Yellowstone - Undine Falls & Landscapes

As many of my friends already know I sprained my ankle back in Bozeman on the Cottonwood Trail. What a bummer. But, have limped along all the way over to the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park at Gardiner, Montana.

Got in around noon and good thing I did too because everything around here is booked solid. Got one of the last RV sites at Rocky Mountain RV. We are at the end of the line at the back of the lot but we are grateful to have that!

Set ourselves up and headed out to the park. Didn't have a lot of time but I snagged a couple of images. It was an awesome afternoon/evening!

The rest of the images are just some random shots I took.

The above photo was actually taken on the road into Gardiner. What you see is the Gallatin Range and the Yellowstone River. It isn't called Paradise Valley for nothing!

Yarrow and Sage

Undine Falls

Fall colors are starting to show and they really paint the landscape.

Clouds and sky were doing there thing!

We just keep hobbling along hoping to find that next slice of heaven!

©Kinsey Barnard Photogrpahy

Wood Ranch aka The Apple Orchard 05-09-10

Koty and I took a hike over at the Wood Ranch. Folks around here refer to it as The Apple Orchard. The ranch was an old homestead that was traded to the state some years back. It is now winter range for elk and mountain sheep. It also has, IMO, the best view you'll find of the Tobacco Valley. You will note some little ears at the bottom.

The Tobaccco Valley

They call it the Apple Orchard because the original apple trees are still standing. They are probably a hundred years old and are not in too good shape but the trees are there,  they do produced apples in the fall and the bears come for them every year.

The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. The fence is no longer standing.

The Apple Orchard

Everything that remains of the original settlers is falling away. The old cabin's roof has completely fallen in and soon all that will remain are the rock walls. I found this design in the collapsed roof that I thought was rather intriguing. It looks like some kind of face. There is also an old rusty nail and it's shadow.

The picture below is a photo of a large chunk of the old weathered wood that contains the image above. I rather find this old wood fascinating. The face is almost like a spirit in the wood.

Still not a lot of wildflowers about yet. Been too cold for things to really get underway. I realize dandelions are weeds. And, heavenly only knows I have directed a few unkind words their way for invading my lawn but I still think they are pretty little flowers.

Dandelions

And, of course, there is always Koty doing what he does best, hanging out looking good!

It was a lovely hike. Unfortunately, later in the afternoon I had to put down a sweet little white tail buck that someone ran over breaking his back. It makes me so mad. There was no need for it to happen except that the human cared for nothing but speeding mindlessly on a dirt road that you should never travel fast enough not to be able to avoid a confused creature. I'm not very happy with we humans today.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

AUTUMN LEAVES

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Pinkham Creek - Montana

In the Kootenai National Forest there are many creeks. I try to photograph as many as I can for each has it's own distinct beauty. Pinkham Creek is a local favorite for camping and fishing but at this time of year it is still deserted. As you can see there is some snow sticking around.

Pinkham Creek-Montana

Koty, my Siberian Husky nearly gave me a heat attack on this junket. Koty is always on a 16 foot retractable leash attached to me by a belt. If he weren't on a leash he'd be in the next county before I could call his name. Such is the nature of huskies. Click here to see photos of "The Beast".

Anyway, whilst I was studying the scene below Koty went over the bank to get a drink in the creek. I didn't think anything of it until I looked down. Without my realizing, he had leaped off what turned out to be a nearly six foot ledge and there was no way he wanted to try and jump back up. I took a nasty spill over Easter and sprained my ankle quite badly so there was no way I wanted to jump down. I was barely gimping around as it was. A momentary bit of a panic ensued.

Thanks be to the gods I had recently bought him a harness to use instead of a collar. After much cajoling I was able to get him to take a leap at the ledge where he got a tiny grip on the lip of the ledge and I was able to haul him up by the harness. That wasn't easy either, he weighs in at 65 pounds. This kind of excitement I can do without! :)

Pinkham Creek-Montana

As always I was looking for some special images that would portray the true beauty of the creek. I think I, as well as most people, are drawn to the effects of water flowing in slow motion.

