Week Thirty-nine - ""Star Trails over Mitchell Butte""

"Star Trails over Mitchell Butte"

                

                                   

     

                

            

 

              

 When I was planning my stay in Monument Valley, I booked lodging at The View. Everyone one of the rooms has a view of Monument Valley. What a spectacular sight at sunrise!

I had always wanted to try to do star trails but was never in the right place to set up to do it (one needs to be away from all bright lights). The View afforded me the perfect opportunity to try. I had my notes, my camera, my tripod and my watch to time the exposure. Usually something longer than twenty minutes will start to show results. The shot with Mitchell Butte was about thirty minutes. Because of my lodging, i was able to set up on my own private balcony, compose the shot, click the shutter, AND wait in the warm confines of my room! How's that for roughing it???

Weekly Photo Suggestion:

Shoot with confidence!

(or, at the very least be warm shooting!)

 A Pearl of Wisdom. . .

Murphy's Can't Miss Corollary

To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target!

Steven Wright's Witticisms

OK, so what's the speed of dark?

Week Thirty-eight - "Skulled Arch"

"Skulled Arch"

                

                               

                

       

                

   

              

            

The view from "Skulled Arch" was amazing, it was the getting there and back that took some nerve! Our guide was supportive and encouraging all the way up to this spot. He knew where to walk up the sheer face of this arch. My new hiking boots did not fail me and I was glad I had decided to purchase them several months earlier. One member of our small group opted to stay on the ground while the rest of us made the journey. Here is our leader, Clint, and a visitor from Australia. Oh, this was at about the one-third point!

Getting down was much more difficult!

The expanse of this hollowed out area was deceiving from the ground. A small tribe could have camped out here and be protected from the elements.

Weekly Photo Suggestion:

 Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; 

            not a voyeur! 

(you should wait until you are on solid ground though!)

 A Pearl of Wisdom. . .

Murphy's Second Corollary

It is impossible to make anything foolproof . . .        because fools are so ingenious.

Steven Wright's Witticisms

You never really learn to swear 

until you learn to drive.

(or, you have to scale down Skulled Arch!)

Week Thirty-seven - "Square House Ruins"

"Square House Ruins"

                

                               

                

           

              

            

"Square House Ruins" was the site of a pueblo colony. These hollowed out cliffs became part of their culture and eventually sacred grounds. This area is part of Mystery Valley and is totally within Navajo lands which requires a Native American guide to view. I managed to book with Monument Valley Safaris and got the grand tour of the area - up close and personal. 

i particularly liked the way I was able to frame the ruins with the tree on the right and the shrubbery on the left.

Weekly Photo Suggestion:

                  Think before you shoot.


 A Pearl of Wisdom. . .

Experiential Law

Good judgment comes from experience. . .
           Experience comes from bad judgment! 

Steven Wright's Witticisms

If everything seems to be going well, 

you have obviously overlooked something!

Week Thirty-six - "Petroglyphs"

"Petroglyphs"

                

                               

               

              

                   

   

                   

                 

   

     "Newspaper Rock"

            

Petroglyphs are drawings or carvings made by members of a prehistoric people. They can be symbols of almost anything with animals, people, and spirits taking up most of the space. 

One of the more famous collections of petroglyphs is Newspaper Rock. This national historic site is on the road leading to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park. It has been determined that some of these carvings date back some 2,000 years ago! the Navajo called this, "Tse' Hone"
which means, rock that tells a story! 

Weekly Photo Suggestion:

Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.


 A Pearl of Wisdom. . .

Law of Annoyance

When working on a project, if you put away a tool that you're certain you're finished with, you will need it instantly.

Steven Wright's Witticisms

I intend to live forever - 

so far, so good.

Week Thirty-five - "Gifford Barn"

"Gifford Barn"

                

                               

               

              

   

                       

            

Continuing on my 15th shoot. . . I was off to Capitol Reef National Park, a pearl in our park systems.Being off the proverbial beaten path, it is not as crowded with visitors. The first thing that catches your attention is the drive into Capitol Reef. There were miles of majestic rock formations on both sides of the roadway - it was a wonder I didn't end up in a ditch from all of my neck-craning!

Fortunately for me, my lodging was on the other side of the park so i had to drive this route several times while i was there - i know, someone has to do it! What image do I use to wrap up my experience at Capitol Reef. Strange enough, I chose Gifford Barn, a barn just beyond the visitors' center!  

Weekly Photo Suggestion:

The more photos you take, the better you get.


(I go one better, if I take 1500 images, i am bound to cull about one hundred from the batch!)

 A Pearl of Wisdom. . .

Law of Opportunity

Opportunity always knocks at the least appropriate moment.

Steven Wright's Witticisms

If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before!