The many FACES.......

"If I knew earlier how fun grandkids are I would have had them first"   A famous quote by my father-in-law.   Boy was he right.  Above are three examples of the most animated young man I have ever known.  He is the smartest, cutest, most intelligent.....Ok I am the proud grandfather!  If only we could see the world through the eyes of a child.  (Many people tell me I have that ability.  I think that is the intent when my peers at work tell me I act like a much younger man at times.  I insist on this being a compliment.)  He loves his PAPPA!  Look into his eyes.  He is waving to the photographer with the long lens that he has seen many times.   The guy he knows very well and loves to get at ground level with him and play trucks.  His PAPPA (when not photographing) is the best at truck noises.  Why not?  Papa makes all kinds of noises.  (Some not approved by GRAMMY and MOMMY.)  Can a little child bring great joy?  Absolutely.  I find myself daydreaming about the time I was teasing him about something and he responded to me "You are crazy PAPPA".  Or the time he and I made up story's revolving around the "Cars" characters.  But most of all when he smiles his eyes turn to half moons.  When I say who does PAPPA love he responds with his first name.  He always is the peace maker.  "Dad we don't say that word" is repeated often.  Grammy and Pappa love our two grandchildren.  I can't wait for the next time he runs to my arms yelling PAPPA!

Did you see THAT?.....

Nikon D200 - .3seconds@f/22, ISO 100, Aperture Priority, focal length-12mm (Shot in RAW)

Iguassu Falls in Brazil.   What a beautiful place.  I have never witnessed anything like this before.  Very early one morning, camera bag (sling) over shoulder my daily treat was about to begin.  The best part of photography is you pick the spot that you like the best.  The same location will be seen and shot differently by photographers.  Unless of course you are standing on the cliff at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone painters point.  Only one place to shoot there.  Back to Brazil!  Hoping that the water running off my camera would not damage it I shot like crazy.  The mist from the falls forced me to wipe my camera and lens between each shoot.  Thank goodness for skylight filters and hotel towels.  Hey I took the towel back after my day of shooting!  Anyway, the shot shown above was my prime spot to shoot.  Lots of falls could be seen.  A leading line into the photograph.  Lots of green and plenty of water.  It was fun.  A tough decision had to be made.  Do I leave the foreground falls in the photograph or crop it out?  Right smack dab in the middle of the bottom of the falls is the end of the guard rail.  Hey! it insures that everyone knows that man has touched most all the earth.  Or maybe it was my proof to the local authorities that I really did stay on the trail.  Does it count if one foot is on the trail?  

Upon returning home the first project was to print and mount several of the Brazil trip photo's.  I always print 13x19, mount them on foam core with a photoshop created border.  Proud of the end result I shared this photograph with the old man at work.  He knows who he is.  The first words out of his mouth were - "What the heck is that metal pipe in the picture.  You need to take that out it distracts from the serenity of the picture".   Did I know the guard rail was in?  Yes.  Did I like the picture?  YES.  Always be prepared for someone to look at your work and say "Did you see that?  And don't be disappointed...you may have the opportunity to see their photograph's.    

"Old Friend"....

Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona 

What is anonymous anyway?  Recently I received a message from an anonymous person.  No not a secret lover!  An "Old Friend" is who left the anonymous message.   To save my two finger typing a lot of work let's call "Old Friend" - OF.  OK?   Anyway, this OF did not identify himself.  He is still a great friend.  Even if I have not seen him for maybe 20 years?  We have and had a lot in common.  Fish and aquariums was a common interest.  Lifting weights for better personal self esteem took some of our time together.  He was to me like Arnold Swartzenenger is to Twiggy.  The guy was a monster.  Bars would bend when pressed by him.  The one thing we do not have in common is super intelligence.   The University of Utah is the place that he graduated in electrical engineering.  Not just another grad just one of the top graduates.  Brawn and Brain.  A gentle giant as so often said really describes OF.  This anonymous OF's message took me back to my early days.  I do miss some things about those days. One being associated with this anonymous OF.  Thanks for leaving the anonymous message.....OF. 

How do you see it?........

The world looks different to all of us.

