Prescott Beauty

An incredibly large lunch today. Tonight it was time to find a soup dinner and some new places to photograph. Downtown Prescott was my destination. Walking for blocks late tonight I found this incredible mural. The wall mural was in a very small alley next to a multi storied parking terrace. It is so large that it I had to stitch 10 shots together in Photoshop. Never seen anything like this before it is beautiful! Click on the images and look close. Each person in the mural is a representation of someone who had an impact on art in Prescott. Incredible!

This statue was very moving to me. While I was standing next to it an individual approached me. She was a long time resident of Prescott. I learned a lot about the history of the city block where this statue stood. She wept as the history and purpose of the statue was shared with me. I was moved. As we stood there arm in arm, strangers tonight, we realized that our conversation and condition was not going unnoticed. The statue stands on the grounds of the Yavapai county courthouse. Many people use the numerous tables, benches and grass as a place to congregate. We had a small audience. I thanked her and embraced her. We parted not even knowing each others names. She gave me a new appreciation for people that love America. Especially those that served our country. Like the one depicted as this statue. So very many giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Duane, this ones for you Buddy!

Just another day in Utah enjoying the wildlife!!!!!

Thanks to Duane I was able to photograph a fox den tonight until dark.  Five beautiful pups enjoying every second and every little thing.  My position was held for almost 4 hours.  TB to the max.  But it was worth it.  A couple of hours of naps.  A couple of hours of play.  Not me the Fox!  It wasn't until I was getting ready to leave when Mom shows up.  Too late and too dark.  I spooked her a little when I left.  Maybe she deserves it for not showing up earlier.  What a great end to the day.

This weeks assignment is "Lines"  I have had so many opportunities to photograph the wild I have not done the assignment yet.  Bet it will get done tomorrow!

Yipee!, Heyahh!, YEA!, It's all good....

What a difference a day can be!  Last night I made the presentation at Inkley's for their photo education week.  What a riot!  It was fun.  Great people.  All with the same passion as I.    Thanks to all of you for attending and also the many wonderful comments. 

This morning was a little bit of a nightmare.  As usual the sun crosses the sky and things find their place in life.  Stresses lessen and things always calm down.  Up night last night...down morning.....BUT!

TONIGHT!!!  Oh TONIGHT!!  

A very thoughtful individual at the presentation last night put me onto where I can photograph an Owl!  Barely slept last night.  Tonight after work I went to the location.  There I was greeted by a volunteer who picked me up in a golf cart took me to the PLACE!  In front of me was this beautiful Big Horn Owl.  Nesting no less.  The little white tuft just below the owl is two chicks.  What do you call baby Owls?  Chick?  Owelette's?  Little big eyes?  Maybe just wonderful little thing-a-ma-jiggers.  Thanks for the information so I could take photo's of a big horn owl, a life long dream.  The funny part was the gentleman that greeted me and was so kind says this Owl and her mate are there year round.  He kinda acted like he was going to McDonalds for lunch.  No big deal.  HUH?  Yikes where have I been?  The reality is, like I mentioned last night, is shoot often and good things will happen.  I shoot everyday!    Look what has happened. Guess where I'll be for the next.......................:)

Great Blue Heron Bokeh II

This is a second shot in a series.  The other shot I posted a couple of days ago of this Great Blue Heron just taking off.  This second shot I believe is better than the first. The Heron was flying across in front of me but was getting a little closer as he flew by.  As mentioned before this type of shot is easier to focus with the 600 mm manual focus lens.    Some day when my wife is not looking I will invest in the 600 mm autofocus.  Zoweeee!  That will be THEE day.  Anyway I like how the framing turned out with the waves of the water are just below the Heron.  The lighting coming directly from the left adds great dimension to the Heron.  

What do you think?

My first opportunity for a presentation is this Wednesday the 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  It is part of Inkley's Photo Education Week.   The classes and presentations are at the Salt Lake Inkley's located at 2150 South State.  

Huh?

Look at the photo above.  What's out of place?  I mean really out of place. 

Holy lost goose batman!  Yes it's alive.  Yes it's real.  No it's not domesticated.  The owner of the warehouse says this goose and her mate come back every year to nest on this "lean two".  

