tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61746944049965036822024-03-19T03:56:52.820-05:00Wilderness PhotographerLearn Landscape and Nightscape PhotographyDarren Huskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12192257626114346616noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-88107444635115736732024-02-27T06:23:00.001-06:002024-02-27T06:27:56.196-06:00Big Bend in Black and White<div>
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</div>On my winter/spring 2024 trip to Big Bend I decided to keep one camera dedicated to black and white. Normally for me that would mean toting the 4x5 large format camera and using a box of film. However, with a forecast of clear skies and already having all of my astrophotography gear going, I didn't really have room for a big backpack of large format equipment.<div><br></div><div>So I dedicated my oldest digital camera to a single lens and set it up to shoot black and white jpeg images. The lens I took was the cheapest lens you can buy. A $55 TTArtisan 25mm f/2 manual focus lens. Being a big fan of manual focus, I knew that wouldn't be a problem. I had seen a couple of interesting reviews on this lens and knew it might be a good choice for black and white photos. Then if there were times I thought monochrome might work, I could grab a few photos with that camera.</div><div><br></div><div><div>
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</div><br></div><div>I normally think in color. Big sunset, twilight colors, autumn leaves, etc. Monochrome would be a good exercise, especially in the middle of the day. Ansel Adams may have had that natural knack for black and white but it can be a struggle to see and anticipate it for me.</div><div><br></div><div>That is where the digital camera really helps. By setting the camera to black and white, I could look at the back or through the eyepiece and see if anything looked promising. One of those really neat yet often unheralded features. </div><div><div>
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</div><br></div><div>BTW (for the camera geeks) I set the camera to do a RAW +JPEG capture. The JPEG would be black and white. The RAW would still have all the color info and I could use it as color or convert to monochrome in Lightroom. My old Sony NEX6 did so well with the JPEG files I never used the RAW files.</div><div><br></div><div>In my week in the park I toted it around on various hikes and had it tucked in my pack just in case. I actually ended up making a few hundred images with it. After getting home I found many that worked so I thought they might make a good post. </div><div><div>
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</div><br></div><div>The desert is amazing in color at twilight but in the middle of the day the bright, harsh light can actually make some great lighting for black and white. There the play of light and shadow and texture can really work. Even in the shadowy depths of Santa Elena Canyon the right and canyon walls worked well (top image). Or the light on the river with the Sierra Ponce Wall in shadow (image 2). </div><div><br></div><div>Luckily, I kept finding photos that could work. While, I normally think in straight landscape and avoid signs of people, in monochrome I even found a few possibilities that would work with a vaquero riding along the river or a curve in the road.</div><div><div>
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</div><br></div><div>This was a fun little exercise over the week I was there. I got some images I really liked and was impressed with how even my 12 year old camera with the cheapest lens you can buy really did great.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-8204249482553811982023-12-26T04:48:00.000-06:002023-12-26T04:49:20.928-06:002023 Year in Review 2023 is almost in the books. Amazing how fast they go by and seem to be getting quicker. This has been a year of change and one that showed me things do not always go as planned. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Began the year on my mountain bike with a sunrise ride. Took the camera and a buddy along and we rode trails and photographed the first dawn of the new year. Biking would be my main constant for the year and how I would do most of my photography.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>In February, I returned to Big Bend and brought the mountain bike with me. Would do rides through the desert. I also did my first bikepacking trip. A simple overnight to a remote desert campsite. Well, I say simple but getting 8 liters of water into a bike .....is not simple. It was an excellent trip and something I will try again as it allows me to get down roads my vehicle will not.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Speaking of vehicle, I bought a new one in 2023. After 18 years and 280,000 miles on my amazing Honda Element I bought a new Toyota RAV4 Woodland hybrid. The Honda still runs great, but with the miles I have been putting on it, there were many things wearing out. So I keep the Element as a weekend fun car and use the RAV4 for trips. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Other than day drives and bike rides it was mid summer before I would travel again. Took some days and drove out to explore and camp in New Mexico. Got me away from the heat, saw some dark sky and was impressed with the RAV4 as a vehicle. Handles forest service roads like a champ.</div><div><br></div><div>Saw so many people fly fishing I ended up getting a fly rod when I got back home. Then in September I did a return trip to New Mexico where my brother in law and I got in some fly fishing and had a blast catching Rio Grande Cutthroat trout. On my return trip I explored the Rio Grande Gorge and got in some night images.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>My year has been built around the October annular eclipse with a plan of a two week trip to Utah to see it. Things didn't work out and I did a long weekend to see it in the Texas hill country. So I watched wading the Llano River. As a bonus, I fly fished the river and caught a few Guadalupe bass.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>November and December was spent close to home with bike rides chasing fall color. Some nice color as always in Texas.</div><div><br></div><div>We now sit in the last week of the year and I am turning my thoughts to where 2024 might take me.</div><div><br></div><div>Happy New Year!</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-28207574993717939492023-03-22T04:45:00.001-05:002023-03-22T04:45:19.931-05:00Bikepacking Big Bend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XjkwkvWWlz0zbg7NqRnbKsclORlc4f5VbHNE8Og4E_mAjA7oq1t6ESy16YmmNW3X2xsEF22aW7v-5QiAInzNlAmJSwa9NsEpwOm-nlqMRyxtoIruWVW-vBa-aQ2jLFHFovualdXMC33sP8Q8Zk7YXiPLWjfvTGjh4z3ahG_sim0xVaP85JuGiRcv/s2560/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XjkwkvWWlz0zbg7NqRnbKsclORlc4f5VbHNE8Og4E_mAjA7oq1t6ESy16YmmNW3X2xsEF22aW7v-5QiAInzNlAmJSwa9NsEpwOm-nlqMRyxtoIruWVW-vBa-aQ2jLFHFovualdXMC33sP8Q8Zk7YXiPLWjfvTGjh4z3ahG_sim0xVaP85JuGiRcv/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I was in Big Bend last month and completed my first bikepacking trip. Yes, bikepacking. Think backpacking but with everything strapped to the bike. I have backpacked in Big Bend and traveled Overland style too. Exploring the park by bike and staying out overnight sounded like an interesting new way to see, experience and explore the desert. So I made advanced plans and specifically booked a campsite for an overnight.<p></p><p>Travel by bike in Big Bend is possible but you have to know what you can do. The hiking trails are off limits to bikes. However, Big Bend has a great network of rough roads you can bike on. These vary from basic gravel to high clearance, lifted 4x4 needed. There is also a network of back road campsites across the desert to use. Understand by campsite, I mean a patch of gravel and a bear box. No water, no shade, no amenities at all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbRmmFR6Yl9wvDJm7mv-3vNrRnBd423J0nKB_E4QxcHSdsab7d8ijgOqVEECEICvBRp_lMXfI46D5m-fpXilB4M6Xnrc6jl9cG4TC5AtpEMATI0O0WDR-dqJW7ftIcsWdhcjGqUlHI4wZRtFTU4ceDEopZvsYvyLMDaRjvOm_fir_KVDFM1FqVKz4/s2560/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbRmmFR6Yl9wvDJm7mv-3vNrRnBd423J0nKB_E4QxcHSdsab7d8ijgOqVEECEICvBRp_lMXfI46D5m-fpXilB4M6Xnrc6jl9cG4TC5AtpEMATI0O0WDR-dqJW7ftIcsWdhcjGqUlHI4wZRtFTU4ceDEopZvsYvyLMDaRjvOm_fir_KVDFM1FqVKz4/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>While many bikepackers travel for multiple days I planned a simple overnight trip as water is a limiting factor here. In short, there is no reliable water source in the backcountry. So the two options are carry it all or precache it at places. Being an overnight, I opted to carry it all. 8 liters for an overnight. Many say you need one gallon of water per day. I believe that is far too low and I always take 8 or 9 liters on any overnight travel in Big Bend. Between the heat, sun, wind and dryness of the desert you need a lot of water. 8 liters turned out perfect as I drank plenty on the trip out and got back with one cup left.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0934X2ryf8FLyb3hL8xRhi3aobHYilWRH6Xoux9M6sZ9bpEW4Amg2nQ3l9AjTZ4PCKhtR9yKQXbZZv8kSj5C5M__s-_D_8rFyp9n_BOBOu5SylG3fwqk1YyzQxN15djUyGCNp3VafL6NUVelJ1a9xVZDjimkAgDdQtLmxHTstY7x0iK8MNkOnozj/s2000/pixlr_20230322043744692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0934X2ryf8FLyb3hL8xRhi3aobHYilWRH6Xoux9M6sZ9bpEW4Amg2nQ3l9AjTZ4PCKhtR9yKQXbZZv8kSj5C5M__s-_D_8rFyp9n_BOBOu5SylG3fwqk1YyzQxN15djUyGCNp3VafL6NUVelJ1a9xVZDjimkAgDdQtLmxHTstY7x0iK8MNkOnozj/s320/pixlr_20230322043744692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Strapping all the water on the bike was one of the biggest parts of the planning. Actually getting all the gear on the bike was something I had thought about and planned from even before I bought the bike last summer. I specifically bought this model (Trek Roscoe 6) because it has mounts for a rear rack. I knew I would want to utilize one for any bikepacking. I bought the rack last fall. I then found some MOLLE panels design for car sun visors and attached them to the rack with zip ties. This gave me the ability to lash things to the side of the rack easily. Panniers are not very popular in bikepacking as they are too big and tend to snag stuff. I had a MOLLE bag I though might be a good size and having the panel that was MOLLE made it easy to mount. I then picked up a few ski straps and dry bags with daisy chains on them giving me a secure way to strap bags to the top and both sides of the rack. This would hold my clothes, food, camp kitchen and some water.<br /><p></p><p>I already had a half frame bag and some small tube top bags for my tripod and other items. This worked great for day trips but I knew I needed more storage. The way most carry their tent is to lash it to the handlebars. That seemed like it might flop around a lot. I found some inexpensive bar extenders that seem designed for extra space to mount phones. I bought two of them to create a cradle of sorts that allowed me to get the tent tight and stable with the added bonus of keeping it away from my cables.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhFMa6xOEtfDU9cYhyCsmQ0cQ33L3FbT3-nk-U5dgCK2N8OwKP2zT9SLUs100H-rd2jyWxbsZ1FIqalec9OQ7JPPOPb1qADIIOgPLBrYxIq6bO4FGuPVtPD54ABhNwjIGL-7t69oFVLi_f1W2UDxrBKDJQnvDEerqUbStN2CXQP3puaqc-DhkBdZl/s4032/PXL_20230221_131851228.NIGHT-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhFMa6xOEtfDU9cYhyCsmQ0cQ33L3FbT3-nk-U5dgCK2N8OwKP2zT9SLUs100H-rd2jyWxbsZ1FIqalec9OQ7JPPOPb1qADIIOgPLBrYxIq6bO4FGuPVtPD54ABhNwjIGL-7t69oFVLi_f1W2UDxrBKDJQnvDEerqUbStN2CXQP3puaqc-DhkBdZl/s320/PXL_20230221_131851228.NIGHT-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The front forks become the next spot to store gear. My suspension fork has no mounts for gear so I had to create them. Saw a tip online of using electrical tape to mount a bottle cage. Knowing I needed to carry as much water as possible, I opted for using two Blackburn cages so I could fit a 1.5L bottle on each. Got those taped on and was able to now mount 3 liters of water to the forks.</p><p>I also carried my standard 10L Osprey riding pack that has a 2.5L bladder in it. I also carry my camera and my tool kit here. I was now basically set. I had all my camping gear, camera kit, small tripod, 8 liters of water, food, clothes, spare tube, etc.</p><p>The site I had reserved was about 14 miles up the Old Ore Road. This is a rugged 4x4 road that travels the east side of the park. I arranged with the park rangers to leave my vehicle at the ranger station overnight (they give you a permit for this). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndG30axm9-2YY645hGz6KuBSVRILr5KPx0CpiZ_larim2tscvCkjrhHxjE-d98cC9uC6tovUAhS0QUc9lzgU8Fj2qQpFB1iDpbBHHGkPYj-tVxEhrbc9joL_4Qpd_rRvT4ND7jo3K9gwE9t5IakFZA8oa8QvIxKW8h71VaG0ZtVR1RS95cC5_IAj/s4032/PXL_20230221_004947630-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndG30axm9-2YY645hGz6KuBSVRILr5KPx0CpiZ_larim2tscvCkjrhHxjE-d98cC9uC6tovUAhS0QUc9lzgU8Fj2qQpFB1iDpbBHHGkPYj-tVxEhrbc9joL_4Qpd_rRvT4ND7jo3K9gwE9t5IakFZA8oa8QvIxKW8h71VaG0ZtVR1RS95cC5_IAj/s320/PXL_20230221_004947630-01.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>So at 1030 on a February morning I left the ranger station at Rio Grande Village and started pedaling for the Old Ore Road. Did I mention that Big Bend had a gnat hatch this year of Biblical proportions? anywhere along the river was so bad with gnats many were wearing head nets. Packing the bike meant there was a cloud of them around me. As I pedaled out on the road they swarmed me. Hundreds of them. going for your eyes, ears, nose, mouth. The ride up the paved road through the tunnel would be the worst part of the trip as the gnats swarmed me. Luckily once past the tunnel they began to decrease in number and I would pass beyond they river area they were.</p><p>I had about 17 miles to travel to my site. After getting beyond the gnats I took my time, stopped for pictures and explored locations. It would take me about 4 hours to make it to my site. I arrived mid afternoon and it was hot. Temps were in the mid 90's. In February. It had been 28 the morning before and would drop to 37 my night in camp. Gotta love the temp swings in the desert!</p><p>Like I said, my campsite was a patch of gravel in the desert with a bear box. In the heat of the day I used the bear box for shade! Sat there and drank a small Gatorade I had packed in one of my bags. There was quite the feeling of happiness and success that I had been able to do this and be here in a desert camp with my bike. Just me alone in the desert.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixwVn1B0QRiAZxTJxA_c0QT7KhyDn1ChM4iHdg992OfkLCiq077aSRc65H0LLHQMCbBEWxYRloh4Xl-rne8QXfu86EbRMd0BATSX0b0ulumQE4LMfATTELc397UT7KXHCRj_NjF1AgRVSTHGyZSG-IQDWDhfFul-xO2jqhPWJHU23HfCnJW_pSKh_/s1295/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_20_01282_156025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixwVn1B0QRiAZxTJxA_c0QT7KhyDn1ChM4iHdg992OfkLCiq077aSRc65H0LLHQMCbBEWxYRloh4Xl-rne8QXfu86EbRMd0BATSX0b0ulumQE4LMfATTELc397UT7KXHCRj_NjF1AgRVSTHGyZSG-IQDWDhfFul-xO2jqhPWJHU23HfCnJW_pSKh_/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_20_01282_156025.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><p></p><p>As it got late in the day, I set up my tent, explored the area around camp and made supper. I often do overnights here with just a bivy sack and just granola bars for food but with the cold nights and fear of gnats being miserable I was glad I had my one person tent and stove for a hot meal.