Blog

Cloudcroft – Rain, Trestles & Wildflowers

"Hmm... 60-100% chance of rain in Cloudcroft this weekend." We'd been planning a getaway in the mountains around Cloudcroft, New Mexico that would be easy on my knee and our Berner Daisy. When the rain percentage started looking that high, I was a little hesitant. If...

Predicting the Light Part 2 – Solar Eclipse in 3D

First, a disclaimer – nothing written here shall be construed as advice for viewing a solar eclipse. The information is for amusement purposes only. You use it at your own risk. I am not responsible for any equipment damage or injury you may incur with any use of this...

Watch Out for that Turtle!

Wildlife don’t understand human civilization, especially in southern Missouri. They’re just trying to find food, shelter and a mate at certain seasons. Roads are annoyances mostly, obstructing movement to somewhere else. They just get in the way, especially if it's...

Hiking in Duke City When You’re Hot

When we moved to Albuquerque in 2013, I thought, “Great, we’re at 5900 feet elevation, so summers shouldn’t be too hot.” My impression didn't last beyond that first summer. It’s not Phoenix, but June in Albuquerque is warm enough that I’ve looked for cooler places to...

Willow Springs Historical Downtown

"Gas station looks kinda crowded." A couple minutes go by, waiting in line. "Still looks too crowded." A couple minutes after that, we’re at "Oh forget it. Let’s go into town." That’s how we discovered the historical district of Willow Springs, Missouri. Buggies and...

Cooling Off at Ojo Caliente

With Albuquerque edging towards 100, it was time to go somewhere cooler, at least for a couple days. We thought about Abiquiu Lake in Georgia O’Keefe country, but the Riana Campground was full, with only first-come first-served tent sites left. Sandstone fin near Echo...

The Grand Canyon of Texas

Everyone disrespects Amarillo. For most, it's someplace you speed through between New Mexico and Oklahoma. But there are a few reasons to stop and spend some time. Sunset light - Palo Duro Canyon from Mesquite Campground The Grand Canyon - In Texas? Palo Duro Canyon...

Close Encounters with the Big Head

Devils Tower was the star of a Spielberg movie, and Shiprock is the backdrop for Chee and Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police. But Cabezon Peak? What's that? Cabezon Peak - the Big Head A Little History Spaniards couldn't help noticing the big plug in north-central...

Plan B Petroglyphs – La Cieneguilla

The outdoors has a lot to offer in New Mexico, from striking million-year-old cinder cones to prehistoric 4-story buildings to snow-capped mountain peaks. So when California friends came to visit us, we decided to show them the sculpted slot canyons of Kasha-Katuwe...

Predicting the Light

Plan But Verify When I plan a shoot, I need to know a few things - when and where are sunrise and sunset, and where will I need to be for best light on my subject? And what direction do prominent landscape features or ruin fronts face? Below Mesa Prieta, Petroglyph...