Ramsey Canyon

Carol Freshley December 13, 2016

Ramsey Canyon is referred to as the 'hummingbird capital of the world'. Its tall canyon walls and presence of Ramsey Creek keep it cooler than the surrounding desert and an ideal place for wildlife, especially birds. There are 15 different varieties of hummingbirds that can be found here. Ramsey Canyon is part of The Nature Conservancy’s international conservation program cooperates with several agencies to both preserve and better understand fire management, stream restoration, and protection of rare species. When we arrived, just as the Information Center opened, it was very cold! We were hoping for some fall color and were surprised at just how brilliant some of the trees were. It was probably just past 'peak' but we took it all in! For the birders in our group, we were told that two Trogon males had been spotted in the area. We, of course did not see them.

You walk under this branch to start walking up the trail.

Resting areas with benches and chairs (even some rocking) makes it easy to simply sit and enjoy the beauty around you.

I believe this is a Coues deer.  We spotted several of them at different times as they came down to the creek to get water. — I believe this is a Coues deer. We spotted several of them at different times as they came down to the creek to get water.

How does Greg find images like this?  I expect these creatures to move at any moment! — How does Greg find images like this? I expect these creatures to move at any moment!

Remnants of an old house.  Greg and Ann hiked much further up the trail than Tom and I.  They reported that beyond the first loop the fall color dropped off dramatically. — Remnants of an old house. Greg and Ann hiked much further up the trail than Tom and I. They reported that beyond the first loop the fall color dropped off dramatically.

Haha!  My neck curved like this tree trunk as I tried to turn it right side down . . . or up! — Haha! My neck curved like this tree trunk as I tried to turn it right side down . . . or up!

It was warmer as we walked back out of the Information Center.

We had our picnic lunch at this creek side table.

Maroon Bells in the Fall

Carol Freshley September 23, 2016

High on our list of 'must check out' for fall color in Colorado was Maroon Bells. We first visited the site last June when everything was green and then more green. We heard that the place was pretty spectacular in the fall. Judge for yourself.

This was the first image of my morning.  There were clues along the drive in that fall colors had arrived, but I could not see anything at the end of the lake that was assuring until this photo gave some indication of color.  I was stoked! — This was the first image of my morning. There were clues along the drive in that fall colors had arrived, but I could not see anything at the end of the lake that was assuring until this photo gave some indication of color. I was stoked!

A huge smile is on my face.  Frozen fingers and toes are worth it. — A huge smile is on my face. Frozen fingers and toes are worth it.

Must admit that at this point I considered going back to the car and warming up.  But, photographers were still arriving and I would lose my precious real estate on the shoreline.  I stayed put, jumping up and down and breathing into numb … — Must admit that at this point I considered going back to the car and warming up. But, photographers were still arriving and I would lose my precious real estate on the shoreline. I stayed put, jumping up and down and breathing into numb fingers.

When we first arrived Tom chose his spot for the sunrise at a location further around the lake.  He felt it had a better vantage point.  Different for sure.  Better?  Not so sure.  One thing for sure, we were not going to be… — When we first arrived Tom chose his spot for the sunrise at a location further around the lake. He felt it had a better vantage point. Different for sure. Better? Not so sure. One thing for sure, we were not going to be taking the same image!!

Just as it was!  Once the sun hit the very top of the Bells I started taking a time-lapse.  Once that is set up you have no access to your camera and just stand there (or jump around to keep warm).  Tom fills in with images of the way… — Just as it was! Once the sun hit the very top of the Bells I started taking a time-lapse. Once that is set up you have no access to your camera and just stand there (or jump around to keep warm). Tom fills in with images of the way the sun slowly descends down the Bells and will light up the trees and lake below.

While the most exciting action is taking place looking towards the mountain . . . looking backward is pretty darn good too!

I was hoping for more 'maroon' color.  The color actually changes as the sun rises.  It was more maroon later. — I was hoping for more 'maroon' color. The color actually changes as the sun rises. It was more maroon later.

The folks on the upper right are where Tom chose to set up initially.  The long line that is free of photographers does not have the vantage point needed to get a good photograph (my opinion, of course, but apparently shared by other photograph… — The folks on the upper right are where Tom chose to set up initially. The long line that is free of photographers does not have the vantage point needed to get a good photograph (my opinion, of course, but apparently shared by other photographers). Behind the rocks and all the way over to the left is where the prime real estate is located. Interestingly, by this of the sunrise many photographers were already leaving!!!

By now Tom has moved all the way over to the left.  You can still see photographers.  He has found an interesting foreground object. — By now Tom has moved all the way over to the left. You can still see photographers. He has found an interesting foreground object.