Why do eagles fly when approached by two legged creatures.  It does not matter that they are at the top branch of the tallest tree.  Eagle eye has new meaning when attempting to photographing an eagle.  They see you long before you can get that one and only-unique photograph of them.  It goes beyond what they see.  It goes more to how they see it?  My life would have some interesting days if I had eyes like a chameleon.   No more talking behind by back!  Eagles see us as danger, a problem or maybe predator?   Hey I just want a picture like non other.  

Then there is big horn sheep.  Approach a little stand still a while.  Approach a little more stand even longer.  As long as I did not make quick moves and stood for long periods before approaching this guy he only watched me.  As soon as I was within 75 yards he would move away.  It was as though he had a built in digital measuring device.  Ok! so eagles and  big horn sheep have acute eyesight.  Both can see animals up to a mile away.   It must come down to each individuals self confidence.  Have you seen how the big horn fight?   At full forward speed they ram each other!  Eagles...well they turn over in-flight to show talons to the opposer.  Actually are they fighting?  Do eagles fight each other?  Look close at sheep's eye.  What does he see? He sees you (or in this case me).   And what is that?

Every other Sunday I teach 14 year going on 16 year old youth.  Today we talked about Faith, Charity and Hope.  Looking at each one of them I see individuals.  They were dressed differently.  Each unique in every way.   I see boys and girls, dresses and suits, long hair and short hair.  Who are they?  How they see the world will ultimately direct how things will go for each of them.  We also talked about being tested.  Not like math or science.  More like bad health, emotional problems or relationship issues.   For a few minutes today I hoped that they each would consider the benefits of humility.  That they may enjoy the rewards of charity.  And that they can experience hope.  Unlike eagles and big horn sheep they have more.   A lot more.  

They can choose to ram(defend) their beliefs and/or ideals.  Or they can fly away in fear.  

They will decide.  Their fate is in each of their own hands.  Hopefully they stopped and considered the good things of the message today.  I pray so.  

The trumpet shall sound....

It's christmas time again.....MERRY CHRISTMAS!  AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Yes I said it.  Watch, read or listen to any news media at this incredible time of year and you may get discouraged.  To avoid some of the trash news I go to my "photo space".

Some of my free time is spent looking back at photograph's.  The photograph above reminds me of what it is all about.  Shout out to all that can hear!    The intensity of the elk's bugle is seen in his eyes.  Look close at his body.  His ribs and back bone are pronounced.  The previous several weeks he has eaten little and exerted an enormous amount of energy.   A genetic drive to procreate?  A simple and profound goal of each adult elk.  Little else matters for this period of time.  Some refer to this time as the "rut".   A "rut" to defend his cause at all odds - even to death.  For two days I was privileged to witness his endurance defending his cause.

I am fortunate to live in a free country with freedom of speech.  I am grateful to be able to believe what I believe.  What others express has no affect long term in my life.   Because like the aria from Handel's "Messiah",  my lyric and song is "The Trumpet shall sound".

Somewhere in Nevada.....

Back in the rental car, camera gear in the back seat, and Don as navigator...(I've had better).

Traveling to Yarrington, Nevada the rental car insisted on stopping at a location that had very old farming equipment and buildings.  With 45 minutes until our meeting at the county seat fun was to prevail.  Camera's blazing we had a great time for a few minutes.

Old wood, old metal and a very old friend what else is there to live for?  

Nikon D-3 24-70mm f/2.8 @2.8, (-2 E.V.)

Nikon D-3 24-70mm f/2.8 @2.8, (-1.33 E.V.) 1/800

Nikon D-3 24-70mm f/2.8 @2.8, (-1.33 E.V.), 1/3200

Nikon D-3 24-70mm f/2.8 @2.8, (-2E.V.) 1/6400

"Catch Lights".....

Have you ever wondered how to make a photograph better of a living thing?   "Catch Lights"....  Look at the photograph below and notice the three little reflections in the eyes.  This is a mannequin photographed in Las Vegas. Who dresses like this?  Cover the photograph so you only see from the nose up.  Cover the nose. The eyes are alive!   Very large sky lights in a large mall provided the light for the eyes.

Do the same with the photograph below.  Amazing!  There is no question without the catch lights it is a mannequin.  The mole under the right eye is a nice touch! 