</p><p>I was lucky enough to catch a great sunset. As a photographer, I always look forward to that. Luckily the clouds were fairly thin and would fade overnight. I also got Orion rising over camp as day faded into night. This allowed me to set up and complete the photo I had planned for weeks- a star trail over my tent and bike. This is why I pack a tripod with me. I sat it up and my got my camera secured and stable with a battery bank to keep it powered all night. After watching the stars for awhile and listening to the absolute silence of the desert I turned in to sleep. </p><p>I was up around 0400. The star trail was still running and the sky was clear. It was chilly with temps in the 30s so I was glad to have packed a hat, gloves and a down jacket. I watched the stars and waited for the Milky Way to rise over the mountain to the east. At that point I stopped the star trail having some 7 or 8 hours of images. I switched over to photographing the Milky Way. I would do this until the night began to fade. By then I was hungry so I fired up the stove for breakfast. Eating under the stars in the desert alone is always fun. I waited for sunrise and then began the process of packing up. I got everything back on the bike which was lighter now as I was down to my last two liters of water for the ride out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb-NwHNdXlqWDtT-2ZvEKo0tH8jgw49SnsBMMaZBu5GHwHL7ad7XP0Njro4WAFAWlOwmoOWUHcX-2vNq7vcfuf5YTQHkP1-cbhvixoRoF8ym8gJbVUagcsl9_GUsz4my56YqDUdgVn8WTKYNmh8Qf3fv0c8q27v9-Va4lqncSA4s0RkUqdLNG3CJC/s2560/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb-NwHNdXlqWDtT-2ZvEKo0tH8jgw49SnsBMMaZBu5GHwHL7ad7XP0Njro4WAFAWlOwmoOWUHcX-2vNq7vcfuf5YTQHkP1-cbhvixoRoF8ym8gJbVUagcsl9_GUsz4my56YqDUdgVn8WTKYNmh8Qf3fv0c8q27v9-Va4lqncSA4s0RkUqdLNG3CJC/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I rode slow, took in the sights and stopped quite a bit for images. A glorious morning with nice light. I set up the tripod to get a few images of me riding in the morning light. I stopped to see the cactus, found bluebonnets and watched the butterflies. A good morning to be out on the bike.</p><p>As I made my way down I encountered the US Border Patrol and a Park Ranger driving the Old Ore Road. Big Bend is at the border so you will see them both active in patrols. We chatted for a few minutes and they continued on. I kept pedaling and would reach the pavement just after 1000. It was now just a short ride down through the tunnel back to my vehicle and into the clouds of gnats.</p><p>I was gone a total of 24 hours. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y6O1Py89t0ni4hNpqmfkOVmM_ukzp8btDRkkOwGa6zI30aSck7uLTkVXNJNOmyB_nPHD6FgsaCfqK7hZYMmdBMXLWCHWE2wwCkaWgEyjpp7akbbtgoLRIKzXuMYPiBu-senLpREc9K6DuJ-THUVzTsPe9t2si3rb6081QxmTFlm8Edvre_j0nN1k/s2560/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y6O1Py89t0ni4hNpqmfkOVmM_ukzp8btDRkkOwGa6zI30aSck7uLTkVXNJNOmyB_nPHD6FgsaCfqK7hZYMmdBMXLWCHWE2wwCkaWgEyjpp7akbbtgoLRIKzXuMYPiBu-senLpREc9K6DuJ-THUVzTsPe9t2si3rb6081QxmTFlm8Edvre_j0nN1k/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2023_02_21_01282_156631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This was seriously fun! I certainly see the interest people have in travel by bike. It allowed me to get to places I might otherwise not see and do so in a fun mode of travel. I hope this is the first of many trips by bike. </p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-27736533147599465792023-03-17T16:34:00.002-05:002023-03-17T16:34:59.557-05:00Photography by Bike<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXkAJUXxQHa33T0mPghj9MKPtJhCZEzl6X3YUJNuvHXFapXK3EZs9YKR3q9PygoB_ADunDjea2nQpqqQzvxx_ICIDS2w_HAXvp7_l7op2Ht4xWrCcu2TproUC-xK0dZNoBy-DDxOWytZFECM220OEm4I5y3cQdzhgkBmI4bbGAp4nm27tJQ2V_SRx/s2560/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_10_23_01259_149343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXkAJUXxQHa33T0mPghj9MKPtJhCZEzl6X3YUJNuvHXFapXK3EZs9YKR3q9PygoB_ADunDjea2nQpqqQzvxx_ICIDS2w_HAXvp7_l7op2Ht4xWrCcu2TproUC-xK0dZNoBy-DDxOWytZFECM220OEm4I5y3cQdzhgkBmI4bbGAp4nm27tJQ2V_SRx/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_10_23_01259_149343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>As a photographer I usually am out on foot. I hike, walk and scramble to get to a photo location. I have backpacked to get a photo too. On occasion I will travel Overland style visiting remote campsites and use my vehicle as a base of operations. Last year I added a new way to travel for photography- by bike. Well actually I have carried my camera on my bike for a while but I took it another step when I bought a mountain bike last year.<p></p><p>I had been thinking about a mountain bike for a few years. The supply chain issues we had since 2020 had made it rather impossible to really find anything. Last year things began to return to normal. I was able to see bikes in store, test ride a few and I got one in June of 2022- a Trek Roscoe 6.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqC_y2SX3MbDG6_7jZi4L_LG2U19ULCgPpHUJugNfZFkksF_qOG0Hr0LMgLlBiKgBKCVreU_SDFlOyg4E5Ht8nFfA6Xon85AqD4TaZYk4UCCeJNJzc3kiQg2Gm6DeKzMEN31QjT5guQ56mJErzBZzv1Wm7R0IJhOMG1gC_1BK9f9WxJJKFI-NBDrX/s1620/Huski_Mountain%20Bike_2022_08_20_01246_142279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqC_y2SX3MbDG6_7jZi4L_LG2U19ULCgPpHUJugNfZFkksF_qOG0Hr0LMgLlBiKgBKCVreU_SDFlOyg4E5Ht8nFfA6Xon85AqD4TaZYk4UCCeJNJzc3kiQg2Gm6DeKzMEN31QjT5guQ56mJErzBZzv1Wm7R0IJhOMG1gC_1BK9f9WxJJKFI-NBDrX/s320/Huski_Mountain%20Bike_2022_08_20_01246_142279.jpg" width="213" /></a>For those in the mountain bike world this still skews more toward the entry level but it met my needs and fit well. For the riding I do, I thought it would be perfect and it has turned out to be a great purchase that gets a lot of regular use.</p><p>I want to ride the bike, I want to be able to explore trails, and I want to be able to take my camera along. The bike lets me get to places I cannot drive to access. It can also get me places faster than I can walk. On a morning form home or a trip in Big Bend it has been a great tool.</p><p>Bikes have sure evolved since my 1994 Trek 830 mountain bike. From steel to aluminum frame, tires are bigger and wider, front suspension, and a dropper seat post make this a very different bike. At first I was concerned a 2.8" wide tire might be "too wide" but now I cannot imagine anything narrower. Even the basic suspension my bike has is far more comfortable than my old rigid steel frame. The dropper post is super when going down hill.</p><p>In short riding the Roscoe is easy and fun!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF2SsG3Yzv3-UPiO4qlUB0OTKsHp8kka4KXKdKY0L8E3f_olK_bhgBGez3JMqfXmEcGUw6740re3SuEH-8Z9s8IE81ytSFBbdAFJbsPeb3diNqIzS1WzeeE9hJZpgyyfzcXlGQMWhouN0QKa0f5L1z_0aj9LH2NZc_QjeSxUQzYHWziiCOLFKsG2P/s2560/Huski_Mountain%20Bike_2022_11_03_01262_150280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF2SsG3Yzv3-UPiO4qlUB0OTKsHp8kka4KXKdKY0L8E3f_olK_bhgBGez3JMqfXmEcGUw6740re3SuEH-8Z9s8IE81ytSFBbdAFJbsPeb3diNqIzS1WzeeE9hJZpgyyfzcXlGQMWhouN0QKa0f5L1z_0aj9LH2NZc_QjeSxUQzYHWziiCOLFKsG2P/s320/Huski_Mountain%20Bike_2022_11_03_01262_150280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>One feature this frame has was mounts for a rear rack and kickstand. Some scoff at that, but I find them to be features I wanted and make use of. Want to have more storage for gear, a rack is perfect. Want to have your bike in the image? Kickstand makes it easy.</p><p>Around town I can leave from home and follow the gravel path along the Clear Fork to some trails I know along the river. I visit this area and photograph it on a regular basis but it is far enough away I would drive there. Now I bike! I can get some exercise and get in some photography.</p><p>Good for the heart and good for the soul!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaNxpObcd9SMP-moP19UVZUfT5PMz0Q3ktpFSYuJRXLJMVbIDi72ijNbZIEuZo-PW8-4DjxWc_uAuVYNo9mYm4yW_Dx_RntpEWRzqjdk9PDlp2PY0GKsSxeL4uvhj-kzUIEYUkmJ3cVkcDJgOBuFID--MvZVm_KHwRPQLBzXkJK0Kceh61GVxkwb4/s3838/PXL_20220814_111924003.NIGHT-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3838" data-original-width="2879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaNxpObcd9SMP-moP19UVZUfT5PMz0Q3ktpFSYuJRXLJMVbIDi72ijNbZIEuZo-PW8-4DjxWc_uAuVYNo9mYm4yW_Dx_RntpEWRzqjdk9PDlp2PY0GKsSxeL4uvhj-kzUIEYUkmJ3cVkcDJgOBuFID--MvZVm_KHwRPQLBzXkJK0Kceh61GVxkwb4/s320/PXL_20220814_111924003.NIGHT-01.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I outfitted the bike with a frame bag that holds my small tripod. This gives me a way to actually make images in the low light I often work with. Even by starlight, I can get a stable platform. I carry the camera in my riding pack and since I have the small A6100 I can carry a couple of spare lenses easily to have some options for photography.</p><p>I have also made the bike a regular addition to my Big Bend trips. Exploring the back roads of the park on my bike has added an whole new dimension to my trips there. Pedaling through the desert by bike is an experience I have really enjoyed. Several day trips to ride the rough roads there has been some of my favorite recent highlights.</p><p>So, yes, a great new way to explore and photograph!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-85104677765183583592023-01-27T16:30:00.002-06:002023-01-27T16:30:23.287-06:00Wonders of the Texas Night Sky in Big Bend<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2oQueeuS3DR6B_TbIbAZSap6J5oxa_KBm_KuNxGO6Gd-RstprooVtevIyOeCWCnnfNu8GrIETAsD0Ng0YEP3-7hD-iF55gcj4QE79XcyPqT2K7pEjWZzd-SA8_HkF88Y_8HsJi5XHxvday_GhUmmETIkhyDovRXl4frNMn6QqiDbpIxzw_NY9Sao/s1080/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_04_01222_136666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1080" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2oQueeuS3DR6B_TbIbAZSap6J5oxa_KBm_KuNxGO6Gd-RstprooVtevIyOeCWCnnfNu8GrIETAsD0Ng0YEP3-7hD-iF55gcj4QE79XcyPqT2K7pEjWZzd-SA8_HkF88Y_8HsJi5XHxvday_GhUmmETIkhyDovRXl4frNMn6QqiDbpIxzw_NY9Sao/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_04_01222_136666.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The dark #TexasNightSky of Big Bend is truly spectacular and a sight to see. Here in the far reaches of west Texas the lack of light pollution and desert air lead to clear skies filled with stars. Sit out here and you will no longer wonder why the song says "The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas". Once you experience the night sky here, you will want to be back for more.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">On my spring trip last year I went with a plan to see how I could work the night sky and Milky Way in particular into different landscape images as a so called nightscape. The scenery takes on another level of beauty when you can capture it with the Milky Way. So no matter how many times I have seen a location, I am always in awe of seeing it and getting an image at night too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The top image here is of Mule Ears Peak. I have driven by this view countless times. I have photographed several sunsets and sunrises of these peaks. I have even photographed them at night a few times. This trip I had the location and early morning time ready and went on two different mornings to get the best sky conditions to get this image of the Milky way rising over the peaks for what is now my favorite image I have of them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd6x10pik_KdRfPIe-5Za5JV2YmX6CE3QvH-RA7hm8GDQ195p4QRMKa30H27esnPotIqg1uV45DuQClFdJcPkEcnxyor2bik1trBa8kJr36g14Y3GlbsRQDNtkEaZ_cItOIMblrzXuy6fWqAYQw4XNJT0e0LYnRkdz9n4BfvSGdtBUGZcZMwUBYUx/s1080/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_02_28_01222_136129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1080" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd6x10pik_KdRfPIe-5Za5JV2YmX6CE3QvH-RA7hm8GDQ195p4QRMKa30H27esnPotIqg1uV45DuQClFdJcPkEcnxyor2bik1trBa8kJr36g14Y3GlbsRQDNtkEaZ_cItOIMblrzXuy6fWqAYQw4XNJT0e0LYnRkdz9n4BfvSGdtBUGZcZMwUBYUx/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_02_28_01222_136129.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I have photographed from the nature trail in Rio Grande Village many times. Might be the single best photo spot in the park with great views at both sunrise and sunset. Another location I have made many daylight images at that takes on an entirely new look at night with the colors of the night sky. Here is a view overlooking the Rio Grande, to the distant mountains of Mexico and out into the depth of the night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChm1VShA5WiFIwsqW6ZWP2rllEa0oxW-GueovT4f13jvhQh6pJV18Fy_Gwyu8b4ctwRMl68Gaa2-hdPJA2GanWIWZ_IkeiOE7I-kxLWtQ0FdUGZ8G6vP6q3c5M6RjRx2HZorzgCN8rum2ONFtZnqGtWkLPAf_Bxofr3GeLh54UdLJHsiOWeSzoioY/s1482/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_04_01226_140182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChm1VShA5WiFIwsqW6ZWP2rllEa0oxW-GueovT4f13jvhQh6pJV18Fy_Gwyu8b4ctwRMl68Gaa2-hdPJA2GanWIWZ_IkeiOE7I-kxLWtQ0FdUGZ8G6vP6q3c5M6RjRx2HZorzgCN8rum2ONFtZnqGtWkLPAf_Bxofr3GeLh54UdLJHsiOWeSzoioY/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_04_01226_140182.jpg" width="233" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">A third location I visit on a regular basis is the ancient volcanic core of Cerro Castellan. This mountain is a dominant feature visible for many miles on the western side of the park. The geology alone is worth a stop. I have photographed this many times day and night. So this last trip I wanted to see how I could keep finding images of it and got this of a lonely ocotillo among the barren tuff of the mountain side. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The bright core of our galaxy that we call the Milky Way rising over both the extinct volcano remains and the young desert flora. Here in the dark and the quiet you can gain a new perspective on life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Lastly a fun image. I was camped at one of the back road site and decided to run the camera all night for a star trail. Here my Honda Element reflects the dim light from deep space.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN0qFPPM2zADcK-YCzy6pZmzov6qw__cMeJ_NTf6FddgNkjnq6TttBvkRmLUXZ3YPwUnrzp6PBYuRjCeox1ik_GipOyryCki9nPxwYxTTQCmeBhU31Q1FSHpDjqbdR9Nh9uSNARnC2zxQYs4wbl4Ywl6R1a3TIuRnBD49pwybvIVNyS325Mi8ZMYA/s1080/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_06_01227_140378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1080" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN0qFPPM2zADcK-YCzy6pZmzov6qw__cMeJ_NTf6FddgNkjnq6TttBvkRmLUXZ3YPwUnrzp6PBYuRjCeox1ik_GipOyryCki9nPxwYxTTQCmeBhU31Q1FSHpDjqbdR9Nh9uSNARnC2zxQYs4wbl4Ywl6R1a3TIuRnBD49pwybvIVNyS325Mi8ZMYA/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_06_01227_140378.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAzPpqO4LQT-XquLvPX6p55tLKRcCeGDnVKFa-1maVvdD0dt93TLDOgTSHV2AVJe5WD5oEc6e6TryZcWXYYK3l4SgnOswBk-LzNqyCeDt5vRiU7EyR_4kYjP4JdIeZfHq-03v7XzPwyIEelcgWdPxe61VWcq9iGh1QkFPczynst6OqLQY0yevHA-2/s1482/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_04_01226_140182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-58780566741758149322023-01-07T11:25:00.000-06:002023-01-07T11:25:03.024-06:002022 Year in Review<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCieZq-Ciy4io5LadJwmrwONzzabf8rZH68RZf0iK2NLDnUN0Uckyk4ChLOTlC1-dDSTci0CVrTwSQkVGB9EZFraoCx7r7EhiyHUrdQ2vnBv5-c5e-ogzG3SNVLFOvPMM5OynPxL52EOcczhq563oHBExj7dbLmSsvtY20LUWhm_6aFv82ods0scY2/s1080/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_02_27_01228_140387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1080" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCieZq-Ciy4io5LadJwmrwONzzabf8rZH68RZf0iK2NLDnUN0Uckyk4ChLOTlC1-dDSTci0CVrTwSQkVGB9EZFraoCx7r7EhiyHUrdQ2vnBv5-c5e-ogzG3SNVLFOvPMM5OynPxL52EOcczhq563oHBExj7dbLmSsvtY20LUWhm_6aFv82ods0scY2/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_02_27_01228_140387.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />It is hard to believe the year is past and it is 2023. While I have traveled and photographed a great deal in 2022, what I did not do was post much on this blog. In a way I am not sure if anyone even reads this........but here goes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">2022 was another year of Covid and different travel for me. All of my trips were by road and I drove to a number of places. I also got a mountain bike this year and that has opened some different ways for me to explore an area.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Like every year, I started off 2022 with sunrise for New Years Day. A long standing tradition it survived Covid but I was alone on NYD this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">A late winter trip to Big Bend has been one of my go-to trips and it never disappoints unless I think back to 2021 when the big ice storm trapped me in Cowtown and I missed the trip. 2022 saw mild weather and a chance to explore the desert and chase the stars in the dark Texas Night sky.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpMpYxz0cB8qoLEzCkY51s18zzlfkFCkauhcWhB0T9oiDMua2PnVZnjHhF7cyC-7MiIx8dfVEiy597y0hyQKaItdnvbN4hD803wY9_hfXjOY4nCh7jXnfnHbhEWxj1HF3Yf4mR2Tb7UFP22eoFo0cDLOcJdqCdlZJqmQ2xjO0huaMYUrmlMgejdBO/s1618/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_02_01222_136564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpMpYxz0cB8qoLEzCkY51s18zzlfkFCkauhcWhB0T9oiDMua2PnVZnjHhF7cyC-7MiIx8dfVEiy597y0hyQKaItdnvbN4hD803wY9_hfXjOY4nCh7jXnfnHbhEWxj1HF3Yf4mR2Tb7UFP22eoFo0cDLOcJdqCdlZJqmQ2xjO0huaMYUrmlMgejdBO/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_03_02_01222_136564.