"Midnight Lumination"

I arrived at Elk Island National Park, in central Alberta, just as darkness took over the landscape. I was hoping to hone in on some Milky Way photography, knowing that the lake and islands would provide some valued interest to the photo. With great anticipation and in the darkness of night, I set out with a my camera gear on my back, bear spray in hand and my puppy Arlo by my side. With the assistance of a headlamp, I walked to Astotin Lake and hiked along the northern lakeside trail. As I walked I noticed some strange noises that seemed to be following me and I could hear some bugling elk and howling coyotes in the distance (admittedly, it was a bit unnerving!). I told myself, “It’s just rabbits and birds, scouring about and the animals are so far away”..... I didn’t linger (lol). Unfortunately though, by the time I got to the spot where I knew the islands, lake and with the Milky Way would align, it had clouded over. All was not lost however because I did get this spectacular photo. In this photo, both the city lights of Edmonton and the blue of evening falling, were very faint but there was just enough light for a 30 second exposure. The addition of these two lovely young ladies (who just happened to be there) added a much needed focal point. I asked if they wouldn’t mind standing still for 30 seconds, and they enthusiastically agreed (I was thrilled, and thankful!). Back in my RV, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea and I reflected on my day. Happiness is truly in the accumulation of micro-moments and with that thought, I enthusiastically planned my next day!

Pleasantly Arizona

True to my nature (curiously; wondering what’s down that road), I was on my way to Wickenburg, when I decided to look for some photographic opportunities and potential boondocking sites in the Lake Pleasant area, south-west of Phoenix. A short distant from the Phoenix area, the world changes. To arrive here, I drove down a dusty gravel road, through small mountainous valleys and rocky gorges. The area was notably, densely covered with saguaro trees. As the lake came into view, I noted how intriguing it was to see both saguaro trees and a lake in one “frame”. Driving further north I noticed the sun’s reflection in the lake and stopped to take a photo. I carefully placed my feet as I made my way down the prickly pear embankment and framed this shot when suddenly a truck barreled past. Seeing the dust, my first instinct was to run back to the truck however I knew I wouldn’t make it there in time (so I ate the dust, lol) but to my surprise the dust lofted down into my frame! Although my camera (and myself) got sugar coated with dust, I was elated to get this shot! I absolutely love the softness and muted colors of this photo and how the dust (which looks like fog) adds to the interesting combination of sun, lake reflections and sky.

"To Be Seen"

I believe there’s an art to seeing. Having said that, do you merely "look", or do you "see"? I arrived at this location with the intent on capturing a developing thunderous sky…. but then, I saw this. It’s hard to say how many of you would have noticed this over the (attention grabbing) darkening sky but I’m sure that most of you wouldn’t have noticed, or just simply just given it a glance. Like most artists, the love of art has the power to make us change the way you see things. With an imaginative and creative eye, an artist will notice things like shapes, colors, highlights (brights), shadows (darks) compositions and (the dreaded) obstructions too. The art then is in pulling it all together to produce an image that captures the viewer’s attention. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. I named this photograph “To Be Seen” because just like art, we all need to be seen, loved, valued and appreciated. The world is SO beautiful when you go beyond looking.

"Date Tree Perspective"

I love abstract images; especially those with repeating patterns, lines or shapes (like this image). You might ask: “What makes this image work?”, “Why did I choose to focus on just one tree?” “Where’s the rest of the photo?” (lol) Although the central date tree is the most defining element in this photograph, it’s more about the shapes and repeating pattern. Notice how I placed the date tree smack-dab in the middle of the image, and how both the left and right sides of the image are almost mirrored. Notice too how the tree-line, the fronds and the ground are really just shapes; repeated on both sides. Together, these elements make this image an outstanding abstract ….in my humble opinion… :-)

“An Artist Eye”

When I edit my photographs, I’m a purist (true colors, no manipulation) but this photograph is different, I feel it's "art" (a combination of both photography and art). That said, I thoroughly enjoyed adding my artistic and creative self to this image. Although the color version of this photograph is quite striking but I intentionally edited it out. “Why?”, because I wanted to add a gentleness to this otherwise high contrast flower. At the same time however I left the high contrast in the eye of the flower, which is this photo's focal point. My goal is to capture the viewer's interest first, and then their curiosity. Black-eyed Susans are considered a symbol of encouragement and motivation, which can be attributed to the plant's adaptability, thus popularity. It's also Maryland's official state flower. The name of this photograph came about by combining the "eye" in Black-eyed Susan and the fact that it was created by me, the "artist".