Incredible!  The first reaction I had was "cool"!    Soon the Sierra Club afterglow poison started to seep in.  Was this the original home of these geese?  Man crowded them out.  Or at least in this case shares bunks.  It started to bother me somewhat.  Especially when the property owner said he thinks the gooslings, geeslings, or whatever,  keep coming back.  They think this is home.  If you look close at the nest someone has thrown up cheeto's.  Probably not the first healthy choice for Mom GOOSE!    My wildlife experiences have been tarnished forever.    Will moose soon be seen riding the marry go round at the park?  Will deer realize the pleasures of mans hot tubs?  Hey we evolved right?  My vote is to keep the wild in wild (including me).  And the ones walking on two legs and can't fly in suburbia!  

A better view ......
This may be DAD.  What a guy.  Can't find a better home than this?  Hope he's not lowered his standard by using the drive up at McDonald's.  
What can I say about this one?  What in the "Sam Hooey"  is he looking for in the tracks?    Boise area is getting really weird.  At least some of the wildlife are!

Busy Spring....

Sunday nights seemed to be the best time to unwind.  Purposely not thinking about the week ahead but rather about the fun dates ahead.  The CEO of the company I work for has agreed to let us hold a photography luncheon.  The time (a lunch hour, possibly every other week) would be devoted to learning about digital and photography in general.  The class would be open to all employees interested in learning more about photography and bettering their photographic skills.  The details will be forth coming.  Last week I was asked again to share my photography and experiences of the same at a photo-education week.  Last year I made a presentation and was very well received.  It was enjoyable for me.  The Photo-Education week is put on and sponsored by a well known retailer of photographic equipment, supplies and printing.  The date that was presented to me was May 16.  It sounds as if the time may be between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.  The details will be posted when details are given to me.  

Tonight I was perusing some photo education workshops.  There are so many.  If you are interested here is a few great ones, here,  here and here.  

One last thing of interest.   I have enjoyed DTown TV.  If you shoot nikon and want  to learn some tricks go here. They produce a weekly show every thursday.  Scott Kelby and Matt Kaslowski are the hosts.  It's pretty fun.  

The picture above was taken a few years ago in southeastern Utah.  I see it regularly when sorting files.  It's how I feel today.  After a day of lounging, sleeping and watching grandkids.  I to am too pooped!  

Bone Dry

Today D.P.  taught me a new way to build a border around my photographs.  The above was my first attempt.  Not too good.  

The photo was taken just north of Tower in Yellowstone.  All year the area is a pond.  This is the pond where the bear that battled with the black bear rested his bones.    It was weird to find a bone here late in the fall.  I still wonder who fell prey.  When DP gets back I will write down the proper way to do the border.  TGIF tomorrow!

It's that one flower....

It's really not plastic.

Every photographer in the world has to take a picture of this flower.  I think it's a Lily.  The poor thing is probably so used to being photographed that it's self esteem has peaked.  I mean look at it! Dang easy to shoot.  Not always in it's natural state.  This little over zealous weed was photographed in Rio de Janeiro.  Yep Brazil.  The land and people where during  Carnival they cover Christ's statues eyes with blind folds.  If only it was that easy!  Where warm has a new meaning if your from the desert region.  A people that welcome you but warn you to not walk alone at night.  The rich live in the valleys and the poor have stacked homes up the mountain. Where Acai (not sure how to spell- it's close) is the berry of choice.

Why the big insight to this plant being photographed in Brazil?  Of course my photo gear was packed.  Even my 105mm f/2.8 macro.  I had planned on shooting something up close.  February in Rio is like August in Utah.  Sure it's green in Rio.  It's a humid, wet, musty, hot, sweaty place to flourish.  If your a plant!  BUT!  The delicate plants are not present at this time of year. So off to the arboretum we go!  Several pounds of photo gear and an enthusiasm to match.  The tour guide failed to inform us that it was the dry season.  The arboretum was dead.  Literally!  Most the of plants took on the look of plants near Penny's desk.  Not at attention and the color of a bad batch of popcorn.  In dire need of a proper burial.  In the back of a green house I found this beaut!  The light on the plant was what some call peek a boo.  It was filtered through a plant adjacent to it.  The light fell off quickly on the plant.  The stem stood tall as if relishing in the little bit of light.  Another great moment for me enjoying nature.  Well kinda like nature in a greenhouse.  In Brazil.  In February.  

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.