Window on Cherry Pie Lane

Tuesday, August 10 – Walter and I took the kids in to water plants at Billi’s and low and behold it looked like there might still be some activity up at the airport where the Blue Angels flew yesterday and we missed it. So we drove up to the Fly J to check it out. It was obvious that something was going to happen. So we got outselves a parking spot and waited and sure enough, the Blue Angels put on a performance. Tristan and Lily were thrilled! What to do when you come unprepared to shoot. ? All I had was my iphone camera. It would have been a perfect spot for some telephoto shots too. Better these than nothing though. I did get some pretty good videos which I can not seem to view on the computer when I emailed them to myself. Wrong format or something. Here are a few of the shots I did get. The kids love them even if they are not the best. What a neat memory.

.

.

.

Comments(2)

Monday, August 9 – Under the weather!! Not feeling so good today. Not sure if it is a bug or just tired, but I am going to bed in just a bit and it is only 4pm. Have a terrible headache and am achey. Grandpa Walter is going to have to help do some kiddo entertaining.  I sure hope it passes soon. On our way home, we stopped in Dell, MT for a break and fuel. They have an awesome gift shop there and also this famous restaurant. I have the cookbook, New West Cuisine, that features it in one section. They are known for their homemade donuts and pies. Cute little place and very original name. The cookbook has a really nice write up. Last night/today were terrible for Tiff. Bryant got something stuck in his esophagus and ended up in the hospital. They finally got it out and he is okay. Then Tiffany found her precious dog, Shelby, dead. She was 19 years old and had been such a companion. Very sad day! She is going to be missed so much. Hugs, Tiffany. Hope Bryant is okay today.

.

.

Comments(2)

Sunday, August 8 – The Koi ponds right outside the house in Sedona have bullfrogs living in them. I don’t know how such a huge noise can come out of such a little creature. They sound like a dying calf and it goes on all night long. Here are the only shots I got of them. I think there are actually two in the first two pictures. As soon as they saw me, they would disappear, as you see one diving in the last shot. Look close right by the rock on the left side. I guess that the raccoons eat them, so we were lucky to even have any around.

.

.

.

Comments(2)

Saturday, August 6 – Here is a comparison of Cloudy white balance and Fluorescent white balance. I, personally, prefer the cloudy hues of orange (no surprise there, is there?). Our guide said that lots of people like the fluorescent for a change. Debbie and I judged at the fair yesterday. The entries were down and it didn’t take us as long. Lovely items were chosen as best of show.

.

Comments(3)

Friday, August 5 – Here are some of the beam shots that Debbie did. It was a brand new experience for her on a tripod with cable release and fighing being pushed and shoved by crowds, but I think she got some darned good beam shots. Good work, Thelma (Debbie)! You learned alot about using your camera while on our trip. I am proud of you.

.

.

.

Comments(3)

Thursday, August 4 – I went to Antelope Canyon to shoot beams and Beams are certainly what I got. It was horribly crowded and I am not sure Iwould go back again in the summertime when it is like that. But I can hardly wait to return in the fall/winter to this sacred place. These are shots that both Debbie and I captured. She got to be quite the photographer while we were down south. Good work, my friend. The last shot is using fluorescent white balance which our guide suggested. I think I will stick with cloudy WB though. I like the warm tones. Debbie’s beams will come for the next post.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Comments(2)

Wednesday, August 3 – I hope this gives an idea of how they illuminate the sunbeams in Antelope Canyon. A group is taken in by a Navajo guide who helps you navigate the crowds and shows you the best shots to take. This is not easy when it is wall to wall, sometimes rude people. Beams are only viewed in the spring/summer months. When a guide spots a beam which is not visible except on the canyon floor, he procedes to throw sand up in the air to make it visible. As you can see, there is alot of sand in the air. Look up toward the light and you will see that hazy look. One of the times we were shooting, another group’s guide threw a handful up that was mostly small rocks. There were some very unhappy photogs when rocks were binging off their lenses. We were told to put our lens caps on in certain areas too. You definately need to have a UV filter on to protect your lens and really should have your camera wrapped in a baggie, which I did see being done. We thoroughly air compressor blew off our cameras when we got home and then vacuumed them also before taking out batteries or memory cards or switching lenses. So here goes with what was captured of the beams being made visible. That is our guide standing right there waiting to get around the corner to throw his sand up. As you can see, another group was already there enjoying the viewing. More beam captures coming tomorrow.

.

.

.

Comments(1)

Tuesday, August 2 – There is nothing else quite like it in the world – Antelope Slot Canyon. It is the most photographed slot canyon in the world, or so I read and I certainly can believe it after my latest trip there. It was so quiet and peaceful when I went in January and it was anything but that last week. Glorious place, but way too many people are now allowed inside at once. They need to limit or it is going to ruin the experience for everyone there. There was so much dust in the air from the guides throwing sand to show the sun beams. It was wall to wall people (literally) that getting a perfect shot was almost impossible. I am looking forward to visits back here in November and January again when it is less busy. It truly is the most exquisite place I have ever shot. Debbie and I did manage to catch some of the beams which we will share for the next couple of days. First up though, will be a capture from Debbie of ghost of the Canyon. You get this image when someone walks in front while you are doing a long exposure. Rather neat I think. She managed to capture both before and after, when the ghost left the scene. Very creative, Debbie. We attended the 2nd night of state fair judging last night. The camera club did fantastic with lots of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mentions taken home by our members. a special congrats to my friend, Kimmie, for her wins. She is so darned talented and deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments. Go, Kimmie!!

The Ghost of Antelope Canyon

.

Comments(1)

Monday, August 1 – Debbie, Kimmie and I attended the State Fair judging in photography last night. They did the youth and novice photos. What a night it was for Becca and Marilynn. It was Marilynn’s first time entering and she got an honorable mention in the color print catagory. That is a huge deal as they only give a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus honorable mention. It is a huge honor to get an honorable for the first time entering and being 9 years old to boot. Her picture is of a Tiger Lily.  Congrats to a very talented little gal. Becca blew them away in the black and white category. She got 1st, 2nd and 3rd and honorable mention and then best of show for black and white prints. She also got  2 honorables in color prints. My granddaughters are quite the little photographers. Here the photos are, in the order they won. That top photo is the Best of Show and is of her daddy shooting a bow. Congratulations to my very talented granddaughters. I am so proud of both of you. We will have to do lots of shooting together this year.

Becca’s first place and also, Best of Show

.

Becca’s 2nd place

.

Becca’s third place

Becca’s Honorable Mention

Becca’s Honorable Mention

.

Becca’s Honorable Mention

Marilynn’s Honorable Mention

Comments(3)

 Sunday July 31 – Debbie will be my guest photographer today. It was her first experience seeing this fabulous place. I do believe she was duly impressed. She took some awesome shots and I thought it would be nice to share them with everyone. Here goes the pictures from the Rebel XT.  It was a very hazy day, so blue sky was at a minimum, until we got to Desert View.  Nice job shooting, Debbie.

.

.

.

.

Comments(2)