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Local Wildlife & Nature 03/20/04 part 1

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Wm. Bates

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Time for reports and pictures.

Well least weekend was another trip to southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Wes242 my nephew, Wanda my much better half and I loaded up Thursday and headed for my mothers house in St. George. We arrived early evening and had a great dinner and margaritas on the back patio as we watched the sunset on the red cliffs. We turned in early because we needed to be up early Friday morning.

Friday we rolled out of bed at 4:30 AM had quick cup of coffee ad headed for Page, Arizona. Page is a about a three hour drive. What a great drive. You pass by the edge of Zion, the Paria Wilderness and the Escalante Staircase National Monument and Lake Powell. A person could spend a life time just photographing this area. We rolled into Page about 8:30 AM and went straight to Horseshoe Bend. It is a great location but this is not the right time of day to photograph it. I think closer to noon on an overcast day would be much better.

After a few snap shots we headed back to Page to grab a quick breakfast at Denny's. After refueling our bellies we headed to Antelope Canyon about 11:30 AM. Boy there were a bunch of photographers that had the same plan. Can I say it was crowded in the canyon. Twenty or Thirty photographers trying to get the same shot of a shaft of light makes things tough in this narrow little slot canyon. At least everyone was pretty courteous and willing to let others in to get the shot. Wes and i spent about 2 hours in the canyon and both burned up a 512 meg card. Wanda made friends with another non photographer. They hiked Antelope Canyon and another small slot canyon near by while us photographers tried to stay out of each others way.
Ghosts of Photographers Past



Classic Antelope Canyon Light shaft



Bear and Ball



This trip to antelope Canyon just makes me want to go back. My pictures were just average. I took only my Sigma 15-30 and it really was just to wide. Next time I think maybe the 28-135IS or 70-200IS would be a better choice. I talked to some of the the Navajo guides and they really think later in the spring the light is better. Guess i need to plan another trip.

After Antelope Canyon we headed back to St. George and of course we went the long way. We headed through Zion and while there we hiked up Pine Creek for a few late afternoon photos. Wanda was a good sport and let me shoot a couple of shots. She had been hike and boulder scrambling all day and wasn't fixed up like she likes to be when I photographer her. The late afternoon sun made for great light when reflected off the canyon walls.



We stopped on the side of the road in the desert east of St. George for some sunset shots of the mountains. What a perfect end to a great day.





After a long day we hit the rack early. Wes and I had another early day coming.

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
Saturday morning Wes and I were headed to the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The US Fish and Wildlife, National Parks Service and most of all the Peregrine Fund were releasing 4 young California Condors to the wild. This was kind of the chance of a lifetime. We arrived at the release sit about 8:30am. The release pens were about a mile away and 1000 feet up the cliff. There were 15 or 20 condors in the area that had been released over the last few years. Boy these birds are huge. There were four feeding on a rock on top of the cliff. Also a few ravens were there. They looked so tiny beside the condors. I stacked my 1.4x and 2x extenders behind my 400 f/5.6L photo quality was only marginal. I really need a bigger lens. We watched the release. Well really they just open the pen door and let the condors come out when they are ready. These birds had never really flown. So they just hoped out and soared 50 yards or so and perched. It is really great that this program is going on. Right now there is only about 250 California Condors world wide. We got to see about 10% of the population. At this point all condors are tagged and have gps radio devices. Oh that is all but one. Last summer the first wild chick was hatched and fledged by a pair in the Grand Canyon. So maybe these releases will be successful. I hope to go to the Grand Canyon in a month or two to photograph the Condors their.



Condor release pens





After six hours of baking in the 95 degree Fahrenheit desert sun Wes and I headed back to St. George. We had a dinner with my son and daughter in law and the grandkids. It was Wes's birthday so we had a little party that ended early. I was so burnt and beat so I was in bed by 8:00PM.

Sunday morning we slept in. Well if you call rolling out at 7:00am sleeping in. There is a small wash and canyon behind my mothers home. It is one of Wanda's favorite places. So she had planned a early morning hike before it got hot. It is very pretty with little pools and sheer red rock cliffs. It is full of wildlife. Spring time is just coming to this area. We saw a few trees in bloom and flowers just beginning to bud. This hike is only about 2 miles round trip but it is all a boulder scramble. Your feet never hit a flat spot except the occasional spot of soft sand. I found muscle unnoticed for years. I was pretty soar and over heated the last mile across the sage brush flat. I really need to get in better shape.



After our hike and a bit of lunch we struggled into the truck for the 4 hour drive home to recover from a great long and hard weekend.

