Bryce Canyon Photo Gallery

Finally, I present a few of the hundreds of photos I took at Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah while camping there on May 21 and 22, 2013. The main blog post, which includes two photos of Bryce Canyon not in this gallery can be found here.

The first afternoon, after claiming my camping spot, I drove to the end of the road and started viewing from each of the overlooks as I worked my way back. Unfortunately, the sky was not great for photos, covered with high clouds, and a forest fire to the west created a haze in the atmosphere. Consequently, I didn't include any of those photos. Those overlooks do not have the density of hoodoos as "the Amphitheater," as it is called, but do afford grand vistas. I did include three photos from late that evening, which I placed at the very end of the gallery - organizing by time, though not by date.

The second morning I met my friend Kevin, who works as an interpretive Ranger at Bryce, and we rode the shuttle bus to Bryce Point. The gallery begins there. We walked the trail to Inspiration Point. I highly recommend this easy hike. It is mostly level and affords spectacular views of Bryce Canyon. Beforehand, I thought the scenery might be a bit repetitive, as one walks around the rim of the same canyon complex, but was I ever wrong. Every turn of the trail revealed new, fascinating perspectives.

Remember, you may click on any photo to view them all in a light-table format or slide-show.

Panorama from Bryce Point. I recommend the slightly larger version.

Iconic Hoodoos

I like the alternating pink and white of this formation.

A single white Hoodoo and colorful soils.

There were flowers and birds aplenty along the trail, if you could tear your eyes from the canyon views.
I did enjoy the flowers, but apparently didn't take very many photos.

White cliff and red Hoodoos with a vista.

Red, white and blue... and green.

The view from Inspiration Point, the terminus of our delightful walk. The slightly larger version.

These pretty flowers adorned my campsite.

After a nice afternoon nap, I set off to walk down the trail to the Queens Garden - a "must see" according to my photog buddy Chris, who used to haunt southern Utah, and now I agree completely.

A view from near the top of the trail in the general direction of the Queens Garden.

Along the trail there are tall Ponderosa pines.

Interesting formations as I look up toward the canyon rim.

A Ponderosa that has withstood the tests of time and a hint of the modern
world that I chose not to photoshop out of the image.

A cute little chipmunk who wasn't particularly afraid of all the humans walking the trail.
As proof, this photo was taken with my wide-angle lens.

Here the Queens Garden Trail winds through one of several man-made tunnels.

Looking through a tunnel opening. They were tall enough for me to stand upright.

At the end of the trail, this informative plaque was erected.

The Queen, herself, atop the left pinnacle. 

On the way back up, I caught this juxtaposition. Not sure why I like this so much, but I do.

Another tree perspective.

An open area of trail affording a wider view.

More dead trees framed by the rock - this time a tunnel.

Nothing left of this tree but its roots providing an organic contrast to the geology.

Now for the photographs from my first evening:

Moonrise

The layered soils from which Hoodoos spring and the evening sun lighting the horizon.

The last rays of the sun illuminate this bluff on the north end of the park.

Thank you for looking at my photos. I hope they either bring back fond memories of your earlier visit or encourage you to go to this amazing natural wonder for yourself!

Overland Expo 2013 - Overland Driving Course Photo Gallery

I attended this year's Overland Expo at Mormon Lake just south of Flagstaff. The event was held May 17 - 19th and included exhibits, demonstrations, classes and the Overland Driving Course. The Driving Course was sponsored and set-up by Land Rover. Anyone attending the expo could drive the course either in their own vehicle or one furnished by Land Rover. In both cases an experienced Land Rover Driver would sit in the front passenger seat and provide instruction, tips and techniques.

Note: this post only covers the Overland Driving Course. My next post will be my main report on the Expo.

I went through the course the first time on Friday driving a super-fancy Range Rover with computerized controls that handled everything to do with controlling the engine and suspension. It was fun, but more like a theme-park ride. I kept asking about how my Tacoma would do on those same course features and the instructor kept encouraging me to bring in my Tacoma and camper and try it for myself. He said they would pick a route and lines appropriate for my vehicle.

After some thought I decided to take advantage of this opportunity. How else would I learn so much about the 4WD performance of my rig in such a safe environment where a super experienced instructor would make sure nothing "bad" happened. I drove the course in my truck on Saturday.

Below are general photos of the course. I end with two photos of my vehicle stopped on the course in the section which would lift one wheel of a Land Rover in the air and thus required differential lockers. My stock Tacoma does not have lockers, though they could be added after-market if I wish. The instructor guided me from outside the truck and eased me as far as we were both comfortable going and where the truck was losing traction. He had me exit the cab and take a look saying I could probably get though if it were absolutely "necessary," but recommended I back up and take the bypass for this section. Whew!

I was amazed at how well the stock Tacoma and camper did on the course as we went though most of the rest of the features including the steep climbs, dips, and cambers. The instructor commented several times at how great the stock limited-slip differential performed. A wonderful experience and I came away with new ideas on how to drive in these situations and what the truck, even laden with the camper, could do.

The Overland Driving Course at Overland Expo 2013.

I was able to go this far, but then stopped at the next "bump."

Another truck and camper at full tilt.

Three hills; three Land Rovers.

Another truck and camper climbs a small hill.

A little log bridge to add some flavor.

This is the section that requires differential lockers, as you can easily see.

My Tacoma and camper at its limit.

Other side of my Tacoma and camper at its limit.

Driving the course was a great, fun experience and I encourage everyone who attends the Overland Expo to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity!

Rattlesnake Springs Bird Photo Gallery

I visited Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area in the late morning and again in the late afternoon of April 30, 2012. The area is part of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but not contiguous with the main park, but located farther south off the main highway.

For the main blog posting on this area and complete trip, visit "Spring" in Southeastern New Mexico.

It was a windy day and the birds did not care to pose for the camera. As you will see many of the birds were in thick branches and many of the photos are not particularly sharp as the subjects were far away and the photos had to be cropped heavily.

Nonetheless, I did want to preserve some of the photos I took as a general interest to birders and nature lovers.

Barn Swallow resting on a wire overhead.

This Green Heron was hanging out in a marshy area until I blundered by and it flew into a Cottonwood.

The Orchard Oriole is smaller and darker than the Baltimore Oriole

A bright, male Summer Tanager in a thicket.

This is the female Vermillion Flycatcher against a overpoweringly bright background.

The male Vermillion Flycatcher. He was singing and flitting about constantly.

A Western Kingbird, though I tried to wish it into a Cassin's.

A Western Tanager overhead in thick twigs.

Wild Turkey gobbler displaying his finery. The bluffs in the background contain Carlsbad Caverns.

Thanks for stopping by to look at the birds.

Carlsbad Caverns Photo Gallery

Photos to go with the "'Spring' in Southeastern New Mexico" post.

Begin walking down the trail to the Natural Entrance.

Down, down we go...

About to enter the cave. You can smell the cool moist air. Cave Swallows fly around.

There is still a long way down from here. It is an amazing space underground, but my photos of this area didn't come out very well. I was experimenting as I continued farther into the cave.

These types of formations are called "draperies."

I hope you have enjoyed this small selection of photos. Most of these were taken in the Big Room.

If you have questions about the photo techniques, please ask in the comments. Most were taken with high-ISO, primarily ISO 6400. Most were taken using only ambient light, a few with ambient light and -2eV flash. The flash only photos didn't turn out well for the most part, the exception being the "dagger" photo. It was very difficult to correctly set focus until I hit upon the technique to enable flash & autofocus, set the range, turn the flash & auto focus off, then take the photo with ambient light. The entrance photos were a manual blend of two exposures.

Thanks for looking.