Sneak Peeks

I was able to do a few photo sessions for some friends before we left Georgia. In order for them  to be able to view them easier, I have created a new blog, and there are a bunch more there. I hope you go and look at them! I would love your opinions.  These are don in order of who I took. I think I learned a bit more at each session. Sorry to the Maxwells- I had the wrong lens on the camera, and did not realize it/ The quality of their pics could have been better.

abitoforange.blogspot.com

For now.... here is a sneak peak... 

Maxwell Family

Weberry Family

Self Family

Our Family

Family Picture Courtesy of Kirsten Maxwell (my sweet, sweet friend. Thanks Kirst! I miss you!)

More of our family pics on the other blog too. 

Then I took the pics of the kids, while Kirst helped me get them to smile.

Tanner

Annica

Eli

Sweet Siblings

Shenandoah NP

Skyline Drive runs through the park for over a hundred miles atop the Blue Ridge mountains, 3,000 feet or so above the valley floor. We camped about halfway down the drive near the Big Meadow.

This is the meadow just after dawn

A few trees in the meadow

    (those aren't spots on my lenses, they are bugs swarming right in front f the camera....)

We didn't have to go to far to see the wildlife...

We saw this guy less then a mile or so into our first hike, I think he was just as spooked as we were, but we just kept on walking and he just kept on roaming.

A few pics from several of the many overlooks along the drive

On top of Bearfence mountain

(I'll post more, probably on the fam blog, when I get a chance...)

Salome Creek

Here are the best so far from my shots of Salome Creek. Dad will have to post his once he has the time to go through them all.

The stars from near our tent at the bottom of the canyon. The rocks were lit with a headlamp. 25 minute exposure.

Both of us about half way down the canyon about to jump in the water in one of the narrows.

HDR of 5 images.

Looking down the canyon with a few hikers, I like how having the people adds to the scale of the canyon.

We waited at this location for a couple of hours until it was in the shade and the sun was reflecting off of the opposite wall. I think it was well worth the wait.

The main event, last time I went we carried rappelling gear for the short cliff, this time we jumped. It was pretty fun.

This is standing in the same location as above, just looking down the canyon. I like the reflection of the cliff on the water.

This is by far my favorite shot. Just a stones through away from the image above, we again waited for the sunlight to be right for the reflection and the shade.

This is a close second for favorite shot of the day. I love the bright cliff in contrast with the dark narrow canyon.

Pictures of People Taking Pictures

With inspiration from Sam's post from Zion, here are pictures of Dad taking Pictures.

Salome Creek

Mom, Dad and Sarah came to AZ so dad and I could go hike Solome Creek. Dad was so excited he could not contain himself, or his bladder.

More pictures to come.

Great Falls of the Potomac

Went to Great Falls with some friends. The weather was perfect and the hike was nice, and the water was absolutely crazy. Because of all the recent rain the water was at full flood stage, most of the hiking on the Virginia side was closed due to flooding, and both of the hikes to the falls overlooks were closed when we first got there. Luckily they opened they trail to the main overlook while we were there, So we go to go check it out. You hike on these boardwalks and over several bridges that cross these gorges over portions of the falls, the water was gushing and roaring like mad right under us. Then we got to the main falls overlook on this island out in the river. The main channel of the river is a good several hundred yards across at that point, and I think something like a 70 foot drop over several 10-20 foot steps over and around a whole bunch of bus size boulders and chasms and rocky islets. The water was at least 30-40 feet higher than when we went in the fall a few years ago, and most of the boulders and islets where completely covered....it was crazy. Absolutely awesome how powerfully the water was blasting through there.

One of the narrower chasms that you cross on a bridge:

A heron crossing the lower portion of the main section of the falls.

 Across the river you can see several climbing routes, but the little bank you stand on to belay and the bottom third of the routes are completely covered.

Looking up from the overlook at the main section of the falls (May 2011):

A picture of the same section of the falls from a similar angle, September 2009:

Ward Campout

Anna, Asa and I went on the ward campout last night, so of course I took a few night shots. Here is the best one by far. I placed the camera towards our tent and the fire, and didnt tell anyone unless they were about to bump the camera. so it made for some interesting lighting.