What I like, in particular, about this image is the clarity above the fall showing the rocks under the water. Of course, everyone knows I am a bit daft but I could get lost in this photo for quite  time. Really, it's amazing that I'm not lost most of the time! Hmm, perhaps I am and don't know it!

The above photo is kind of a still life in motion. Of course that is a contradiction in terms but I think if you study on it you'll see what I mean.

Another point I would like to make is that I am frequently hearing people moaning about cloudy and/or rainy days keeping them from making good pictures. I say poppycock. Cloudy, rainy weather is awesome for getting deep and saturated color. Put on your raincoat and boots and get out there! It was showering the whole time on this shoot.

Be sure to check out The Liberated Photographer


©Kinsey Barnard Photography


 

CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS-COLORADO

I'd imagine pretty much everyone is familiar with Mesa Verde and it’s fabulous Anasazi ruins. But, there is a lesser-known place where you can view excellent ruins with far fewer people around to distract you from the siren calls of the ancients. It’s called Canyons of the Ancients. On the day I hiked the canyon I ran into one other person in a five hour period. My hike was in the middle of April not peak tourist season. But, even at peak I’d bet it would be far less crowded than Mesa Verde.


Canyon of the Ancients by Kinsey Barnard

Canyons of the Ancients only fairly recently received National Monument status, Clinton approved the designation in 2000. The area contains a huge number of archeological sites, approximately 6,000 have been found.

Anasazi stands for “The Ancient Ones” and are also referred to as Ancestral Puebloans. Archaeologists estimate the Anasazi people lived in these canyons as early at 7500 B.C. By the 13th century the Anasazi had disappeared from the area. Nobody knows why they left or where they went. It remains a highly debated mystery.


Canyon of the Ancients by Kinsey Barnard

I actually stumbled on this wonderful place by accident. My habit is to just take off and turn down any road that looks interesting or less traveled. I'm constantly trying to find nuggets that haven't been photographed to death. In any even it was a lucky day that I found this place.

It was a beautiful spring day with just the right mix of bright blue sky and puffy white clouds providing the perfect backdrop to the rich red rocks and sand. The twisted pinion pine made for some interesting and lovely settings.



Canyon of the Ancients by Kinsey Barnard

I didn't capture any photos of the ruins that I thought were anything special. Although the ruins are endlessly interesting to see they don't inspire me, artistically, as much as the natural landscape. If you want to see some ruin images a Google search will provide you with thousands.


Canyon of the Ancients by Kinsey Barnard

Scroll back to the first image. This is the spot where Koty and I sat to ponder this land and all it's mysteries. The wind was blowing at just the right velocity to create a sound that seemed almost like the ghost whispers of the Ancients. Because there were no other people or distractions I was able to let my imagination run wild and it was almost like being one with the Anasazi.

In my opinion Canyons of the Ancients is one place you do not want to miss if you are in the area.

Before you go visit the BLM Information Center. No need to fly by the seat of your pants like I do.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's been cold and snowy here in northwest Montana. So mostly I have been working on my tagging and cataloging. Gets pretty darned tedious until I find a gem which then renews my enthusiasm. There are sooooo many images I haven't reviewed yet.

For those of you kind enough to be concerned about Koty's health he seems to be doing just fine. He had a short relapse but he's good to go at the moment.

Koty and His Igloo

Koty loves his Igloo but naturally will not sit still in it if I want to take his picture. I also thought I would try and get an action shot or two but clearly I was off my game. If you've not tried to photograph a speeding bullet it really isn't that easy. It's a lot like bird shooting, you have to lead them just right. As soon as he caught on to what I was doing he wouldn't get far enough away from me to get a shot. Well, ok, at least you can see he's in fine fettle.