What makes for good light?  A window, fill flash or a very large light colored wall can produce incredible catch lights.  The photograph below has my daughter adjacent to a large window.  The sun is the most natural light there is.  Did I really just say that?  Kinda explains my jr. high science scores.  The sun is the largest light source also.  There I go again!  The larger the light source the softer the light.  

The lizard below was photographed in Costa Rica.  I was laying on my stomach going in for a kiss.   This guy was huge.  Look at his eyes...he is very alive!  Don this ones for you...."them there catch lights are awesome!"

Bad Hair Day..........

Nikon D200 600mm  f4.0,  at f4.0 - 1/2500  Aperture Priority

Perusing over 13,000 photographs brings a flood of memories.....

Two years ago in early May my goal was to find a "Freak" Elk that I had come across late in 2005.  To my surprise it only took me most of one day, some hiking (a couple of miles), two lunchables, bottled water and a package of butt wipes.  In our family we call the small packaged moisturized hand wipes - "butt Wipes". Normal diaper changing requires the same product.  

An elk with an antler growing out of his head in the wrong place probably has few friends.  The unusual growth is just above his eye and crazy shaped.  During the rutt the year before at full girth and spread, he had no cows.    I remember a similar problem I had many years ago.  No cows.  The right portion of the antler seemed normal with 7 points.  A half of a trophy!  The other side was a combination of a spoon like a moose antler and two separate antlers growing out.    My attempt to consul him brought some self criticism. One time when riding with my brother I commented on a rather large individual crossing the street in front of us.  My brothers response was  " We don't make fun of you".  Humility sucks!  My judgment of this elk may be totally out of whack.  In fact at Cabellas a freak anything seems to be a prize.    So I move on and save this photo in my Favorites file.  Or maybe I should create a freak file.  This elk would be the only photo in the file......except a picture of me on those days when I leave for work and my wife catches me at the door and says are you wearing that outside and to work?

Death do us part......

Nikon D-3 24-70 f2.8 (-1.33 EV) NIK Color Efex Pro 2

What happens when we die?.......

I am not one to give a sermon about life after death, or resurrection.  When a loved one dies the emotions created are as powerful as any one person can experience.   Our lives proceed slow at first, but eventually at full course.  Because we lost a loved one our paths may vary since their death.  

While in Virginia City I visited the local cemetery.  I usually end up taking a peek at the local burial sites.  Especially communities like Virginia city that have an unusual founding,  or an extremely diverse people.  Great respect should always be given to the place where one is buried.  I always feel a spiritual connection when touring the place where a family, friend(s) or government acknowledges ones past existence.   My father is buried in a location that has beautiful trees, and a manicured lawn.  Beauty surrounds his burial plot.   Not much of the same "beauty" in Virgina City.  The cemetery fits the area, and the climate but more importantly it fits the "rugged" nature of the people that founded the city.  There is no grass,  the trees are not abundant and there is little order to where burial plots are located.   

I was moved to tears (Don and I have that in common).  Entering the cemetery through a gate that must be at least 100 years old I stopped and took in what was before me.  Every type of marker (head stone) imaginable.  What "reeked" from this location was history.  I walked through this  small fenced in area without a word.  I had a prayer in my heart that I was not walking on any burial plots.  As you see in the following photographs there was plots with beautiful marble head stones, rock, and wood with some that had no indication at all as to who was lying at rest there.  The quotes on some of the head stones took me to my knees.  I cried. 

With my photographs I attempted to create the mood that I felt.  It was a clear sunny day. Beautiful by any standard.  But as I photographed and experienced each plot I was lost in the history of each person.  My experiences there was more black and white than in full color.

Some plots had fences completely surrounding the plot.  Most of which were Iron fences.

A beautiful Grave marker.  Note that it is for a 4 year old infant.

"Rest Papa Rest"  How can that not move you!

No name, no family, nothing........

As compared to this beautiful stone....

No marker, a couple of silk flowers....someone showing respect for someone....

 How long before Mary Martin's plot is an "unknown"?....

I was tempted to stand some of the tipping head stones ...like Sarah's head stone.    Write Mary Martin on her wood marker with permanent marker.  Instead I realized each and every one of these individuals are just that..an individual.  Their plots are like each of them..unique.  It was not my place to do more than make a record and leave so others may have similar experiences.

