Hopi House Closeup - After Once in a Decade Storm

While Visiting The Awesome Grand Canyon a few Years ago. We stopped by the Hopi House for a few shots.

Old Man Winter had stormed to town the night before. Unleashing one of his once in a decade spectacles. The Hopi House was covered in Snow and Icicles like right out of a Norman Rockwell Painting. I was in Awe of this circa 1905 building.

The Hopi House was built using local materials, just like the native peoples of America have done for many millennia. Designed by Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter for the Fred Harvey Company. It was very refreshing to visit a building with native American influences. I so love Hopi Architecture.

Those terraces artfully covered in snow, the little windows, the beams protruding from the stone work with icicles dangling down. Bristlecone Pine trees shading the southern exposure.

Man’s Artwork and Craftmanship complemented by Mother Natures, Bravo to both…

There are twelve different tribes that called the Grand Canyon Home, I especially enjoy the Hopi Tribe. While researching the Hopi House I found this Great Website with stories of the peoples that Called America Home Many, many Millennia before the arrival of the Europeans.

The Hopi’s and the Legend of the Snake Clan:
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/The_Origin_Of_The_Hopi_Snake_Clan-Hopi.html

Date Taken: 02-05-08  10:22 AM HDR Photograph taken in 0 Degrees.
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed:1/5 seconds F-Stop:f16 ISO:100
Focal length:18mm Lens:Tamron 11-18 Wide Angle

The Grand Canyon at the Moment of Sunrise

The Grand Canyon at the Moment of Sunrise

Yea, once the sun rises, so does your adrenalin level. I have never seen the Grand Canyon after a snow storm but all I can say is Wow!

Those trees in the picture are 25 footers. The Canyon was created by the Colorado River over 6 million years and is 277 miles long and ranges in width from 4 to 18 miles.  In places it is more than a mile Deep. The Grand Canyon is considered a holy site by The Pueblo people.

I hope on my next visit to get this shot from the Bottom of the Canyon.

Photograph Taken on: 2-05-08 6:34AM  Aperture Mode / HDR Photograph
Model:Nikon D80  Shutter Speed: 1/15 Seconds  F-Stop:f11  ISO:100
Focal length: 11mm  Lens: Tamron 11-18mm

Chumash Rock Paintings, Very Elaborate and Colorful circa 1677, Santa Barbara, CA

The Chumash Indians created many cave paintings to explain their World, most locations are kept secret due to their religious importance. Only one is open to the public and it’s Right here in Santa Barbara. So, we were off to the top of the Mountain to a road appropriately named Painted Cave Rd.  Here’s the Map:
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/pcart.htm

The Chumash being in tune with nature like all of the Native peoples of the Americas. Witnessed, what must of been a momentous occasion a Solar eclipse on November 24th, 1677. This cave commemorates that event.

These pictures are also my first time using ISO 3200 speed. The caves were very dark and I cranked up the film speed to keep exposure times to a minimum.

Here is the Chumash tribes site on the Santa Barbara Museum’s Natural History site:
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/intro.htm

Top Photo Taken on: 12-10-07 3:32PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 10 seconds Second F-Stop: f16  ISO: 3200
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm Wide angle

Bottom Photo Taken on: 12-10-07 3:30PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 10 seconds Second F-Stop: f16 ISO: 3200
Focal length: 32mm Lens: Nikon 18-200mm VR

Lone Pine Tree – Lake Tahoe National Forest, NV

I ‘m here in Lake Tahoe for a few days on my way to Santa Barbara. I visited my favorite lone pine tree for a few mid day photographs. No snow here. Even at altitude in the mountains, it looks strange here with out white caps. The lake is also down about 5 feet or so, since my last visit in March this year. I guess every where in the good ol USA is hurting for water.

Today the clouds were outrageous here in Lake Tahoe, very moody, the blues were deep and the water crystal clear as always. I squeezed off a few then headed to the Desolate Wilderness to check out Eagle Falls in the Moonlight. Photographs to follow if any come out.

Date Taken: 11-24-07 1:03PM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: Aperture Priority F-Stop:f11 ISO:100
Focal length: 18mm Lens: Tamron 11-18mm

This Photographer at Half Dome -  admiring the Awesomeness of the view during the Fog – Yosemite National Park, CA

It was Ansel Adams who first inspired the world to see Half-Dome and Visit Yosemite. We have all looked at his famous Photographs of this place. If you have never been to Yosemite, you truly cannot grasp the unfathomable beauty and Awesomeness of this place. No matter how many photographs you have seen.

There is one thing that is an Absolute. Yosemite is unique in all the world, Just like America the Beautiful. Both, places like no other. We are fortunate to live in this great land were our ancestors had the foresight to save such a place for all of posterity and to those who have served in our Armed Forces, who fought, so we all can enjoy such a place in Freedom. A place all of humanity can enjoy.

On this Veterans day, We thank all of those who have sacrificed for our Great Nation. To all who serve or have served our great nation, Thank You…

This Photograph is for You!

This Photograph Courtesy of Ann Ogden. Northwest, NJ

Date Taken: 10-02-06 12:25PM High Noon dense fog
Model:Nikon D50 Shutter Speed:Aperture Mode F-Stop:f10.0 ISO:200
Focal length:55mm Lens:Nikon 55-200mm

Gateway to Yosemite Valley during Twilight in Heavy Fog after all night Storm- Yosemite National Park, CA

There are times in you life when you are at the right place at the right time. I have had a love for Twilight photography since my Trip to Alaska last year. Where ever I travel I always have to squeeze in a twilight shoot.

I captured this photograph on a Fall trip to the Yosemite National park, my first time visiting. I did all the touristy stuff. Then after a foggy stormy night, I arose to this incredible Foggy Twilight scene. I quickly grabbed my camera gear and headed onto the rocks in the middle of the Merced river and set up for the shot.

This Photograph of the Gateway to the Yosemite Valley with El Capitan, Bridelveil Falls and Half Dome all encased in Fog with the first hints of sunlight peaking thru on the mountain tops and in the center of the valley left me speechless. In foreground is the Merced River that flows thru the Yosemite Valley, with these little tuffs of long grass everywhere.

I was moved that such a beautiful place exists and that we were there to witness this magical scene.

This is my Favorite, Personal Fog shot of all time. Tomorrow is a Fog shot commemorating Veterans Day and My Favorite Fog shot of all time.

Taken at 6:48AM Pacific Time on 10/01/06

Date Taken: 10-01-06 6:48AM
Model:Nikon D80 Shutter Speed: 2.50 seconds F-Stop:f5.6 ISO:400
Focal length:18mm Lens:Tamron 11-18mm

Keywords: Yosemite, Yosemite National Park, El Capitan in the Fog, Merced River in Fog, Gateway to Yosemite in the Fog, Yosemite Valley in Twilight, Fog Photography