Part of Koty on the Fly

We did take a little meander along the Tobacco River. Winter has its own brand of beauty and it got me to thinking about the incredible artistry, energy and engineering that goes into making the river go from this ....

The Tobacco River in Winter

To this ....

Tobacco River in Autumn

I freely admit I like to fool around with the camera. You just can't always take things too seriously. My philosophy is to play as much as possible with the camera in the woods. It's just fun to see things and shoot them just to find out how they might turn out. For me that's one of the most wonderful things about digital. In the old days the film I shot cost over fifteen dollars per roll of thirty-six. I wasn't nearly so playful in those days. I shot this just for fun and I kinda like it. It's kinda cool.

Sunset

And now for my photo pick of the week. I really like this one and believe it or not this is not filtered. It was taken before the sun came up and at a very high ISO. It was beautiful to the eye but was not nearly as pretty a shade of blue. Photography is quite often like a box of chocolates. You never know what you've got until you get them out of the camera.


Winter Morning by Kinsey Barnard

Well, that about does it for 2009! It was a great year and Koty and I are looking forward to 2010 being even better. I think each year keeps getting better for us because we know there are so few left and we have to make the most of them whilst we still can.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Graves Creek - Snow Canyon, UT

Not a lot going on this week. Just finishing picking up wood and getting it under shelter. Had one bit of excitement. The drain pipe out at the big pond got stuffed up with aspen leaves.

Koty and I were out patrolling, as we usually do in the fall. As I neared Walden Pond I noticed I was walking in water. That wasn't supposed to be. When I got to the pond I could see the drain pipe was clogged. I thought it had somehow gotten clogged at the intake but further investigation revealed it was at the outtake. When I pulled the plug, about two feet of compact leaves, it opened up the flood gates. I had water coming out a six inch pipe for over an hour full bore. There was water everywhere!

We did take a hike up Graves Creek aka Ten Lakes Scenic Area. The only fall color we are getting this year is from the larch. But, there color isn't normal either. They are much more orange than usual.

Ten Lakes Scenic Area

It turned out to be a very pleasant fall day and although there wasn't much too photograph it was a great walk in the fall sun.

At this time last year we were traveling down I-15 on our way to the desert. There was much fall color on the road.

Cottonwood Along I-15

Our first stop was at St. George where we spent time at Snow Canyon and Zion National Park.

Snow Canyon

I couldn't get over how St. George has grown. It's spread out all over the place. Last time I was through, probably 35 years earlier it was barely a wide spot in the highway. Now it looks like retirement central.

Snow Canyon

©Kinsey Barnard

NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT-THE ANASAZI

We continue our cleanup operations here at the ranch. But, my biggest challenge this week was trying to get my irrigation system up and watering. Every time I think I've got everything set I turn on the pump and another pipe springs a leak. And, every time I make a repair the cement wants me to wait at least 24 hours before turning the pump on again. Thank goodness the monsoon has finally arrived buying me a little time.

Needless to say I didn't have time for us to have an adventure. Koty's nose is well and truly bent out of shape. He lives for our outings.

Instead I return to our adventures in Monument Valley. The day was March 22nd 2009 and I decided we should go take a look at the Navajo National Monument. Navajo National Monument features well-preserved ruins of villages left behind about 1300 by prehistoric Pueblo Indians -- the Kayenta Anasazi. Built and occupied for only 50 years, the ruins represent the final settlement of farmers who adapted to the area's scarce rainfall to grow crops, build houses and raise families, then mysteriously move on.

The main ruin, Betatakin, can be viewed from across the canyon via a very short walk or you can take a guided tour and go down into the canyon. The monument is at 7,300ft. and it was cold with ice and snow still on the ground. Koty wouldn't be allowed on the tour so we settled on the view from the top.

BETATAKIN RUIN

The Anasazi mystery is quite compelling. Nearly everyone one you talk to has a different theory as to why they built their villages where they did and what caused them to disappear. I wonder if they weren't just chased into obscurity by hostile forces (tribes). My sense is that these people were cliff dwellers out fear. Who or what they feared is anyone's guess.

