A female Rufous Hummingbird.
This astrophotograph is first for me. That said however there are so many different facets to photography that I don't think a photographer could possibly be proficient in them all; and because of this, our skills keep evolving. That said, it's with passionate curiosity that I continue to feed my passion. It was really hard to see and frame this shot in the dark so image my surprise when my favorite shot included a falling star! Taken at 1 a.m., facing south at Abraham Lake Alberta. The light (pollution) in the mountain valley is likely Banff and/or Calgary. Look for more astrophotography and aurora photos to come!
Recently, after months of building my photography business, I took a break from my creative passions (business and photography). In that time I recognized my need to keep busy and how very blessed that I am to be able to do what I love. As I was driving my motorhome one early and chilly morning, I saw this bridge view over some shrubs (thanks for the higher perspective of the RV). I continued to drive past for well over 5 minutes while I debated whether or not I should turn around. Obviously, I turned around (and I’m glad I did!). I had noted a spot that I could park my RV but I hadn’t noticed just how high the vegetation surrounding this pond was. Fortunately however I found a trail that lead to the shore of pond (how lucky!). As I was setting up my camera gear I noticed these two Canadian geese casually swimming towards my planned composition. I hurriedly increased my shutter speed (to capture their movement) and waited for them to arrive at this planned position. Almost as though on cue they posed for me! This photograph was my very first photo after this break and I felt so rewarded!
This female Grizzly had two little cubs following behind her. OMG, they were SO cute but because they were behind all the tall grasses, I just couldn't get a clear shot of them. I spotted them in the Abraham Lake district of Alberta, Canada and although I have seen grizzlies before there was something about her that was more frightening; I think I felt her protective energy. That said, even though I a safe distance from her, my heart was racing (I have a respectful fear of grizzlies!). AND.... my heart was STILL racing as I processed this photo (I take raw photos). I had trouble looking into her eyes, it was as though she was looking at me even through the photo. If you run into a grizzly bear: 1. Stay calm. If the bear sees you, talk in a low, calm voice and then regardless if it has seen you or not. 2. Back up slowly. 3. Never turn your back on a bear, or run. 4. Do not stare.... DON'T look into their eyes! 5. Give it space. 6 Do not run! 7. Use your bear spray as it approaches.
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.
I recently attended an amazing photography conference in Pincher Creek Alberta, where there were a number of speakers that covered a variety of photographic topics; I was in my element! Although I was primarily there to hear Viktoria Haack and Adam Gibbs speak (two renowned BC photographers who’s style and genres I admire), I actually enjoyed all the speakers and presenters. Their work, combined with their shared wisdom, was inspiring; so much so that it inspired me (personally) to dive into some new (to me) genres. That said, I was particularly interested in the discussions that pertained to astrophotography (including aurora borealis), wildlife photography and Black & White photography; just to mention a few. When I left the conference I decided to concentrate on black and white for a while, so imagine my delight when I came across this old farmhouse (not far from Pincher Creek). At first, I was merely fixated on the old abandoned homestead but as I walked around I noticed all the amazing leading lines which added to the overall composition. Considering the subject, I knew this photograph would look amazing in black and white; by naturally adding a sense of mood, mystery and age.
I haven't been taking too many photos these days because of all the mosquitos here in the North West (with thanks to a very wet spring and summer). I don't "do" mosquitos very well and doing battle while taking photos is challenging! My brief departure from working out in the field however has given me an opportunity to work on some of my favorite photos from earlier this year; including this one. With my full format camera in hand, I took this photo knowing I'd be cropping it into the panoramic format you see here. I wanted to showcase just a sliver of the forest; using the vertical lines, the variety in textures and these soft and subtle colors to entertain the inquisitive viewer. Mother nature truly created this abstract but it takes a creative and inquisitive eye to see it. :-)
I’ve visited Albas falls many times over the years, and it never ceases to amaze me. Albas falls is a remote set of falls; one large (and wider) one below this one and a few smaller ones above this one. There’s a loop trail that meanders around the falls and Celista Creek that provide many stellar views. The forest floor is completely covered with green, flourishing moss, fallen trees and mushrooms; all thriving from the moist environment. Within the steep canyon walls the mist from the falls feels so refreshing; especially on those hot summer days. During spring run-off Celista Creek looks more like a river and although it’s quite a spectacle to see it’s not for the faint of heart or for little ones either. The trail is generally wet and slippery so good shoes are required. This is bear country (both Black and Grizzly), and I’ve seen many in this area before so I knew to be on the look out. The bears were just coming out of hibernation… so yah, I did’t want to be their first meal! :-) So, I packed my bear spray and I felt quite safe but the thunderous falls were so loud that I wouldn’t have heard a bear come up from behind me anyways. The vibrational sound penetrated my body and the earth below my feet shook too! To capture this shot, I had to increase my ISO, slow down my shutter speed (I had to use a tripod) and use a neutral density filter (which reduces the amount of light entering the camera), and then continually wipe the mist off of my lens! Wet and cold I hiked back up to my car; excited in knowing that I got some great shots. LOL, I was so embraced by this scene that I totally forgot about the bears! What a great day!