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Something about the dark sky of El Desplabado and the countless stars of night that are incredible like few other places. I set up my camera by rock formations, the Rio Grande and more to find amazing views or capture a star trail.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I have been riding a hybrid bike for the past decade. Over Covid I was riding some 5,000+ miles a year but was limited to paved paths and have been wanting to get back to more rugged trails. Finally in the spring of 2022 the supply chain began to catch back up with the bike companies and I began to see potential models in stock. After a few weeks of research and test rides I bought a new Trek Roscoe 6 mountain bike. A solid hardtail trial bike it has become my favorite way to travel. In the second half of the year I put 1,600 miles on it. I have a way to carry a small camera kit and tripod and have explored local trails, chased fall color with it and ridden in the Big Bend country. It has been an excellent choice for fun, adventure and exercise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipc4pwn8ih3kqZjIyI8iLdeFIdPZOqtgm6pxmH8OH_X53zA5uWyvlayoKJG2w7ZgWlR0PL6VE4ojYXULyRjibB6Cc0pr71ZKlcW052VO2yoiCpckthKG65gk89Ymagr5lsGamoFMEGyow4g7NNgj-RY_fBDEetn44h8eyVzCL7ce-ZnWwdkgqzo-O/s1080/Huski_Rocky%20Mountains_2022_09_24_01251_144663-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1080" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipc4pwn8ih3kqZjIyI8iLdeFIdPZOqtgm6pxmH8OH_X53zA5uWyvlayoKJG2w7ZgWlR0PL6VE4ojYXULyRjibB6Cc0pr71ZKlcW052VO2yoiCpckthKG65gk89Ymagr5lsGamoFMEGyow4g7NNgj-RY_fBDEetn44h8eyVzCL7ce-ZnWwdkgqzo-O/s320/Huski_Rocky%20Mountains_2022_09_24_01251_144663-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />My big trip this year was a two week road trip as I drove to Montana and explored the Great Plains. Heading north through the farm country of Kansas and then followed the Platte River into Wyoming. I ticked a place off the list spending the night at the Bighorn Canyon and getting a chance to try night images in the howling wind. I unexpectedly got to add in a few days in Yellowstone. Turns out the news of the terrible rain/flooding they had scared many visitors off. On short notice I added a few night in and was able to see wildlife and the Milky Way. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9KT7FHzQV7gSMWgrMkUyqKVwM4i2qxXMJP5USJhfhCQhQimdO_mz1Njz0zKJHlemhgRza7S9fj-MmdhjIO6l5Eki1QzMNHb8CbA5CjAmc4khrw752kkCAoofiWTuee3BuilKVA3Oz3Ir6d6bt_ev4BZ9AeFv0gcRNVENmYu3O2qfU0IB6iUz2Odc/s1617/Huski_Rocky%20Mountains_2022_09_23_01252_144929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9KT7FHzQV7gSMWgrMkUyqKVwM4i2qxXMJP5USJhfhCQhQimdO_mz1Njz0zKJHlemhgRza7S9fj-MmdhjIO6l5Eki1QzMNHb8CbA5CjAmc4khrw752kkCAoofiWTuee3BuilKVA3Oz3Ir6d6bt_ev4BZ9AeFv0gcRNVENmYu3O2qfU0IB6iUz2Odc/s320/Huski_Rocky%20Mountains_2022_09_23_01252_144929.jpg" width="214" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">After Yellowstone it was north into the central Montana plains and the Missouri River. I explored the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and the Charles M. Russell NWR. From there is was over to the Thunder Basin, Wind Cave and back into Nebraska for the Sand Hills.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The plains continue to impress and surprise me. I am glad to have taken the time the last two years to really explore them more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">A quick trip to Big Bend in October then led into the fall color season. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The long autumn season of north Texas was good to me. We had great color that lasted from late October until mid-December when spring like storms took the last of the leaves. Over those several weeks I was out on the bike with the camera every chance I could get. The miles might not have been as many but the places seen made up for it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJHrUKp4GrIbTSYScRi4dWQURYfAnzQY53l7zdzWg5vv81iAC2GCZluvHKZUALKp92l1R_g5SIuKvrvzSn3vTK8P8A20FtEKpWNDRCbxxFjpTgcp4WeATQLViC5VtmhxqIGqa6zXh8bFbuwcxsOVIHm_7q6T_X8NIbJrPNydIvwkjeawJ0J6pTEx_/s1080/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_12_28_01276_154588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJHrUKp4GrIbTSYScRi4dWQURYfAnzQY53l7zdzWg5vv81iAC2GCZluvHKZUALKp92l1R_g5SIuKvrvzSn3vTK8P8A20FtEKpWNDRCbxxFjpTgcp4WeATQLViC5VtmhxqIGqa6zXh8bFbuwcxsOVIHm_7q6T_X8NIbJrPNydIvwkjeawJ0J6pTEx_/s320/Huski_Big%20Bend_2022_12_28_01276_154588.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Finally I finished the year in Big Bend again. Took the bike and went up 4x4 roads I cannot get the mighty Element. A fun way to travel by two wheels as I explored the desert.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">That leads me to 2023......Looking at the year ahead, I hope to return to Big Bend, ride the bike, and see an eclipse in October. Beyond that....who knows.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">May you have a great year!</span></p><p><br /></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-17286934922730632312022-01-13T08:40:00.001-06:002022-01-13T08:40:19.587-06:00Bear's Lodge<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqC2PAxHmuu-XhNxMLfaMtnex8w5zF-yrGOT9EXhgfHovsVr1LaDULsS-MsMy-lqyChWqpMltb3BKErpK6xOKZcaiPCc7pVDgjUnMIitAGQYlpIzyr81uvkjg5B-TxFBz-gyn9lu0JTun5M46biUQFQuhYprktawAZG5odJ0HEVdj-vVIJ1CjOqhP-=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqC2PAxHmuu-XhNxMLfaMtnex8w5zF-yrGOT9EXhgfHovsVr1LaDULsS-MsMy-lqyChWqpMltb3BKErpK6xOKZcaiPCc7pVDgjUnMIitAGQYlpIzyr81uvkjg5B-TxFBz-gyn9lu0JTun5M46biUQFQuhYprktawAZG5odJ0HEVdj-vVIJ1CjOqhP-=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Bear's Lodge (also known as Devil's Tower) is a famous location in Wyoming on the edge of the Black Hills. A giant rock formation that has been seen in movies and post cards for generations. It is a small National Monument and is very popular as a destination.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It is a place I have wanted to visit and photograph for a long time. I worked it into my Dakota trip this last fall. I was hoping to camp and visit for a night or two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjefqzEJ4KI5EXiuH6OrcDnBKPJnrsvOLrQLVl304JlMJCe_DAje9OSW7JMFHINkUb0m96-OVOw6GxmnQQ-iq-zQ5PS3onw1PE0Bitr1heE7eDGapYD2EhHnn3WmfM0cyk5YQLMjkAEgeqzyyg4ynKWmvEjuVw2vpVZx7GaRBjF4BJFIuwzE-aJYIYc=s1318" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjefqzEJ4KI5EXiuH6OrcDnBKPJnrsvOLrQLVl304JlMJCe_DAje9OSW7JMFHINkUb0m96-OVOw6GxmnQQ-iq-zQ5PS3onw1PE0Bitr1heE7eDGapYD2EhHnn3WmfM0cyk5YQLMjkAEgeqzyyg4ynKWmvEjuVw2vpVZx7GaRBjF4BJFIuwzE-aJYIYc=s320" width="262" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />Now did I mention this is a small place? The tower itself is big but the monument is measured in hundreds of acres and not tens of thousands like a national park. In many ways it is like a small state park. In the summer it is very crowded. However most visitors do a drive through visit and leave. I arrived in October and was able to get a campsite there in the small campground under the cottonwood trees. I would find it very quiet at night.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I had hoped I might find a couple of daytime images of the tower and then maybe a couple of nightscape images with the Milky Way. I found that over two nights I found many nice images. Really impressive for such a small location.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The obvious thing to do was walk around the base of the tower. This is what 99% of all visitors do. The parking lot is small. In summer it will always be jam packed. In October in the later afternoon, I find several open spots. I do the walk and find a spot I believe will work for the Milky Way. I come back after supper as the sun is setting and seek that spot out. The tourists leave. I am sitting alone on a rock, staring at the tower and the sky as the light fades and the stars begin to shine.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhofZxJhgp-FY0Paq7p3lIoQ8XqaRkNgTubyrVwTYChTgITnyXnE_evcFtHUzjOaFRPwlvOzh_d6S4GDWZhjGmIpTZ9u5pwAtgAABY88iNfG3VuJTFY9E3HZbVftBi96VbKP0Q6UeyD69NXSRUTVjILQUts9cb7vNHBdI8VFvyXmIrDOUApgl8tWiUf=s1619" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhofZxJhgp-FY0Paq7p3lIoQ8XqaRkNgTubyrVwTYChTgITnyXnE_evcFtHUzjOaFRPwlvOzh_d6S4GDWZhjGmIpTZ9u5pwAtgAABY88iNfG3VuJTFY9E3HZbVftBi96VbKP0Q6UeyD69NXSRUTVjILQUts9cb7vNHBdI8VFvyXmIrDOUApgl8tWiUf=s320" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The Milky Way was perfectly aligned along the tower!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I stayed in the dark for an hour getting several nice images. It is a magical night at the tower. As I drive back to camp I find spots I can make several other stops. At one I can see a light on the top. Climbers! I watch as they rappel down the tower in the dark.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">At sunrise I find a spot along the Belle Fourche River as it winds around the camp. I catch early light on the tower. I do some hikes on some of the outer trails and get a couple of more images I like. I also spot that the KOA by the entrance has teepee tents. I think I can work them into an image and make a note to go back the next morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">For sunset it clouds up but no light. I am at a different spot that I think will work pre-dawn for Orion over the tower.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbeDlQJmUXDGlEW4MFGME66PMrIJ1uhwTUP1Kf5gykS1Az1kY3t4lH5IV_MWVjSnniAowOJYwMJd1PtR7BmavksRYb9H1mrSQLkHNqhqLjJub7nuXr-Q5PVHcZxIH-GC1bNfaL0oCEt7NkVeXv40AOXWuK7M0It28RK57ZfmDE1Mp4Tflf0WX3V6AM=s1812" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbeDlQJmUXDGlEW4MFGME66PMrIJ1uhwTUP1Kf5gykS1Az1kY3t4lH5IV_MWVjSnniAowOJYwMJd1PtR7BmavksRYb9H1mrSQLkHNqhqLjJub7nuXr-Q5PVHcZxIH-GC1bNfaL0oCEt7NkVeXv40AOXWuK7M0It28RK57ZfmDE1Mp4Tflf0WX3V6AM=s320" width="191" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />I go back pre-dawn to clear skies and get Orion. Nice!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Then I make my way back over to the teepees for sunrise and get them with first light on the tower.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">the tower was everything I always imagined it would be, magnificent, mysterious and magical. When I think how small this monument is I am greatly impressed with how many different good images I was able to get. It definitely punches above its size.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">A return trip is something I already want to do.</span></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-20030712223553687582022-01-03T08:29:00.002-06:002022-01-03T08:29:43.537-06:002021 Year in Review<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIk60wsiaFGy_MXH-Wb1yagSHt7YgcWUtSZGnm_9hr0mmkWfrxKQqHu6F-_Fa8E2SyHrkJ4fu95Y2wcGs7LwUhpo4FQnsSd_94xvYoVwNtWB40u_nUP8XBcQm06aXrGZjqYlm4QodLL2K3RcWdpnJtCIfz1NK3wKnSToNnaYbiLdEg_bpgZUL8AbDD=s1547" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIk60wsiaFGy_MXH-Wb1yagSHt7YgcWUtSZGnm_9hr0mmkWfrxKQqHu6F-_Fa8E2SyHrkJ4fu95Y2wcGs7LwUhpo4FQnsSd_94xvYoVwNtWB40u_nUP8XBcQm06aXrGZjqYlm4QodLL2K3RcWdpnJtCIfz1NK3wKnSToNnaYbiLdEg_bpgZUL8AbDD=s320" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow and Moon on Jan 1</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I am a little late with this but here is my 2021 Year in Review. You can find prior year reviews in the keywords.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In many ways this year was like living in Groundhog Day. It seems it was a repeat of 2020 and most days seemed the same. Pandemic, no plane travel, no eating out, social distancing, driving trips and only camping. But I persevere. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I started 2021 in Big Bend and just returned from there on Dec 31st. Big Bend was actually my go-to place this year. It's driving distance, has great stuff to see and despite now being discovered (another way of saying #Instaruined) it remains a favorite location.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">2020 ended for me in a blizzard in Big Bend. I woke up there on new years day for my January 1 images. As I state in this yearly review every year, greeting the new year sunrise is my long running tradition. Jan 1, 2022 was my 23rd year in a row of this. In 2021 I awoke to clear sky, snow and a full moon hanging over the desert. It was a long drive home on icy roads. What is normally a 10 hour drive to me close to 18 hours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gDw0u-AjZIyrlqI5UN_a-U10ok9E-k71Ex5WzInzY33d5biwLU36pMfq5PocycFoWYlf_dvI8KDOHtN6er_LOtzvv0BdFvkL7m7RzlKoBcBs7i4k9uV79OV0lyT6OCzsYDmz_TnXi8GKRmbCNqgXSPT3yDTB339oTADP-PYCgSdJjpbflfpcUHuG=s1619" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gDw0u-AjZIyrlqI5UN_a-U10ok9E-k71Ex5WzInzY33d5biwLU36pMfq5PocycFoWYlf_dvI8KDOHtN6er_LOtzvv0BdFvkL7m7RzlKoBcBs7i4k9uV79OV0lyT6OCzsYDmz_TnXi8GKRmbCNqgXSPT3yDTB339oTADP-PYCgSdJjpbflfpcUHuG=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Trinity River</td></tr></tbody></table>January and February brought two winter snow events to north Texas. One morning I was able to go out in the snow and explore the area as fresh snow fell. The other was our world famous Feb ice storm where our power grid collapsed. I was without power for 3 days. Then without water for 10. I think it was actually easier having water but no power since as a camper I have warm clothing and a camp stove. The storm cost me a trip to Big Bend 😞 But I was able to walk from home and photograph winter on the Trinity River. All in all it was fun.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As spring progressed I chased bluebonnets locally and then went out to Caprock Canyons. A great park where hiking the canyons of the Red River and dark sky make for a good weekend.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As spring went into summer we kept cancelling the travel plans we had made as we just did not want to get on a plane. So summer was spent locally and mainly on my bike. I bring a camera along and occasionally get an image.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">September arrived and I began to hit the road for driving destinations. Started with a week spent going to the Davis Mountains and then the Chisos in Big Bend. It is hot in the desert but it is also the rainy season and rain on a few days help cool the place down as well as bring interesting skies. I even got a chance to get in some night sky images.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGEsDSK7tl4YJdtNaxKQ8icOG03W7LlQwAkJ_VKOQOn-wd1ZxMQ__Pd_zTvC-5Y-AOgaVEXQRKC64n2iXTxw7_3Gj8UDJDCmo4UrJ34CDji1GTinyfkigN_FQJ7bspsgpSJNjODH5b3ONqV33N7Ikp_g_YdcQWMFMrciEoGbSS0o_I0C5TGupMP36X=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGEsDSK7tl4YJdtNaxKQ8icOG03W7LlQwAkJ_VKOQOn-wd1ZxMQ__Pd_zTvC-5Y-AOgaVEXQRKC64n2iXTxw7_3Gj8UDJDCmo4UrJ34CDji1GTinyfkigN_FQJ7bspsgpSJNjODH5b3ONqV33N7Ikp_g_YdcQWMFMrciEoGbSS0o_I0C5TGupMP36X=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window in Big Bend</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Late September I left town for two weeks exploring the Great Plains and drove to North Dakota! Having the time and seeing how over crowded many national parks were, I went where others do not. I was able to see places I have always wanted to get to go but never been able to make the time. Now I made the time and my destination. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Driving across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska South Dakota and into North Dakota was a great drive. I camped in the Sand Hills of Nebraska where you can find great dark sky and a lonely overlooked corner of the Midwest. I saw Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills in the down season to avoid the crowds. When I made it to Theodore Roosevelt NP in North Dakota it was everything I hoped it would be. As a bonus there were less than 15 others camping there! Practically had the park to myself. Truly an amazing park. Originally I had planned on 2 days in the north unit and 1 in the south but I liked it so much I rearranged some thing to stay an extra night in the amazing north unit.