BETATAKIN RUINS

Wandering around on the trail above the canyon I spied this cactus basking in the morning sun. I love to photograph native plants and I thought this lighting was quite nice.

CACTUS SUNNING

The landscapes here were quite stunning but then the landscapes everywhere in this area are breathtaking. If you like color the Four Corners is the place for you.

NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT

We wandered around the trails for a time taking in all the beauty. One of the nice things about coming at this time of year is that you pretty much have the place to yourself which really lets one revel in the beauty and mystique. It's very peaceful and one can let their imagination run wild. I know mine did.

NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT

On the way back to Goulding we found ourselves caught in a hellacious dust storm. By the time we got to the Goulding turn off I couldn't see two feet in front of me. I thanked the gods that the full force didn't strike until we were close to home. We made it up the hill to the RV park and hid in Clementine for the rest of the afternoon.

I have really never experienced anything like it. The wind blew so hard that the windows bowed and the red dust came pouring in. It didn't help that the park is located in a narrow canyon and the rigs have to park perpendicular to the walls so the wind just screamed down the canyon and broadsided us. It also didn't help that there were no rigs above us to make a windbreak. Poor Clemmie she took the blasts full on. I don't think we will ever get all of the red dust out of her. It permeated everything.

Monument Valley quite dramatically demonstrates the dichotomy that is the very nature of nature. One moment She will show you beauty that will break your heart and the next She will show you, in no uncertain terms, that beauty is a gift not a given.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Hiking, Clouds and Reflections

05-09-2002

I've been working in the forest, trying to make a dent in the damage that was done by the windstorm. Man, am I out of shape. That six month photo shoot in the south has taken it's toll. Three hours and I'm down for the count. My arms getting so tired I can barely hold up the chainsaw. All the while Koty watches wondering when will will go hiking. Of course, after working with the chainsaw there isn't anything left for a hike. But, I promised Koty I would take him for a hike today and I always try and keep my promises.

I decided we should take the hike to the Marina via Swisher Lake. It was one of those days in Montana when the clouds were strutting their stuff. I love clouds, they are like living things, shape shifting and gliding along. I think we have exceptional clouds here. I love to photograph them.



On the way we popped into little Tetrault Lake where folks were trying their hand at a little morning angling. The lake was placid and once again there were those beautiful clouds reflecting in the water.



It's about a quarter of a mile walk into Swisher Lake from the road. It too is a little thing but very tranquil. This morning it was particularly peaceful. There was a coyote sipping at the shore and a pair of Canada Geese paddling serenely along. I have no photograph of the scene as I didn't have the proper lens to make anything worthwhile. Some things that I see just remain photographed in my memory. I guess I'm selfish but I like that.



Soon the geese paddled away, the coyote wandered off into the forest and so did we. The Swisher/Marina trail is about six and a half miles long if you go all the way to the marina which is right on the border with British Columbia. It's a very nice trail, no motorized vehicles allowed.

Today I had two objectives in mind, besides giving Koty his promised walk. One was to check for wildflowers and the other was to check out an old snag where some owls had made their nest last year. There were some wildflowers. I thought the one below was quite lovely. I haven't looked it up yet so I don't know what it is besides pretty. Isn't that enough? Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be anyone home at the snag.



We didn't make it all the way to the marina because I kept taking side trips. On one side trip we wandered down to the shore of the Koocanusa. The lake (reservoir really) runs about ninety miles from Libby Dam straight into British Columbia. It got it's name from Koo (kootenai) can (Canada) usa (USA) hokey but appropriate. The lake is still pretty low because the snow still isn't melting much. I thought last spring was cold. This spring has been even colder than last year. No global warming here, quite the opposite. We did find a place where water was just coming right out of the bank and flowing into the lake. Koty especially liked this discovery as he was thirsty.



