In the New Year we were welcomed with snow… and deer. It’s an awesome way to start the new year with fresh snow and new life. This deer mama brought her deer baby (probably 6 months old). Fantastic. Happy New Year!
Olympic National Park
We have done a lot of the National Parks lately. Olympic National Park in Northern Washington is one we have never done… but one I would recommend. Unfortunately during the winter many of the scenic drives are closed. But I dare say we got to do the best of them, the Quinault Rain Forest.
With the abundance of mossy trees standing in groves and forests you can barely distinguish the moss trees from the moss fallen logs and ground floor. Moss hangs from the trees like creepy beards on swamp things. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s super cool and amazingly scenic in a creepy strange sort of way. Absolutely spectacular.
The huge amount of non stop rain is testament to this tangled webs of moss laden forest. Branches so heavy with moss they break and fall to the ground, leaving only the moss covered stubs left on the trees.
Waterfalls spout out of the mountain like running streams everywhere you look. It’s just awesome to witness this amazing rain forest.
Bryce Canyon National Park
This year we have been to most of the National Parks in Utah, including Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Kodachrome basin, Cedar Breaks, Zion, and Bryce. Bryce is one of the more popular of the parks… but not necessary my favorite.
It’s like a concave bowl brush – now there’s a unique description! It has spires (brush bristles) that jut up from the bowl floor. It makes me wonder why the ‘rest’ of the landscape surrounding this area hasn’t also eroded away. Fascinating country for sure.
Ironically at the Sunset Overlook, at sunrise (not sunset), the spires light up and take on a golden hue. I think it’s a trick to keep the tourists down. :)
Where there’s smoke there are pix
I am finally taking heed of all that I have been reading, learning, and experiencing in taking all these pix. Go when inclement weather rules.
For years I thought anything but a blue sky was a disaster. Now, a blue sky makes me cringe. I am finally starting to get it… ‘hey, it’s raining… let’s go take pix’. ‘It’s snowing out, let’s go take pix.’. Crazy, right?! Those interesting, moody skies, make for … wait for it… interesting, moody shots.
Case in point, we are being inundated with smoke in our neighborhood thanks to the Forest Service. Their ‘prescribed burns’ are meant to help keep the fires at bay. I’m all for that… and can put up with some smokey air now and again to assure that our fire risk is abated. And as long as we’re getting smoke… let’s get pix.
I had thought the smoke would diffuse the light and allow me to bring out my fall colors by isolating my subject. So we left early in the morning to see what we could capture. The fall colors were unaffected by the burns… but the early low sun streaming through the trees made for some interesting shots.
First Fall
Living in the woods, I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite season, as we have all 4 of them. They all have their own beauty. Having said that, I do love Fall. As a photographer, Fall provides such photographic possibilities. While it is a grand subject, made busy by the very trees and leaves that make it beautiful. The trick is to separate out the color from the busyness, while maintaining the intent.
Our Fall has only just begun, but it is coming fast. The temps are dropping, as are the leaves. So these are the first Fall photos of the year, but there promise to be more…. and I can’t wait for the challenge and the beauty that comes with it.
Chippies
We’re going through a bit of a drought on big animals. We’ve been to the rim a number of times, leaving early in the morning to catch good action. But they must be hiding someplace else. I hear bugling in our own neighborhood… but no elk to be photographed.
With no elk in sight, it’s time to turn the camera down. When given chipmunks, shoot chipmunks. I’ve had bad luck shooting chipmunks in the past. The smaller the animal the more fearsome it is. Since it’s prey, it doesn’t hang around long. They are very skittish. But I was determined to get a shot, so I set up my camera and waited.
I got a couple bunnies that weren’t too concerned about me, happily munching away on the plentiful grass the rain has brought.
Finally I got a couple chipmunks together in a little love bite, at least that’s what I’ll call it.
Gray skies build character
When we lived in Phoenix I just don’t recall those gorgeous sunsets and amazing skies. Surely we had them, but with the backdrop of asphalt and buildings, it just wasn’t the same. A forest, craggy trees, moldy rocks, and deep canyons make for great foregrounds for those cool skies.
Storms bring entire new meaning up north where we get rains from July to September (if we’re lucky) that bring rain and stormy clouds, fog, lightening, and fantastic character. Bring ’em on!
A little help from my friends
We all have to start someplace. I like to say, it starts with a hope and a dream. To be successful at anything requires passion, ambition, and determination. For me personally, I have embarked on this path to better my photographic talents. I take at least one course / year, either at the local community college, online, or via workshops. I’ve travelled to Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas for various Photography Workshops to learn particular topics. I don’t read a lot of novels, but I do read Photography books and magazines to further my education. I practice as much as I can, going out taking landscape and wildlife photos whenever possible.
All that education, knowledge, and determination is lost without the support and encouragement of my friends. It reminds me of that Beatles song, ‘A little help from my friends’. It’s those friends and neighbors who have purchased my prints and hang them on their walls in their homes, that have given me the hope and drive to continue down this path, and with their positive feedback and confidence that allow me to share this great news.
Earlier this year I posted my exciting news of my small inset photo in the AZ Highways 2017 calendar..https://kritterspix.com/tag/arizona-highways/. These calendars can now be purchased at Costco of all things!…and that’s my photo. Woohooo.
Today marks my debut for photographs in a local gallery in Cottonwood, AZ, Hearts of Arizona Art Boutique (name change in the works). So now I have a small space in this local art shop where you can view and purchase my photos. How cool is that?!
Thanks to all my friends for their love and support.
Gobble Gobble
No, it’s not Thanksgiving… just turkey passing through.
We had 3 of them munching their way across our neighborhood. Gotta love it!
Grand Canyon: North Rim
Grand Canyon has been on my mind. I wrote a blog about the exciting new publication of my friend, Dave’s new book, A Year in the Grand Canyon…. https://kritterspaw.com
It reminded me of our own trip with Dave to the Grand Canyon, and camping at Crazy Jug Point, so I thought I would reminisce and resurrect some of my favorite pix.
We were fortunate enough to benefit from Dave’s amazing knowledge of the Grand Canyon, as he shared his special spots with us and we chattered around the campfire.
It was a fantastic and memorable time. Hey, Dave… We should do it again! Can you fit us into your busy schedule?
