Palo Duro Canyon – Part 6

October 21, 2023 by Michael

Welcome to part 6-Chasing the Sunset!

After resting up from our horeback adventure and having a good dinner at Joe Taco in Canyon, thanks to the recommendation of Kristin at Palo Duro Riding Stables, we headed back to the canyon to try and chase the light for some sunset photography. On our way back to the canyon, we spotted this windmill, just as some color began to creep into the sky.

After entering the park we began to have doubts about any chance of a sunset as we noticed that the sky began to be covered with a solid sheet of cloud. This is not helpful for a colorful sunset, or any sunset at all for that matter. But we began to try and make the most of it, taking shots as we could before the sky, and light, was completely gone.

We drove from place to pace, trying to find the best spot to catch the sunset. With the cloud cover iit was difficult to know exactly where the sun would be peaking out in order to frame it properly. Eventually, the clouds did part and we were able to finish up our time at Palo Duro Canyon with these photographs. At this point, words will simply get in the way, so enjoy our final moments in the Canyon.

Michael taking his shots at the sunset light (no hat needed)

While this brings a close to our time at Palo Duro Canyon, tomorrow we travel a little to the south to visit the Caprock Canyon State Park where there will be more canyon scenes and some wildlife. Be sure to tune in for that episode of the blog.

Michael & Karen

Cristina and Lucy

April 13, 2022 by Michael

Remember back in 2019 when I posted that changes were a-coming? The idea was that I would be adding more portrait photography into my work. Then, just as things were picking up, 2020 happened and we all know what that year brought. 2021 wasn’t much better and the last thing on most people’s mind was new portraits. The economy was tanking and a large portion of the world was hunkering down in their homes. Now we are in 2022. And while still having its own challenges, it is starting to see people get out and mingle once again. And for me, I had the chance to get out and mingle “wildlife” and portrait photography together in one session when I was asked to do a senior shoot for Christina and her horse, Lucy! Of course, you know I jumped at that opportunity!

We met at a local ranch where Lucy stays, and the shoot began. We started by allowing Lucy to get used to me and the equipment. As much as I love animals, I also respect them, especially when they are much larger than me. I let her smell me, my camera, exposed her to the flash, and all went well. I might add, we did all that BEFORE Christina got on her back.

Then we started the photography with a few shots of Christina riding Lucy. We were still letting Lucy get comfortable with the camera equipment and me just to make sure there would be no surprises.

Once we were all comfortable with each other and how each of us worked we did a few closeup shots.

And since this was a “senior shoot” after all, the obligatory cap-n-gown shots were a must. At this point we are all feeling pretty comfortable together and Christina and Lucy are both being total professionals and easy to work with.

Then came time for a wardrobe switch and a change of scenery. We moved inside of the stable and got a few studio type shots. This is the first time I’ve used a stable as a studio, but in this case, it was the perfect setting.

Time was wearing on, but our goal was to get some shots during the sunset, so we continued. We took a few in a few more settings and then the sun began its descent out of the sky. This brought us that beautiful sunset light we were waiting for. So we set up our position and let God light the scene.

At the end of the day, Christina and Lucy were great to work with. I had the happy chance to combine two styles of shooting, and Christina ended up with some portraits that she can be proud of. So, a win-win for everyone!

So, just a reminder that now things are starting to return to normal, I still do portrait sessions, with or without animals. If you are in need of portraits, be it for a senior, a family, or other, give me a shout and we’ll see what we can get scheduled! I am based in the Overton, TX area and look forward to taking your photo!

Until Next Time,

Michael

All words and photos copyright 2022 MHampton Photography
Equipment used: Assorted Canon bodies and lenses

Alaska Cruise 2017: Part Seven – Ketchikan Alaska

May 23, 2017 by Michael

Today is our last port-of-call–the city of Ketchikan. Alaska. We were told that the name Ketchikan is a native word that means “Land of a thousand jewelry stores”. I’m not sure I believe that, but for the size of the town, they certainly have their fair share. They even have a Walmart. We did not go but I did overhear one of the passengers from the boat asking where to catch the “Walmart shuttle”.

We woke pretty much with the sun, as we have most of these mornings and found that we were pulling into the bay. Karen captured this lighthouse as we passed by.

We were told that Ketchican is in the world’s 2nd largest rain forest, the Tongass National Forest. It is actually the largest remaining temperate rainforest. That being the case, we should expect wet weather here. As we get nearer the port, it is certainly more green here than our last two ports.

