• Essays,  Photography,  writing/reading

    A Photo Opportunity Missed?

    April 16, 2018
    Arches National Park
    Arches National Park

    Driving to Loveland this past weekend I saw a potential image of a horse standing along a fence, back-lit with the morning sunrise. However, I was on my way to meet my sister so I did not take the time and stop. A photo opportunity missed?

    As I drove on I wondered how many photo opportunities I’ve had presented to me and missed because I did not take the time. It asks the question, “Why do I not take the time?” A few reasons are sloth, apathy, indolence but primarily due to the importance I place on the plans I’ve made. Any of these reasons may cause the gift of an image to be missed. This has me thinking I need to stop and take the time whenever an opportunity for an image appears.

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  • Arches National Park,  landscape,  musings,  National Parks,  writing/reading

    “From my experience….”

    March 26, 2018

    Arches National Park
    Arches National Park

    All of us have heard people say, “I know…” when they really don’t. And, if we’re honest, we are well  aware of the times we say it, and don’t. There is a saying that “what I think I think I know, ain’t so.” Reality is we do not know what another thinks or feels unless they share that with us and that is filtered through their ability to articulate and how we listen and understand. We do them an injustice when we assume to know. Our assumptions can easily be our imagination or a thought which we quickly make into a false reality. We’ll believe it. I’ve not found this to be a good foundation for a conversation or relationship. So, what if we were to say, “From my experience….” or something similar. Seems the mind wants to know, plan, or control the next moment, as if it’s real, rather than stay in the present and find out what we don’t really know.

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  • architecture,  Black and White,  Cactus,  Candid Portraits,  Canyon De Chilly,  Cityscapes/Urban,  clouds,  coffee shops,  desert,  Documentary/Street,  flowers,  fog,  fountain pens,  Great Sand Dunes National Park,  HDR,  journal,  landscape,  lifestyles,  mountains,  National Monuments,  natural areas,  Plants,  sunrises,  sunsets

    Happy New Year!

    January 1, 2017

    I do not normally post favorites of the past year as it just did not interest me. However, it is a good exercise to reflect back over the past year because we can assume nothing much happened. Reflection is wonderful so here are a couple things that happened this past year.

    I had a chronic medical problem reach a critical stage in late May and needed to have surgery. The surgery was a success and the quality of my life improved greatly.

    I did take in a couple of trips. One trip took me the Phoenix area for about 6 weeks. I did some camping on my drive down; one night in The Great Sand Dunes and one night at Canyon De Chelly National Monument. I was able to spend quality time with my parents which is always good. Then my sister and I flew down to Phoenix for Thanksgiving with family. Awesome time and way to much food consumed.

    I’m enamored again with fountain pens. Had several given to me and purchased six of my own. Now have 14 to choose from each morning when I pick up my journal. Let’s see, what color of pen and ink to want to use today is the biggest decision to start the day. 🙂

    Most of my photography seemed to be focused on the street scenes, candid portraits and fewer landscapes. I also did a few portraits. I worked more with black and white images for the year. Anyway, below are a few images I like from this past year.

    It is my hope everyone has a wonderful 2017 filled abundantly with joy, love, peace, serenity, adventure, family, friends, new beginnings and dark chocolate.

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  • Canyon De Chilly,  clouds,  Fujifilm X-E1,  landscape,  National Monuments,  National Parks,  snow,  sunrises

    Made It To Phoenix

    April 4, 2014

    Snow covered car and not my tent
    Snow covered car and not my tent

    Well, I arrived in to Phoenix yesterday evening about 6:30 pm, an hour later than I expected. Even though I left Cortez early I found myself stopping way too often. When I awoke I could hear the wet pavement from passing cars. But I was in for a surprise when I stepped outside my hotel room and found 2-3 inches of snow on my car. Glad I did not pitch the tent. 🙂 Below is an image taken just west of Cortez before sunrise. What a beautiful serene morning.

    Snow covered trees west of Cortez
    Snow covered trees west of Cortez

    Snow covered trees inside Canyon De Chilly
    Fresh snow inside Canyon De Chilly

    I arrived in  Canyon De Chilly about 9:00 in the morning and spent more time there than I expected, which was not enough time. The scenery was breath taking but not as much as the sacredness I felt there. There were very few visitors because of the cold and snow from the night before and it is still early in the season. Loved the quiet of walking to vistas and looking out over the canyon. I had no desire to leave and will  go back.

    Morning sun to melt the fresh snow
    Morning sun to melt the fresh snow

    I took the above image along Highway 191 in northeast Arizona. You can see the storm system that moved through yesterday on the eastern horizon. You can also see the dirt on my lens. 🙂

    Puffs of clouds to keep my company
    Puffs of clouds to keep my company on my drive

    If you enjoy scattered clouds against a blue sky then yesterday was the day for it.

    Painted Desert
    Painted Desert

    I also made a quick drive through the Petrified Forest National Park. It was more than I expected, the colors and art work of nature at it’s best can be found in Painted Desert area of the park. It is called the ‘badlands’ for a good reason but what beauty in such a desolate and harsh land. Now to relax and spend time with my parents and eat!

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  • Grand Canyon National Park,  Great Sand Dunes National Park,  landscape,  Mesa Verde National Park,  National Parks

    Follow up

    September 24, 2013

    Great Sand Dunes National Park
    Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

    This road trip has been good for me. I’m now in Phoenix visiting my parents for a couple days and sleeping in a real bed for a change. I’ll head back out tomorrow morning and drift back towards home. I find it inexpensive to camp in the National Parks with my senior pass while entrance fees are free. I’ve never been to any of these parks before. This is not a photographic expedition but a vacation. I’m acting like a tourist and shooting from the same locations the tourists are shooting from. I just take more time as I shoot.

    My first night was in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Since it’s late in the season I’m not fighting large crowds. I’m able to select just about any campsite I desire. So far this park has been my most impressive and will stay on my bucket list. Clouds moved in early in the evening then rained hard for a couple hours during the night. I stayed dry but the rain cover on my tent was soaked the next morning. In the above image you can just make out a few people who have climbed to the top of the dunes.

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