That is my report for the week.

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
Just thought I'de share a lil Eagle River, Alaska wildlife.
Enjoy : )


Wm. Bates said:
Time for reports and pictures.

Well least weekend was another trip to southern Utah and Northern
Arizona. Wes242 my nephew, Wanda my much better half and I loaded
up Thursday and headed for my mothers house in St. George. We
arrived early evening and had a great dinner and margaritas on the
back patio as we watched the sunset on the red cliffs. We turned in
early because we needed to be up early Friday morning.

Friday we rolled out of bed at 4:30 AM had quick cup of coffee ad
headed for Page, Arizona. Page is a about a three hour drive. What
a great drive. You pass by the edge of Zion, the Paria Wilderness
and the Escalante Staircase National Monument and Lake Powell. A
person could spend a life time just photographing this area. We
rolled into Page about 8:30 AM and went straight to Horseshoe Bend.
It is a great location but this is not the right time of day to
photograph it. I think closer to noon on an overcast day would be
much better.

After a few snap shots we headed back to Page to grab a quick
breakfast at Denny's. After refueling our bellies we headed to
Antelope Canyon about 11:30 AM. Boy there were a bunch of
photographers that had the same plan. Can I say it was crowded in
the canyon. Twenty or Thirty photographers trying to get the same
shot of a shaft of light makes things tough in this narrow little
slot canyon. At least everyone was pretty courteous and willing to
let others in to get the shot. Wes and i spent about 2 hours in the
canyon and both burned up a 512 meg card. Wanda made friends with
another non photographer. They hiked Antelope Canyon and another
small slot canyon near by while us photographers tried to stay out
of each others way.
Ghosts of Photographers Past



Classic Antelope Canyon Light shaft



Bear and Ball



This trip to antelope Canyon just makes me want to go back. My
pictures were just average. I took only my Sigma 15-30 and it
really was just to wide. Next time I think maybe the 28-135IS or
70-200IS would be a better choice. I talked to some of the the
Navajo guides and they really think later in the spring the light
is better. Guess i need to plan another trip.

After Antelope Canyon we headed back to St. George and of course we
went the long way. We headed through Zion and while there we hiked
up Pine Creek for a few late afternoon photos. Wanda was a good
sport and let me shoot a couple of shots. She had been hike and
boulder scrambling all day and wasn't fixed up like she likes to be
when I photographer her. The late afternoon sun made for great
light when reflected off the canyon walls.



We stopped on the side of the road in the desert east of St. George
for some sunset shots of the mountains. What a perfect end to a
great day.





After a long day we hit the rack early. Wes and I had another early
day coming.

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an
artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
Click to expand...
--
Thanks
ALASKA 43
http://www.pbase.com/alaskadigitalphoto
 
Really nice. Keep sharing.

The Bald Eagles that winter here in Utah have all moved north. They are one of my favorite subjects.
ALASKA 43 said:
Just thought I'de share a lil Eagle River, Alaska wildlife.
Enjoy : )

Click to expand...
--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
...trying to dodge the rain is the hardest thing at the moment.

Did manage a couple of nice catches, but I seriously need to improve my technique on handholding the Bigma.

This little fellow was singing his heart out high in a tree:



While this little chap hopped on the bush just in front of me and didn't seem at all shy:



(Had to run both images through Neat Image to make them usable)

Need some nice big birds to get a decent focus lock on!

Phil
--
http://www.pbase.com/whqttt/
 
Unless you consider ducks and squirrels under perpetually cloudy, dreary skies exciting. That's why I'll be heading to Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Arizona this summer :-)
 
she has warned me if I buy the 1DmkII and the 500 f/4 IS L she might want to change that...lol

I'm sure glad she doesn't really mean it.
--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
Had a great time shooting the eagles with AK43 and Digital EOS on a glorious bright and sunny day:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2224092&size=lg

Not quite as good as AK43's photos, but then he has a Bigma... :]

One from the day before with a pair of eagles sitting in a tree together:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2224083&size=lg

Bill - Great photos from Antelope Canyon, I've never been there but now I think I definitely have to pay a visit. And the photo with the purple flowers and red rock background is gorgeous (as is your wife)!

Scott
ALASKA 43 said:

Wm. Bates said:
Time for reports and pictures.

Well least weekend was another trip to southern Utah and Northern
Arizona. Wes242 my nephew, Wanda my much better half and I loaded
up Thursday and headed for my mothers house in St. George. We
arrived early evening and had a great dinner and margaritas on the
back patio as we watched the sunset on the red cliffs. We turned in
early because we needed to be up early Friday morning.

