I love shooting sunset from Rock Cut. To me, it’s almost the perfect situation. The rock formations make interesting frames in either direction. To the east, you can get beautiful alpenglow on Longs Peak. To the west, towards the Never Summer Range, you can get fantastic color if you have the right kind of clouds. On a really good night, you can get both. Some nights, you get neither.

On this particular night, it looked like the clouds would win. Shooting Longs Peak was out of the question, because it was pretty much socked in by a large bank of white clouds. To the west, there was hope that a cloud break might produce something good right when the sun went done, so it was worth waiting to see. The thing is, my preferred method of “waiting” is to take pictures of whatever catches my eye in the meantime. While the sky wasn’t particularly colorful, it was very dramatic. I wanted the rocks in the foreground, but that presented a problem, as the sun was behind them. If I exposed the shot properly for the sky, the rocks would be too dark. I used my GND (graduated neutral density) filter in hopes of toning down the sky enough to keep from losing all details in the rocks and chose my composition. Some light started leaking through the clouds, so I got ready to get down to business.

Then the impossible happened. I realized that the rocks right in front of me were glowing with light from the east. How could that be, with the sun very obviously behind them to the west? The answer falls under the “sometimes you get really lucky” category. Remember that big bank of white clouds blocking the view of Longs Peak? They were now acting as a giant mirror to reflect the light back onto those rocks I was worried about being too dark. In fact, they were adding a wonderfully warm glow to them. Needless to say, I started taking pictures as fast as I could! Then, in an instant, the sun moved; and the moment was gone.

I said earlier that I got lucky. That’s only partly true. If I had just been standing around waiting for the shot I hoped was coming at sunset, I could never have gotten set up in time to catch this fleeting moment. Because I was constantly looking, composing and staying aware of the possibilities, I got a shot that I otherwise would have missed.

Even if you’re not a photographer, this is a good lesson. As much as possible, try to stay in the moment. Life is full of beauty that pops up all of a sudden and just as quickly is gone. Keep your eyes open and look around you – it’s there waiting to be found.

(As for that shot I was hoping would work out when the sun went down – stay tuned. . . .)

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Sometimes the picture picture you intend to get and the one you fall in love with at a given location just aren’t the same.

Whenever I go to Chattanooga, I prefer to get off the interstate at Fort Payne, Alabama and take the scenic route along the top of Lookout Mountain. Believe it or not, even though it is associated with Chattanooga, most of Lookout Mountain is actually in Alabama. The Little River flows along the top of it, carving out the Little River Canyon. Besides being very beautiful, the area also offers excellent white water rafting.

As you can imagine, any river that runs on a mountain is bound to have waterfalls; and the Little River is no exception. On the West Fork near Mentone you can find DeSoto Falls. It is quite impressive, dropping into a canyon of its own in the rocky terrain. I always like to stop there to try to photograph the falls and enjoy their setting.

What, you may ask, does any of this have to do with the rather placid, peaceful photograph accompanying this article? The small lake pictured is immediately above the falls. As usual, I had gone straight down the trail to the viewpoint for the falls. I took a few shots; but I was short on time, so I headed back to the car. At the last minute, I looked back towards the lake and immediately was struck by the contrast of the red boathouse and its reflection with the green foliage and pale flowering shrubs. Time or not, I just had to capture that image. It turned out to be one of my favorite pictures ever.

The point of all this is that sometimes we get so caught up with the “big picture” or the location we’re “supposed” to be photographing that we risk missing equally beautiful opportunities along the way. I always recommend stopping to look in all directions as you travel. You never know what you may be missing right behind you.

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Biedenharn Candy Co., Vicksburg, Mississippi

A few weekends ago my friend Allen was in a “Get Out Of Town” mood, so she asked if I’d like to ride over to Vicksburg with her for the afternoon.  Since I live in a “Get Out Of Town” mood, I was all for it.  We piled in the car with Everest and hit the road.

The plan was to go to some galleries in the old downtown section of Vicksburg so Allen could shop for a painting, then head out to the Vicksburg National Military Park so I could take some pictures.  However, the late afternoon sun was providing such wonderfully warm light on the west facing brick buildings that I just had to start shooting.

