“The Vivid Deposit"

*A Full Format (larger image) available upon request. My favorite place to park my RV for the night is off-grid, with Mother Nature. It's here that I've had the most amazing, non-intrusive views, the best meals and glasses of wine (yes, the very best of times!). Losee Canyon was one such place. As I approached Bryce Canyon from the west, I was pondering where we might spend the night when I suddenly noticed a gravel road. I quickly slowed down and without any further thought or discussion, I turned. The road was in poor condition (and dusty) so I decided I wouldn't venture too far from the main highway. Then, to our complete surprise, we happened upon a staging area and trailhead! It was the very most, perfect off-grid parking spot to stay in for the night! Who would have thought, so close to Bryce Canyon! Although it was a dreary and cold when we arrived, we still hiked part of the trail. Oh gosh, we were so very amazed by the trail, we vowed to hike it again in the morning. The next morning we got up early, with plans to hike and explore even further than the night before. We were so pleased that the weather had cleared and although it was cold, the colors were amazingly vivid. When this bluff came into view I pointed, "Look at the strange formation, and look at the colors!". I have not done any color corrections to this photo, it is exactly as I saw it. LOL, we didn't hike very far; we were too busy taking photographs! * I love the foreground tree!

“Homeward Bound"

This photograph was taken at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, though it really could be anywhere. On this particular day we purposely walked barefooted through the sand; it was a February morning so it was cold! Why would I do such a thing you might ask, because I try to do something different every day and by doing that I create a memory specific to that day. That said however it helps to photo document everything. There are many ways in which I could have cropped this photograph however it's important to remember the direction of flow; and in this case its flow approached me vertically. So, because the footprints approached ME (a mother) I just had to call this photo "Homeward Bound” ....where you’re always welcome.

"Pink Coral Sand Dunes"

Utah

"Casting Light"

I visited beautiful Bryce Canyon (in the southern state of Utah) on a brisk and stellar February day. It was truly an amazing day to say the least, and having never been there before I was in utter “Awe”! I was not only lucky to arrive on a sunny day but after a fresh snow fall too! Everywhere I looked the colours seemed saturated, especially in contrast with the shadow cast snow and the high altitude, deep blue sky (the rim is 8000 - 9000 ft. above sea level) . Albeit very cold (-5C, 23F) and very windy, we hiked to the valley floor below, were it was surprisingly warmer, I even peeled off our jacket! On the climb back up I happened upon this view and knew it would make an amazing abstract. With the "rule of thirds" in mind, I captured this shot as you see it. There were trees above the snow line however I chose not to include them in the shot. Notice the the colours! The snow in the distance is purple-blue in color (drawing from the blue sky). The brilliance of the orange and yellow sandstone was the result of reflective lighting from where I stood (I was standing on a vertical ledge and the sunlight bounced back off the wall of the ledge below me). Did you notice that the sun highlights the lip of the yellow sandstone? It's exactly what I looked for when I shot outdoor portraiture. I thoroughly enjoy abstract photography; I hope this photo leaves you wondering, “What is it and where is it?”.

“The Amazing Burr Trail”

There's nothing better than stumbling across an incredible and unexpected landscape, and "Burr Trail" (Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah) was indeed one of those amazing experiences! While travelling late we decided it was time find a place to boondock (dry-camp) so from "Scenic Byway 12", we turned on to Burr Trail road. It wasn't long before we found the most impressive and quaint spot in a ravine, it was captivating! That said however, the banner views were yet to come! As we drove down Burr Trail, the steep, red canyon walls closed in on us. Occasionally the sun crested the ridges far above us however the canyon was (for the most part) illuminated only by the bounced lighting from red canyon walls. That stated, you can well imagine how magnificent the warm/red lighting was; we were encapsulated in a photographer's dream! In this particular photo, I absolutely love the dark shadowed slope. It, combined with the other lines in this photograph, give you a strong sense of focal point and direction. Doesn't this shot make you want to know what's around the next corner!

“Bryce Color Surprise!"

We visited beautiful Bryce Canyon (in the southern state of Utah) on a brisk and stellar February day. It was truly an amazing day to say the least, and having never been there before I was in utter “Awe”! We were lucky to not only arrive on a sunny day but after a fresh snow fall as well. Everywhere I looked the colours seemed saturated, especially in contrast with the shadow cast snow and the high altitude, deep blue sky (the rim is 8000 - 9000 ft. above sea level) . Albeit very cold (-5C, 23F) and very windy, we hiked to the valley floor below, were it was surprisingly warmer, we even peeled off our jackets! As we climbed back up to the rim, I happened to notice this view across the way, and I knew it would make an absolutely amazing panoramic abstract. With the "rule of thirds" in mind, I captured this shot and a few others of similar. What’s not shown in this photo are the trees above the snow line, but I chose to crop them out so your eye wouldn’t be drawn to them; instead, I want you to notice the the vibrant colors! The snow in the distance is a purple-blue color because it has absorbed the deep blue color of the sky, and the brilliance in the oranges and yellow sandstone is a result of the sunlight reflecting off the canyon wall falling away, below my feet. Notice too that the sun kisses the lip of the sandstone pillars, which helps to define the ridges by separating the two orange tones. This panoramic shot is one of my (all time) favorites, and it hangs on our family’s wall.

“Canyon Companion”

On a cold February day, we visited Bryce Canyon, in southern Utah. This was my first visit so you can imagine my “Awe”! We live in such an amazing world, with such beauty, but what I saw before me was truly breath taking. We were very lucky that it was a sunny day and also very lucky that bits of snow remained in the shaded areas (which added yet another color to the scene) . The vibrant colors of Bryce where very saturated when we were there; the result of the bounced lighting between these pillars. Albeit very cold (-5C) and windy along the canyon's edge, as we hiked down to the bottom it grew warmer and warmer, eventually we had to peel off our jackets. When we climbed back up to the canyon’s ridge, I happened upon this view; I knew it would make an awesome abstract!

“The Hoodoo Expressway”

We visited beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park (in Utah), in 2015. Having never been there before I was in absolute "Awe"! We were lucky to arrive on a sunny day (after a snow fall) and everywhere I looked the colors seemed saturated. I happened upon this view and knew it would make an amazing abstract. These colorful pinnacles are called “hoodoos”; they’re eroded limestone, some of which reach 200 feet (60 m) high. They extend for more than 20 miles (30 km), from north to south within Bryce Canyon National Park. We purposely arrived early for this photoshoot; when the sun was still relatively low and the shadows were strong and long. Together, it made the vivid colors of the hoodoos strikingly vibrant and the contrast separated some of the columns. “Oh wow”, we remarked (thrilled and with complete amazement). It was chilly here, on this February day (at 9000 feet above sea-level in February) but I was so fixated on getting (these) amazing shots that I forget how cold my hands were! *See the other Bryce Canyon photos. I named this photograph, “The Hoodoo Expressway” because the pillars remind me of people, whom appear to be making their way through the canyon's exit, in the far-off distance.