Coming up with a unique, impactful and fitting name for a photograph isn't easy. I consider the subject, it's location, a mood, or a message it evokes. That said, I felt a my favorite message (quote) was most fitting for this photo, "To Rise Above".... “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
In the spring, a grizzly bear’s diet consists of approximately 70% grass, to replenish their lack of proteins during hibernation. This is why you often see bears along roadways, where grass grows in abundance. Knowing this, I had my camera at the ready as I traveled along this (somewhat) remote logging road in the interior of British Columbia. I travel this road often and I see black, brown and cinnamon bears on a regular basis but this was the first time that I came across a grizzly bear. Grizzly bears come in many sizes, and this female (her cub was nearby) was relatively small. I once saw a grizzly that was at least 3 times larger (it was incredibly massive!) so I now have a sincere fear of them. I stayed with these grizzlies for approximately 10 minutes, and they didn’t seem to mind my presence. As I watched and gazed into their eyes, I felt at peace with them but I know those seemingly calm eyes are very deceiving and they deserve respect; I kept my distance. In this photo, she lifted her head to watch a vehicle drive behind me. Frightened by the noise of a bouncing utility trailer it was pulling, she and her cub scurried into the forest. Although I was disappointed that my photo session came to an abrupt end, I knew that this (my last photo) was going to be a keeper! Yay! I felt VERY fortunate by this opportunity. It's now a great memory and I’m thrilled to add it to my photography portfolio and here on my website.
As many of you already know (from a previous entry), years ago I had quite a run-in with Cholla (also known as a jumping Cholla for its tendency to drop pods that blow in the wind). They’re barbed needles are very sharp and very sturdy so when they penetrate the skin they’re like a fishing hook they’re there to stay. I have deep respect for this cacti; good luck removing them painlessly! This photo was taken within Brown’s Desert Ranch; a public land use area (parkland), just outside of North Scottsdale. I arrived well before sunrise so that I had enough time to find “the” perfect composition of Pinnacle Peak (a famous mountain), but walked away empty handed, until I spotted this on the way back to my car. The Cholla grows in a higley piggly fashion. With its random branches of various heights and widths, they usually grow in clusters (which often block the way!). This one caught my eye because it was just so symmetrical and balanced; an anomaly!
The northern lights are truly Mother Nature’s fireworks. This was my first photo shoot of the aurora borealis and although it wasn’t a spectacular display this photograph (along with the experience being up at such a strange hour) has me hooked. As I stood in complete darkness, I felt a fearless sense of peace in the solitude, and a calm in my own stillness. It was amazing! I look forward to my next “wee” hour photo shoot!
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!
This photo was taken at Bartlett Lake, a reservoir lake located north-east of Scottsdale and slightly north of Rio Verde, Arizona. Popular with anglers and campers, it’s quite unique lake with rugged mountains surrounding it and saguaros growing along its shoreline. Sometimes, we photographers have to be very persistent; I went to Bartlett Lake 4 times to get this shot! It was a 45 minute drive from my RV so I left early (in the darkness of night) so that I’d be there before the sunrise. The first time I went, I chose to go on a day when there was snow on the mountain tops but unfortunately the combination of cloud cover, rain and the (icy cold) winds made it impossible to get any kind of shot. On my second attempt I didn’t have much luck either. I was disappointed by the dark and dreary sky so I spent the morning hiking and searching for future compositions; so it wasn’t a total loss. Eventually I found this one and vowed to come back on a sunny day. The next time I went, everything was perfect until I had a run in with a *Cholla, and it won…. Ouch! So, that quickly ended that photo shoot! Regardless, I wasn’t going to give up and with visions of this pre-planned composition in mind, I head out there for yet another visit. Finally, I got the shot I was hoping for! A Chollas are a desert plant that are completely covered with barbed needles. They are also known as a Jumping Cholla, for its habit of jumping (rolling) along the ground in the wind. They easily fall off their mother plant and then have a tendency to “jump” (if you will) on to the skin or clothing of a passerby…. it’s pure 100% OUCH! I must say this was on of my most “painful” shots! LOL
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.
A short uphill walk through an old growth forest lead me to a set of switchback stairs, a viewing platform and a 115 foot (35 meter) suspension bridge that overlooked this 99 foot (30 meter) waterfall. As I hiked up to the waterfall I was very quick to notice the terrain; it was SO lush! The old growth forest floor was covered with large broad leaf ferns and the surrounding trees were draped with heavy green moss; which in itself was photo worthy but because my time was limited I couldn’t stop. At the top of the stairs was a viewing platform and a suspension bridge that crossed over to the other side of the canyon. It was quite the sight to see and because the gorge was so narrow and deep, you can imagine how loud the sound of the cascading water was! I walked across the sturdy steel cable suspension bridge to a viewing platform on the other side. It however had a limited view of the falls so I decided this view was far better. From this view I noticed the natural lead in lines and the highlights created by the open sky above and although one might consider downed tree lying across the water a distraction, one might also consider it a point of interest (as I do).
