"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.

"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!

"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.

“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".

"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.

"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!

"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!

"The Final Act"

I get asked a lot about RVing; most of which are out of curiosity, or stem from their own aspirations. The first thing I mention is that a RVing lifestyle is not for everyone; although there are so many rewards, you also give up (or compromise) a lot too. I suppose, it’s what you choose to focus on :-) I usually don’t know where I’m going to park for the night because my curiosity leads my way. Yes, I’ve been caught from time to time (whoops!); searching in the dark for a place to park. Once I’ve parked however and the blinds are down, "I’m home”. Admittedly, sometimes I wake up and wonder, “Where am I?”. That said, it’s so amazingly freeing but I have to face my fears and the challenges too (as there are anywhere). I usually park were I think there could be a late evening or early morning shot. So, when I parked on this open plain, I parked facing some shapely mountains in the east. My thought was that the setting sun would cast some beautiful light on them but that was a bust. When I stepped outside the RV however and looked west, I was surprised by the amazing colors and cloud formations. The sun was setting fast, so I rushed to grab my camera! Fortunately this tree wasn't too far away (and the only one around, lucky me!). I didn’t want too much of the foreground in this photo and I wanted the sky to look REALLY grand so I laid down on the ground, with my head in the sand, and shot up at the tree. I then placed the setting sun directly behind it so it would glow from behind. The tree looks massive here but it was only 8 feet tall! LOL :-) A RV lifestyle does have its challenges but for me, it’s such a small price to pay when I get these kinds of shots.

"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.

"Oh Sunny Day"

Over the years I have seen a lot of sunflower photos but my goal here was to create a unique and unusual photograph; in such a way that it would draw unique interest. It was at least 8 feet tall and with its (full grown) weight it was drooping heavily. Fortunately, I was able to stand right under it which gave me the perspective I wanted and the bounced lighting the ground provided. As I stood staring at the sunflower from underneath, I noticed the rainbow of colors in its center, the linear patterns and the variety of textures. I took a few shots from the left, and then from the right but when I composed this shot I knew instantly that IT was the keeper!

"Winter's Beauty Rest"

"Winter's Beauty Rest" In -38F (-39C) weather, I ventured out in the comfort of my Jeep, on some snow drift covered prairie back roads in search of “cold” images. Not only was it cold but the wind was incredibly piercing too!   I was enjoying the sun filled day when this scene caught my eye. I loved how the highlight of the snow defined the branches; thankfully there weren't any leaves blocking the tree trunk and branches. Both my camera and my hands don’t work very well in those frigged temperatures, so I didn’t doddle!  I love how abstract photography makes you look more intriguingly and inquisitively at it an image. The "art" in abstract photography however is much more than capturing what I see; it's first in observing beyond a first glance and then composing it in an artistic manner.   Mother Nature produces some of the best abstract art!

"Sand Storm"

The desert can be beautiful, dangerous and downright eerie sometimes too. The desert wildfires I’ve seen in the past, have always been on hillsides, and never on a sandy plain like this here. That said, I was quite surprised because very little tends grow on the plains... yet here was a stand of sparsely spaced and blackened trees. I stopped to take a look around and as I did, I noted a dust cloud across the way; little did I know that I’d soon be engulfed by it... but I got this shot! ;-) From time to time, the desert can feel eerie; I can walk for miles in the desert, and never see a single soul. It's tranquility is lovely; but I know snakes are lurking. I’m at awe by its night skies; but the howling coyotes remind me that I’m not alone. Yes, the desert can be eerie but I’ve never thought of the desert as "ghostly", until I came across this scene. Note the smaller tree in the background. I chose to include it in this composition to give it an overall sense of scale; without it, one could think that the subject tree was simply a shrub.

"A Graceful Descent"

As a beginner, I use to give composition very little thought, and most of my photos were grand scenes but now, I find myself finding great pleasure in finding and composing more intimate scenes, like this one. Although this type of photography isn't for everyone my photographic journey is for "me"; my soul and my healing. I'm in my element when I'm out exploring, and all my worries disappear. There, I'm at one with Mother Nature and I know she means me no harm. That said, I'm also there to represent her through my photography for all to see, experience and (hopefully) inspire in some way. I often think of those of you whom (because of your physical limitations), can't experience her, and for that I am sorry but I hope that just for a moment, you're there with me. Yes, it's (tearfully) lonely at times but I don't feel nearly as lonely when I'm out on the open road, and exploring Mother Nature. I named this photography "A Graceful Descent" because it represents my journey. We fall, we get up and we grow again! :-)

"Desert Mountain"

If you take a closer look an artist’s small scene landscape, you’ll usually notice these three predominant elements; a focal point, the overall contrast and the composition. When these elements are creatively harmonious the image speaks for itself, and we take note. Now, take a look at this image, and see if you can spot these elements. This image was taken along California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, home to John Muir’s, Pacific Crest Trail; an enormous hiking trail that starts at the Mexican border, and ends at the Canadian border (2650 miles in total). The trail covers some incredibly taxing terrain; from the dry heat of the desert to icy and rugged mountain tops ....but so stunningly beautiful. That said, if I could turn back time, I'd be on the Pacific Crest Trail! It's important listen to your spirit of adventure and to remember that when the fear of staying the same weighs more than the fear of change, that’s when it’s time to face the fear, and make the change (in all regards).