"Curve-Billed Thrasher"

As a photographer, living in my RV for months at a time, does provide some great photographic opportunities and advantages and although I am always in search of locations and subjects, sometimes the shot is right outside my door (how blessed!). I was cooking breakfast in the desert when I was alerted by the beautiful song of this Curve Billed Thrasher. I quickly grabbed my camera and darted out the door; in my slippers and housecoat.... not daring to take the time to change! The soft Arizona light was absolutely gorgeous for the shot, and so too was the scene and the bird's stance. I crossed my fingers as I walked towards it, that it wouldn't fly away! After I took my first shot, I took a step closer and then took a second shot, and then another, and another until it eventually took flight. This was the my last shot; at the full extension of my 400mm lens. Of the various thrashers in the southwestern deserts, the Curve-Billed Thrasher is one of the most prevalent. It’s a medium-sized that’s about the size of a Robin (but slightly longer). It’s a non-migratory bird that’s native to the southwestern US states and Mexico; I often saw them. Their eye color varies from yellow to orange and they lurk around cactus, desert shrubs and even in some urban areas where desert vegetation has been planted. I love the balance and composition of this photograph; the curvature of the tree, the flowers on either side and how the depth of field separates the subject.

"Mystic Woodland"

In order to grow, as a person, in our careers and in our passions we often have to force ourselves into challenging situations; our mindsets are key. That said, my “choices” guide me and why I took this photograph. Woodland photography is very popular, especially in the UK where open woodlands are (more) easy to find. Here in the northwestern US and Canada however, they’re harder to find so when I saw this tree I was excited by the potential I saw. I was on a narrow two lane road when I drove by this scene, so I had to make a quick decision, “Should I turn around?”. I was driving my RV so turning around meant a few 3-point turns to turns to do so, and although that was a bit of a challenge, I knew the real challenge would be to create the photo I envisioned from a raw file… which would force me to learn something new. The tree was as you see it here (it remains the same) however the background in the original was lit up with defused mid-day white lighting; perfect for the image I had envisioned. As mentioned in previous posts, my raw images all require post editing and it was here that the challenge lie; how to bring “mood” into the scene. I think I accomplished that. Challenges can be difficult but by choosing how we face them, we grow. A rewarding passion (and life), is in the accumulation of our choices.

"Ancient Forest"

The Western Red Cedars of “Ancient Forest National Park”, typically grow along the northwest coast of North America,. Oddly enough though, these were located in the interior of BC! Many of the enormously tall trees are well over 1000 years old; thanks to the perfect weather and soil conditions, and the ability to survive past droughts, storms, insect outbreaks and fires too. Knowing that the early morning fog would add “mood” to the overall composition, I arrived before sunrise, The little bit that was there however quickly dissipated but I did manage to capture this moody shot. That said, it's very indicative of what I felt; all alone, at peace and at awe with nature. As I meandered along the manmade boardwalks through the forest, I could feel myself depart from the world outside, in both in time in space. I certainly was in my element and for a moment, I was a child again, without a care it the world. I hiked around with my camera gear on my back and with my puppy Arlo by my side for almost 5 hours. He's only five months old but I started training him early to sit and be still when I set up my tripod. Although he can't go on all of my photo shoots, he’s such a good puppy and great companion. What I love about this photo is its overall sense of mood and when I look at it, I feel a sense of mystery, yet I feel the tranquility and calm too. I actually saw this scene from quite a distance so I carefully chose where to positioned myself and then I changed my lens and camera settings… and so on, and so on! I remember thinking that photography is a lot like golf! Just as there is a lot to consider and remember before you swing, well, there’s a lot to consider before you press the shutter button too! Do this, do that, don’t do this… and so on, ha ha! As I neared the end of my hike, Arlo (with an alert stance) came to a dead stop…. hmmm, this was a first! Suddenly I heard what he heard; a rustling noise but it was a noise that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. As I stood in the stillness the strange sound slowly got louder, and louder. When I looked up, I realized a strong wind was blowing above me (only) and the noise was from the thousands of leaves blowing in the wind. I chuckled…. and breathed a sigh of relief (lol).

"Rider's Pride"

Abstract photography, in the natural world, draws away from its natural appearance and can turn the recognizable into an unrecognizable form. Abstract photography can be defined by its use of shapes, forms, colors, and textures; often departing from the true existence of reality. In this photograph, I chose to crop and edit it for its textures and form and then converted it to black and white to add to the drama. That said, by converting it to black and white the contrast alone (not color), is part of the overall essence of abstract. Some people would say this abstract departs from its reality but it’s with my creative artistic license, that I feel this image now draws the interest that I desired. In conclusion, abstract photography represents how the photographer sees the world and chooses to share it.