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvh1qyfk1aRin627MSxUb-ox47uEOPpqXZIMsbrTuioJudxaeyAtFJ-4gSeZrceZU8fY_EVa82X8QNfKajUpD8qtsmNpQNqbp90unEZqlkTTkNxs3C8JGCKt8fKuhWxkCyhDPWNn_Y7T-obHiW5WaEgPpBlghvaH_NhJoIahUtflBmH_z9exTRy3Xd=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvh1qyfk1aRin627MSxUb-ox47uEOPpqXZIMsbrTuioJudxaeyAtFJ-4gSeZrceZU8fY_EVa82X8QNfKajUpD8qtsmNpQNqbp90unEZqlkTTkNxs3C8JGCKt8fKuhWxkCyhDPWNn_Y7T-obHiW5WaEgPpBlghvaH_NhJoIahUtflBmH_z9exTRy3Xd=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theodore Roosevelt NP</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">My trip home was through Montana and Wyoming. I got to see the Yellowstone River in fall color as it winds across the prairies and then camp two nights at Devil's Tower. This was another bucket list destination and well worth it. I can see how it would be overwhelmed in summer but camping here in early October was great! I got to make several nice images in day and night and found a lot of compositions for such a small spot.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I was only home a few weeks before heading back out on the road. I went to Guadalupe Mountains for fall color, another night at the Davis Mountains and McDonald Observatory and then back to Big Bend. What a difference from my Labor Day trip. Temps were much more mild and the nights were longer. I was able to hike and explore different areas in both national parks. Desert canyons with fall color, dark skies, old faves and new things found. Fall color was running late in the Guads but we found a few trees in color.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYk8dmVSCMZjqZZQZqwsdQ0e2tAoz2Mz_0ZkMYPq5WMlRtTN1BmFMmJrahO4ptlnluqShshhxnGh8O-bDOpWK1pSBgJwEwV8EE4_PcnB0gQG_yCu1kfgChRqK8NnX8KuJGtXWZCzw6emDc_kH09wc6_WFJ25bDvaoxg2yZPOe_ESx6VXnAmcnlkdE=s1619" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYk8dmVSCMZjqZZQZqwsdQ0e2tAoz2Mz_0ZkMYPq5WMlRtTN1BmFMmJrahO4ptlnluqShshhxnGh8O-bDOpWK1pSBgJwEwV8EE4_PcnB0gQG_yCu1kfgChRqK8NnX8KuJGtXWZCzw6emDc_kH09wc6_WFJ25bDvaoxg2yZPOe_ESx6VXnAmcnlkdE=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Color in Texas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I returned home for our local fall color season which starts in November but the colors were lacking somewhat this year. We also rarely had the foggy conditions I can often find on November mornings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In December I did a long weekend trip back to Caprock and got a few good night images and explored a slot canyon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Then I ended the year going back to Big Bend. Quite a bit different this year as it hit 85 on several days. No snow this time. Managed to visit a few of my favorite hikes, explored two new areas I had scoped out for possibilities and then did three hikes I have always passed on finding two of the three were really impressive. I finally did Chimneys and Dog Canyon really liking them both. I also did Devil's Den and was very disappointed to find it clocked with stickers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I had hopes of seeing the comet but could never find it. May have been below the nearby mountains. I settled for the Milky Way over the Rio Grande.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I made it home on New Years Eve and wrapped up my year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKAPpZag9LnsbKhRztja3L0jTDOw8dWe3F7jkdV9rwBZom2yDiBp5sI1lTWwynRbnns5lzX90uLojZDQuPEmOl9B70Q5npSpYRK7hlrR-K7BJjgM1ngM3zSWJ-i2tIZHCZ1JWvKcfUmd7KlkDmvP7jsRP_CdwMyT2e-U94eiR-Z8UbFY47dfafOIaT=s1620" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKAPpZag9LnsbKhRztja3L0jTDOw8dWe3F7jkdV9rwBZom2yDiBp5sI1lTWwynRbnns5lzX90uLojZDQuPEmOl9B70Q5npSpYRK7hlrR-K7BJjgM1ngM3zSWJ-i2tIZHCZ1JWvKcfUmd7KlkDmvP7jsRP_CdwMyT2e-U94eiR-Z8UbFY47dfafOIaT=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rio Grande and Milky Way</td></tr></tbody></table><br />All in all, I tried to make the most of what travel I could do. As a camper I was able to drive places, socially distance and feel safe. I got to revisit some of my frequent locations and spent time exploring an area of the country most do not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I am planning my 2022 travel now. For now I am going to presume it is driving trips only and working out what I might see. Big Bend is definitely on my radar but I am also looking further afield at what other off the beaten path spots I might explore.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Here is to a brighter and better new year!!</span></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-28702027954679522092021-12-08T06:02:00.000-06:002021-12-08T06:02:07.080-06:00Theodore Roosevelt National Park<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJyWUfId4Ug/YbCdEkwZ1JI/AAAAAAABlIk/RE34FTdhLtoodfJv_Yijp_bSzaOXe7TOACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_30_01182_120451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJyWUfId4Ug/YbCdEkwZ1JI/AAAAAAABlIk/RE34FTdhLtoodfJv_Yijp_bSzaOXe7TOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_30_01182_120451.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br />I drove to North Dakota this fall. Knowing how busy some places were this year, I wanted to see something different. One park unit I had read about and even seen a few pictures of was Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Our only park named for a person honors the old Rough Rider. It is said his time in North Dakota made him the President. I wanted to visit here and see it.</span><p></p><p>The park has two main sections and then a smaller third portion of the remains of his Elkhorn Ranch. After looking around at maps and images, I wanted to visit the remote north unit. One thing almost stopped me....a potential government shutdown. My plan had been to go to the Sand Hills, Badlands and then Black Hills. But with a looming shutdown I went north.</p><p>I arrived in the north unit of TRNP and was instantly impressed. The Little Missouri River carves a decent sized canyon here surrounds by badlands as it cuts into the prairie. There is fall color in the stands of cottonwoods. I see some of the many bison here. There are only 5 other campers here.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXBW0V5s9hc/YbCdLQyq6MI/AAAAAAABlIo/ZGHNEcRWJ7IDfJ0yNQK13SYLWFJAhX6WQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1619/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_30_01186_123885-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXBW0V5s9hc/YbCdLQyq6MI/AAAAAAABlIo/ZGHNEcRWJ7IDfJ0yNQK13SYLWFJAhX6WQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_30_01186_123885-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I am already in love with this place!</p><p>It is instantly easy to see why TR loved this area so much. There is a fantastic beauty to the place. The remote quiet of the Great Plains with the magnificent Little Mo.</p><p>I sent up camp and end up staying three nights and enjoy every moment of it. The fact I am in a national park and have to only share it with a handful of other people reminds me of the old days before Big Bend was "discovered".</p><p>I am here at peak fall color. The cottonwoods are blazing bright yellow all along the river. There are a few clouds from time to time but the nights are mostly clear with great dark sky. I see bison and bighorn.</p><p>Every day I hike along the rim of the river canyon. I walk among the cottonwoods under a golden canopy of leaves while crunching those that have already fallen. I see bison. I stare at the Milky Way at night. I watch sunrise and sunset.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8oeQFMv7OU/YbCdVYTSzDI/AAAAAAABlIw/hUp-zWRf4lYNxZvs0TazPxFNljPqlsB8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_10_03_01182_120879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1080" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j8oeQFMv7OU/YbCdVYTSzDI/AAAAAAABlIw/hUp-zWRf4lYNxZvs0TazPxFNljPqlsB8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_10_03_01182_120879.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I turn the cameras on what this place has to offer and my three nights go by very quick.</p><p>I will also make the drive down to the south unit of TRNP. This is along the interstate near the town of Medora. The park has more visitors but still nowhere near Yosemite level. It is not bad but still seems like a lot after having the north unit almost to myself.</p><p>The canyon of the Little Missouri is not as deep here but there are wild horses roaming the park. I stay of a night and set up on a bluff over the river to photograph the Milky Way. In one of my images I get lucky and capture the space station going over! See the image to the right.</p><p>It was a great call to go to the Dakotas and especially TRNP. I was very impressed with the park. The scenery, animals and lack of visitors made it an experience to remember. This is a place I will be back to see.</p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-32518757059191733782021-10-19T10:21:00.002-05:002021-10-19T10:21:20.405-05:00Exploring the Nebraska Sand Hills<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ8Znm6YpM8/YW7hawf-5GI/AAAAAAABlF8/aJgbpDageKUE0SmUxEDfg69ZupOxK75AACNcBGAsYHQ/s1650/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_26_01182_120077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ8Znm6YpM8/YW7hawf-5GI/AAAAAAABlF8/aJgbpDageKUE0SmUxEDfg69ZupOxK75AACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_26_01182_120077.jpg" width="209" /></a> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Nebraska Sand Hills are something few people ever notice. I have seen them on the map and often wondered about them. It has never been a place I have had a chance to visit in the past. That changed this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Pandemic changed all of my travel plans this year. I found myself in August and having basically been home all year. I wanted to travel. In normal times I would take a week and go to someplace I knew would be scenic like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or similar. Some of the parks can be busy but as someone usually plans I was able to work around the worst of the crowds. Covid has changed that. Parks like Yellowstone, Zion and Grand Canyon are setting new attendance records each month. There are news stories of overcrowding, and two hour waits in line to start a hike.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I did not want to be part of that kind of a crowd. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I made a trip to explore lesser visited areas. I would still visit a couple of national parks but hopefully ones less crowded. My destination was to drive up the Great Plains to North Dakota and Montana. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In planning it the first major stop on my list was the Nebraska Sand Hills. First it's over 800 miles from Cowtown to the Sand Hills. I don't like doing super long days behind the wheel anymore and I broke up the drive in 400 mile days. That meant two days driving through the farm and ranch heartland of America. Many people would be bored with that. I loved it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZbl1PyKPtk/YW7hliZsH3I/AAAAAAABlGA/R7W07EeVGpwjcfi1LiNQzzCEKxr1RusHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01182_120125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZbl1PyKPtk/YW7hliZsH3I/AAAAAAABlGA/R7W07EeVGpwjcfi1LiNQzzCEKxr1RusHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01182_120125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I followed US 83 north out of Texas. It is a good drive on a good road. Driving north across the Great Plains is a great thing to do. All the towns are small and are a throwback to a simpler America.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Something about crossing rivers and roads to tell distance. Red, Canadian, Arkansas, Platte, etc. The rivers recall the past. Reminds me of Lonesome Dove as they travel north. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or crossing I-40 or 70 or 80 or 90. Even US 50 and US 6. Roads that remind you of the map and where they lead. You can stop and look across this vast landscape at the breadbasket of the world. It was September and the corn was being harvested. There was a lot of activity as the race for harvest was on.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9BjRGPwH0o/YW7hsGtdiEI/AAAAAAABlGI/wVvWalfozcs7AA1-lttfUKKMqu3Xm_bHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01188_125063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1080" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9BjRGPwH0o/YW7hsGtdiEI/AAAAAAABlGI/wVvWalfozcs7AA1-lttfUKKMqu3Xm_bHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01188_125063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kansas and Nebraska find many farms until you cross the North Platte River, then you enter the Sand Hills which cover the northwest corner of the state. No more farms and the soil is thin and basically sand. The hills are neat a pretty to drive through but lack an epic photograph, at least on a cloudless afternoon. The hills are mostly grass but there are small clear running rivers with tree lined banks and marshes on the flat pans. I really enjoy the drive and view.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a subtle beauty. The roll of the land. The treeless hills. A clear stream in a valley or a small marshy pan. I see geese fly by.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I make my way to a lake at Merritt state park. In planning my route I had seen the Nebraska Star Party happens here because of the very dark skies. I set up camp where only two other campers are.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhgtHdl4rhc/YW7h0AKuqqI/AAAAAAABlGM/zYQx0AXcbI0ew5l_22BsPNzefRpSvHLuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1617/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01184_121351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhgtHdl4rhc/YW7h0AKuqqI/AAAAAAABlGM/zYQx0AXcbI0ew5l_22BsPNzefRpSvHLuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01184_121351.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Neat little lake with basic campground. I find a lone tree that might work as a foreground. The skies are dark but a fair bit of cross country plane traffic seen. It is flyover country to them. They are the ones missing out.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I get some great images of the Milky way while listening to coyotes howl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next morning is cloudless again ( it's cloudless most of the trip) but I manage to get a few images of the lake and area. On my drive I also see a bald eagle in a seasonal pond. Nice sighting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I end up only spending a short time here but think it's a cool area to explore. If you ever drive this way I think it's worth spending a night. No, it is not Yosemite grand but like most of the plains has a subtle quality that makes it neat. And you can have it to yourself!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In many ways it is not an easy place to photograph as there are no icons or obvious images. The scenery here is neat though and one worth driving when you have the time. That's really what I tried to do with this trip....make the time.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBe1zGMlh4o/YW7h9DtMjyI/AAAAAAABlGY/fWPj-fUigFUpFBcnGVPMdKtIS70MdY16gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01188_125043-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1080" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBe1zGMlh4o/YW7h9DtMjyI/AAAAAAABlGY/fWPj-fUigFUpFBcnGVPMdKtIS70MdY16gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2021_09_27_01188_125043-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">For me, this year was more old school and doing the drive. Then seeing places I would not normally see or have the time since I would be trying to get elsewhere. I started with a good place.<br /></span><p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-24762521164256426382021-08-08T19:48:00.000-05:002021-08-08T19:48:11.466-05:00Snow in Big Bend<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfK_ndD7wBA/YRB6C4sBPcI/AAAAAAABkxw/-rUT-9dmQdQ-9p8Zw10otIYBGa6F7OenACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100235-Edit.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfK_ndD7wBA/YRB6C4sBPcI/AAAAAAABkxw/-rUT-9dmQdQ-9p8Zw10otIYBGa6F7OenACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100235-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>At the end of 2020 I spent some time out in Big Bend National Park. I have been on several trips to the park in December and every time is different in weather and conditions. <div><br /></div><div> It could be 80F degrees. It could be 5F degrees and snow. One really never knows.