There was a small logistical problem with this, though – a small problem named Everest.  He’s a Shih Tzu and not very fond of the oppressive Mississippi heat.   He had to stay in the car with the air conditioner going, which meant one of us had to stay with him; so we took turns.  Allen would go in a gallery and do her shopping while I scoped out anything I wanted to shoot.  When she got through, she’d get back in the car; and I’d jump out and do my thing as quickly as possible.  Then we’d drive down the street to the next gallery and repeat the process.

I particularly wanted to get some pictures of Biedenharn Candy Co., famous for being the first place Coca-Cola was bottled.  Naturally, I didn’t want cars covering up the front of the building, so I worked hard to find angles that had the most aesthetic appeal with the least automotive distraction.  I thought I managed to get some fairly decent ones, so I headed to the car.  On the way, I glanced back and noticed a motorcycle parked on my side of the street and immediately thought of my friend Marvin, who loves to ride.  I decided I’d get a shot of Biedenharn’s with the motorcycle in front of it as a nod to him.  I took the picture, jumped back in the car, and off we went.

Well, the picture that was really an afterthought turned out to be the best one of the day!  That’s the way it goes sometimes, though; your instinct takes over without bothering to tell your brain why.  So here’s to Allen and Marvin, my two friends who made this shot possible.

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The story behind this photo is a little long, so please bear with me.  You won’t find the picture in my portfolio on Nature’s Drama, nor will there be a link at the end to purchase it.  When you read the story, you’ll understand why.

I love Rocky Mountain National Park more than any other place on earth.  It’s as simple as that.  By all accounts, Jeff Christensen loved Rocky Mountain National Park, too.  In fact, he had the job I’ve always wished I could have ended up in – he was a Rocky Mountain National Park Ranger.  The very thought of getting to spend all summer in RMNP – and get paid to do it – sounded like paradise.  I hope that’s how Jeff saw it; I expect it is.

On Friday, July 29, 2005, Jeff set out on foot patrol.  He was headed to the Mummy Range area of the park.  As it so happens, the very next day I arrived at Rocky Mountain National Park.  I was there to meet 20+ friends from RMNP Forums, a website I help administer.  We had a pretty full week planned – a group hike on the Ute Trail from the Alpine Visitors Center to Milner Pass, a get together picnic, and a work project in conjunction with the National Parks Service.  I was looking forward to the week with great anticipation, but that all changed even before I arrived.  By then I knew that Ranger Jeff Christensen had not returned from his Friday patrol.  A massive search was launched, but so far he had not been found.

The search continued throughout the week.  We all wished we could do something to help; but short of praying, it seemed out of our hands.  That being the case, we carried on with our plans.  The group hike was a great success; the fellowship at the picnic was wonderful.  Unfortunately, our work day got rained out.  (We showed up but were not surprised when the NPS didn’t; no doubt they were busy with a more important issue than revegitation at Sprague Lake.)  Everywhere we went, we saw signs of the search that dragged on and on – helicopters flying overhead, media trailers at the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center, solemn faces all around.  Hope faded as our group broke up and headed on our different ways.

Saturday, August 6 was my last full day in the park.    I went to the annual Rocky Mountain Nature Association Picnic that morning.  Park Superintendent Baker spoke to us briefly before rejoining the search efforts.  I  stopped by the Longs Peak Trailhead to leave a note for Aaron, the Forums’ founder, and his friend John and then headed out for a hike up Lily Mountain.  It was late in the day, so I turned around before making it to the top.  That worked out well, because I had a voice mail from Aaron suggesting I meet them for supper.  I freshened up and went to meet them.

The first thing Aaron told me was the news we were all dreading but had come to realize was inevitable – the body of Ranger Jeff Christensen had been found by a hiker that afternoon in the Mt. Ypsilon area.  Eventually, we learned that he had fallen sometime the afternoon he set out, suffered serious head wounds and died shortly thereafter.

The members of RMNP Forums wanted to do something to honor Jeff, so we raised money to donate in his memory for search and rescue equipment.  That just didn’t seem like enough, though.  Marv, our other administrator, came up with an additional idea.  He suggested we observe July 29, the day Jeff died, as “Thank a Ranger Day.”  Each year, members send cards to the rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park thanking them for all they do, in memory of Ranger Jeff Christensen.  This year, we have begun the process of expanding “Thank a Ranger Day” nationwide, suggesting that anyone who loves a national park take this opportunity to let its rangers know how much they are appreciated.  Hopefully, as the years go by, this idea will catch on and grow as it deserves to.

