One of my favourite watering holes on the pacific flyway is Whitewater Draw in Arizona. Here Sandhill Cranes arrive by the tens of thousands every winter. It’s a phenomenon I’ve witnessed a few times before (you can see the photos from those trips here.) On my last visit I made over a thousand photos on the first day and, after reviewing them, I realized they were … [Read more...]
Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Arizona
Sometimes I wish I could be one of those people who make images, process them, and share them all within a few days. Or even the same day! I’ve never been able to do that and I guess I’ve given up trying. My photos seem to need a period of time to rest on my hard drive before they are ready to evolve and flourish with post processing. Call it beauty sleep. These photos I … [Read more...]
A Squadron of Javelinas
I was in the zone. Nothing existed except me and thousands of sandhill cranes. In the middle of the action, I had something amazing in front of me that I was photographing, and everything else was muffled out. My intensity communicated to all that I didn't want to be bothered. Someone was talking ... to me I think ... my focus slightly wavered and then I was immediately … [Read more...]
What is the Best Focal Length Lens for Bird Photography?
Last winter I returned to one of my all time favourite bird photography destinations: Cibola National Wildlife Refuge which is on the border between California and Arizona. During my first visit to Cibola the previous year, I discovered some problems with my wildlife photography gear, which resulted in my not getting any long lens photos. Bummer! That was one reason why … [Read more...]
New Find and Cool Rock Art at Saddle Mountain Arizona
Always on the lookout for free camping in a photo-worthy location, one of my favourite new finds from this year's snowbird season is Saddle Mountain near Tonopah, Arizona. Located about 50 miles west of Phoenix, it's a large dispersed camping area where you can have lots of space to yourself while enjoying the peaceful wilderness location. One of my favourite desert … [Read more...]
My 10 Favourite Photography Locations in the American Southwest
I love being a snowbird! For the past 7 years I've left the grey and rainy pacific northwest behind in late fall to follow the sun down to the American Southwest to explore and photograph the stunning landscapes until spring. I've seen some truly remarkable places, but to become an all-time favourite, a location has to meet a few criteria: The most important thing is … [Read more...]
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Explorer. I think I’ll have to add it to my tagline. I’m happiest when I’m out there looking for new things, new places, new experiences. I’m walking across the desert looking down at the colourful rocks at my feet, looking across to the mountains in the distance, looking up to the birds flying above. Always waiting for the moment I hear something whisper to me “psssst ... hey … [Read more...]
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona
After our yearly social event this year, Ray and I discovered a wonderfully quiet spot away from the crowds at the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. But ... what's all this socializing about? Well, during our snowbird seasons in the American Southwest, we always go to a little town called Quartzsite, Arizona, where the annual RV show draws tens of thousands of … [Read more...]