The good Old Days....

Nikon D3 24-70 f2.8 (-2.7 EV)  NIK Color Efex Pro 2.0

In Silver City I ran across an old, I mean OLD Ford truck.  It is as dead as Ford Motor Company may be soon but much more beautiful!

Don't tell Dan....

Nikon D3 24-70 f2.8 (-1.0EV) NIK Color Efex Pro 2.0

Ok! I know that I have a lot of Maverik work to complete....

There are a few items that I am late delivering to the grand "Pooh Bah" Mr. Murray. I am on the road and it may be expected that I will work around the clock! HA! Not so. My sanity (I hold it sacred) is wearing thin these days. My free time doing my itsy bitsy hobby is the glue that keeps me sane and lowers my Xanax supplements. I took the opportunity to run up to Silver City today and shoot some "Old Stuff". Silver City is a mere 8 to 10 miles from one of the sites I previewed...(Lucky ME!). It is a photographers candy store, a contractors Home Depot, a new hair cut for Penny, silver on a Harley for the "Old Guy" or even falling at 150 miles an hour towards the earth with nothing but a grin and a parachute for that "Onsite Guy". WOW I LOVE IT!

Dichotomy of what I did today...

A new day....no lost vehicles.

I am in a new area today looking at three sites for new stores.  My role today and tomorrow is to interview new contractors (being that this area is new to Maverik).  Equally as important is to visit each site to consider utilities, soils, existing features and many other issues relative to developing each property.  It is something I really enjoy.  I am fortunate to be working for a company that is still growing and doing a lot of right things.  Just a few miles away on the same highway is an uncompleted development.  My curiosity took me onto the site.  It was obvious that a contractor was near completion at this development.  It appears that most if not all the underground utilities are in place.  The roads have been cut to sub grade.  Everything is being over taken by weeds and debris.  A lot of effort and expense had gone into this development.  It is so very near completion.  Was it a shortage of funding?  Or maybe an overzealous developer that had not followed proper channels?  The development covers a lot of acreage possibly as much as 100 or more acres.  Someones vision not able to be completed.  I expect that within the next year just a few short miles down the highway a new Maverik will be doing a "bang up" business.  My hope is that the unfinished development I witnessed may restart anew and be completed someday. 

Who Do You Call?......

I have not blogged for a while...believe it or not I went to Arizona for a couple of days without my camera.   A few days turned into a week.  I was miserable.   Everywhere I looked potentially framed images where passing me by.  I will never leave home without my camera again!

Today I had a solemn reminder of my great love, admiration and appreciation for the friends that surrounded me.  While I was whimpering in Prescott, Arizona, Chad Call and Kelly Irons where laboring at my house.  Concrete work is very demanding especially the flat work at my home.  With a positive attitude and a masterful technique they placed over 12 yards in my yard.  These gentlemen are true friends.  They took on the task without my oversight.  Not that my oversight was needed.  It's just that it is my driveway, at my house and they did it for ME!  I know that I can call them with any need and they would be there ASAP.

This afternoon I found myself lost in the middle of thousands of parked cars (at the economy parking lot at SLC airport).  When I left town a week ago I parked near #6 or #7 pick up spot.  Today I DE-bussed at #7.  The Nissan Titan was nowhere in sight.  I did write the drop off location down last week.  I guess it was lost in my rage when I realized I had to stay over the weekend in AZ.    Though my rage did uncover a credit card I thought I had lost.  Anyway WHO DO YOU CALL when you have lost your car at the airport?  Let's see... I can hear it now.. (laughing out loud) "you what?"  or "call AARP" or maybe "you've lost it".     My emotions were creeping to the surface.  Walking back and forth for almost two hours was making me very tired and weak.  The shoulder bag and two pieces of luggage totaled over 100 pounds.  Delta weighs everything these days.  My wife was teaching, my son and daughters did not answer.  I had ran out of people I could truly threaten if they told anyone.  Then I realized I have a friend that is always good to me.  Penny arrived about 15 minutes later.  Her laughter was restrained.  We drove up and down the aisles.  To my extreme surprise (and I think hers also), the truck was where it was supposed to be near #6.  In the end I did not lose it I just lost IT.  Another very good friend had come to my rescue.  Truth be known I shed a small tear while driving home thinking about my good life and my incredible friends.  Singing to the song from Jonathan Livingston Seaguls "Dear Father" didn't help.