And yet, the mountains and the clouds, open to show bits of blue sky as we progress through the channel.

Once we arrive in port we disembark for our tour.

This stop we have chosen the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagles, & Totems tour. It promised a “guided nature hike, bald eagles, Alaskan reindeer, native totem carver and historic sawmill, at an exclusive reserve by the forested mountains”. Our nature hike lead us through parts of the rainforest with the guide explaining interesting facts along the way, for instance, this is skunk cabbage. The name itself is enough reason for me to not eat it though it can be eaten if prepared right. If it isn’t prepared correctly, you could die. So…

There are lots of red pine trees, some of which are decaying. This is actually good for the forest as the dirt here is very thin. The roots of the trees spread out, but without much depth, the trees can blow over in heavy winds. This rotting tree will help create more soil.

As you would expect in a moist environment, moss and other fungi readily grow.

Here, the moss and fungi are helping to break down a tree that has fallen into much needed soil and nutrients for other plants.

Pointing out how the root structures of the trees adapt to the shallow soil, our guide does some explaining.

This is also a wildlife sanctuary. Here we see signs of bear in the area! Maybe we’ll get lucky!

This beautiful flower is the “Chocolate Lily“. The “rancid smell and dark color of the flower attracts flies for pollination”, according to a sign here. I didn’t bend over to smell it.

The root system of the trees can also be used as a small den for bears in the winter. This one was empty at the moment.

Looks like someone didn’t prepare well enough for the winter. Ah, the circle of life.

Well, they did promise Bald Eagles here. This one was still quite a ways away, but I’ll take what I can get.

And then as we rounded a corner, the grand prize! A bear in the woods! This black bear was looking for food, and since they mostly eat vegetation and fish, we’re not too worried, but cameras are a snappin’!

One thing with nature photography, many times you take what you can get. The bear never came out for a nice clean portrait, but at least I got both eyes in this shot. The guide hurried us along so not too many people would be congregated in one spot. This was not a photography tour after all.

Another part of this location was a raptor rehab center. They had a few birds but of course I focused on the eagle. Just look at the talons on that thing! That’s a human hand it is perched on.

And even though it is a captive, I figure that the way things are going, this will be the only close-up shot I get of the eagle’s eye, so I take it.

They also have a gentleman here who is carrying on the native tradition of passing down stories through the use of totem poles. If you remember from day 1, these poles are used to tell stories, either historical or fiction. Each face represents a character in the story and the only person who knows the story is the builder. At least until the time comes to raise the pole in a ceremony, at which time he recounts the story to all who are there.

Once we left there, we headed back into town to see what Ketchikan was like. I told you that they get a lot of rain. This is their yearly rain gauge. In 1949 they had 202.55 inches of rain. According to this, last year they had about 170 inches! According to the sign, average yearly rainfall is 12.5 feet per year. That’s a lot of rain!

We hadn’t taken a lot of “tourist” shots, so here’s the Welcome to Ketchikan sign–“The Salmon Capital of the World”. I didn’t eat any salmon but I did have some fish-n-chips while here, but I ate those for the halibut. LOL

A monument to the men and women who came here seeking their fortunes. Some found what they were looking for, many didn’t.

Our ship is almost the length of downtown. It strikes an imposing figure in the background.

And for many of the women who came, they ended up here, the red-light district of the gold rush. They even have a girl in costume at Dolly’s. Notice how the row is built on a pier?

And note the sign at Dolly’s…

Being more interested in eagles, I found one on a radio tower. We were still disappointed that they were not everywhere like we had been told, but speaking with an older native gentleman who was walking along the sidewalk, he told us that they gather there in the mornings to fish. So, going back to one of my first statements in the first post, a cruise is not the best vacation for pure wildlife photography because you have little to no control over your schedule, but it certainly does give us ideas for future adventures.

This is what the first few main streets of town are built over. Not earth, a pier. We were told that during prohibition, bootleggers would smuggle booze into the bars in the red-light district by going under the streets of the city and then come up through the floors.

Here’s one of the many jewelry shops in town.

And sometimes, even my beautiful wife has had enough of the lens.

Back on board, we are greeted by a towel-monkey! Yet another creative use of towels by the Carnival stewards.

As we set sail, we bid farewell to Alaska. We won’t be setting foot on its land again this trip. Maybe someday soon once again we will get to come and spend more time.