It means you have to be prepared for anything regardless what the weatherman says. </div><div><br /></div><div> When I left for the park the call was for warm weather, maybe a few clouds and a full moon. We had several days of warm weather but at the end of the week a front moved much farther south than expected. I went to bed one night under thick overcast and rainy skies with the temp falling rapidly. I wondered if I would wake up to snow....... </div><div><br /></div><div> On December 31st, the last day of the year I was out the tent by 0500 to only see rain. It was just too warm on the desert floor for snow. I began a drive up towards the Chisos. As I got to higher elevation I encounterd snow flakes, then snow sticking and finally up by the Chisos almost a foot of fresh fallen snow. I was the first one up the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nZOiJOYEz4/YRB6wMetyRI/AAAAAAABkx4/1Ivox44q4boegwRLwOjvQ35Ei38a7jAQACNcBGAsYHQ/s1619/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_99533-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nZOiJOYEz4/YRB6wMetyRI/AAAAAAABkx4/1Ivox44q4boegwRLwOjvQ35Ei38a7jAQACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_99533-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> I waited for first light beneath the Window and took in a winter wonderland. Snow covered everything! I have seen snow in Big Bend....but never this much snow.
This was one of those magical days I always hope for as a photographer! </div><div><br /></div><div> I went for a walk along a trail into the old Sam Nail Ranch site and say trees and cactus draped in many inches of snow. There was so much white it was hard to find a photograph. I wandered among the trees trying to find shapes amongst the snow. After exhausting the area, I drove further and stopped again and again and again. The conditions were epic but also fleeting. I knew it could easily be all melted by mid day. </div><div><br /></div><div> Luckily the snow lightly fell and the sky stayed overcast. I drove around to the other side of the Chisos and saw low moving clouds surround the peaks and stopped to make images. </div><div><br /></div><div> Back and forth I drove always looking for where I might find something. The Basin itself was closed as the conditions were too poor on the narrow road to get in our out. Some lucky folks were up there......
I stayed in the desert grasslands looking up at the peaks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkQdEQLJWtM/YRB69Y3tGAI/AAAAAAABkx8/Jum4zaYZFfsTRnaoeUGcdMhTc3VCJEwPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100314-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkQdEQLJWtM/YRB69Y3tGAI/AAAAAAABkx8/Jum4zaYZFfsTRnaoeUGcdMhTc3VCJEwPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100314-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> Late in the day I noticed a small gap in the clouds in the western sky. I instantly made my way over to the west side of the Chisos and got a spot I hoped my work for a sunset. The idea being that if the gap staye din the clouds, the sun would pop out and bath the mountains in golden light close to sunset. </div><div><br /></div><div> I waited. And I waited.
Then the light began to happen. </div><div><br /></div><div> The gap was still there! </div><div><br /></div><div> Over the next two hours I witnessed the best light I saw in all of 2020. The last day of the year and last sunset of the year was the best one of the year.
The light began to shine on the western wall of the Chisos. Becoming more bright and golden until the peaks were all aglow. </div><div><br /></div><div> It was amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>The light lasted and lasted. I had three camera going to try to capture all of the light.
As the sun set the clouds began to break up and the sky went pink and purple. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Tf7UDYZMqE/YRB7EeHuIEI/AAAAAAABkyE/rguXfh0eVOQkMAuOE_N5onCze0IV3Pv8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100349-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Tf7UDYZMqE/YRB7EeHuIEI/AAAAAAABkyE/rguXfh0eVOQkMAuOE_N5onCze0IV3Pv8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_12_31_01080_100349-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> For the next hour the sky slowly cleared under an amazing afterglow.
As the light finally faded to night I began to see the stars as saw Orion rising over the Chisos.
It seems it was well into night before I was content to leave that spot. </div><div><br /></div><div>I made my way back to camp happy and joyful to have had a most amazing new years eve.
</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-7669808733210131742021-01-05T08:16:00.001-06:002021-01-05T08:16:29.203-06:00New YearJanuary 1 marks the begining of a new year and this year, a new decade.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div><br></div><div>The first day of the year is also one of my favorite annual traditions as I go out for sunrise to photograph and greet the new year. It is a tradition that started for me back in 2000 and has been going since. Rain, sleet, or clear sky does not matter. I am out there. </div><div><br></div><div>I have to admit I rarely get good photos that day. It seems to always be poor conditions for photography, yet that never deters me. </div><div><br></div><div>What started as a solo thing grew as my friends learned about and I would have as many as ten others meet me in the predawn cold to wait for the first sunrise if the year. Usually that meant staying out for a few hours with the cameras and then stopping in for breakfast and conversation as we talked over the prior year photography wise and made plans for the upcoming year.</div><div><br></div><div>We couldn't do any of our traditional group things this year. I packed up after Christmas and made a trip out to Big Bend. Fully self contained and camping where I could be socially distanced seemed like a good way to end the year.</div><div><br></div><div>And it was......</div><div><br></div><div>I spent several days in the park with a plan of returning home on Dec 31st. However the weather forecast which had been calling for cloudless all week turned to having a winter storm hit the region on the night of Dec 30th. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>It even called for snow! </div><div><br></div><div>Snow in Big Bend happens but it is still the exception. I was going to get a chance to see eit so I decided to stay an extra day and return home on Jan 1. I got to see some epic snow in Big Bend on the 31st. But that will have to wait until another post after I have looked at all the images.</div><div><br></div><div>Jan 1 this year had me wake up at 0200 to clear skies and cold temps. I packed up and started home driving through the park. The park roads were in decent condition despite the prior day snowfall. The almost full moon shined in the night sky and it lit up the land and snow like daylight. </div><div><br></div><div>I would drive and stop for photos here and there as I passed an interesting scene. The cloudless sky made it like a clear day but I still wanted to make the most of this chance, even if it was a few stops along the drive. </div><div><br></div><div>I made several stops in the park and finally headed north up US 385 to Marathon and beyond.</div><div><br></div><div>As I drove up from the lower elevation desert country to the higher grasslands around Marathon the road conditions deteriorated from mostly dry to mostly snow and ice. Luckily my Honda Element is an AWD model that does amazingly well in these conditions. I drive slow but never have any issues. I might note I saw quite a few cars and pickups that didn't do so well.</div><div><br></div><div>The land around Marathon is a high desert grassland and I had to make a few stops to photograph them under the moonlight. I really like this area and despite wanting to stay for sunrise, I know it is going to be a long drive and so move on. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>It is close to sunrise before I get up towards Fort Stockton and the Sierra Madera. I can see Venus in the eastern sky and a glow over the mountains. Unfortunately, I cannot really take the time to set up the tripod so I settle for a quick phone snap out the window and keep moving.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I make it to the Pecos River and catch the sun rising over the river. It's a spot I always stop at. I doubt any other person stops here, yet I do. Every trip. Perhaps it's the myths and legends that surround the Pecos. It is like a dividing line between both east and west as well as past and present. </div><div><br></div><div>Finally as I get close to Monahans I encounter patchy fog and hoar frost so make a few more images. As I reach I-20 I think the snow is behind me and I will now be able to make my way home in five or six hours. Little was I to know the snow has shut down the interstate and it would take ten hours longer to get home.......</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>This might be my best ever new years day photography. I saw some nice scenes and light. I got a few images I really liked too. I hope it is a good sign for a better year ahead. </div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward to what travel I can and wonder where I might be next Jan 1.</div><div><br></div><div>Happy new year to all!</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-51697933289405043592020-12-18T20:34:00.001-06:002020-12-18T20:36:48.784-06:002020 Year in Review<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6H40J36dlBs/X91iwwYMugI/AAAAAAABkjU/5USjA6IhzB0KbXYSNUfzJWYL35gJqOCSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1620/Huski_Trinity%2BRiver_2020_12_03_01063_92618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6H40J36dlBs/X91iwwYMugI/AAAAAAABkjU/5USjA6IhzB0KbXYSNUfzJWYL35gJqOCSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Trinity%2BRiver_2020_12_03_01063_92618.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trinity River by Bike</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> We are approaching the end of a year like no other. A year that was nothing like I thought it would be. A different year in every way possible than anyone could have imagined. Despite all that was this year I still wanted to do a look back from a photography standpoint.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">This has become one of my annual traditions to do this post and try and sum up my year. Then wonder if anyone ever reads these..........</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">January 1 started my year in photography as it has for the last 20 years. Photographing sunrise on New Year's Day became a tradition for me in 2000 and is still going strong. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The short Texas winter was one I photographed locally in January. In February, I took a week and went west to Big Bend. It was a great trip of dark night sky, big sunrises, and exploring the park. I got some great images along the way. Returned to several favorite locations and explored some new areas too. Even found a few new spots, a couple being off the map canyons. It is the little finds like this that so impress me about this park. No matter how many times I visit, I still find new things to see. It gives me that sense of adventure.</span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdLuo2D6aH0/X91jpcLwHvI/AAAAAAABkjo/H-Pzox_804QjbW32Oh5oJkKj6CLGfRQLACNcBGAsYHQ/s1553/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_10_11_01046_89253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdLuo2D6aH0/X91jpcLwHvI/AAAAAAABkjo/H-Pzox_804QjbW32Oh5oJkKj6CLGfRQLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_10_11_01046_89253.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Big Bend by Night</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It was after returning form this trip in late February that things rapidly changed. Within two weeks we were all but home bound. As spring went on I began to ride my bike more and it became a daily ritual. I would leave home at 0500 on the bike with the camera and ride about 20 miles. I would follow the river and look for photographs. Ride, look, photograph and ride more. I went from being a weekend rider to riding 500+ miles a month. Out there in the dark on the bike with the camera was a good escape from the crazy reality of the year. I could be outside, social distance, and get some exercise. I considered it good for the heart (bike) and soul (photography). <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">From the early days of spring through the heat of supper, the shorter days of fall and into the cold mornings in November and December. Going out when it is 31 degrees at 0500 on a bike might sound crazy to some but I really like it. I might stop along the river in a wooded area and hear owls. Or get a picture of the moon reflecting in the river, or the fall color in the trees at twilight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Looking back, the bulk of my photography this year was on the bike. In fact when I looked at my vehicle I noticed over a 4 week period I had driven only 56 miles and had biked over 600 miles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">In the early part of summer I also took some day drives. I decided to take the large format film camera and spend a few trips doing black and white. I put a blog post up on my Large Format blog on those drives along 377.</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voIQ5SwzfNo/X91ltYlJPWI/AAAAAAABkj0/fCnHfeWrpOoY75tb6eRipJM4GKFthaTWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1619/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_17_00998_80816-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voIQ5SwzfNo/X91ltYlJPWI/AAAAAAABkj0/fCnHfeWrpOoY75tb6eRipJM4GKFthaTWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_17_00998_80816-Edit.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Comet Neowise</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">When Comet Neowise became known and very visible I did a few more evening drives to see if I could see it and managed to get a few good spots to grad a photo of it over some churches or the Paluxy River. It was a nice treat in the hot Texas summer.</span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">With the turn of the seasons to fall and some things reopened, I took a chance and went to Big Bend. I wanted to do it and be safe. I packed everything I needed down to all the water I would need. Completely self-contained, the only stops I made were gas pumps. I was social distanced and got to see the the desert. It was a hot trip of triple digit temps and two dust storms. It was also nice to get away and be able to do it safely.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">After making that work I ended the year with a last minute trip to Caprock Canyons. Again I was self- contained and able to avoid encounters or stops. It was a good trip to explore the amazing Llano Estacado and even see snow! What a way to wrap up my year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">With less than two weeks left in 2020 I am waiting to see if I can photograph the Jupiter and Saturn Christmas Star next week.</span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgioH9eNvvI/X91iwz1eH_I/AAAAAAABkjQ/2p5fcqTJtfkV4Rgm2mV7lrNdOv6FDDYkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1619/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2020_12_13_01071_95349-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgioH9eNvvI/X91iwz1eH_I/AAAAAAABkjQ/2p5fcqTJtfkV4Rgm2mV7lrNdOv6FDDYkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2020_12_13_01071_95349-Edit.jpg" /></span></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Snow in Caprock Canyons</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Then looking forward to turning the page to 2021. I have no idea what it will bring. I have some ideas for trips but wonder what will even be possible. For sure I think I can do a couple of driving campouts but not sure beyond that. I can only hope and think of flying destinations when we can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Here is to a New Year!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-24626876170662863212020-11-21T05:46:00.004-06:002020-11-21T05:46:13.840-06:00Desert Glacier<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MROSQx3wWhI/X7j9ZMy2_fI/AAAAAAABkfA/oGtw4ydSgTwepW3vt5hz6HUFGV_lPizqACNcBGAsYHQ/s1618/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MROSQx3wWhI/X7j9ZMy2_fI/AAAAAAABkfA/oGtw4ydSgTwepW3vt5hz6HUFGV_lPizqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5644.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">High in the desert mountains of the Basin and Range country one find peaks reaching above 12,000 feet, mountainsides filled with aspen and glacial carved valleys. Yes, what is a dry desert region today has glacial carved valleys. If you look close you might find that a few actually still contain glaciers.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Yes. A glacier. In Nevada.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Not something you would expect. A holdover relic from the last ice age that somehow still survives today.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Before you go thinking it is a giant wall of ice, it is not. You mainly see a large rocky mound, but it is not a rock slide. It is not a talus or scree field either. It is a glacier covered in rock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Technically they are Rock Glaciers. The current warm climate we live in has melted the surface ice and covered the remaining ice with rock. However it still moves and acts like a glacier with a rocky surface. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ym7BmvMfK8/X7j9WxgaxyI/AAAAAAABke8/_LNUNpj0s-o8HZlYMOOlqi8kpE4uXAh-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ym7BmvMfK8/X7j9WxgaxyI/AAAAAAABke8/_LNUNpj0s-o8HZlYMOOlqi8kpE4uXAh-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I explored one on a fine October morning. The aspen leaves had fallen for the season and winter was fast approaching in the high country. It was cold enough to make one forget you are in a desert. The trail wound up past the aspen and pines until it reached more barren mountainsides. Here one finds Bristlecone Pines. Another ice age relic, they lives in harsh environments in the high country of the west. They are considered to be the oldest living things on the planet with trees that are thousands of years old.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The valleys are U shaped, a sign of glacial carving. Note, a river cuts a valley like a V, a glacier like a U with steeper sides. As I get close to the cirque (end of the valley) I can make out a large mound of rocks pushed up like a sphinx in the middle of the valley. It is the glacier. I hike along it and across it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">There are scree fields and talus slopes along the side walls of the valley but the glacier is distinct. I can imagine in an ancient climate that was wetter and cooler how it fed a river that flowed into Lake Bonneville. Now it clings to the side of a 12,000 foot peak waiting for the next ice age.</span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNhkd7KEd8o/X7j9ZYAhyaI/AAAAAAABkfE/Cw_ubuFnbYEe3SMA_tYu5uvIvHJOE1-9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1618/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNhkd7KEd8o/X7j9ZYAhyaI/AAAAAAABkfE/Cw_ubuFnbYEe3SMA_tYu5uvIvHJOE1-9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_18_00631_5637.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Glacier center, Talus left</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It is an impressive location and hike. I like finding spots like this. It is something significant yet unknown. Few people know about it and fewer will see it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I hope to make it back here sometime at the peak of autumn color and visit again.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-2484846784871435802020-08-29T16:08:00.004-05:002020-11-09T04:25:37.305-06:00Great Basin<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3cPnW3M3ng/X0rBU466KII/AAAAAAABkXs/Hq8DN6gvj8U7tvvskS2jJ3boqvuscv61gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_16_00630_4905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3cPnW3M3ng/X0rBU466KII/AAAAAAABkXs/Hq8DN6gvj8U7tvvskS2jJ3boqvuscv61gCNcBGAsYHQ/w410-h274/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_16_00630_4905.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Great Basin Country</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><span><br /><span><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">he huge swath of land between Salt Lake City, Utah and Reno, Nevada is called the Great Basin or sometimes the Basin and Range Country. It is a desolate place of salt flats, desert mountains, sage brush valleys and a few high peaks.</span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is a lonely place that gets few people to visit and few to live in.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You might fly over this on your way to the coast or Vegas. Some drive it on I-80 and hope to get through it quickly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I planned a trip to come out and photograph this region.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A geologist might tell you the Basin and Range county gets it's name from the fact is is a series of sagebrush flats with the occasional mountain range. They also might say the river here flow to no ocean. They spill out of a few mountains into a basin and dry away to nothing or maybe reach the Great Salt Lake. You may also hear that in the last Ice Age the lake was much larger but has dried in our warmer time leaving salt flats across western Utah.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">For most it is not a place to want to visit. For me that is exactly why I wanted to visit.....</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra6J4o3RcFI/X0rCBTu5VjI/AAAAAAABkX0/a_QCLDJ9B4g1SFejAcqEgPFVymK46KmogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1390/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_14_00630_4374.