"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.

"Wings Of Freedom"

A female Rufous Hummingbird.

"Hidden Wonder"

There are times in life when we lose our way, or we simply can’t see our way. To look beyond our disappointments and look for opportunities instead, not only takes courage and determination but an awareness of self. That said, I was filled with these thoughts on this fall day last year, and those thoughts led me to this photo. Life didn’t go as planned so with a good dose of self talk, I pulled up my big girl pants (lol), and made the most of it by setting off on a photo shoot. As I was strolling through an apple orchard, I noticed some clouds forming and clinging to the mountains that surrounded me. I was excited (!), because I knew that if I could get into those clouds, I'd find fog and "mood". So off I went in search of a road that would lead me into the forest, into the fog, and beyond. Thanks to google maps, I found a muddy and slick logging road (my Jeep was covered!). As I ascended and entered the peaceful and tranquil fog, I no longer paid much attention to the road (lol). With the busy world was behind me and my creative self at ease, I was fully engaged in my photography passion; solitude and passion can be so healing. I enjoyed searching for a foggy composition and felt rewarded when I found this showstopper (I was elated!). I love how the light pulls you into the photo yet you can't see the wonders beyond the fog; hence I named this photo, “Hidden Wonder”.

"Fallen Forest"

“Art, is in the eye of the beholder”. The "art" in photography is much more than capturing what I see, it's truly in the art of observing. The way in which light interacts with the scene can make a mundane scene, absolutely exquisite. That said, I’m always searching beyond my first glance for the unique and prized image, such as this one. I love abstract art but not necessarily just the typical obscure type. It’s the photographic pieces created by Mother Nature that I love and when it comes to composing, I don't just consider placement but light, form, colors and textures too.

"Winter Willow"

It may surprise you, but my least favorite weather to shoot in are the clear days, when there isn’t a cloud in the sky. I prefer turbulent skies, overcast skies, fog or even rain because they all add drama, mood and interest to an image. Honestly though, there really aren’t any bad weather days for photography but the lighting conditions do dictate what type of photography I’m looking for. I love shooting in foggy conditions; that’s my favorite. Fog not only helps to define the subject by separating the foreground from the background but it (importantly), fog adds a peaceful and a serene stillness to it too; like this photo. I’m touring my way towards southern US in my RV now and after only three days, I’ve had to changed my travels twice …oh well :-) . The weather hasn’t exactly cooperated but I am getting a few great shots and making some valued memories along the way. Not one to get frazzled by (most) last minute changes, I embrace what I can’t change. That said, choosing which way to go, when you don’t know where to go, is sometimes just a matter of flipping a coin! I once met a lady who was traveling solo, around the world and I asked her, “How do you decide where to go?”. She answered with, “There’s no right or wrong, left or right”. Gosh, isn’t that the truth! Whether they are travel plans or life plans; life is in the memories we create, and those we leave behind. If you see the negative, you’re going to feel the negative, if you see the beauty, you’re going to feel the beauty. Believe in possibilities. Photo captured near Yakima, Washington.

"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!

"Red Tailed Hawk"

There’s usually story behind most of my images, and this one is no exception; and a lesson was learned! Recently, I decided to drive down a well groomed 18 mile gravel road in my RV; after all, that’s often where I find the most interesting scenes. At the mile 9 mark there was a sign posted “Next 9 miles not maintained”. I stopped for a moment to ponder my next move and while doing so a car drove towards me so I waved it down and asked the man driving what the road conditions were like, to which he replied, “They’re fine, you won’t have any problems”. So, with that I carried on. Yikes, wrong decision!! After a couple miles it became a single lane logging road and then it climbed up the side a steep mountainside. There were hair pin corners and ruts to maneuver and at one point I had to keep my tires on the worn tracks of the the previous vehicles. That said, my eyes were on the road and I prayed that I wouldn’t meet another vehicle going in the opposite direction. Once I reached to top however the road leveled off and I drove across beautiful golden plains (phew). Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a hawk not more than 50 feet away from me, dive to the ground. With my camera at the ready and preset, I managed to get this shot of a Red Tailed Hawk. All of this happened within 30 seconds! SO…. lesson learned, NEVER ask someone driving a car what the roads conditions are like when you’re driving a RV! Ha Ha! The Red Tailed Hawk is a bird of prey that lives throughout most of North America (Alaska, Canada to as far south as Panama). They prefer the open country, woodlands, prairie groves, mountains, plains, roadsides but are found in any kind of terrain that provides both some open ground for hunting with some high perches. Their eyesight is eight times better than a human's and in flight, they can spot a mouse on the ground from 100 feet in the air. The males and females basically look alike (though the females are slightly larger), and they often mate for life.

"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).