I'd say we probably made it a little more than half way to the marina before I decided it was time to turn back. Koty did not like that idea one bit. I keep thinking Koty is going to slow down a little. After all he is going to be ten in October but absolutely no sign of it yet. He is now older than I am and has ten times the energy. Not fair!



On the way home we passed by Sophie Lake. I love to photograph reflections. This one was of clouds, Mt. Baldy and the Galton Range. Could a painter create anything more beautiful? I think not.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Well, lucky for us, the weather did hold and we set out for Moab. We knew we could get a place in Green River but hoped for the best and a place in Moab, which is significantly closer to the parks.




We arrived in Moab and much to our delight we found a slot. But, believe me there were not a lot of them to be had. But, one was all we needed.







As soon as we got settled in we took a drive up along the Colorado River. The river wasn't too scenic as it looked like chocolate milk. It still looks like Easter week in Moab. The place is jumping and jiving. Jeeps and other off road vehicles are everywhere. If you don't have your own there are lots of place that will rent them to you.





Yesterday we got up bright and early and headed to Arches National Park. The photos I am displaying are all of Arches. At the moment, the wind is blowing a gale again and the sky looks like chocolate milk. So, I'm having time to go through yesterday's shoot.

I really love the rock formations, like the above. No human sculptor could create anything more beautiful IMO.



I must admit I was in awe of this park. There were so many beautiful things to shoot I was somewhat overwhelmed. Also, the park was amazingly full of tourists. I'm sure I made plenty of folks annoyed as I dawdled along. Why people want to go sixty in a scenic park is beyond me. It's like zoom, zoom been there done that! I think you would have to spend days in there in order to drink it all in. It is truly a magnificent place.



Koty wasn't a very happy camper. As usual he couldn't get out except to go potty. Most of the best arches are on trails and because Koty can't go I'm not leaving him in the car. Anyway, so far haven't seen any photos of arches that send me any place but I figured I'd better include one in here for good orders sake.



We spent the entire day in the park. So, there is not a lot of story to go with this. Just me stopping every two minutes. My bigest complaint is that you can only pull over where they have made space for it. And, I must admit they missed so much photographic good stuff. I was going nuts.



Apparently, other folks may have seen some of the same things because apparently they had been pulling on to the shoulder wherever the mood struck them. The park people have gone around and made a big gouge in the shoulder to discourage stoppers. But, boy you need to be careful. Until you catch on it's very difficult to see the trenches. We darned near fell in one and it would have high centered poor little Shadow for sure.



We made it without misadventures and sure wish we could be out there right now. But, Clementine is rocking and rolling in this wind and if you venture out you get grit in your teeth. I reckon we are going to be stuck in here for the day.

Hope you enjoy this sampling. I'm getting a little lazy so I didn't put the "High Res" thingy under each image. It's a pain in the patookie. So, for those interested in seeing the larger high res photos just go to my LANDSCAPES GALLERY and you'll find them all there.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography
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MOTHER NATURE THROWS ME A BONE

Well, after driving down hundreds of miles of dusty roads and hiking many, many trails Mother Nature finally relented and let me see her beauty once again. I don't think I have ever worked so hard to photograph a subject. The desert is a real challenge for this photographer.

Photography is a lot like life. If you persevere eventually you will be rewarded. Your pot of gold is out there somewhere. Never stop believing.

VIEW IN HIGH RESOLUTION

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

WABASSO WONDER

Hope you aren't tiring of lake landscapes. I'm certainly enjoying them. This photo is of Wabasso Lake in Jasper National Park. I get a real sense of "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh" when I look at it. Which is the point of this exercise. Have a great day!

View High Resolution Image

©Kiinsey Barnard Photography

MARGARITAVILLE

Ok, boys and girls, it's the weekend. It's been a tough week for a lot of people as the stock market swooned and thousands lost their jobs. Take a deep breath. Forget your worries. Enjoy yourselves. And remember, sunsets are free!

©Kinsey Barnard Photography