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ra6J4o3RcFI/X0rCBTu5VjI/AAAAAAABkX0/a_QCLDJ9B4g1SFejAcqEgPFVymK46KmogCNcBGAsYHQ/w318-h410/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_14_00630_4374.jpg" width="318" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had looked at maps for years of the region. I might see a mention in a book or article mentioning a place or mountain range. On very rare occasions I even saw a picture. It always intrigued me. The land sounded interesting and the images were always compelling. Yet, I never met anyone who had actually been there. The best you might get was someone drove I-80 to California and just remember it being hot.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">So when I got off the plane in SLC and rented a car to go west it was an adventure.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first place you see going west is the vast salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. I found them fascinating. It was clear but I found a place to stop and make some images. It was someplace I knew had potential, I just had missed the right light. I also planned my last night to stay in Wendover so I could visit the Bonneville Salt Flats are and see what I might get with a little more time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Past the flats is is basin, then mountain range, then another dry sagebrush basin, followed by a mountain range. It is empty country. Much of it is still managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers public access. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I made my way west and into a mountain range where I set up camp surrounded by peaks and a few aspen in full color. I was also one of only a handful of people there. That is always a plus for me, when there is not a crowd. Here among peaks that went to 12,000 ft I found a little mountain paradise. I hiked trails among aspen and up into rocky valleys. I had clear night sky far from any light pollution where I photographed the fall Milky Way. It was a fantastic location.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpkxpLjX__c/X0rCahiIZJI/AAAAAAABkYA/TdHMKLi0vC8CPGOYeTGshdejSJanNa5dQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1617/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_14_00633_6519.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1080" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpkxpLjX__c/X0rCahiIZJI/AAAAAAABkYA/TdHMKLi0vC8CPGOYeTGshdejSJanNa5dQCNcBGAsYHQ/w274-h410/Huski_Desert%2BSouthwest_2017_10_14_00633_6519.jpg" width="274" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I would do a hike or a drive over to the next mountain range. To get there I would cross a flat empty basin with sagebrush. Loved this. People only see the dry basins and do not realize some of the mountains are tall enough to enter a different world of granite and trees.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Out at night under the dark skies looking at the stars is always great and in a place like this with truly dark sky it is even extra special. Every night I would wait for dark and then set up photos of mountain peaks with the arc of the Milky Way or my tent glowing in the night.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then the next day off to hike and explore among the peaks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was an adventure and I had several days to go.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-84154615270833631152020-07-26T17:23:00.000-05:002020-07-26T17:23:09.908-05:00Comet Neowise<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZZy6KyPzis/Xx4Avja46rI/AAAAAAABkTA/PatmsXPNiGIYbFHyNchb0B4lLVVOvY-SACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_17_01000_81045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZZy6KyPzis/Xx4Avja46rI/AAAAAAABkTA/PatmsXPNiGIYbFHyNchb0B4lLVVOvY-SACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_17_01000_81045.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">July has been a month for a photographic treat in the form of Comet Neowise. Photographing a comet was not on my agenda for this year (of course neither was shelter in place). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having a newly discovered comet as a photography subject was a nice surprise and something I have been chasing for the last couple of weeks. Last comet I remember seeing was Hale-Bopp in the late 90's but I had no way to try to photograph it back then. Now I do and I was excited to see what I could get.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago when it was visible in the morning in the northeast, I took my camera on my morning bike ride hoping to get it but I could never see it or it was cloudy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After it became visible in the evening sky, I began planning and doing drives for images. First thing was to find subjects that had a view to the northwest. I am more of a landscape photographer than an astro photographer. Which basically means I want the ground in the image and not just a piece of the sky. So for me that lead to planning some drives to some spots that had views to the northwest that would be interesting as a foreground with the comet above.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr9aAWDolOg/Xx4AvjbY4nI/AAAAAAABkS8/n3iEQ8LDqIIH2RU54YcAk79nwR5P6qInwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_19_01008_81323-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1013" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr9aAWDolOg/Xx4AvjbY4nI/AAAAAAABkS8/n3iEQ8LDqIIH2RU54YcAk79nwR5P6qInwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_19_01008_81323-Pano.jpg" width="202" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">High on my list was a view along the Paluxy River near Glen Rose. Glen Rose is an hour drive from Fort Worth and it got me away from the worst of the light pollution. I knew a stretch I thought might work and luckily it did. I was able to set up a view of the river with the comet in the sky above. I even got lightning bugs blinking in the shot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A couple other places I knew were actually old rural churches. So we made a couple of different drives to photograph them. Both are away from town and have decent views to the northwest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At one church we found that a bunch of other people also came out as it had unfortunately become famous on social media. It was the first time I had ever encountered another photographer here. It was difficult to move much here with so many others so all my shots are from the same spot. Luckily everyone seemed to be good about working together and I think we all got shots. That is the church up top of the post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other church had no others there and it was easier to move around without others to worry about. Here the moon was out which reduced the brightness of the comet, still I worked with that I had.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ3_6BxFpTI/Xx4AvhhTOuI/AAAAAAABkTE/2tKFljRKWu0eTmk9x_igO3SwGZx8LLK5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_24_01018_82751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1080" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ3_6BxFpTI/Xx4AvhhTOuI/AAAAAAABkTE/2tKFljRKWu0eTmk9x_igO3SwGZx8LLK5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_07_24_01018_82751.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each spot was a good experience and I got decent photos at each spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also did a few nights out closer to home, actually I never left Tarrant County, but just getting out of of the city made the comet visible and photographable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was glad to get these chances and glad to get a few different night photos to take. This comet will not be back for over 6,000 years- get out and see it while you can. it is a true once in a lifetime event!</span><br />
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-1976708424168793952020-07-12T19:29:00.000-05:002020-07-12T19:29:03.081-05:00Caprock Country<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDMMDmyr5fA/Xwuqh2LoaUI/AAAAAAABkP0/Kpz5sL03SoQsTM5tz1DMPNoK9lkTU7Q8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00875_60403-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDMMDmyr5fA/Xwuqh2LoaUI/AAAAAAABkP0/Kpz5sL03SoQsTM5tz1DMPNoK9lkTU7Q8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00875_60403-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Late last year, after Christmas and before the Covid Crisis altered our lives, I did a short trip west to the Caprock country. Here on the edge of the Llano Estacado are canyons and cliffs as the flat top falls away to the rolling plains below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The eastern edge of the Llano Estacado is carved up by the headwaters of the Red River and there are many out of the way views here. Luckily a couple of areas were set aside as state parks. My goal for this trip was to camp in Caprock Canyons SP and hopefully photograph the red rock formations of the canyon and maybe even see the stars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I left Fort Worth and went west towards Sweetwater which is near the southern end of the Llano Estacado. From there my plan was to follow it north along the edge of the Caprock as best I could to the state park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The driving out here is lonely even if there are people and towns. This is an area of farms, ranches and small towns here and there but an area off the main highways and out of the mind of the typical traveler.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbtaBs_8Rn4/XwuqjelX_3I/AAAAAAABkP4/LWxvrAX65Toe5cRf7RqL_NjXMJhhy-QzACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00875_60311-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbtaBs_8Rn4/XwuqjelX_3I/AAAAAAABkP4/LWxvrAX65Toe5cRf7RqL_NjXMJhhy-QzACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00875_60311-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would driver north, then west, then north and then east. I wanted to follow the edge as best I could for the best photos. The view from the top and the views looking down the length of the edge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would make stops, move up the road, try different views. Some worked. Others did not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was in no hurry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I photographed a big sunrise and some interesting overcast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I drove along the rugged edge, the rolling plains below and the pancake flat of the top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a half day of driving I finally arrive in Quitaque and the park is just beyond. After a quick lunch (eating out seems so strange now) I get my campsite set up in the park and go for a hike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have heard the caprock carves some interesting spots through the rock and find a little shot slot canyon. Nothing huge but a canyon. Its like a gift.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4AtB3TtxMY/Xwuqklaxq_I/AAAAAAABkP8/AlilFlZDLHwx247sovAVIQvL12IykduZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00881_61340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4AtB3TtxMY/Xwuqklaxq_I/AAAAAAABkP8/AlilFlZDLHwx247sovAVIQvL12IykduZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_26_00881_61340.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is also very muddy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can get a little way in but wish I had my Wellies. I reach a place I know I cannot go beyond without mus going over the boot tops. I stop and take a few images. With the overcast there is no reflected light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still I am in a little slot canyon and I am happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later I hope for a sunset, but despite having some clouds do not get the right light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As it gets dark I know I want to try to photograph the stars, I am just not sure the images will work with the partly cloudy skies. I try anyway. I set up a couple of cameras and let them run. Who knows what I might get.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuKcjwthE4M/Xwuqk0W9VVI/AAAAAAABkQA/tGupVaKnJlQJixbw2yEq0j42jIzY5gR8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_27_00876_61031-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuKcjwthE4M/Xwuqk0W9VVI/AAAAAAABkQA/tGupVaKnJlQJixbw2yEq0j42jIzY5gR8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_27_00876_61031-Pano.jpg" width="182" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is not until I run the images through a star stacker do I realize that even with the moving clouds I actually could get a star trail out of the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the cold creeps into me, I call it a night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning I awaken to dense fog. I spend the morning in the fog. The whole day will be foggy and I will make mostly moody images in the dark and foggy conditions. I explore little creek beds, I wander some trails. I watch bike red rocks slowly materialize out of the dense fog into view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wonder if I will have to go to monochrome to make the images work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was an interesting day in an interesting spot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I leave the next day it is dreary. I drive home photographing old farms and roads. I take it slow and keep looking for images. Already thinking of potential photos and wondering what else might be found there in the Caprock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I sit here now in the summer wondering when I might be able to go back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-3196167355304417982020-06-11T04:34:00.002-05:002020-06-11T04:35:40.827-05:00Autumn Colors of West Texas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eark6WToRiw/XuH6Fqbz10I/AAAAAAABkKE/s2YIimL8N_4t2Ze4CHQGkBKeiqtsjs66QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_28_00825_51278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eark6WToRiw/XuH6Fqbz10I/AAAAAAABkKE/s2YIimL8N_4t2Ze4CHQGkBKeiqtsjs66QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_28_00825_51278.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pine Springs Canyon</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Autumn is my favorite season. Cooler temps, fall color and shorter days mean I am wanting to travel- especially to see the autumn colors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last fall I returned to west Texas and went looking for autumn colors in the Guadalupe Mountains. Out there hidden in desert canyons are maples, relics from the last ice age. It is an area that I enjoy not only the color but also the scenic mountains, canyons, and deserts. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICYaVp9l72c/XuH6F0CUmKI/AAAAAAABkKI/vUardXv72yE7HMCPubCu2IBOJtWOElf6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54645-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICYaVp9l72c/XuH6F0CUmKI/AAAAAAABkKI/vUardXv72yE7HMCPubCu2IBOJtWOElf6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54645-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Best fall color in the west</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I planned my trip for what should be a good week for the colors. I set up with the idea of going to the higher elevations of Dog Canyon for the first weekend followed by visits to the other side of the range and McKittrick Canyon later in the week. I was hoping this could mean seeing what should be the more advanced colors of Dog Canyon and giving McKittrick an extra few days.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuid5PTeC4I/XuH6HhY7cuI/AAAAAAABkKM/y_HHg2wZdjEtSX0JN297tP0cG8NkhRVwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54756-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuid5PTeC4I/XuH6HhY7cuI/AAAAAAABkKM/y_HHg2wZdjEtSX0JN297tP0cG8NkhRVwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54756-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fog in McKittrick</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As always with fall color.....you just never know. It is art, science and luck. I had picked a traditionally good week. I arrived in Dog Canyon to basically zero color change. Everything was still green.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is not looking good. If Dog Canyon is not in color, the lower elevations across the mountain are probably also green.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I spend one night in Dog Canyon with only minimal images taken. I get up the next day and move around the mountain and set up a new camp. I head right into Pine Springs Canyon and find.....fall color! It is an odd twist but the lower elevations have turned first. I get a few images and know I am good for the week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The weather is clear. In fact it is clear most of the week with only minimal clouds. I get up to clear sky the next morning and make my way to McKittrick Canyon. I spend the day here and see some good color. It is more mostly clear and I work with the conditions. By being there when the gate opens I am able to get into the canyon before the sun crests the mountains. Then I photograph some back lit scenes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnAGSqvG1_4/XuH6I4UmkfI/AAAAAAABkKQ/HHQo8BZrnwcbMYBMsXLJ8feSKU-lLfTDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54862-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnAGSqvG1_4/XuH6I4UmkfI/AAAAAAABkKQ/HHQo8BZrnwcbMYBMsXLJ8feSKU-lLfTDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54862-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Selfie</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The following day I spend the day in Pine Springs Canyon where it is also clear. I follow that up with another day in McKittrick. This day starts as fog! Fog and fall colors is something I like. I make the most of the interesting weather and later actually catch a sunset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had 4 days where I was able to see and chase fall color. I got a few interesting shots and even got some fog. Turned out to be a good trip. Better than I had feared on the first day when there was no fall color. Just showing you have to have a bit of luck on finding the best of autumn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-60034481596003494722020-05-30T15:11:00.000-05:002020-06-01T09:25:51.772-05:00Spring Milky Way<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPRubBMblKM/XtK8SpJpiLI/AAAAAAABkH0/VagQTTgbbtYdloyjUM-DlZ-61fzlu567ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Nolan%2BRiver_2020_04_30_00956_75706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPRubBMblKM/XtK8SpJpiLI/AAAAAAABkH0/VagQTTgbbtYdloyjUM-DlZ-61fzlu567ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Nolan%2BRiver_2020_04_30_00956_75706.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog rising</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We live in strange times. The "new normal" of social distancing has changed many things in life. For me as a photographer it has made spring different than I had planned. When state and national parks closed that took away the travel I like to do. With so much unknown travel became all but impossible. I want to be outside and I want to be responsible about being socially distant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My way way to do this is to go out and photograph alone. Actually I go alone most of the time anyway, so in a way it is nothing new. In normal times I do occasionally have a few friends who may go along but when I start wanting to depart at 0230 to go stand in a river to photograph the Milky Way, my list of interested friends gets much, much smaller. Like I said, most of the time I go alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So this past spring I have visited a few areas I can get to and photograph without being in a park. A place I can drive to, see the stars and not encounter another person. Drive there, photograph and drive home. Zero interaction with people.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JONm04oce7s/XtK8SltNAmI/AAAAAAABkHw/LrCBUqfWCn8NYpqZ4ARjulQ4e0wteQ8VwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_03_29_00930_73817-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JONm04oce7s/XtK8SltNAmI/AAAAAAABkHw/LrCBUqfWCn8NYpqZ4ARjulQ4e0wteQ8VwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_North%2BTexas_2020_03_29_00930_73817-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">High water</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that has been my plan this spring. Get out and see the stars when I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now with the stars you have to have several things go right for some of the areas. Dark sky near the new moon, which means maybe 2 weekends a month. The right location to face the Milky Way, since it moves throughout the year and a location that works in March tends not to in August. Clear sky to see it, which is probably obvious. Lastly, not too much recent rain, most of my locations are along rivers and high water means it is not safe to access.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luckily I have been able to make a few trips over the last several weeks and got images each new moon cycle. The rain and high water limited some access. Clouds made another night difficult too. Actually pretty typical what you deal with as a landscape photographer-always at the mercy of nature.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFqBuLVnsBk/XtK8tRjgc_I/AAAAAAABkIA/YrX0gq_Q4mQ45vA4DEERVsL1zQgMK-amACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Nolan%2BRiver_2020_05_30_00984_77818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFqBuLVnsBk/XtK8tRjgc_I/AAAAAAABkIA/YrX0gq_Q4mQ45vA4DEERVsL1zQgMK-amACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Nolan%2BRiver_2020_05_30_00984_77818.jpg" width="221" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Through the trees</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I have found over the last several years are a few different places to go. All within a one hour drive of home. With some 6 million plus people in the Metroplex I have to get away from town. What I have found is that if I can drive about an hour, I am far enough to see the Milky Way and get some images. There can be some local light pollution but generally I find being along a river keeps most stray light away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year I even added two new places to go. High water blocking some of my spots led me to using some maps and making some visits. Then making the drive in the dark hoping it would work and being thrilled when it did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Each trip out was a small victory, if for nothing more than to be outside. Even the night the clouds blew in before I could wade down the river to my spot, it was still a fun adventure in the dark.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As we move into June, I know a couple of my spring spots will no longer be any good but I know some different ones reach their prime in July. I will keep watching the weather and river levels so I can be ready for that next new moon.</span></span><br />