Ten Years!!!!!!

What a wonderful surprise today to have my friends and associates at Maverik take me to lunch for my 10 year anniversary at Maverik.  Dan Murray the great "Pooh Bah" of the Real Estate Department organized the little get together.  I really appreciated it!  Today an individual asked me how many stores I have built in the last 10 years.  I honestly do not remember.  What I do remember is the good times....

• Always observing the ongoing loss of Dan's memory (hee hee).  
  
• The fair and supportive management style of Dan.
• The always supportive nature of the Call Family (the owners).
• Decent compensation (1/2 of Dan's)
• Many hours on the road enjoying new scenery and environments.
• Making a lot of new friends and learning from them (even the older ones..Kelly).
• Laughing at myself (not  too much).
• Laughing at others (often).
• Photographing often!
• Having a real time radar at my side (Penny).
• Challenges, everyday but not insurmountable.

God has seen fit to allow me to have a wonerful job, great eyesight, reasonably good health, a somewhat positive outlook on life but most importantly a beautiful, loving and extremely supportive wife. 

I look forward to another 10 years of working then speeding off to the next photograph!

Long ago....not far away.

Last week I had a fun opportunity to go see some moderately unknown petroglyphs in southern Utah.  I'm always looking for reasons to get out my camera and go shooting.  This was going to be another fun photographic adventure!  In the end it humbled me.  I was very surprised at the very short four wheeler ride from the ranch to the site.  An even shorter walk and I was standing in front of writings/pictures dating from hundreds or maybe thousands of years ago.   So simple yet incredibly powerful to me.  The experience reminded me of the struggles and lifestyles of the person(s) that left the messages on the rock wall.  Many things in nature have vanished, become extinct, or have been more reclusive to the general public.  There before me was an incredible display of someone's talent from long ago.  I felt honored and privileged to be standing at this location visually consuming the renderings on the walls before me.  Did the person(s) that presented the drawings have a certain message?  Is this a depiction of the lifestyle of that time period?  Or was the drawings doodling by a bored teenager?  Whatever the intent or non-intention it was thrilling for me.  

My Very first BLOG!

Wow!
I am so impressed with my daughter Lindsay's Stevens blog that I am compelled to share photo's myself. I will never be the blogger that she is. Mostly, my efforts will be to share some of my photo's and a few daily routines...

Wildlife Photography is my passion. Every minute that I am watching a beautiful cinnamon bear cool it's wounds in a stagnant pool or laughing out load at the childish antics of a new litter of coyotes life's stresses evaporates. I am then recharged!

I travel A TON for work. It takes me away from my family. However it allows me to spend time with my wild friends. My interest in Wildlife Photography goes back many years. Though my interest in photography began with taking pictures of my family. Starting with Linds..the cutest little red head that has walked the earth( not to take away from the cutest blonde "toe head" and that dark headed dark eyed boy). My home has seen a dark room, a studio and lots of photo lighting gear. My camera gear has always been Nikon. My personal photographer heros are Thomas Mangelsen, Moose Peterson, Joe McNally, and probably the greatest of all Ansel Adams.

Enough about me. There is a story behind every photograph.......

My first long lens (Nikon 600mm F4) changed everything for me. The distance I could photograph wildlife from was incredible. It allowed me to stay far enough away that the wildlife stayed calm and continued it's natural behavior. In most cases my position was not immediately noticed. The truth is in almost all cases the animal being photographed either, sees, smells, or hears me. Man they are incredible.

One early morning, that being the first morning with my long lens. I came across the largest bull elk I had ever seen. The pre dawn temperature hovered at 28 degrees. Wow what a sight! I had electricity running through my veins. With the camera to my eye the Huge Bull buggled. I fired off a half dozen frames. Within seconds the elk ran off.

I was amazed when I finally looked at the photograph. It was so cold that the breath of the elk as he buggled was visible. Every time I view this photograph it takes me back to that early morning!