It occurred to me the other day, that I am a "weather chaser" (lol... just like storm chasers but I chase the "weather"). More specifically, I chase after the unique weather because it adds drama (and/or a mood) to my photographs. The downside of weather chasing IS the weather (lol); the cold, rain, snow and wind (along with early mornings and late evenings). When I get a shot like this one however, I reap the rewards! As I approached my destination for the day (Picacho Peak State Park, between Phoenix and Tuscan), I noticed a huge storm building and filling the valley in front of me. The storm was a sight to see, complete with lightning, rain bursts, rainbows and the sun was mixed in there too. It was so spectacular; I wished I was in the thick of it! By the time I stopped at the state park, all that remained of the storm was the rain. My decision to stop here was a last minute (weather) decision so I arrived without campsite reservation. Fortunately however they just had a cancellation (Yay!). I was set (and hoped the "weather" to return). As I detached my Jeep from my RV it occurred to me that park wraps around Picacho Peak (to the west) and that maybe there would be some "weather" on that side. So, with that in mind, off I went. I parked at the Sunset Vista Trailhead and noted a beautiful sunset forming (something I couldn't see from my campsite). With my camera backpack and my tripod in hand I ventured onto the muddy trail. The clouds still lingered behind me as I hiked and then suddenly a beautiful rainbow suddenly appeared. I was so tempted to turn my attention but because time was of the essence, I stayed focused on this composition. I love this photo's composition (it's one of my favorite compositions). The lay of the land, the greenery, sun, highlights, darks and clouds all help lead your eye into, through and out the photo. I also like the warm tones (the setting sun created), the lush colors of the foliage and rocks (thanks to the rain), and the strong vertical lines of the saguaro trees (in contrast to everything else). Although it's been chilly, windy and raining I feel so blessed to be here with my camera on this winter day!
I spent Christmas in Desert Hot Springs (with some dear friends) and although I wanted to travel home to my family I had to considered the implications; my tightening time frame (to the set up of the Arizona Fine Art Expo) and then of course, the threat of covid exposure. One of the most visually interesting things in Palm Springs are the 100's of wind turbines that cover the valley floor and hillsides; my objective here (besides Christmas!) was to get some "signature" shots of the Coachella Valley. It was late day when I noticed a sudden weather change so off I went, to my pre-planned photographic destination. With my tripod firmly anchored in the desert sand and my camera focused on a grouping of wind turbines, I suddenly noticed a change in overall color, and then I noticed why.... and you might say I changed my "focus"! The first thing I noticed was the complimentary colors of the hillsides and then I noticed the matching colors of the sky! "Really!" I exclaimed to myself! I was SO excited! It was (truly) so thrilling to witness this! I'm sure though, that most people wouldn't have noticed the colors of the hillsides but I'm so color intuitive that they "screamed" (lol) at me! With little time to spare, I removed my camera from my tripod, switched lenses and hand held this shot. I wanted a high quality panoramic shot of this scene so this photograph is actually comprised of three shots (that I later stitched together in post production). Sure, I didn't get the shots of the wind turbines I wanted but I got this shot instead; which made my day!
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).
THE GRAND SUNRISE I’ve always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon when there was snow on the ground and as luck should have it, I had a small window of opportunity in the middle of December, 2022. I wanted to camp near the Grand Canyon but it was much to cold to park my RV (without winterizing it) so I boon-docked in Sedona instead, albeit below freezing there too. My goal was to be at the Grand Canyon before sunrise so I left at 4 a.m.; knowing that it was going to be a dark and slippery trip (especially Oak Creek Canyon). Wow, lucky me…. I arrived 10 minutes before sunrise with just enough time to set up my camera and count to 10 (lol)! The sunrise was incredibly pretty and the colors were colors I hadn’t seen in the Grand Canyon before; it was fun to watch the sun fill the canyon and the colors change as it did. There were approximately 40 other visitors watching the sunrise but because it was so cold (-15C/5) they all left, and I had the canyon to myself. It was nice to be the only one there but I was SO, so cold and although I was dressed for the cold my fingers were throbbing as I fumbled around with my camera settings. That said, I (almost) wanted to chuckle because my fingers wouldn’t work but sheesh, the pain! I was so very thankful for this opportunity that it kept me “focused” :-) on my photography passion. That said, what photographers will do for a photograph! I braved the cold until 1 p.m. (I was so done). I have now visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in all types of weather, so my next visit will have to be from either the canyon floor (rafting) or the North Rim (which is closed during the winter months).
I can't begin explain the level of excitement I feel when given the opportunity to capture some of this world's most amazing places. Even more exciting however is to come across scenes like this that are truly unique and different; they usually involve the weather and the sun (or lack of). In this photo, thick valley fog, falling snow and darkness completely surrounded me; winter was in the air. I was focusing on a field of wispy bulrushes when to my astonishment the sun suddenly appeared, and only on this tiny spot. I had no time to waste, so I found the best composition and adjusted my camera accordingly. I was elated by the vibrant, vivid and contrasting colors; they demand the viewer's attention. That said, I thoroughly enjoy sharing these rare photographic moments with you. I hope that you can feel the "wow" too.