I’ve already mailed my card for this year.  Nonetheless, I want to say a public “Thank You” to all the rangers out there.  Most especially, thank you, Ranger Jeff Christensen.  Every time I go to Rocky Mountain National Park, I will think of you.

Aspen Trunks on Fall River Road

Everybody’s sure to have seen those commercials where the tag line is to declare something “priceless.” You probably have some experience you feel that way about, possibly even several.  For me, high on the list is spending time in Rocky Mountain National Park during the fall.  There’s just so much to savor there during September and October.  For one thing, the weather cools off; and snow is always a possibility.  Another draw is elk bugling.  You have never lived until you experience the spectacle of a huge, manly elk raising his head and emitting a screech that puts a traffic cop’s whistling to shame!  Trust me, there’s nothing to match it!

Then there are the aspens.  They begin changing colors at the higher elevations; then, like a golden flame marching down the mountainside, the show migrates slowly to the lower areas.  While it’s difficult to predict “Peak Week,” any time during the last two weeks in September through the first week in October should provide outstanding color somewhere.  This grove, on Fall River Road, is one of the best spots to catch the fall foliage in all its glory.

Yes, autumn in Rocky Mountain National Park is priceless, indeed!

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I’ll admit up front, this is one of my favorite photographs. The contrast of the colors, the beads of water, the vivid purple – I just love it all. The best part about it, though, is that I took this right in my own back yard. No expensive travel was involved, no scouting for locations; I just walked right out my back door, camera in hand, and started shooting whatever took my fancy. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the results.

Sometimes I think we forget there’s beauty all around us, even right where we live. All we have to do is open our eyes to find it. It may takes a bit of intentionality to discover it, but it’s out there waiting for you. When was the last time you walked out into your back yard on a safari for the sublime? What are you missing that’s right under your nose? I challenge you to go on a photo scavenger hunt this very weekend. You may be amazed at what you’re missing! Happy hunting!

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Grand Canyon Rainstorm

This could also just as easily have been titled “The Photograph That Almost Wasn’t.” A couple of years ago, my best friend and I decided to go on a trip to Arizona together. We started out in Scottsdale and then shifted up to Sedona for a few days. As it happens, you can drive to the Grand Canyon and back in a day from Sedona, but it makes for a long day. We decided that if we got motivated to get on the road really early one morning we’d go; but if not, we’d skip it since we’d both been there before. Needless to say, the urge to get up at the crack of dawn never struck. On our last morning in Sedona, we talked it over and decided it was too late for a Grand Canyon run but that we’d head up Oak Creek Canyon and then figure out what we wanted to do after that.

Eventually, we made our way up to the top of the canyon. By that time we were hungry, so we decided to drive on to Flagstaff for lunch. Once we’d eaten, we weren’t really ready to head back, so we said we’d drive up Highway 180, a scenic route that takes you past Humphreys Peak, until we felt like turning around. I made note that if we got to the end of Highway 180, we could always loop back down Highway 64 to the interstate.

Here’s the thing – if you get to the end of Highway 180, you’re only about 30 miles south of the Grand Canyon. We both knew that, just like we’d both secretly known for several hours that we were going to the Grand Canyon. I don’t remember which of us finally stated what was by now quite obvious. It really doesn’t matter. Around 3:00 pm, we arrived at the one place we had said we were not going that day.

Photographing the Grand Canyon in the middle of the day is very tricky. The sun really washes out the beautiful colors, and any scattered clouds floating overhead cast shadows that detract from the scenery. In an incredible stroke of luck for me, though, a rainstorm passed over the canyon just as we were arriving. The overcast skies made a stark contrast to the red of the canyon walls, and the rain falling in the distance added drama to the setting. It was a photographer’s paradise.

When I got back home, everybody who saw the photographs I took that day urged me to offer them for sale. In fact, a 16 X 20 of this very picture was the first one someone ordered. Thus was born Nature’s Drama Photography!

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Welcome to Nature’s Drama Photography. Through these posts, you’ll learn the stories behind the photographs that are available for purchase at Nature’s Drama. You’ll also get a chance to give your feedback on your likes and dislikes, your preferences and what you’d like to see added or changed.

I would also like to draw your attention to an affiliated website, MountainDrama, which is specifically about Rocky Mountain National Park. If you happen to see a photograph on MountainDrama that you would like to purchase but can’t find on Nature’s Drama, please feel free to email me. If at all possible, I’ll add it to Nature’s Drama.

I look forward to hearing from you.