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-53218357449184906982020-05-16T07:27:00.001-05:002020-05-16T07:27:58.572-05:00River, Desert, Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxCNS6peZng/Xr_Z_6VpSAI/AAAAAAABkFI/3I0BMzc5yZwKCWdx2YeaqZJWbrt59-kCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69592-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="1080" height="101" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxCNS6peZng/Xr_Z_6VpSAI/AAAAAAABkFI/3I0BMzc5yZwKCWdx2YeaqZJWbrt59-kCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69592-Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Big Bend country is a dramatic landscape with a variety of elevations, features, and environments. From the riparian habitat along the Rio Grande, across the heat of the low desert, through higher elevation grasslands to the rugged peaks of the Chisos. Each element brings something different to the location and when you explore the region make for many different options and even weather.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB2hBapBfhI/Xr_aBFULRMI/AAAAAAABkFM/Fuj8qkNk4t4IFQijR8jqBtkdO8hizRTmACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_22_00907_66211-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB2hBapBfhI/Xr_aBFULRMI/AAAAAAABkFM/Fuj8qkNk4t4IFQijR8jqBtkdO8hizRTmACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_22_00907_66211-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each trip I make into the park I try to explore each area. I think I write this next statement in most posts about Big Bend, but even after years of exploring the park I am always finding new things. So a trip to the park will have me revisit areas I have seen before and then try to find something new. Every trip I find something new, it keeps the park always surprising me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photographing the park for me is a combo of chasing light and finding how to make use of the various elements of the landscape here to make an image.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting the right light is the hardest part. If I spend a week here, I expect 4 days were be completely clear. If I am lucky I will get three days with some clouds and then maybe some good light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When it happens.........you have to be ready.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9juVjTNLM8/Xr_aBVsvyMI/AAAAAAABkFQ/K-KLV_DHgqEx7dk4PHSxTlfpsYkQMsGTACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69670-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9juVjTNLM8/Xr_aBVsvyMI/AAAAAAABkFQ/K-KLV_DHgqEx7dk4PHSxTlfpsYkQMsGTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69670-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I plan my trips out. Or, at least I plan what part of the park I will be in and try to build a list of known good sunrise or sunset spots in each area. Part of that is I like to give myself some ideas for images but part is because the park is so big going from one side to the other takes a long time. Better to plan for the area you are in to maximize chances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some examples of images of the mountains, desert and river. some were planned out as known locations. Others are found moments.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9xtadnk9wU/Xr_bzxeOVAI/AAAAAAABkFk/Zs9mZ_n6qcYmWw4e42eVNj69GLK6r5v6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_24_00907_66879-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9xtadnk9wU/Xr_bzxeOVAI/AAAAAAABkFk/Zs9mZ_n6qcYmWw4e42eVNj69GLK6r5v6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_24_00907_66879-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The top scene here with the panorama of the big sunrise is from a location I visit every trip. With a clear view toward the Chisos I know it can be great if the clouds are right. This was my last morning in the park and Big Bend sent me on my way with a stunner of a sunrise. The light went on an on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The second image is another one planned out. I know the hill here has a great view to the east and west. Here I was there for a sunset and caught the golden river with eh distant peaks of the Chisos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Third image is a known area but found scene. I know this is a good sunset spot but mid day light actually turned out nice. A good view to show the desert landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally the last one is a found scene. I had hoped to find a good view from this hike and after some scrambling we found this spot where the sun dropped perfectly into the notch above the river.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Planning and luck. River, desert and mountains. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-79141005562196314922020-04-17T05:47:00.000-05:002020-04-17T06:06:58.815-05:00Off the Map Canyons in Big Bend<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2GmgQ_S6Kg/XpmIaX8_pvI/AAAAAAABkDE/qR_McX80sX0-qwdfQvFDRmcIm6MjBmRGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_26_00922_72502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2GmgQ_S6Kg/XpmIaX8_pvI/AAAAAAABkDE/qR_McX80sX0-qwdfQvFDRmcIm6MjBmRGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_26_00922_72502.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Secret Slot Canyon</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Big Bend is well known for the three massive canyons carved along the Rio Grande in the park. Boquillas Canyon , Mariscal Canyon and the crown jewel of the park- Santa Elena Canyon. These are all big and impressive canyons. Sunrise at Santa Elena Canyon watching the walls of the Sierra Ponce light up is a truly amazing sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are canyons I have visited and photographed many times over my trips to the park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hidden in the vastness of Big Bend, I have found other canyons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not on the map.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not in the guide books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You will not find them on social media either. I fact, I have never seen an image from any of these other than my own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are place I literally stumbled upon. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oY8C0QB9RQ/XpmIaJVEdOI/AAAAAAABkDA/RXDwJ7lXU8EZ1IDaO7UkxtOET_EEu-3fACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_27_00925_73161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oY8C0QB9RQ/XpmIaJVEdOI/AAAAAAABkDA/RXDwJ7lXU8EZ1IDaO7UkxtOET_EEu-3fACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_27_00925_73161.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The jagged rocks of an unknown canyon</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I am in the park, I visit places I know, but I also go look for what else might be out there. It has led me to find some very neat locations. While I am sure others have been there too, it is nice to find spots not overrun with people taking selfies. I have never encountered another person in these locations. I have found mountain lion tracks though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some of these canyons would be a major attraction in a lesser place. But here in the vastness of the desert in Big Bend, they are overshadowed by the big three.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One I saw from a hill over a decade ago. I could see the canyon mouth and thought, let's go explore. What I found was a deep, rugged canyon full of jagged rock and a few water obstacles. From the very first trip, I have been impressed with this canyon. It zigs and zags as it cut through the ground, making several drops along the way. I always find water holes here. There are even a couple of difficult water obstacles it takes a bit of climbing skill to avoid and stay dry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I now make a trip through here on every trip.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EiwBvbg0Fc/XpmIaIGxxQI/AAAAAAABkC8/80CKThu8AHsAvHJIV9T_JYSnXolNiHWoQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_27_00924_73040-HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EiwBvbg0Fc/XpmIaIGxxQI/AAAAAAABkC8/80CKThu8AHsAvHJIV9T_JYSnXolNiHWoQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_27_00924_73040-HDR.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Water hole in slick rock</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few years later I found a narrow little slot canyon. It is not very deep, nor is it very long, but it also has become a regular. It is almost like something out of Utah, but without the amazing reflected light. The canyon is often only 2-3 feet wide and it is a good place to take camera on a clear afternoon and see what kind of images you can find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This last trip was really good. I found three more canyons. One was quite impressive in its length. The other two were smaller and shallower. All three were great to explore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As is often the case with places like this, you wonder- how did I not see this before? Or how come this place is not famous and have a trail head that leads to it? Then you remember this is Big Bend- El Desplabado. There are many secret spots still here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The long canyon was never very deep. However it went through sections of smooth rock with water pools, poured over dry falls, and open gravelly sections where wildflowers bloomed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a cold and clear morning when we went into the canyon after several hours chasing the Milky Way in the predawn sky. The quiet of the desert on a morning with air temps below freezing made it a fun journey. The canyon literally began at a dry fall we had to climb around. The base held water and we found mortar holes for grinding corn on the rocks. As we explored farther up the canyon, we found 3 foot tall bluebonnets, twists and turns in the walls and one big water obstacle. Luckily it was quite easy to climb around. Still, I was glad to have a light pack and not a full load of camera gear with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We spent a good 2-3 hours making our way up through the canyon and then back down through it. There were many stops for images along the way. This is a place I will also be back to explore further!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXYFXr3xgQc/XpmIddsfZtI/AAAAAAABkDI/KglMp4f9VmUoIdNu0DmB4Z-TlMdWvQCLgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00923_72788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXYFXr3xgQc/XpmIddsfZtI/AAAAAAABkDI/KglMp4f9VmUoIdNu0DmB4Z-TlMdWvQCLgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00923_72788.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tiny canyon twists</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even the two small canyons "discovered" on this trip were fun to find even they were not big or deep. One we saw from the distance from a location we had been at several times and never noticed. Yes, it can be like that out here. There is so much scenic vastness, you can look right past something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After making only a quick visit to the canyon late in the day, I thought I would look for it from above a few days later. I approached from a different direction and that was when I found the last little canyon find. I could call this Tiny Canyon. Not much more than small area I had to climb down into. I was still able to find a photograph or two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I sit at home and review images from the trip, I can only daydream about when I might be able to get back down there. When I can, I know I will visit these places again.</span><br />
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-2245617694736582642020-04-05T14:17:00.000-05:002020-04-05T16:53:04.431-05:00High Desert Grasslands<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uV4Y1SPSUEo/XootBWNXSPI/AAAAAAABkBo/JQW_wLIzV28Yr67LlVMzm4JqJ7vKVbUqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69832-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uV4Y1SPSUEo/XootBWNXSPI/AAAAAAABkBo/JQW_wLIzV28Yr67LlVMzm4JqJ7vKVbUqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69832-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Times have changed so quickly on us. In late February, I left for a week in the deserts of west Texas. I returned to a different world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So while there is a constant stream of bad news and events flooding the airwaves I thought I might post a few pictures of a simpler time and place. A place where big sky and huge vistas are all there is and the modern world seems so far away.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JH8Yy4UKGsg/Xoos-R5JbNI/AAAAAAABkBY/niQJqaBPrBMJt1e60uq3G8OQysikx_fBACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69785-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JH8Yy4UKGsg/Xoos-R5JbNI/AAAAAAABkBY/niQJqaBPrBMJt1e60uq3G8OQysikx_fBACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69785-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have always found driving in the west to be therapeutic. A place where the worries of work and life do not seem to matter as much. If you ever saw the Tom Hank's movie <i>Castaway</i> you may remember the scene of the open road as he is driving through Texas at the end of the movie. The open road, the big view of Texas and playing Elvis music. It always made me smile. I find my own trips like that in a way. Once you get away from the cities, the towns are farther apart and you cross the Permian Basin, to the Pecos River........then it all changes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I always stop at the Pecos. If you saw where I stopped, you might laugh. It is a small river here despite a big name. The desert has tried to dry it up and the springs farther downstream have not renewed its life yet. Maybe 8 feet across and a foot or two deep it runs through the Permian Basin a ribbon of life. It has always been a symbol or marker for me though as I know I will soon see the mountains.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXrY0A3lwdk/Xoos-4b40wI/AAAAAAABkBc/nltnuwGTV300rMY3bSxKTLyr66bGyPXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69771-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXrY0A3lwdk/Xoos-4b40wI/AAAAAAABkBc/nltnuwGTV300rMY3bSxKTLyr66bGyPXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_28_00909_69771-Edit.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And soon I do. At first in the distance. Then the last town with more than one gas station- Fort Stockton. Fuel, ice, and burritos are the order of business. I am now in no hurry. I may have left Cowtown on a mission but now I am relaxed. Time to slow down. Look. Take it all in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I climb higher and into the limestone ridges of the Glass Mountains and then pass through into the high desert grasslands around Marathon. Big open country with views to forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I start making stops and taking photos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lots of stops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The light is decent, there are a some clouds and the views keep going on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is big ranch country and all privately owned. Luckily the road passes through here. The mountains are visible in all directions with nothing between them but an expanse of grass and the occasional hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I see cattle, horses, pronghorn and even bison along the way. On occasion I can even stop and make a photo before they are gone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoI9Mzs3UDo/Xoos1Z6Qm5I/AAAAAAABkBU/4G7tqxbVixs4NwsS8ReoqQndgk2Q6Go0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_22_00907_66052-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoI9Mzs3UDo/Xoos1Z6Qm5I/AAAAAAABkBU/4G7tqxbVixs4NwsS8ReoqQndgk2Q6Go0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2020_02_22_00907_66052-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Time seems to slow down. I look. See. Stop. Make a few images. Then make my way another couple of miles where I stop again. And then again. And again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is in the afternoon before I am able to truly starting heading down into the desert into El Desplabado. The end of the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-30381340952390475142019-12-30T06:51:00.001-06:002019-12-30T06:51:32.874-06:002019 Year in Review<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxxyEIKV0uo/Xgnoujtb2vI/AAAAAAABj6k/ruG60cFilto7SQvJIqiYPu9I7UQl3_qnACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2019_04_11_00764_36929b-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1080" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxxyEIKV0uo/Xgnoujtb2vI/AAAAAAABj6k/ruG60cFilto7SQvJIqiYPu9I7UQl3_qnACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2019_04_11_00764_36929b-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bend Night Sky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is the waning days of 2019 and time to take a look back at the year. This was a year I revisited many old favorites and did a couple of visits to areas I wanted to see more of. Like every year, it is never enough time in the field with the camera.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was a good year for me chasing images with night images being some of my best work. It also was a good year with getting published. In particular I had two images in the 2019 Texas Highways calendar. Then had images published in the October fall color issue and the December night sky issue of the magazine too.</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79gHylZrZAY/Xgno_f7cKEI/AAAAAAABj6s/nPb6f2m01Hs1TfbUTxfWO97Pn048V0a1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Pacific%2BNorthwest_2019_01_17_00749_33414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79gHylZrZAY/Xgno_f7cKEI/AAAAAAABj6s/nPb6f2m01Hs1TfbUTxfWO97Pn048V0a1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Pacific%2BNorthwest_2019_01_17_00749_33414.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Coast</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jan 1 is always a First Day (as the term has become) event as I went out to watch the sunrise and try to make some photos. It has been a tradition for me since 2000 and will continue again in just a few mornings as I welcome the first sunrise of the new decade in 2020. As I write in my Year in Review (YIR) each year I do not think I have ever gotten a decent image on new years day. I do not see that as the point though. It is being out there in the cold watching the sunrise that it what is important. I can usually convince a few other photographers to go with me. Not a bad way to start the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I made a trip to sunny southern California in January and it was rainy with some storms the entire week. That made for some big surf and I spent a few sunsets along the rocky shores of La Jolla in the rain. It was some nice weather for photography, although most people were not out in it. It is why I always like to pack a camera and at least my small tripod, so when I get these chances I can get out and make some photos.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkzAPfrDc94/XgnqWqb4Y_I/AAAAAAABj64/1oKBSOXd4oI7JzS6fI1uuGpOI8gHjzcdACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_02_15_00753_34315-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkzAPfrDc94/XgnqWqb4Y_I/AAAAAAABj64/1oKBSOXd4oI7JzS6fI1uuGpOI8gHjzcdACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_02_15_00753_34315-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palo Duro Canyon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">February saw me make a long weekend trip up to Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas panhandle. This is a very neat state park and the second biggest canyon in the US (you can easily guess the biggest). It is someplace I had not been for several years as it seems if I am going to make the 5 1/2 hour drive there, I usually just make the 8 hour drive to Guadalupe Mountains instead. So it was good to spend a little bit of time to explore this park and one I really need to put more effort into.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the clock turned to April I finally put in a week long trip and went to Big Bend. I had skipped the park for a couple of springs as I went out to the Grand Canyon in March of 2017 and 2018 and it was good to get back. The week was mostly clear (a common theme in 2019 for me) and I did most of my images at night. It is one of the reasons I now plan most of my trips around the new moon. Clear skies might not be good for landscape photography, but they are outstanding for nightscape photography where I can put the Milky Way into the image. I spent most nights out under the stars on the trip. I also put a new toy into use as I bought a star tracker. This allows <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWSD5hCFe24/XgnsDvptinI/AAAAAAABj7E/b5lfHkMhqns2fnUugktLEeXoa_5IuAFAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Big%2BBend_2019_04_09_00767_38379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWSD5hCFe24/XgnsDvptinI/AAAAAAABj7E/b5lfHkMhqns2fnUugktLEeXoa_5IuAFAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Big%2BBend_2019_04_09_00767_38379.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bend</td></tr>