Friday we rolled out of bed at 4:30 AM had quick cup of coffee ad
headed for Page, Arizona. Page is a about a three hour drive. What
a great drive. You pass by the edge of Zion, the Paria Wilderness
and the Escalante Staircase National Monument and Lake Powell. A
person could spend a life time just photographing this area. We
rolled into Page about 8:30 AM and went straight to Horseshoe Bend.
It is a great location but this is not the right time of day to
photograph it. I think closer to noon on an overcast day would be
much better.

After a few snap shots we headed back to Page to grab a quick
breakfast at Denny's. After refueling our bellies we headed to
Antelope Canyon about 11:30 AM. Boy there were a bunch of
photographers that had the same plan. Can I say it was crowded in
the canyon. Twenty or Thirty photographers trying to get the same
shot of a shaft of light makes things tough in this narrow little
slot canyon. At least everyone was pretty courteous and willing to
let others in to get the shot. Wes and i spent about 2 hours in the
canyon and both burned up a 512 meg card. Wanda made friends with
another non photographer. They hiked Antelope Canyon and another
small slot canyon near by while us photographers tried to stay out
of each others way.
Ghosts of Photographers Past
http://www.pbase.com/image/27184982/medium
Classic Antelope Canyon Light shaft
http://www.pbase.com/image/27183354/medium
Bear and Ball
http://www.pbase.com/image/27183124/medium

This trip to antelope Canyon just makes me want to go back. My
pictures were just average. I took only my Sigma 15-30 and it
really was just to wide. Next time I think maybe the 28-135IS or
70-200IS would be a better choice. I talked to some of the the
Navajo guides and they really think later in the spring the light
is better. Guess i need to plan another trip.

After Antelope Canyon we headed back to St. George and of course we
went the long way. We headed through Zion and while there we hiked
up Pine Creek for a few late afternoon photos. Wanda was a good
sport and let me shoot a couple of shots. She had been hike and
boulder scrambling all day and wasn't fixed up like she likes to be
when I photographer her. The late afternoon sun made for great
light when reflected off the canyon walls.
http://www.pbase.com/image/27183830/medium

We stopped on the side of the road in the desert east of St. George
for some sunset shots of the mountains. What a perfect end to a
great day.
http://www.pbase.com/image/27185796/medium
http://www.pbase.com/image/27185178/medium
After a long day we hit the rack early. Wes and I had another early
day coming.

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an
artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
Click to expand...
--
Thanks
ALASKA 43
http://www.pbase.com/alaskadigitalphoto
Click to expand...
--
Capture the beauty of the world one frame at a time.
 
SuperScott said:
Had a great time shooting the eagles with AK43 and Digital EOS on a
glorious bright and sunny day:
Click to expand...
Sure looks really good to me. How close do these birds let you get? Also where are you guys in Alaska. If things workout well I hope to get back up there this year. Last year we did a cruise. It is great way to travel but a lousy way to see someplace. This year I think I would like to fly into Anchorage and then drive from there. Is that a better way to do it do you think?
SuperScott said:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2224092&size=lg

Not quite as good as AK43's photos, but then he has a Bigma... :]

One from the day before with a pair of eagles sitting in a tree
together:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2224083&size=lg

Bill - Great photos from Antelope Canyon, I've never been there but
now I think I definitely have to pay a visit. And the photo with
the purple flowers and red rock background is gorgeous (as is your
wife)!
Click to expand...
I showed her the thread she is flattered and says thank you.
SuperScott said:
Scott
Click to expand...
--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
Hi again William,

How easy is it to get into the Anteloupe Canyons? Did you need a guide or did you just show up and pay the normal fees?

I am thinking of taking my mom there but read about the need to climb ladders and what not...not sure how parent friendly this place may be. Any advice or info is appreciated = )

Your shots are wonderful...especially like the second to last shot.

--
pakety

 
pso said:
Hi again William,

How easy is it to get into the Anteloupe Canyons? Did you need a
guide or did you just show up and pay the normal fees?

I am thinking of taking my mom there but read about the need to
climb ladders and what not...not sure how parent friendly this
place may be. Any advice or info is appreciated = )

Your shots are wonderful...especially like the second to last shot.

--
pakety

Click to expand...
They seem to be getting tighter about using guides but it was a very busy weekend. We used Antelope Canyon Tours and our guide was Carolene the owner. She was excellent. She is also a very good photographer. She knows just when you will have light beams in a particular spot and right where to get the shot. I think her help was well worth the price (a little over $30US for 2 and 1/2 hours per person).

