First Camp of the Year!

I was invited to go camping with a few folks from work last weekend. We went up to the Mogollon Rim (pronounced Mug-E-On) this time. We drove a little off the beaten path and set up a primitive campsite right on the rim itself. I love camping there, since the views are unbelievable. Did a little hiking, took some photos and just relaxed. Hopefully we can get back at least one more time before the summer ends. It gets pretty cold up there early.

Here's Camp! (HDR)

Look! There are Trees in Arizona! (HDR)

Rusty and Heather

Jason and Rusty

Cassie Loves Camp Food!

Self Portrait

I Found This Cool Bumpy Tree (HDR)

Did I Mention the View was Awesome? (HDR)

I Sat on the Edge of That Ledge to Take Panorama Photos. Talk About a Real Pucker Inducer! =:0 (HDR)

Panorama of the Whole View in HDR! (Click Image for Large Panorama)

Did I Mention the Wind Gusts On This Ledge? =:0 (HDR)

1hr & 40min Exposure of the Stars Traveling

McDowell Mountains

I took advantage of a free afternoon to take a little landscape photography. I live just a few minutes from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, which offers wide open spaces and decent views of the McDowell Mountains.

I took a few HDR photos which came out pretty decent, then had a brief run-in with the Indian police, who informed me "they" don't want people "out here." I asked for clarification, and the police officer informed me that "they" were "the Indians" and "out here" was "on the Rez." Strange position for a tribe to take that is currently spending millions of dollars on a new Casino and Hotel to attract more people "out here."

State Route 101 Runs Through the Reservation (HDR)

This SRPMIC Marker is all Along The Edges of the Reservation (HDR)

The McDowell Mountains Border Scottsdale and the Rez (HDR)

Señor Saguaro (HDR)

Closeup of the Mountains (HDR)

Time to Leave The Rez! (HDR)

Ignite 3

I attended Ignite 3 last week. Paul invited me, and it seems to be mostly a networking event for Phoenix's creative and technology communities. Basically, people take turns giving 5 minute presentations on whatever interests them, then answer questions afterward. It was interesting, but would probably need a few changes to attract more working professionals in other industries. The primary issue I had was the venue and timing. It was in Tempe on a Wednesday night, which is tough when you have to get up early for work downtown the next morning. I'd be much more inclined to attend if it were on a weekend. Nonetheless, there were a few pretty interesting presentations, and Paul's speech was well done and well received by the audience.

Ignite 3 Was at the Tempe Center for the Arts

Paul Gave a Presentation on Solar Power

Flashbulbs = Evil Lord Solar

Arthur and His Girlfriend Came

The TCA is Really Nice

There are Lots of Water Features (HDR)

And It's Right on Tempe Town Lake (HDR)

An Inflatable Dam Ends the Artificial Lake

And Separates it From the Desert

Colorado

I just returned from Louisville Colorado, and boy is it good to be home! Colorado is home to the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), and that's where I've been working my butt off for the past week. NITA has a pretty intensive litigation program, and I picked up a lot of good trial tips. However, they had me working from about 6am to 10pm every day of the trip. Sadly, that meant I didn't get out much to take photos. :(

Another thing that caught me off guard was how different Colorado is from what I envisioned it as being. I kind of assumed there would be... you know... mountains and trees there. In reality, it's flat as far as you can see and consists mostly of dead grassy plains. Caught me totally off guard. It's how I envisioned Montana would look. Maybe I should go to Montana now, and see if it looks like how I envisioned Colorado.

This is Colorado!

Denver International Airport

Long SuperShuttle Ride from DIA to Louisville

I Stayed at the Omni Interlocken

Flags in the Battleground State

Front of the Hotel

Nice Lobby Sitting Room

Hotel Pool & Golf Course

My Room!

One Last Look at CO Before Leaving...

Electric Palms

Every now and again, I like to just take photos of things around my house. It's a good exercise in subject spotting.

These Uplit Trees are in a Strip-Mall Near My Home

Monsoon Season

Arizona may be hot as hell, but every year we get a nice break from the heat when the monsoons sweep in. Heavy rain, heavy wind, and heavy lightning always make for a nice end to the sweltering summer.

The storms are just starting to ramp up for this year, so I took a photo of this one coming in over the McDowell Mountains near my house.

It's That Time of the Year Again!
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

Springtime at Squaw Peak

Spring is in the air! And along with it is some awesome outdoor weather. I drove down to Squaw Peak today (also known as Piestewa Peak) and did a little hiking.

Unfortunately I wasn't the only one who had this idea, as the Summit Trail was packed. I went half-way up the mountain before coming back because the crowds were just too much. It was still a good workout though, and I took a few photos as well!

Only a 1.2 Mile Hike... Up a 1,200ft Elevation Change!

I Like the Wristwatch Affixed to the Map Board

Summit Trail is the Only Pet-Unfriendly Trail. Too Rocky and Steep

Too... Many... People!

Downtown Phoenix on the Left, Uptown on the Right

Closeup of Downtown from Faaaar Away

Grand Canyon!

Took some time and made the drive up to visit our local natural wonder, the Grand Canyon. You know, I've lived in Arizona most of my life and never really get around to visiting the Canyon. I think I recall going once as a kid, but that's it.

