Angels Landing

As we started up the trail to Angels Landing this is the view we saw. It began to lightning and rain just a bit but we pushed forward and were rewarded with some very beautiful scenes. I really enjoyed the clouds and the subdued light that they provided. This is a 5 shot HDR.

Golden Chocolate Slot

There is a wonderful little slot canyon just east of the main tunnel in Zion Canyon National Park that I just happened into a couple of years ago. I really enjoy going there to take photos. Every year the slot has changed due to flooding, not so much the walls but the floor and there are sometimes trees jammed into the walls that add interest. The light filtering into the canyon from above reflects off of the walls and adds a nice golden glow to the rest of the canyon.

Cave View in Zion

This shallow grotto is on the way to the Zion Canyon Overlook, a one mile hike that starts just east of the main tunnel in Zion National Park. I was standing there next to my wife when I realized this is actually a pretty nice view.

Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle Peak is a beautiful formation that stands just outside Price, UT. I found a bit of water to get this nice reflection.

Spring Dance

This playful and touching statue graces the grounds surrounding Temple Square. The beautiful flowers in their springtime colors and blossoms add to the magical moment of a young mother with her three children.

On a Summer Evening

On a late summer evening Judi and I decided to take a walk on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT. As we entered Temple Square this beautiful view of the temple greeted us. I was really taken by its grandeur and beauty with the lovely flowers at my feet and the trees framing the lighted temple.

Lighted Spires

As I was walking away from Temple Square I happened to look over my shoulder, this scene stopped me in my tracks and made me unpack my camera gear.

Above the Trees

The Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, UT looms above the trees and wall of Temple Square beckons to all who pass its way.

Manti Temple above the Rock Wall

This view of the Manti temple is one that everyone who goes to the temple see as they approach from the north parking lot. I loved the different colors and textures.

Red Feathers

This shot of a firework really came out interesting, it makes me think of John Denver and his song about Fire in the Sky. I was shooting with a 300 mm lens for 2 1/2 sec.

Angels Wings

During the 4th of July celebration the fireworks were especially beautiful. This is a 2 1/2 sec exposure over Murray, UT park.

Red Fox

He looked so peaceful and it was easy to see that it is a very intelligent animal by the way it was studying everything. these next few photos were taken in Bearizona Zoo near Williams, AZ.

Running Bears

I was on a nature hike trying to get some exercise and maybe climb a few trees. These two bears spotted me and were quick to lend a hand as I climbed the nearest tree. Just glad there was a deep moat and fence between us.

Busy Bob Cat

This beautiful little Bob Cat was spotted while I was on a hike. He seemed to be busy looking for something to eat, just glad it wasn't me. Actually I was hiking around a zoo and he was looking for a way out.

Suguaro Close-up

This detail shot of a saguaro cactus reveals the spiny nature of these wonderful plants. It appears that a new arm is beginning to form. I understand a lorge plant like this one is quite old and to me is very fascinating.

Suguaro Cactus Bud

A close-up look at a new arm of one of those beautiful saguaro cactus. I really like them. This one is near Quartzsite, AZ.

Suguaro Cactus Arm

I had been wanting to photograph a saguaro cactus from the first time I had seen them. It was the middle of the day so shooting in the hot direct sun was not going to work if I wanted an overall shot, so I settled for some close-ups.

Needles in the Morning Sunlight

In this wide angle shot of the Needles in Canyonlands NP the sun was just peeking over the horizon and lighting up the distant formation.

Sacred Wall Art

There is evidence of ancient people everywhere you go in Canyonlands NP. This wall art is so beautiful and fragile, I took care to keep the photographers creed, "Take only pictures, leave only footprints". I would hope that all who are able to see these in person will take great care of this priceless and irreplaceable artifact.

Stars over Needles

The Milky Way stands majestically above the formations of rock in the Needles Section of Canyonlands NP. This 30 second exposure is long enough to capture the beauty of the night sky (4:00 AM) but is fast enough to keep the stars from making star trails. There were lots of shooting stars that evening and one left its trail in the photo.

Needles Outpost Teepee

This teepee was just too tempting to not shoot. It stands in the Canyonlands Needles Outpost campground and can be rented as a place to experience the world of the Native American in times past. I lit it up with a flashlight as I took the long exposure. Notice the stars visible in the evening sky.

Magic Moonlight

This is one of my favorite shots from The Needles. I had to run fast to find just the perfect composition before losing the magic light of the morning sunrise.

Cowboy Camp

A cowboy camp is the subject of this photo. It was used form about 1923 until 1975 when the cattle company closed operations. It is located in the Needles Section of Canyonlands NP. What a way to live, even in modern times.

Blue Reflections

A small depression if the rock had collected a bit of water and made the perfect reflection of the sky for this rather dramatic shot of the Needles Section of Canyonlands NP. You can see the Needles in the background.

So Peaceful

An early morning view of a palm tree, lifeguard stand, and the sun rising over the waves is so relaxing and peaceful. I look at this one when I need to get out of the rat races of everyday living.

Temple Entrance

This shot of the temple entrance at Tulum, Mexico has a very inviting composition with the steps leading up to the temple. This is one of my favorite views of the temple.

Pelican Watching

I really enjoyed watching the pelicans as they were fishing for lunch. They look like they are sitting in an easy chair while they are flying with their heads back and necks bent, but then they do this half barrel roll and dive into the water coming up with a bulge in their beaks. After swallowing they take back into the air to continue fishing. Once in a while one will get up-ended by a wave and look a bit awkward getting back upright.

Excellent Snorkeling

The snorkeling was excellent in the protected national park that we visited. These were lifted from a video clip made with a GoPro camera.

Ocean Views

I loved walking along the beach at Playa del Carmen. The sunrises were spectacular, then later in the day the waves would break on the coral and splash so pretty. I shot about 850 photos while there for the week.

Turtle Soup

I had a lot of fun processing this shot. I used a GoPro to film while we were snorkeling off the Playa del Carmen coast in Mexico. This turtle almost brushed my chest as it approached me from behind. It gave me quite a start. The GoPro shoots quite blue underwater so in the correction process I had to tone down the blue on its carapace but that also made the water look gray, so I used a filter mask and then got a bit creative in bringing the blue back. What the heck, I might as well have some fun, this is what happened. No soup here, just the fun of making it look like it was swimming in some.

Behind the Temple at Tulum

This is the back side of the temple at Tulum, Mexico. I shot this with a Nikon D750 bracketing the 5 shots and then processing it in Photomatix Pro. The temple is truly a wonderful experience to see. It has a very special feeling. There were hundreds of people on the site so it is quite difficult to get a clear shot, but people were very gracious to give me the time I needed.