"Desert Poppy"

Also known as the “Arizona Poppy”, these seasonal poppies can be difficult to find, yet if the conditions are right (as they are this year), they flourish and can cover the desert floor and hillsides in fields of golden yellow. I’ve searched for these delicate poppies for a few years but I’ve only found a few but because of the unusually wet weather conditions of late, they are flourishing… everywhere! Today, the usually drab desert floor is full of color; with lush green grasses and a variety of colorful desert wildflowers too. It’s quite something to see! This photograph was taken (literally) at ground level, with my 14mm wide angle lens and a small aperture; which creates the star (no filters were used). I rested my camera in my hand (on the ground) only inches from this poppy and although it was a tricky shot, it worth getting dirty for! :-)

"The Bearded Tree"

As mentioned previously, I’ve started to hone in on some more intimate scenes, like this one. Being so very visual, I tend to notice smaller scenes and with more practice of late, I’m starting to feel much more confident in pulling it all together. Although this photo may not resonate with everyone, I'm drawn to it's mystical qualities.     I’ve often pondered, what takes an image from being a “snapshot”, to a piece majestic piece of “art”? It’s starts with the photographer observing the elements. That said, before composing this photograph, I considered these five things:  1. Geometry (the placement of the tree in the frame)  2. The color or colors (I loved the monochromatic look).  3. Luminosity (I loved the addition of the fog).  4. Contrast (soft light results in low contrast).  5. Mood (what was the general mood I wanted to capture).   This photograph was taken in an ancient forest on Vancouver Island, BC. The cascading hairs are often referred to as “Old Man’s Beard” or “Grandfather’s Beard” but I’ve known it as “Witch’s beard” (hmmm......). They’re in the lichen family and are known as “Bearded Lichen (Usnea Longissima). They can grow up to 20 feet in length and with this tree hanging over a ridge, these beards were darn close!

"Grandview Nightfall"

As darkness filled the floor of canyon, the chilly breeze chased most of the tourists away; it was time to call it a day. It was really quite dark and I should have headed back to my RV but the temptation to stay for this “one last shot” was too great. These colors are somewhat unique for the Grand Canyon but as the sun slowly sets the canyon’s colors change (and surprisingly quickly!). First, the vibrant hues are replaced with a warm glow, then a cool blue and then there’s complete darkness. You can see these varying colors in this photo. There was very little light so I had to use my tripod. I set my ISO/ASA to 640 and my shutter speed at 1/4 of a second. I could tell from the viewfinder that this was going to be a great shot, and a uniquely different one too. That said, I absolutley love how soft this photo is and how very painterly it looks too. I sat in the canyon’s beauty for a while; with my heartfelt thoughts and in appreciation of the many dreams I have yet to live. I named this photo “Grandview Nightfall” because it was taken at Grandview Point at nightfall.

"Free To Fly"

Swans, such a beautiful and majestic bird. I named this beautiful image “Free To Fly” in memory of my Father and my late husband’s Mother(93) for how they’ve inspired me. My Dad displayed strength and taught me to stand proud, while my Mother-In-Law showed me compassion and taught me grace. Together (like these swans), they taught me how to courageously take flight…. gracefully on my own. The swan is a symbol of love, devotion and partnership (likely because they mate for life), and have also come to symbolize the ability to overcome challenges, and represents transformations. The swan is the traditional symbol of beauty, elegance and grace. It’s considered unlucky to bring them harm to a swan; in some cultures they’re considered sacred. The swan is the largest and heaviest bird in North America yet they can fly at a rate of 50 MPH (on average) but have been known to fly up to 70MPH, which is surprising considering they weigh up to 30 pounds (and eat as much as 8 pounds of food each day)! They’re fiercely protective of their young and are very intelligent (they will come to recognize you).

"Desert Surprise"

I get so pumped when I find the "extra ordinary", in the "ordinary." I had planned to travel 7 hours on this early Arizona morning however a bursting storm cell caught my eye, and that's all I needed to abandon my plans; I took the next exit. As I gained in elevation, I began to notice snow on the distant mountains, while pockets sunlight and dark shadows danced along the desert vegetation. The scene was absolutely jaw-dropping! That said, I knew this image would be a “keeper” so I didn't waste any time to capture this shot. The elements in this image are compositionally harmonious, and I'd call it Mother Nature’s masterpiece (just waiting to be frozen in time).