I am still trying to figure this one out!  Tom loves geometric images.  I am sure there must be an equation for this one. — I am still trying to figure this one out! Tom loves geometric images. I am sure there must be an equation for this one.

By now the sun is up and the remaining photographers are in a festive mood.  They take selfies, share gear stories, brag about how many times they have done this 'shoot', share tips, compare their images on the backs of cameras, etc. — By now the sun is up and the remaining photographers are in a festive mood. They take selfies, share gear stories, brag about how many times they have done this 'shoot', share tips, compare their images on the backs of cameras, etc.

Every one of us wanted a calm, mirror-like water surface.  Then, along come four ducks and create some patterns for us. — Every one of us wanted a calm, mirror-like water surface. Then, along come four ducks and create some patterns for us.

On the way out you may become part of a ritual.  That is, you stop at almost any barely safe spot and capture more images.  Or, you can even take a short hike to a pond, as Tom did. — On the way out you may become part of a ritual. That is, you stop at almost any barely safe spot and capture more images. Or, you can even take a short hike to a pond, as Tom did.

Just gotta stop.  Again.  And again.  And again. — Just gotta stop. Again. And again. And again.

Looking back into canyons was lots of fun as the sun bounced around leaving bright spots and deep shadows.

It does not happen often. When it does it is a feeling to remember. At some point I just stand there. I cannot click any button. I cannot move. I am paralyzed by awe, wonderment and an incredibly feeling of being loved by the creator of all of it. God is more present in these places than in any church I have entered. She gives evidence that She exists. When I look at the images later on the feeling returns. My deepest wish is that all people could experience what She has created. Perhaps we could start to learn to love each other. We are one of Her creations and we too must be as awesome. Every one of us like every aspen leaf.

One launching pad still full and one shut down.

For a just for fun comparison, this photograph was taken on June 16, 2016.

Fourth of July Canyon

Carol Freshley October 26, 2014

This canyon has the reputation for being one of the best places in New Mexico to see fall colors. In fact, one of the trails out of the main campground is named Maple Crimson! Our reports were that two weeks ago the area peaked in color and there was not a parking space to be found. So we were late on the scene but wanted to check it out nonetheless. You can research the area if you are interested . . . but just to let you know in advance . . . it is quite a pleasant drive until you turn off towards the campground. Then the road gets progressively worse, not at all Prius friendly!

We arrived around midday. The shadows were still abundant and there were some pleasant surprises in seeing spots of robust color. There is both maple and scrub oak along with nice stands of tall pine. We grabbed what we could and then made a note to come back next year.

If Steve's reds look intense to you it is because they were taken using a new filter he was experimenting with. It is a B+W 77mm UV/IR Cut 486 MRC filter. This filter is best with CCD sensors and suited for photographers who shoot jpeg images. However, we were both interested to see how it would do on our CMOS cameras in RAW. At the end of the day we were impressed with a couple of shots, and surprised by the color cast on a couple more. I would need much more time to master the filter to the point of seeing its $129 value! Will say, however, the green looked pretty intense and so did the sky. The color cast was on the edges and gave a greenish purple in some images, but not many of them.

The filter does not seem to negatively impact skin tones.

While we took the same photo over and over (LOL), Angie went looking for the smaller things that we were sure to miss.

Grasshoppers like this one were so abundant that you could not walk a single step without sending a dozen hopping through the leaves.  The sound gave me the impression that there was an army stomping through the leaves all around me! — Grasshoppers like this one were so abundant that you could not walk a single step without sending a dozen hopping through the leaves. The sound gave me the impression that there was an army stomping through the leaves all around me!

This is what we saw the most.  A scene that screams . . . you're late, you're late!  Ah, but there was still so much to appreciate! — This is what we saw the most. A scene that screams . . . you're late, you're late! Ah, but there was still so much to appreciate!

I have never seen oak (or at least I think it is oak) climb trees.  The oak here looks more like a vine, reaching all the way to the top of trees. — I have never seen oak (or at least I think it is oak) climb trees. The oak here looks more like a vine, reaching all the way to the top of trees.

Tom was taking a photo of Steve taking a photo with his new filter, which just happens to reflect red very intensely.

After a bumpy grueling 22 miles our tires embraced pavement. Down the road we had lunch in Mountainair at Jerry's Ancient Cities Cafe. Good grub for empty bellies! Then back to Albuquerque. Thanks for sharing the journey. Hopefully we can find a way to return next year when the color is peaking. Perhaps you can join us.