The summer/monsoon/wildfire season

Now that the monsoons have started, the wildfires can't be too far away. Happened to catch these guys at the Payson airport doing some maintenance and cleaning prior to the season. Hopefully, they won't have to be too busy this year. The Forest Service has been doing alot of clearing the forests of undergrowth, and controlled burns over the winter and spring, so we'll see what Mother Nature (and the moronic two-leggeds) have in store for us.

thinkTANK Photo

".... and now, a word from our sponsor". At the risk of being too commercial, I just wanted to pass along a recommendation and an offer.

A couple months ago, I purchased from thinkTank, their digital holster 20 for my D200, and the lens changer 25 modular bag for my extra lens. After two months of hiking all over the place with these bags, I have to say I am very impressed. So impressed that I decided to become an affiliate of thinkTANK. What does that mean to you ? Well, if you are looking for some professional photographic bags for any use, consider thinkTANK, because ..... if you click on this link, http://www.thinktankphoto.com/affiliate (or the one in the sidebar), you will be directed to an affiliate page. You will see a box that says "enter code". If you enter my special code of AP-323, you will be entitled to a free camera bag, if your order totals $50 or over. Simple. From time to time, as a reminder, I will be posting any items of interest from thinkTANK, as well, whether it's a new bag, a new offer, or just some new photography news in general.

So.... there you have it. If you are considering a new camera bag, or lens bag, please consider thinkTANK.

Desert View after sunrise

Got up early this morning and left at 3:30 am to get to the east entrance of the Grand Canyon. This weekend, "they" waived the $25 entrance fee, so I thought I would just take off and see what I could see.

It was raining all the way up, and very windy, but as you can see, some very dramatic skies could be found. It really was a nice drive, and getting there early, there was hardly anyone else walking around. I ventured out onto one of the promentories, and then explored some of the other lookout points. By the time I got back to Desert View, the parking lot was filling up, but I just had to go inside the watchtower and go up to the top. Just an incredible place.

Stopped at Wupatki on the way home and down through Oak Creek Canyon. Can't wait to process some more images. Stay tuned.

Just one of "those" walks

Every now and then, I find it necessary to just get away from this sometimes crazy world for a couple hours, and do nothing but walk and soak up all that mother earth has to offer. Yesterday afternoon was one of those times, so I found myself walking through the rocks around willow lake in Prescott. As I walked down this little path at the base of this rock cliff, I came around a corner to find my own "private" lagoon. It literally was like walking through a door into another place. I must have spent a couple hours there, just exploring, enjoying the scampering lizards, and hundreds (probably thousands) of little blue dragonflys darting about.

By the time I got back to my car, I felt rejuvenated. I'm very thankful that I have a place so close that I can go to anytime I want and just get away. Every one should have a place like that to recharge their soul.

the obvious

Sometimes, a photo presents itself such that a title, or even an explanation, is not even necessary. I think this would be one of those times.

New England vacation

We just got back from a week vacation in vermont/new hampshire/maine, and had a great time. Visiting with family and friends, and seeing all the different shades of green and lots of water. But I'm pretty sure that I'll never move back there. I really feel at home in the wide open spaces of the southwest, not to mention all the sunshine and warm temps. Had to show this photo... this car pulled up to the restaurant where we had lunch in Damariscotta Maine with our very dear friends, Stephen and Priscilla. I call it my "everyday ride in the rain in Maine V12 $250,000 supercar". No, really. I love this image because this car is "driven"... not some garage queen that only comes out on sunny days, and then just to go around the block to keep the miles down, but still get alittle exercise, but not enough to increase depreciation !

Anyway, we did have a really good time, and hopefully will be going back again soon.