dog Running” - A dog immensely enjoying the beach at Cayucos, CA. Chumash, Salinan, and Obispeño Ancestral Homeland. . Jan 2020. , , . made in .

“The difference between the poet and the mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the...
05/17/2026

“The difference between the poet and the mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the mathematician tries to get the heavens into his head.” ― G.K. Chesterton.

Today is the birthday of Charlotte Cynthia Barnum, born May 17, 1860, in Massachusetts, and she passed away at age 73 on March 27, 1934, in Connecticut. She was the first woman to obtain her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Yale. She grew up in a family where education was vital (2 uncles had medical degrees from Yale. Her whole family graduated from Yale.

She first attended Vassar College and graduated from there in 1881. She then taught at a boys’ prep school and worked in computing for the Yale Observatory (1883-85). She was also an editorial writer for Webster’s International Dictionary (1886-90), and then taught Astronomy at Smith College from 1889-90. Next, she applied to grad school at Johns Hopkins, but they did not admit women at the time. She fought this alongside Simon Newcomb, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at the university. Finally, she was approved to attend lectures without being enrolled and at no charge. She then moved to New Haven, CT, to attend Yale two years later, where she obtained her Ph.D. in 1895.

Jobs she had:
Teaching at Carleton College.
Joining the American Academy of Actuaries.
Working as an actuarial computer for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Moved to Washington, DC, and worked as a computer for the US Naval Observatory.
Worked for the US Coast and Geodetic Survey until 1908.
1913 - editorial assistant for the biological survey section of the Dept of Agriculture.

She was one of the first women members of the American Mathematical Society. She was also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Actuaries, a member of the Women’s Joint Legislative Commission (for equal rights), and several others.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Barnum and https://blog.massmutual.com/post/massmutual-first-woman-barnum

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