I Wanna Be a Cowboy

Summer time in Phoenix brings out the camper in all of us.  When the temps hit 110+ we all head for the high country.  And that would be Flagstaff or Payson.  So this past weekend we made it to Flag for a weekend of camping and cooler temperatures.

After checking in, we were told the Southwest Gunfighters would be performing on Saturday.  Having a 3 year old boy guaranteed that we would not miss this one (or would we?).  Saturday morning came and after a late breakfast we made our way to the gunfight. The actors gave a brief history of their troup and an explanation of the firearms they would be using.  Come to find out they use real guns with blanks.  This could be fun. 

Just as the show was starting my son looked up and said, "I have to potty".  Hmm.  Nearest bathroom back up the hill towards the camper or find a tree.  Confident I could make it back in time to see part of the show we opted for the restroom.  Hmm.  Never underestimateate how long a 3 year old can take on the potty.

Just as we got back the gunfighters and townspeople were taking their bows.  So much for the show.  They were handing out bandanas to all the kids so we jumped in line.  One of the cowboys was gracious enough to tie Cole's bandanna on and pose for this picture. 

I love B&W images and pretty much anything from the "wild west" always looks good in monochrome.

Taken with a Canon 40D, 17-40L, and post processed with Adobe Lightroom 3.

Yippie ki-yay!!

You just never know

A few weekends we were camping just outside of Payson AZ.  The area we were at is known as the Mogollon Rim (or just simply The Rim).  It was a weekend of on-off rain that always makes camping trips interesting. Needless to say here in AZ we never complain about getting rain.

On our descent back into Phoenix we drove through some of the thickest fog I've ever seen.  Not wanting to miss the opportunity I pulled off on the side of the road and start popping the shutter.  My wife was not real happy with me as I stood in the middle of a fog covered highway shooting pictures.  I have to agree it wasn't one of my smarter moves, but none the less I was able to get this shot.  I love the angle and the eeriness of this shot.

Until next time...

Pics from last night's shoot

A few shots of the Spire by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

First Thoughts

Hello and welcome to my first attempt at describing the world around me as it spins. The main focus of this blog will be to discuss all things photography.   However I will reserve the right to throw in occasional random topics such as Jayhawk Basketball or offroading.  I do hope this journey leads me and who ever else is along for the ride down a path that is fun and educational.  Otherwise what is the point! :) 

Tonight I will be shooting some night pics of Frank Lloyd Wright's Spire in Scottsdale AZ.  Its an interesting design that was originally proposed for the Arizona State Capital.  This should be a fun outing as I'm meeting my fellow photogs from the AZ Shutterbug Meetup group. 

Pics will follow shortly.

Until then...