"Date Farm Panoramic"

This, is MY FAVORITE photo to date.... but admittedly my favorite photo is always my latest one; or the one that’s still in my camera :-) I love panoramic images; especially those with repeating patterns, like this image. As I drove around the Coachella Valley (south-west California) I marveled at the date farms, and how the trees were in such perfect lines That said however, I didn’t find a date farm planting that I thought was “perfect”, so I left the valley "empty handed". I hadn’t driven but an hour when I notice this planting and how the slope of the land made all the tree trunks (from front to back) visible. “Perfect!”, I said to my dog Arlo! Yes, I talk to him as he listens with a tilted head… lol. You may ask, “What makes this image work?”, and why did I choose this one, out of all the images I took. With my camera in hand, I carefully I placed the widest and brightest separation of trees off to one side. I chose to include a separation (so that your eyes would be drawn into the image) but I had to consider balance and the weight of the image too; the heaviness of the fronds, the size of the date trees and how much foreground too. Together, these elements make this image outstanding ….in my humble opinion… :-) NOTE: This is a 3-image stack; meaning 3 horizontal images have been stitched together in post processing to create this format. That said, this image is HUGE and will easily cover the length of any wall.

"Sedona's Evening Glow"

After the sun sets in Sedona, the glowing westerly sky produces a warm and radiant hue on the red rock mountains that surround the area but only for a few minutes, and then it's gone. I arrived prepared and early to wait for that warm glow to appear on Cathedral Rock. There wasn’t a lot of light so I knew I’d have to use my tripod to accommodate a slow shutter speed. I framed the shot and then as darkness drew I checked my exposure settings and adjust them accordingly until finally, the glow appeared! ....and then just like that, it was gone. My patience, perseverance (it was cold!) and determination paid off, I got the prized shot I was hoping for. That said, I equate my sense of joy in photography to an Easter egg hunt and this shot was finding a huge cream filled Easter Egg (minus the calories, lol)! To my naked eye, the sky was black and the shadows in the foreground were black but because of my 5 second exposure (with my Sony a7r iv camera) I able to capture that which I couldn’t see; the result of which you see here. Things I like about this photograph include; the STRONG composition, the subtle colors (or lack thereof), the contrast, the (visible) details in the cliffs (which are almost impossible to see during the bright daylight hours) and how the darkness on the bottom Cathedral rock and the bright of the sky frame this iconic Sedona mountain. This is definitely one of my favorite!

"Wild Donkeys"

We arrived at Monument Valley with plans to tour and photograph the valley; we were so excited! We didn’t however do our homework prior to our arrival, and were disappointed to find out the park was closed because of Covid. So, we made the most of our time here and decided to explore the area around Monument Valley instead. We chose to explore a side road that was paved to begin with, then it turned to gravel and then it turned into a forestry service road. We were alone and it felt freeing to be alone; the only car in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization. Suddenly I saw something move across the rocky desert scape, “Wild donkeys!” I said with excitement (I had never seen them before). They were a far distance away so with my camera and long lens in hand I slowly walked towards them; not knowing anything about wild donkeys, I wondered if they’d be curious about me. Then with some trepidation I wondered what would I do if they did! Quit quickly however, they ran off and I didn’t even get a single shot. We continued on and as we turned a corner, these four wild donkeys stood right in front of us! Now, knowing how skittish they are, I quietly (and quickly) got out of the truck to take aim. Initially, they were huddled together but as I approached them (ever so carefully) they backed off and stood as you see them here; just as curious about me as I was about them. I knew how very, very blessed I was for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so with that in mind, I made sure all my settings were I wanted them and held my camera steady. What I love about this photo is how perfectly lined up they are!

"A Desert Garden"

With all the rain that California received this winter, I decided to visit Borrego Springs in hopes to capture some flowering desert plants. I wasn’t disappointed! In some areas, the desert floor was blanketed with color; purples, pinks, yellow and white too. The desert is sometimes referred to as the flowering desert and I could see why; I have never seen the desert so vibrant with color! I walked around for quite some time before I found this composition; one that would lead your eyes to the distant mountains (which adds to its overall scale). With my camera on a tripod, and only a foot from the ground, and only a inches from the foreground flowers, I used my wide angle lens. Then, I had to take multiple images and stack them (in post production) to get the depth of field I desired. The purple flowered plant are called, “Desert Sand Verbena’s”. They’re creepers that grow wild (and well after rains), in the sands of Mexico, California and Arizona and can cover vast areas (as I saw!). The sweet scented “Dune Evening Primrose” (the white flowers) grow to 18 inches tall and grow in clusters of up to 40 inches in diameter. They can be found in all of the southern states, especially around sandy dunes. They also go by other names, including; Desert Primrose, Birdcage Evening Primrose, Devil’s Lantern, Lion-in-a-cage and Basket Evening Primrose.

