Tucson
Great Horned Owl
(Desert Museum - free flight)
They are one of the most common owls in N. America and they are equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, backyards and cities. They are also known as the tiger owl or the hoot owl. They are known to be very aggressive hunters and have been known to attack porcupines. Crows will often harass them, and for good reason, because the Great Horned Owl is their most dangerous predator.
Saguaro cactus have become black market commodities. Poachers can rake in a few thousand dollars. The saguaro is protected in Arizona and removal is illegal. In order to legally remove and transplant one elsewhere, the land owner's permission and permit is required. In National Park Land, no saguaro can be removed.
They can live between 100-200 years and can weigh more than a ton. They can shrink or swell in girth by 20-25 percent over the course of a year.
Now, you are entering my world and not ours (meaning Marc and I)
MAGIC OF COWBOYS
I met Lisa Langell in person about five years ago in Globe, Arizona at a one day photoshoot with a small group of photographers. She is a fabulous professional photographer that hosts all kinds of workshops around the world with works including wildlife, flora and scenics.
Marc wrote a 250 word essay and entered me in the contest. At the end of the essay, he found it is for US citizens only. He contacted Lisa and she graciously and immediately accepted me into her workshop!
Unfortunately, Marc had a long weekend as he spent two and a half long days with Tazz and hanging out north of Mesa in the parks, watching pickleball (too hot to leave the doggie) and a quick visit with his aunt and uncle.
We could not find a hotel close by that would accept pets and ended up at an air b-n-b. (Spell check wouldn't let me spell it properly, thus the hyphens!).
Don Donnelly's D-Spur Ranch and Stables in Gold Canyon
It's ironic - we spent copious amounts of time driving around the back country of Texas trying to find longhorns. Now look! They rounded up longhorns just for our photoshoots.
So, here we go.....the workshop is basically non-instructional but three professional photographers are available for any questions you may have or any help. They also provide the lighting systems (reflectors, backdrops, strobe/studio lights) and set ups for portraits.
This workshop was her first with women only (except the cowboys and re-enactment group). Twenty women!
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
The first afternoon is cowboys and portraits (all the equipment is supplied - reflectors, backdrops, strobe/studio lights and western setups). This is totally out of my realm and I so appreciate what portrait photographers go through.
Just getting a pose is amazingly difficult, not to mention lighting, body positioning and angle of the face.
The professional re-enactment group. They are dressed in 1870's period costumes and share stores about history of Wyatt Earp, gold mining and Tombstone.
Ben Mason - a working cowboy and rodeo competitor.
Love the sense of humor.
Can't blame them for getting bored while waiting for all of us to take our turn at trying to pose the subject and get our settings correct and lighting of course. She designed and made these costumes.
The ranch is against the gorgeous Superstition Mountains on 5,800 acres in the heart of the Sonoran desert in Gold Canyon (Don Donnelly's D-Spur Ranch), South East of Apache Junction (20 minutes), Arizona.
LIFE AT THE RANCH
Jason spends some time explaining the multi-faceted ways of roping cattle. He showed us one technique where they move away from the cattle and with their backs to the cattle, can 'sneak' the lasso on them. Hours of practice to master!
Ben, Ryke and Jason
Ben is attempting to take the lasso off the cow's neck and the horn spears his chaps, just missing his leg. (he talked about it later at our table - things gone bad!).
Saturday, Sunrise to Sunset on set for photo-ops.
SUNRISE
The cowboys and cowgirl ride (before sunrise - in the dark) up to the ridge in steep terrain, through rock and prickly cactus, for us to take photos. And, through rock and prickly cactus.
Karen and Red
Rycke/Wren and Ben/Riley
Time for Rycke and Wren to head back down the ridge.
After the sunrise and early morning glow we photograph the riders and horses
Rycke - "please lord, when will this be over?" (20 women - really?)
HIGH KEY PHOTOGRAPHY
High Key photography basically is making a very bright photo (overexposing on purpose) with little or no dark shadows. It creates an almost old photo type of appearance or water color.
Jason, Meagan, little Emanuel and Steve (horse)
FLAT LAY PHOTOGRAPHY
This is placing objects (in this case, old western gear, guns and skulls) on a surface and taking the photo from straight above. It requires two people as the other person is using light reflectors to screen shadows.
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| Photo taken by another group but it shows the technique discussed above (not my photo) |
Flats are used to create posters, greeting cards, placemats, posters, advertising and many other uses.
LOW KEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Low key light accentuates the contours of the subject and throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control contrast.
DINING OUT VIA COALS
This is not my photo (taken by a previous group) but it is great as it shows the way the food is cooked and it was all incredible! Including lunches, dinners and deserts (cobbler and bread pudding over coals).
SUNSET
The gangsters have arrived in town . . .
A warning shot - do not mess with them
FEB 21
We leave Arizona and head up the coast. A quick stop over in Santa Rosa, California, then up to Newport, Oregon.
We drove along hwy 101 and there were several construction areas along the winding highway.
Along the coast, we get close to Charleston, Oregon (Coos Bay area) and pull off for a quick stretch and to let Tazz out.
While out and about, Marc does an inspection of things and notices that one of the tires on the trailer is basically shredded! We replaced the back two tires very recently so fortunately, the tire that was shredded was going to be replaced in the near future anyway. Thankfully, he was fully prepared and fixed in on the roadside within an hour and we were on our way. No tow truck, no emergency service required. Fortunate that it did not blow while on this winding road! Figure we picked up something through the construction sites.
Staying for a night minutes from the rugged coast and beach.
Tazz is in her element - she loves sand!
Crazy surfers
NEWPORT, OREGON
Staying at the Marina - full hook-ups, wide open spaces and close to town. Have stayed here several times but have to time it appropriately as this time of year they host a huge seafood festival and the whole town is crammed. The marina RV park is completely full, prices double and the party is on.
Windy afternoon at the beach
There are trails down to the beach that are for pedestrians and horses.
Old downtown, the fish processing area and docks, the tourist area with a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, ice cream shops, cafes and diners and sea lions hang out.
We stopped in Eugene, Oregon and unpacked the trailer, winterized it and parked it in a managed storage area with the idea we would pick it up en route next fall and our thoughts were to go to Yellowstone Park in the fall.
It cost alot to come across the ferry to Vancouver Island so we figured it best to pay for storage there, rather than here where we are unlikely to use the trailer.
With Covid-19, things have changed for everyone.
Been in Comox Valley since February 29th (leap year)!
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