There is no ladder in the more scenic upper canyon that the tours go to. It is a flat easy walk anyone could do. So take your mom she will love it. It really is something everyone should do if they have the chance. For non photographers the 1 hour tour is a better plan. For photographers the 2.5 hour tour may not be enough. I'm planning another trip now I have better feel for the place.

Contact Antelope Canyon Tours and they will tell you what the very best time of day for photography for the time of year you visit.
http://www.antelopecanyon.com/index.html
--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
Once again thanks much Bill...your help is much appreciated.
Wm. Bates said:
They seem to be getting tighter about using guides but it was a
very busy weekend. We used Antelope Canyon Tours and our guide was
Carolene the owner. She was excellent. She is also a very good
photographer. She knows just when you will have light beams in a
particular spot and right where to get the shot. I think her help
was well worth the price (a little over $30US for 2 and 1/2 hours
per person).

There is no ladder in the more scenic upper canyon that the tours
go to. It is a flat easy walk anyone could do. So take your mom she
will love it. It really is something everyone should do if they
have the chance. For non photographers the 1 hour tour is a better
plan. For photographers the 2.5 hour tour may not be enough. I'm
planning another trip now I have better feel for the place.

Contact Antelope Canyon Tours and they will tell you what the very
best time of day for photography for the time of year you visit.
http://www.antelopecanyon.com/index.html
--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an
artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
Click to expand...
--
pakety

 
Bill,

I have to tell you how much I appreciate your last several reports. The photography has been wonderful and the travel details have been most helpful. In fact, they are also timely. We have been planning a trip to Southern Utah as your posts have been coming in. We really appreciate the look into this area that you have been providing.

Thanks!
Brian
Wm. Bates said:
Time for reports and pictures.
Click to expand...
--

Brian K

http://www.pbase.com/briank
 
As I was typing in all my story about the weekend I hit a wrong button and lost all of the stuff I had just typed. Don't you hate that. Well I have put together a little gallery of some Southern Utah pictures, that show some of the days and the places we went.
http://www.pbase.com/wes242/southern_utah
But some of the highlights are here.
Bill shooting pictures in Antelope Canyon



Wanda trying to climb over a boulder.



Waterfall in Zions



Bill and Wanda hiking up the wash.



http://www.pbase.com/wes242/antelope_canyon
more pictures of the canyon

--
Thank You Drive Thru!
http://www.pbase.com/wes242
 
And only one goal this summer. That is to get better and closer photos than these of these hawks cruising low over the prairie for prey. The location is my work site so I think I may.

What a sight! They are entrancing to watch, They drift with the wind about 3 to 6 feet above the prairie grasses than drop down on their prey, sometimes coming up with nothing more than a divet. The manuvering they do at that height is amazing. And it goes on for hours.

Its really difficult to get a good focus lock beecause the prairie grass is pretty high contrast. And it's difficult to get close, as they just tip their wing and are off away from you. A 700mm on a gimbal would do just about right for this (most of these are cropped btw). - Gene











--
Gene (the hawkman) - Walk softly and carry a big lens

Please visit my galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/

 
We bypassed antelope canyon because I was afraid my wife couldnt climb in and out. All of your shots make we want to kick myself in the a**
GAO said:
And only one goal this summer. That is to get better and closer
photos than these of these hawks cruising low over the prairie for
prey. The location is my work site so I think I may.

What a sight! They are entrancing to watch, They drift with the
wind about 3 to 6 feet above the prairie grasses than drop down on
their prey, sometimes coming up with nothing more than a divet. The
manuvering they do at that height is amazing. And it goes on for
hours.

Its really difficult to get a good focus lock beecause the prairie
grass is pretty high contrast. And it's difficult to get close, as
they just tip their wing and are off away from you. A 700mm on a
gimbal would do just about right for this (most of these are
cropped btw). - Gene











--
Gene (the hawkman) - Walk softly and carry a big lens

Please visit my galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/

Click to expand...
 
You really should have stopped. They drive you to the mouth of the canyon. It is a flat smooth walk in the canyon. I dd trip on one rock in a very dark section. I was looking up when I should have been watching where I was going but the light was so pretty at the top of the crack.

--
Bill
http://www.pbase.com/slowpokebill
'The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.' Unknown
'Every man dies; but, not every man lives' Braveheart
'Sometime the magic works. Sometimes it doesn't' Little Big Man
 
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