Capitol Reef Park in Southern Utah is less popular than the more famous Bryce National Park close by. Yet the serenity and untouched nature of the landscape is what makes it special.
I have found Southern Utah to have some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the United States. The Delicate Arch at Arches National Park, is a state landmark seen on signs and license plates. A Sunrise at the Mesa Arch at Canyonlands Park is a treat, and well worth braving the biting cold in the early morning. The winter morning light at the Turret Arch in Arches National Park looks almost unreal, making it all the more a pleasure to photograph.
This Panorama at Sunset at Capitol Reef Park, was taken in the early part of a winter evening. As we walked towards the vantage point, there was complete silence around us. But we could see what appeared to be footprints of a mountain lion on the trail. Clearly we were alone here in this creatures' habitat. We were grateful to be able to enjoy and capture this scene of the rock formations in the park, with the La Salle mountains in the background.
Enjoy a preview of my Travel Show on Southern Utah Scenes, available on a DVD.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A window into Georgia O'Keefe's abode
One can almost imagine the versatile artist Georgia O'Keefe wandering through these grounds looking for the best spot to paint. The area has a serenity about it. In winter, when these photographs were taken, the skies were crisp and clear, and the light magical. Not having too many people around made it all the more peaceful.
On close examination, there is such a variety of plants, color and landscapes in a small area, that we can understand why this artist loved spending time here.
Abiqui, around where these images were taken, is a small town. Looking at the home of Georgia O' Keefe it is hard to imagine that such great work was produced from such a small place. In these days of so much technology, we think we need the biggest and the most powerful machines to produce the best output. But great creativity can also emerge out of simplicity, as we see here.
Photography and painting are different forms of artistic expression and both can depict beauty. When one sees such awesome displays of nature, it is impossible to recapitulate exactly what was seen, through a lens. I have tried to photograph parts which held the most dramatic impact for me.
O'Keefe applied her own visions to the scenes she saw in nature. That is what made her paintings so powerful.
You can check out my New Mexico Collection, which also includes churches and pueblos around Taos. Hope it makes you want to go there and do everything to protect it.
On close examination, there is such a variety of plants, color and landscapes in a small area, that we can understand why this artist loved spending time here.
Abiqui, around where these images were taken, is a small town. Looking at the home of Georgia O' Keefe it is hard to imagine that such great work was produced from such a small place. In these days of so much technology, we think we need the biggest and the most powerful machines to produce the best output. But great creativity can also emerge out of simplicity, as we see here.
Photography and painting are different forms of artistic expression and both can depict beauty. When one sees such awesome displays of nature, it is impossible to recapitulate exactly what was seen, through a lens. I have tried to photograph parts which held the most dramatic impact for me.
O'Keefe applied her own visions to the scenes she saw in nature. That is what made her paintings so powerful.
You can check out my New Mexico Collection, which also includes churches and pueblos around Taos. Hope it makes you want to go there and do everything to protect it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sandhill Cranes at Sunrise
Watching these beautiful birds was almost a spiritual experience. When we arrived in 20 deg F weather, about a thousand cranes were huddled together for warmth. Watching their progress after that was a truly memorable experience.
As the sun starts rising, there is a lot of stirring. The first set of birds to take off are snow geese followed by the first few adventurous cranes. The cranes first stand up, call out to each other in a pleasant symphony, and start preparing to take off. Their take off seems almost effortless, First the wings start flapping. As they start to rise, the legs are almost floppy and lifeless. Then magically, as they gain height, they have the constant position of straight legs and spread-eagled wings. They look truly majestic in this position. One wonders if the Wright brothers when they first thought about their airplane invention, observed some birds like these to engineer their aircraft. There really seems to be so much still that we can learn from nature, and it is humbling.
Most of these photographs were taken at the Bosque del Apache National Preserve in New Mexico. The Wilderness Society is working hard to make sure that the habitat of these birds is preserved. Power lines need to be built for alternate energy sources, but we must keep them away from their stomping grounds. After having watched this performance of nature, the thought of these birds not existing anymore is truly disturbing.
View my complete Sandhill Cranes gallery and share any thoughts you have.
As the sun starts rising, there is a lot of stirring. The first set of birds to take off are snow geese followed by the first few adventurous cranes. The cranes first stand up, call out to each other in a pleasant symphony, and start preparing to take off. Their take off seems almost effortless, First the wings start flapping. As they start to rise, the legs are almost floppy and lifeless. Then magically, as they gain height, they have the constant position of straight legs and spread-eagled wings. They look truly majestic in this position. One wonders if the Wright brothers when they first thought about their airplane invention, observed some birds like these to engineer their aircraft. There really seems to be so much still that we can learn from nature, and it is humbling.
Most of these photographs were taken at the Bosque del Apache National Preserve in New Mexico. The Wilderness Society is working hard to make sure that the habitat of these birds is preserved. Power lines need to be built for alternate energy sources, but we must keep them away from their stomping grounds. After having watched this performance of nature, the thought of these birds not existing anymore is truly disturbing.
View my complete Sandhill Cranes gallery and share any thoughts you have.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Great Egret takes flight
In the last few years I have found photographing birds challenging and rewarding. They have an immense intelligence which can surprise us. Their sense of sound and instinct for danger is much sharper than human beings. A small bird like a Warbler which loves the rivers in Wyoming, moves around with an energy which makes it hard to photograph! The Sandhill Crane has a majesty and power which can leave one spellbound. Watching thousands of cranes taking off in unison at sunrise left me awestruck and this will remain a very memorable experience.
The Egret is found commonly in the Bay area and is less shy of humans compared to others like the White Pelican. I was lucky to be quite close to this one and get a shot of it taking off from the water, which I have selected as one of the images for my blog.
As I keep photographing these wondrous creatures, I keep getting reminded of how fragile their existence is. Their habitats are being damaged and climate change is making their migratory patterns different. We get reminded of the crying need to protect them and the constant need to strike a balance between technological advancement and protecting natural resources.
Enjoy seeing more of my Bird Photographs. I would love to get your comments and hear about any experiences you have. You can also contact me through my website .
The Egret is found commonly in the Bay area and is less shy of humans compared to others like the White Pelican. I was lucky to be quite close to this one and get a shot of it taking off from the water, which I have selected as one of the images for my blog.
As I keep photographing these wondrous creatures, I keep getting reminded of how fragile their existence is. Their habitats are being damaged and climate change is making their migratory patterns different. We get reminded of the crying need to protect them and the constant need to strike a balance between technological advancement and protecting natural resources.
Enjoy seeing more of my Bird Photographs. I would love to get your comments and hear about any experiences you have. You can also contact me through my website .
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