"Shared Beauty"

I recently attended a Photography conference in Pincher Creek, Alberta, and one of the many things that was discussed was the pros and cons of social media. This is my take on social media (relating to creativity). Although there’s a lot of negative, associated with social media these days, there are a lot of positive aspects too. Sure, for some it’s all about how many likes, followers and comments they get but for others however, they simply want to share their art because it gives them joy; a reason. and a goal…. thus purpose. Art (of any kind) is therapy and sharing one’s creations makes the artist feel purposeful; that then, is their reward. We create, we learn, we share…. repeat. Life is in the sharing and that’s why I’ve shared this image with you. I sincerely thank you all for being my receptive audience…. here on social media :-) *Anise Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio Zelicaon), found in Western North America.

"Desert Color"

We often walk through life without paying much attention to the obvious, however with an intent to “see” (beyond a glance) we will discover a world that we never noticed. If I asked you what color shade is, you would likely say it’s black (or grey) however if you pay attention you’ll discover that’s not the case, and this photograph is a prime example. No doubt you’ve noticed how snow looks blue (or pink, or purple); that’s because the snow picks up the colors of the sky. Just like the snow, in this photograph the pale (almost white) colored cliffs behind the saguaro picked up the incredibly vibrancy of the blue sky. When I walked towards this saguaro tree the very first thing I noticed was the color of the shade. Wow!... it made me stop in my tracks! In that moment of wonderment, I noticed three things; the blue colored shade, all the back-lighting, and the vivid greens. When I combined these three things with my composition, I knew that I had a “keeper” and I could hardly wait to get it into post processing! As a matter of fact, I was so excited by the scene that I immediately sent an iPhone shot to daughter before taking this shot with my Sony a7r IV. This photo was taken near Dutchman State Park (just east of Mesa, AZ), at the base of Superstition Mountain; just after a week of rain, which made the sky SO vibrant! *Notice how "fat" the saguaro is? Interestingly, saguaro's retain water, which is key for it's survival.

"Superstition Mountain"

Superstition Mountain is located east of Phoenix and Apache Junction. It was once volcanic but now this sleeping giant is a popular recreational area for bikers, ATV'rs, and horseback riders too. It's rugged and sheer sided peaks are well over 5000 feet and can be seen for miles. I camped at the Lost Dutchman State Park, which is conveniently located behind from where I took this photo. I left my campsite early; giving myself plenty time to find the perfect composition. It wasn't easy to get here; I climbed over boulders, around bushes and dodge the prickly cacti too (ouch!) and it seemed to never end (lol). As the mountain grew larger, I stopped to take a series of focus stacked shots until I eventually parked myself here. I stayed until it was dark and watched as the light changed, and took photos as it did. There is a trail at the bottom of the mountain that runs from left to right, and then into the shaded canyon on the right. Those that are agile climb to the top of the mountain on the far right. I did hiked into the canyon a few years back but I wasn't prepared to go that far on a hot day. Arizona is known for it's amazing sunsets which casts some amazing colors on the desert floor (just like this photo). I headed back after I got some blue hour shots but boy, was it dark and walking back in darkness wasn't fun! Oh well, I made a new memory and I chuckle at the new (more) scratches on my legs (which seems to go hand in hand to get the shots I want, lol).

"Golden Birches"

"Golden Birches" As I traveled the pacific northwest, I searched for that perfect and unique stand of birch (or aspen) trees to photograph, only to discover it was a lot harder than I had anticipated. It shouldn't have been so difficult but my list of "must haves" was long; mostly because I wanted my shot to be unique, and have a sense of mood. That said, I LOVE this photograph! The low light, distant fog, subtle colors and lack of density gives it a softness that I wasn't able to capture in any of my previous shots. Together, "Golden Birches" brings about a sense of calm, thus a calm to any room. This photograph will be hanging in my home.

"Mountain Dreams"

When I approached this scene, I experienced an amazing sense of awe! The majestic wonder of the blowing snow in such a harsh environment gave me goosebumps (in astonishment, not cold!). I had never seen such a magnificent and inhospitable scene; it was an “awe” moment I’ll never forget. I was in my happy place! Although I wished I could have share this view with the world, it's my sincere pleasure to share it with you here! I hope it leaves you in “awe” too! I named this image “Mountain Dreams” because if I’m not in the mountains, I dream of being in the mountains! 4 images were used to create this panoramic composition (they were later stitched together in Photoshop).