Lower Salt River and Red Mountain

We love exploring new places or returning to places we have not visited for a very long time. This short trip was organized by Rick and he gave some descriptions of the hills and how tough they can be when your are on a 100 + mile bike ride. Yikes! I could only imagine.

We started at Saguaro Lake, dropped down into the Lower Salt River and then drove to Red Mountain.

I was much more fascinated by Desert Belle than the speedboats.

ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/800 at 112mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

Rick promised that we would get much closer to the imposing rocks when we got to the other side of the dam. He was so right!

Our first stop was just below the dam. The water being let out is just a trickle! But, at least we are close to the big rocks and looking for reflections.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/80 at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF24-105mm f4/L IS USM lens.

ISO 100, f/9, 1/125 at 44mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens. 

We always seem to have a side story. This is it. Rick saw some horses go across the creek when we first got there. But we were not set up. After shooting for some time and on the way back, he hustles down to the riding stable and asks if he can take pictures of the group that is just getting started. Sure! Everyone was fine with it. He almost ran to his spot to get ready. It paid off! This is one of my favorites of the day.

ISO 400, f/9, 1/100 at 40mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

A bit further down the road, another pull off and more clicking. It was just the most beautiful day and there were many people out along the river enjoying the early spring weather. Tom had a different take on the red and green!

ISO 400, f/8, 0.5EV, 1/500 at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. Processed in Nik Silver Effects.

ISO 300, f/16, 1/40 at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

ISO 640, f/13, 1/400, at 38mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/16, 1/80, at 24mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens.

Sometimes, when we get home and I see some of Tom's photos I am in wonderment at a scene that looks familiar but he has turned it on its heels. This is so below. He created magic out of what might have been an ordinary 'along the creek with mountains in the background and people in it' kind of shot.

ISO 125, f/11, 0.5EV, 1/180 at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens.

Back into the car and off down the road. Next up Red Mountain. For those who read this . . . this is such an easy destination to reach. The parking was easy, the short walk to water's edge could be done by most anyone. We walked along the river looking for different vantage points. Enjoy our many takes on this jewel.

ISO 63, f/16, at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

ISO 100, f/22, 1 EV, 4 seconds at 45mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 24-105mm Canon lens with a ND8 filter.

ISO 800, f/8, 1/320 at 50mm with Nikon Df and 50mm AFS f/1.4 Nikkor lens.

ISO 63, f/11, at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

ISO 63, f/16, at 24 with Canon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

For a panorama of our site as we stood there, Tom put this together for us.

ISO 63, f/11, at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

Then the kayak came by. Photo op!! "How's fishing?" Not sure what the hand answer was!

ISO 63, f/5.6, 1/750, at 300mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

Then the canoe came by. Photo op! The woman was painting a water color and kept dipping her brush into the river as the drifted upstream! Now, this photo is a catch, waiting patiently for just the right moment before the canoe gets too far upstream.

ISO 63, f/5.3, 1/125 at 240mm with Nikon D600 and 70-300mm Nikkor lens.

As the evening approached, the colors change to a softer more pastel appearance away from the setting sun. Looking toward Four Peaks . . . (mom, this one is for you).

ISO 800, f/8, 1/200 at 85mm with Nikon D800 and 85mm AF 1.8D Nikkor lens.

Good night Red Mountain.

ISO 63, f/9.5 at 15mm with Nikon D600 and 15mm Sigma fisheye lens. Processed in Nik HDR Effects Pro 2.

Thank you Rick and Barbara for suggesting this great site. We always enjoy your company.

Field Spring Wildflowers

Wild spring flowers are already showing up on Buckeye's desert. They are gorgeous and very small. The best way to photograph these flowers is to use a beach towel, get down on your belly and position your tripod very low to the ground. I found the flowers to be dusty and thirsty so I sprayed them before photographing them and then gave them all my leftover water at the end. I was joined by Karen and Nancy.

ISO 100, f/4, 1/800 at 100mm with Canon EOS 7D and 100mm Canon macro prime.

ISO 100, f/5, 1/500 at 100mm with Canon EOS 7D and 100mm Canon macro prime.

ISO 100, f/8, 1/320 at 100mm with Canon EOS 7D and 100mm Canon macro prime.

When I look at Nancy's photos I am inspired to photograph wildflowers differently, in addition to the way I normally capture their images. This time I was experimenting with a new 'old' lens. I picked up an 55mm Micro-NIKKOR-P-C 1:35 lens to use on my Nikon Df. I was told the glass was the sharpest macro lens Nikon has produced, maybe even better than my 105mm Nikkor macro!! So, admittedly, I had 'sharp' on my mind. But, her photos have sharp and bokeh. Oh, and the lens works very well on my Nikon D800. Only challenge is that the lens does not communicate with the camera and both setting the aperture and focus is done manually.

I did shoot with the 105mm lens as well. I think that lens is going to see some bag time.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000 at 55mm with Nikon Df and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/125 at 55mm with Nikon Df and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/800 at 55mm with Nikon D800 and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

We see these itty bitty yellow dots on thin stems. I think these are buds that have not opened but am going back to check on that theory.

ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/640 at 55mm with Nikon D800 and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

These flowers are so tiny that you really have to look closely or you don't recognize them as flowers instead of just bumps on the stem. They bloom incognito.

ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/640 at 55mm with Nikon D800 and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

Then, there is always something that if you look closely enough you simply realize that you have no idea what it is. Well, yes, a plant of some sort.  Are those fuzzy somethings something that blooms? Will keep you posted.

ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/640 at 55mm with Nikon D800 and 55mm Nikkor micro lens.

Karen was playing big time with getting the light just right on the smallest of flowers. On her second one she nailed it!  She even got shadows of the pistil!

ISO 400, f/14, 1/320 at 100mm with Canon EOS 6D and 100mm Canon macro lens.

ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/640 at 100mm with Canon EOS 6D and 100mm Canon macro lens.

We had a great time and vowed to get together soon for another 'play date'. I wanted a photo of how barren the ground appears unless you are "LOOKING".  Did not get one at the time but maybe this photo taken by Nancy will do. For those who shoot with me . . . it did not take long for me to figure out how to get that tripod really low. In this image I am still hand holding and my expression shows that I am not happy with the result. Thanks Nancy.

ISO 100, f/5, 1/500, at 100mm with Canon EOS 7D and 100mm Canon macro lens.

Up next, our day at Saguaro Lake, the Lower Salt and Red Mountain. Please come back.

Majestic Clydesdales

Word got out (thank you Nancy) that the Budweiser Clydesdales were making an appearance at Waddel Longhorn Corral in Buckeye. A bunch of us hopped on that opportunity.

The horses and the handlers arrive in three huge semi trucks, two hauling horses and the third contains the wagon.

ISO 640, f/22, 1/250, at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens.

While people gather, the teams unload and gear up the horses.  I think by the time that was accomplished I had already shot 200 photos! This is a rare look at one of them before they get their regalia and working gear.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/500 at 170mm with Nikon D200 and 18-200mm Nikkor lens.

Just seeing their handlers up close to the horses gives you an idea of just how big and magnificent these horses are.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/320, at 46mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

You might be wonderening how Waddel's Longhorn Corral managed to get an exclusive appearance of these world horses. We asked. The best answer was that Waddel's serves more Budweiser than any other bar in Arizona. I can't verify that, but whatever the reason we were delighted. Several hundred people were able to get up very close and enjoy their short parade around the Corral.  The team stopped in front and then entered the back area. What follows is a selection from the best that were sent to me by the photographers in our group.

We start with the team rounding the corner from their preparation and staging point to be placed in front of the Corral.

ISO 100, f/10, 1/125 at 50mm with Canon EOS 7D and EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5 Canon lens.

ISO 400, f/10, 1/400 at 70mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1600 at 200mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM lens.

ISO 200, f/16, 1/250 at 55mm with Canon EOS Rebel SL-1.

ISO 400, f/6.3, -0.33 EV, 1/500 at 200mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

ISO 200, f/11, -0.5EV, 1/250 at 24mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkkor lens.

ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/2500 at 200mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/500 at 44mm with Nikon D200 and 70-200 Nikkor lens.

When these horses move they are awesome. It is difficult to capture their strength and grace.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1000 at 200mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

ISO 400, f/9, 1/320 at 70mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 160, f/8, 1/320 at 24mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

Oh, that guy in the middle. . . he is the driver with 8 reigns between his fingers. When they move, he is all business and focused concentration. What a great shot!

ISO 400, f/8, 1/2000 at 160mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

When not moving, the relaxed driver enjoys the crowd. However, his hands still hold those reigns pretty tightly. How does one get a great job like his?

ISO 400, f/6.3, -0.33EV, 1/2500 at 165mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

Almost as famous as the horses is the Dalmation that rides on the wagon. He is such a crack up as he naps, stands at attention, gets loved up by the driver and freely roams the area as they set up. He lives a pretty good dog's life. Notice his gold gear.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/500 at 70mm with Nikon D700 and 28-70mm Nikkor lens.

Enough yet? Not us. We kept right on shooting. There is gear and closeups of hoofs, and . . . 

ISO 400, f/8, 1/250 at 70mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

ISO 200, f/11, -0.5EV, 1/90 at 27mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens.

24 ISO 160, f/8, -0.67EV, 1/200 with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/2000 at 160mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

Maybe the most important 'gear' was on the truck. It works! Samples were offered and I am told it was very nice and cold.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/125 at 160mm with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

These horses are known for their hoofs. Certainly no shortage of photos here. Hard to choose.

ISO 400, f/11, 1/400 at 112mm with Nikon D200 and 18-200mm Nikkor lens.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/2000 at 160 with Canon EOS 5D Mark III and 70-200mm Canon lens.

ISO 200, f/11, -0.5EV, 1/90 at 26mm with Nikon D600 and 24-70mm Nikkor lens.

Perhaps my favorite memory, not the photograph specifically, was the obvious care and love given to each horse and the Dalmation. One could easily appreciate the attention and vigilence to assure safety of both the audience and the animals. There were many moments like the one below where love and attention was exchanged.

ISO 160, f/8, 1/160, at 78mm with Nikon D800 and 24-120mm Nikkor lens.

Oh, and the hamburgers are very good at Waddel's Longhorn Corral. And the Bud was cold. The Clydesdales are gone but we may just take in a Saturday night live band and dinner down the road.

Up next, early wildflowers in a field.