Canon was having one of their Photography in the Parks workshops on the South Rim, so I figured I would go check it out and maybe get a few photography tips at the same time. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had another plan and the Canon people bugged out when the lightning starting coming after them.

That's okay though. I still got to take a lot of photos, do some light hiking, and enjoy several hours out of the normal scorching temperature of the desert. I can learn about the histogram function on my camera another day...

Looking out into the Canyon from the South Rim

That Squirrel is Flaunting the Park Rules!

Yes, He's Real. And not Afraid of Anyone!

Uh-oh, Storm is Moving in over El Tovar

Spooky Tree Clawing at the Storm

Wait, why is Paul taking Telephoto Photos facing away from the Canyon? Must be the Local Wildlife...

Is that what I look like when I take People's Photos?

And we begin our Descent into the Canyon...

...but not too Far!

Who's Toes can those be?

Heather's of Course!

A panoramic shot of the Canyon from the South Rim. Sorry, didn't use my Exposure Lock, so you have to deal with color-changing sky.
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

Red Rock Country

Mary and I made a day trip up to Sedona, Arizona. Lots of pretty red rock country up there, and Mary got to do some outlet shopping on the way. We went for a brief hike up near Cathedral Rock, but Mary balked when I tried to cross the river. Oh well, maybe we'll get further next time.

Yep, It's Sedona!

This Church is Built into the Rocks. It's Pretty Cool

Cathedral Rock. Large

That's as Far as Mary is Going...

Cathedral Rock over the River

Papago Mountains

One of the advantages of braving the heat in Phoenix is that you are consistently rewared with the most beautiful sunsets on the face of the planet.

Earlier this week I took an evening out to hike the buttes at Papago Park, a Sonoran Desert preserve. As expected, the views were breathtaking and I even saw some fellow hikers conquering a taller bluff which I'll have to try on my next visit.

A Sherriff's helicopter does a pass-by to check if all the hikers are okay

Self portrait

A strange "inverse cloud" casts light instead of shadow due to the angle of the sun

The hot sun begins to set over uptown Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix is visable via telephoto lens

The sun hides behind some fleeting desert storm clouds

The sun finally sets behind the Papago Buttes

A purple desert night sky sets in

And a drastic nightime chill sets over the desert

All in all, I had a good hike. Despite the amazing heat and scorching sun, it was quite refreshing to get out of the office/legal world for a brief few hours and enjoy some good, down to earth nature.

South and Camelback Mountains

With the large number of storms we've had lately, the skies above Phoenix have been unusually clear, offering fantastic views of the valley. I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to lug my equipment to high ground and get some haze-free shots of the valley and surrounding mountains.

First, I took some photos from the top of South Mountain, located on the south side of Phoenix. (Hence the name.) The great thing about South Mountian is that you can drive all the way to the top, allowing for great photos with minimal strain on the body. Camelback mountain on the other hand, is a far different story. If you've ever seen Mission Impossible 2 where he's climbing the vertical rock wall, you've pretty much seen what Camelback Mountain is like. It is a serious hike/climb with several near-vertical sections. It took me an hour and a half of grueling work to get to the top. (Read: don't expect more Camelback shots for a while.)

Luckilly Paul was around again to help carry the tripod and equipment up the mountain. I most definately would have plummeted to my death off of some rock wall or something without him.

The sun nestles into the western landscape, ending another beautiful day

Blowing dust creates a brilliant sunset over the desert

Nothing is left but an orange glow after the sun has gone

And a purple sky marks the transition to night

Scaling one of the cliff-faces. Notice the tiny people and buildings in the background

Paul fights the high winds to brace and set up a tripod

Time for a brief glamour shot with the McDowell Mountains in the background

Looking north towards Squaw Peak and the homes nestled at its base

Paul precariously perches on a small peak

Just happy to have survived the climb!

Thanks for looking through my photos! Perhaps someday when my hands, feet, and lungs have healed, I'll be willing to climb Camelback again for some more photos. Until then, take care and I'll see you on my next trip!

Hayden Butte

As I do regularly, I took the time to hike up Hayden Butte and take some photos from high above the valley. Not only does the Butte offer some spectacular views, but it provides me with that exercise one rarely gets in law school.

Hayden Butte is located next to downtown Tempe and is an easy to moderate hike. It is often called 'A' Mountain due to the large 'A' (for Arizona State University) located on it. My friends Mike and Paul proved excellent hiking buddies and even allowed me to rest briefly on the way up. I really need to exercise more often.




An F-16 streaks across the golden afternoon sky

A passenger jet passing close by to land at Sky Harbor International

Another jet passes over the broadcast antenna on top of the Butte

A panoramic shot of the early evening sky
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

The sun creates a pastel sky on a cloudless evening...

...and stunning hues on a cloud-filled one

The sunset creates a dramatic burning hill effect

And a wider shot shows the deep blue sky lurking above

South Mountain looks ominous as it grows dark

A panoramic of the horizon
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

Mike poses for a shot with the cityscape

'M' is for Mike. Always bring a flashlight when night hiking. ;)

Paul with a stormy night behind him

Sparadic storm clouds roam the night horizon
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

One final late night panorama before the hike back down to civilization
(Click Image for Large Panorama)

Thanks for looking through my photos!