we are amazing

This morning, I was watching one of those blog webcasts on the net by a well-known and respected photographer, and was struck by one of the things he said.  Basically, he said, and I agree with the statement, that people in general have become way more judgemental of others and more disparaging in their comments about their fellow humankind.  Now, you may not agree with that perception, but I think it is more prevalent in these times because of the economy, the unrest and injustice that is so prevalent, and the rampant unwillingness to accept responsibility for one's own actions.  People seem to be so quick to point the finger and say "they're" the problem...."they" started it... "they" should stop doing this or doing that.

And that reminded me of a photo shoot I was on this April where I noticed the grafitti in atleast two parts of town, reminding us that "I", "me", "you"  are amazing.  In this run-down part of town, these little message of hope were there for all to see and absorb.  We are all amazing and capable of amazing things if we accept who we are and what we want to accomplish on this earth.  Instead of pointing fingers and blaming others for a situation that is probably of our own making...let's start doing something about "it".

On another note, if someone could help me out with this, I'd appreciate it.  The following image was elsewhere in town on an old run-down building.  I couldn't figure out if the building was a funeral home, a church meeting place, a memorial.  I can't find a solid definition of the word "velacion".  It seems to be some kind of celebration, but of what, I don't know.  The image just struck me as a piece of historical culture that apparently no longer has a place in today's society.

Getting Away

Sometimes, I need to take a break.  Not just a break from working, or thinking, but a physical break from my current surroundings.  Just get away to a new, or sometimes even a familiar place, to shake up the mindset and start "seeing" things again.

Wupatki / Wukoki Ruins north of Flagstaff is just such a place for me.  I feel a kinship to the land and the dwellings there.  To stand on one of the high places, and look out across the land towards the painted desert on the horizon is simply breathtaking and puts everything in perspective.  I am reminded that I am not the center of the universe, merely an integral part of it... and there is something reassuring and peaceful in that knowledge.

 

Fourth of July

There's something about fireworks on the fourth of July that just brings out the little kid in everyone.  From the time the show starts to the time it ends, the fireworks capture the fullest attention of your being.  You follow the trail of the next rocket into the sky with the utmost concentration, not wanting to miss that magical moment when it reaches the top of it's heavenly climb and explodes in a wonder of color and shapes, followed closely by yet another.  When the show finishes in a climax of color and explosions, you find yourself exhaling, almost like you've been holding your breath the whole time, and on the way home, you playback all that you saw in your mind's eye.  Every year, we look forward to this celebration, and every year we go home with a smile on our face, and memories to carry with us.

Fay Canyon Sedona

Went for a beautiful hike this morning.  Wanted to get an early start to beat the summer heat, but didn't get on the trail until 9 am.  I bumped into two groups of people on their way out, but thankfully, those were the only people I saw, until I was coming out of the canyon, some three hours later.  I have been up Fay Canyon many times before, but had never been to the end of the canyon.  I have been up to the natural arches high on the cliffs halfway up the trail.  I have climbed up the lone stone sentinel at the fork in the canyon and looked in awe back down the canyon into Sedona.  And I have followed the stream bed past and further up into the canyon, but always turned around before reaching the end.  My goal this morning was to make it all the way to the end and climb up to the indian ruins that I had read were at the canyon's end.
When I got to the base of the canyon end, I looked up and saw what must be an awe-inspiring waterfall during a monsoon.  The undercut cliff was huge and high, and in the undercut, maybe 200' above where I was standing, I could make out the ruins.  I had arrived.  The only sounds that I heard was the rustling of the leaves of the trees, and the song of the native cliff swallow.  Climbing up, I stopped at the undercut and rested leaning against the cool rock and dissolved.  Totally appreciating at that moment that we are all one.... being.  It was so peaceful and welcoming to be there.  I wandered around the rock face, touching, taking photographs, just breathing everything in until something happened that told me it was time to leave.  As I was climbing up a rock face, an agave stabbed me in the leg and I started bleeding profusely.  It brought me back to the reality that perhaps I was getting tired and not paying attention anymore.  I finally stopped the bleeding and headed back down the slope and back into the canyon.  By the time I reached the mouth of the canyon, I was sore, tired, thirsty, and hot.  But for those three hours, I was able to completely immerse myself in the nature of being.

I'M BACK !! (not that I was really gone)

So..... what's been going on ?  I've been busy getting accepting into different juried shows around the country; received 1st and 2nd place awards at a juried show in Sedona;  have been making new "friends" on facebook;  am getting to know a really good friend in Michael Morris who is a very talented large format photographer and from whom I am constantly learning;  and have made a few trips to the Taos New Mexico area.  There, I have met numerous photographers whose work I very much respect.

So..... in the process of this activity, I have neglected this blog site into near oblivion !  No more... I am back.  I am going to restart making regular posts and updates here, and provide links to information and photographers that I wish to share.  So far, it has been a very busy year, photographically and personally.  It is my intention that within a few months a clear direction will have been established, and I am very excited about the possibilities.

In the meantime, I have attached two images from my recent New Mexico travels.  I hope you enjoy them.

Just out for a drive - ended up at Wupatki

Just out enjoying the day at one of my most favorite places when I just want to get away and enjoy the grandeur and the quiet.  Met up with a very interesting fellow from Connecticut in a porsche at Lomaki.  He was driving a '91 Carrera 4 (all wheel drive) and having a great visit.  When I caught up with him again at the Citadel, I had to snap this image of his porsche, and where he had parked.  It's the little things that put a smile on my face.

 

In addition, thought I'd share some images from the day.  Started out cloudy, but ended up with these great wispys in the blue sky.  Lots of people around so I had to be patient, but in a place like this, that's easy to do.

 

 

 

Close encounter.......

Just one word of advise..... mindfulness. Always be aware of your surroundings and where your feet are going next !

I startled this fellow while hiking on Mint Wash Trail around the backside of Granite Mountain. Needless to say, I was very thankful for the warning that he gave me before I got too close. Mind you, the 4 or 5 feet that I was away from him, I'm glad to say, wasn't too close for him. I immediately stopped, backed up, and went around him giving him a wide berth. Oddly, he didn't really move that much, so I actually had time to switch out lenses, and go back in for a few more shots. I know, maybe not the smartest thing to do, considering I was atleast a mile from civilization, but he was a beautiful creature !

At any rate, always keep your eyes open and your wits about you. I let my guard down, and almost paid dearly for it. It won't happen again.