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me to do longer exposures than off a standard tripod and still get sharp stars. There was a learning curve to both using it and processing the images. Where as before I would make a single 15 second image with both the sky and the ground and be done, with the tracker I make 2 images. One with the tracker off for the ground and then a second with it on for the sky. In the ground shot, the stars turn to streaks and in the tracker shot the stars are sharp but now the ground is blurry. I take the 2 images and blend in the sharp parts from each. That part also takes work (and some software) and can still be a bit of a struggle. But when it does work I can get a better overall image than the single photo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There in the park I revisited some of my favorite spots for nightscape images like Santa Elena Canyon, Cerro Castellan and the rocky pinnacles. It was a good trip into the desert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May saw me in Florida where I spent some photography time photographing a dune lake. These are a rather unique feature that only form in a few locations around the world. One of which happens to be the Florida panhandle. For a photographer they were a nice place to go for sunrise before spending the day at the beach.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjbVQNOQxSs/XgnxT6eTi5I/AAAAAAABj7Q/gxwy5733-EcDAAWdAGunX7nCLm3UY4qIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_08_07_00796_42750-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjbVQNOQxSs/XgnxT6eTi5I/AAAAAAABj7Q/gxwy5733-EcDAAWdAGunX7nCLm3UY4qIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_08_07_00796_42750-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Range</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the year progressed to summer I finally had a couple of chances to get to Wyoming. A great way to beat August?.......Wyoming! I had a chance to be nearby and took one night to run up to the Snowy Range and photograph the Milky Way. What a gem of a place! The crowds race to Rocky Mountain NP, I have the Snowys to myself. I get a few hours photographing the stars over the peaks and manage to make a few neat images. It is one of those areas I have only visited a handful of times but was glad to have the chance to make even a short visit to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As summer ended and we reached Labor Day I flew up and spent a week in Yellowstone and the Tetons. Most people goto Yellowstone for the wildlife (which is amazing) I go for the geysers. Here my plan was to photograph some of the geysers at night (see my <a href="http://wildernessphotographer.blogspot.com/2019/11/yellowstone-by-night.html" target="_blank">Blog Post on Yellowstone</a> ). This turned out to be a good plan as there was just clear sky when I was there. It ended up being a good productive trip after an adventure of just getting there when storms caused air travel issues that took a couple of days to resolve. Standing out at night watching a geyser erupt while seeing the Milky Way (and even the northern lights one night) is an awe inspiring event. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx_nMouNo5c/XgnxiRziyYI/AAAAAAABj7U/miDgpfW1inMaTBQpfwUfI3POcLGUplVzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_04_00810_48580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx_nMouNo5c/XgnxiRziyYI/AAAAAAABj7U/miDgpfW1inMaTBQpfwUfI3POcLGUplVzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_04_00810_48580.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geyser by Night</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yellowstone and the Tetons have delivered a few of them. It was in Yellowstone in 2016 I first saw the northern lights and it was in the Tetons in 2017 I saw my first total eclipse. Several nights here under clear skies were amazing and I brought back several of my best images of the year from this trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Late September took me to Zion NP. Another favorite I have visited many times over the last 15 years or so. It is a park that has dramatically increased in popularity and attendance. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I saw Zion is now the 4th most visited park. It can be crowded (even overcrowded on Angel's Landing and in the Narrows) but is still a great park to explore with a camera. I had mostly clear sky (again) and I spent my days doing hikes and my nights out with a camera doing images. Since I was staying at the lodge in the canyon, it was dark and quiet at night, especially after the last shuttle. It allowed me to get a few night images of the canyon looking up out to the dark skies.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7VS4Jh975M/Xgnx4aPIP1I/AAAAAAABj7c/Vl4Wt0e1EGMsn2x2OuDMpLaPZUmXLveYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54756-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7VS4Jh975M/Xgnx4aPIP1I/AAAAAAABj7c/Vl4Wt0e1EGMsn2x2OuDMpLaPZUmXLveYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_30_00828_54756-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guadalupes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now going into the beginning of 2019, I had been planning a return trip to Scotland. It was an amazing trip for me in 2016 and I was looking to getting back into the Highlands with a target of early November. In January the UK was planning Brexit for March so I figured November would be good. Then it was postponed until the end of October. That caused me to change plans as I was afraid of showing up in country just 2 days after the event. Especially after my travel delays getting to Salt Lake, I did not want that getting across the pond. Maybe in 2020........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I packed up the Element and went to west Texas for fall color in the Guadalupe Mountains. Another old favorite that I had been away from for a couple of falls. I had another clear week (the 2019 theme) except for one foggy morning. The foggy morning I spent in McKittrick Canyon with some peak fall color. That was a very good day with some of the beast fall color in the west. The maples of the Guadalupe Mountains will turn to incredibly vivid red, orange and yellow in autumn and put on a color display that rivals Vermont. Except the tress cling to life hidden in desert canyons as a hold over from the last ice age. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61oHcfNxElQ/XgnyHytknyI/AAAAAAABj7g/rRyBIkZNI6Ag8zFrdIXO76xV5bCSH6kBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_28_00837_56483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-61oHcfNxElQ/XgnyHytknyI/AAAAAAABj7g/rRyBIkZNI6Ag8zFrdIXO76xV5bCSH6kBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Guadalupe%2BMountains_2019_10_28_00837_56483.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guadalupes and Milky Way</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The clear nights found me out chasing the Milky Way over the peaks of the Guads or on the salt flats to the west. Over several nights in the park I was able to get a few nice images and again put the tracker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">November saw me chasing fall color across north Texas. The skies would continue the severe clear until Thanksgiving. I also found our color went early and fast this year. Normally it starts in late October, peaks around the end of November and lingers until right before Christmas. This year the color mostly flashed in early November and was all gone by the first weekend in December. Even our local Japanese Garden went fast. Normally in peaks Thanksgiving week into early December but I found it already more than a week past peak on Now 24th.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcAn5Id1fUk/XgnybtaFCbI/AAAAAAABj7s/FzSwqTaA13Aw79HB15FMNa7jnwesjfa7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_27_00876_61124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcAn5Id1fUk/XgnybtaFCbI/AAAAAAABj7s/FzSwqTaA13Aw79HB15FMNa7jnwesjfa7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Great%2BPlains_2019_12_27_00876_61124.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy Caprock Canyons</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Late November and December saw me put those clear skies to my advantage as I made a few trips down to do some night photography. The Metroplex puts out a big light dome but if I can get just an hour away from town I can see and photograph the Milky Way. So I made a few day trips out to see the stars and made a few images. Getting away from town even for a day and being able to be outside for a night where you watch sunset and see the Milky Way shine in the sky is a treat. It is also a good way to make a few images and keep photographing on those times I cannot make a trip farther afield.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I ended the year with a quick trip out to Caprock Canyons SP in the Texas panhandle. Another very nice state park I have visited but not really spent the time it deserves to photograph. The canyons are the edge of the Llano Estacado, a pancake flat land the makes the heart of the Texas panhandle. The headwaters of the Red and Brazos rivers have cut dramatic canyon on the eastern edge. Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon being two great examples that have been set aside. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Trails in Caprock Canyons</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Clouds and rain were the forecast. I arrived to overcast skies and went exploring. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I had heard that in addition to the main canyons and red walls, one could also find slot canyons there and I did find one. They tend to be small and not very long but even to happen upon one was a great find. Then the skies went to partly cloudy and I set up my cameras for some night sky images. There were enough clouds to make me doubt I could get great images but I still put in the efforts to chase the Milky Way. I managed to even pull a few images out of that night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I woke up to thick fog and rain that last all day. I hiked the park and watch the rock walls and towers appear and disappear into the fog. It is one of those days I am not sure if I will get a great image but I had a great time hiking out in the fog and mist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That brings me to the last few days of December. Another year over. They go too quick. Another year to plan. Already have a few ideas for 2020. Some might not work out, others need some planning to make work. Who knows how it will go. Being far afield is a hope I have every year and with the start of a new year anything is possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is to a new year and new decade!</span></div>
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Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-18138063755338885852019-11-20T04:59:00.000-06:002019-11-23T05:23:25.601-06:00Yellowstone by Night<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IVjxCDp_ho/XdUVs3H4dpI/AAAAAAABj2k/WnllEdy_E1EqXwSJJOsoO-NokgG4S_pkgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_02_00810_48420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IVjxCDp_ho/XdUVs3H4dpI/AAAAAAABj2k/WnllEdy_E1EqXwSJJOsoO-NokgG4S_pkgCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_02_00810_48420.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geyser eruption and Milky Way</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yellowstone was the worlds first national park. A place with incredible wildlife and geology, where geysers and hot springs are a wonderland to see and photograph. I visited in early September this year with a goal of photographing the landscape of the park. I made my reservations for a couple of campgrounds well in advance as I know the park fills up on most nights. A good plan also put me near the areas I wanted to photograph. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I photograph, I am usually hoping for clouds, rain, snow and epic light. What I got in Yellowstone was a week of clear sky. Totally. Clear. Sky. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That was ok as in addition to wanting to photograph some of the geysers with a big sunset, I also wanted to photograph them at night with the Milky Way. Being a landscape photograph means you are always at the mercy of the weather. Luckily there would be quite a bit of moonless sky during my trip so I could go nocturnal and chase the stars.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRdkeTVh9A/XdUY8443eiI/AAAAAAABj28/lwiKb9l1QL0O1rmhY9QjUTGfoBctSQZgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_02_00810_48459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRdkeTVh9A/XdUY8443eiI/AAAAAAABj28/lwiKb9l1QL0O1rmhY9QjUTGfoBctSQZgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Huski_Rocky%2BMountains_2019_09_02_00810_48459.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Prismatic Spring and Milky Way</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do know that being out in Yellowstone one needs to be cautious. Geysers and hot springs are a place one needs to stay on the boardwalks and designated areas. Do not wander off of them. Also Yellowstone is bear country (and Grizzly bear country). You will see bears. Carry bear spray and be bear smart. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For me out there alone in the dark, being bear aware was necessary. Having a Grizzly encounter in the dark is something I do not want to have. Luckily all goes well, no bears in the dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I find that in the dark I can have most locations to myself. Even places that will be packed in the daytime are empty at night. This works great for me as a nightscape photographer as I am looking for dark and quiet where there are not people waving lights around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over a few different nights I visited a couple of different geysers and hot springs. Each time being mindful of bears and staying on the right areas.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Aurora over Excelsior Geyser</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the hot springs and pools I could set up and get my shots. For the geysers it was set up and wait for the eruption, hoping to have it framed with the Milky Way. That means a bit of a waiting game as there is no set schedule and you wait and wait. It gives one time to look at the stars and think about bears in the dark..........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the locations I stopped was Grand Prismatic Spring. There out on the boardwalk I had a view of Grand Prismatic Spring and the core of the Milky Way to the south and a view of the Excelsior geyser, a bit of Orion arm of the Milky Way and an aurora to the north! A magic night with amazing sights all around. I had two cameras going as I tried to capture the views. One does normally expect to see the aurora but this is the second time I have seen it in Yellowstone. It was just in the north on the horizon but it is still a great sight to see and photograph, especially at the geyser. The hiss of the geysers, the bright stars, the core of the Milky Way, an aurora and even the occasional falling star made this a great night to be out there. I think I spent about 3 hours out there before the cold air began to seep into me and I called it a night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the 4 days I was in the park, I caught no epic sunrise, but standing out there in the dark watching a geyser erupt in the dark was a different kind of experience. I only hope the images can capture that.</span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6174694404996503682.post-11014598674841499532019-08-04T13:03:00.002-05:002019-08-04T13:03:37.670-05:00Vestrahorn<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0q7tpFDc-4/XUcc8qEKceI/AAAAAAABh4s/c_VMB9ptyTEl-hEJIsCF-p85VMfnCCTPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25686-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0q7tpFDc-4/XUcc8qEKceI/AAAAAAABh4s/c_VMB9ptyTEl-hEJIsCF-p85VMfnCCTPgCLcBGAs/s320/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25686-Edit.jpg" width="304" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The highlight location of Iceland for me as a landscape photographer was Vestrahorn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, it is famous. Yes, you have seen many images from there on social media. Yes, it is worth the fame.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a scenic country this is the scenery that I found the most impressive. Better than Kirkjufell, Skogafoss, the Unpronounceable Canyon, the Glacial Lagoon or even the Diamond Beach. The magnificent peaks of Vestrahorn stretched across a black sand beach with the waves, wind, clouds, light, dunes and more to be something right out of Middle Earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And even better it was one of the largest of the major scenic areas with one of the smallest crowds. In short amazing scenery with the crush of other tourists.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1jSPIfpqnQ/XUcc9of8V2I/AAAAAAABh40/WfKrMFPpp_ArEuruw1mAWjFlmOFLDy5vgCLcBGAs/s1600/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25618-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1jSPIfpqnQ/XUcc9of8V2I/AAAAAAABh40/WfKrMFPpp_ArEuruw1mAWjFlmOFLDy5vgCLcBGAs/s320/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25618-Edit.jpg" width="242" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After finding some 60 people at Kirkjufell at 0100 in the morning, seeing dozens of tour buses at Skogafoss, finding hundreds walking the Diamond Beach it was refreshing to find there were only half a dozen others at Vestrahorn. All were fellow photographers and we all went our own direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now part of the smaller crowd has to do with it is too far from Reykjavik for the buses to do a day trip. It is also very windy here with some of the worst weather (and therefore best changing light). It also charges admission. In fall of 2018 it was 800 ISK (about $8 US). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some complain they are not supposed to charge. I was more than happy to pay a small fee if it will keep the crowds out and not let it be as overrun. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt2Ubhf-jN4/XUcc_nsd4OI/AAAAAAABh48/zA8j7wvO8ck-7WGsfzlAgd1Q9WwVpKt1ACLcBGAs/s1600/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25758-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt2Ubhf-jN4/XUcc_nsd4OI/AAAAAAABh48/zA8j7wvO8ck-7WGsfzlAgd1Q9WwVpKt1ACLcBGAs/s320/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00706_25758-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the cafe/entrance station you can drive down a gravel/sand road toward the NATO station out on the peninsula. The beach is a long one with dunes, tidal ponds, rocks, and many different photo options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I spent time here on three different days, getting rain, clouds, amazing light and more. The only think I missed here was an aurora.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After arriving and setting up camp in nearby Hofn, I spent a rainy and cloudy sunset. I got a few images but nothing great. Even in the poor conditions, I could see the potential here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fS7qd11VM9U/XUcc8zQtohI/AAAAAAABh4w/9HMZNU4SgJsLKQBYqr6tl3XY_keJKcsgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00704_23782-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fS7qd11VM9U/XUcc8zQtohI/AAAAAAABh4w/9HMZNU4SgJsLKQBYqr6tl3XY_keJKcsgwCLcBGAs/s320/Huski_Iceland_2018_09_09_00704_23782-Edit.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning I was back by 0500 and waiting for sunrise. Rain was passing over. Slowly the light came up and the clouds broke up some. Amazing light happened. Clouds spilled over the peaks. I photographed in the dunes and then on the rocks. After a few hours and daylight was well established, I packed up, put on Wellies and went out along the beach. The day would see me work the entire beach up towards the peaks and out along them to the Viking movie set. Then back along the beach to various rocks. Image after image and area after area. I stayed through sunset and then another hour or so hoping the clouds might lift to see an aurora. After 16 hours at the beach I was exhausted and went back to camp. A thrilling day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would revisit again for a another sunrise and catch more great light. The images I got here were my favorite of the trip and now months later are the ones that I look back on as the best of what Iceland can off the landscape photographer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See more images in my <a href="https://www.wildernessphotographer.net/Galleries/Iceland/" target="_blank">Iceland Gallery</a></span><br />
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<br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18110049436535489194noreply@blogger.com0