"Dead Horse Point Sunrise"

March 2012, Dead Horse Point, Utah
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

Dead Horse Point is located about 25 miles from Moab near the entrance to Utah's breathtaking Canyonlands National Park. This is where the famous scene from Thelma and Louise was filmed when the car is driven over the cliff at the end of the movie.

The river is the Colorado, and it snakes its way to the Grand Canyon about 150 miles to the south. I've been to the much more famous Grand Canyon several times. Other than throngs of tourists, it has nothing on this place. Nothing.
"Ashford Mill Ruins"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon TS-E 24mm lens
"Jim White Tunnel"

October 2009, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 16-35 lens

The Jim White Tunnel was named after the discoverer of Carlsbad Caverns.  Jim White was born in Texas in 1882 and was raised on a ranch.  His family eventually relocated to the southeastern corner of New Mexico where they established a small horse farm.

One day, at the age of 16, White was riding his horse through the Chihuahuan Desert.  Off in the distance he noticed a dark cloud of bats coming out of the ground.  When he drew closer he discovered a large opening in the desert floor. In his book "Jim White's Own Story", he wrote "I found myself gazing into the biggest and blackest hole I had ever seen..."

In the days and months to follow, White explored the caverns with only the most rudimentary of equipment.  One can only imagine what it must have been like venturing deep within the bowels of the earth without the benefit of modern lighting and caving gear. Talk about adventure!
"Yosemite Valley Black Bear"

March 2009, Yosemite National Park, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 400mm lens

Despite the brown coloring on this bear, it is actually a black bear.  Black bears are the only type found in yosemite, but can range in color from black, brown and cinnamon.  They typically do not exceed 400 lbs, but occasionally very large males (like this one) can weigh as much as 600 lbs.
"Ice Path on the South Rim"

January 2010, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

A park employee with a snowblower had just cleared the rim walkway at Yavapai Point of freshly-fallen snow, revealing a treacherous coat of ice beneath.  The path may have been cleared of snow, but footing was now more dangerous than ever. Additionally, a bone-chilling wind was blowing in from the canyon, making it quite difficult to perform routine camera adjustments with my frozen fingers.
"Alone"

March 2008, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D, Canon 400mm lens

I was in Death Valley at the Badwater parking lot looking west across the massive expanse of the valley floor. It was early in the morning, and in the distance I could barely make out the figure of a lone hiker.  I pulled out the longest lens that I had - a 400mm, and took this shot.  Even with the 400 this guy still looks very, very small.  The massive base of the Panamint Mountains dominate the background.

Death Valley is a huge place.  It is 140 miles long and about 40 miles wide.  It encompasses an amazing 5270 square miles, making it the largest national park in the lower 48 states.  As I looked at this hiker in the distance, I could only imagine the feeling of solitude that he must have had.  The ability to completely remove yourself from civilization is what draws me back to Death Valley year after year.
"Jubilee Pass"

March 2005, Death Valley National Park, California
Fuji GX617 camera, Fuji 300 lens, Kodak E100VS film

The spring of 2005 was considered "the bloom of the century" in Death Valley.  Averaging only 2 inches of rain per year, Death Valley is perhaps not the first place to pop into your mind when thinking about wildflowers.   Nonetheless, under the right conditions, the park can play host to an astonishing display of springtime color.  The '05 bloom started in the southern part of the park in early March as seen in this 6x17 image taken from Jubilee Pass.  Gradually, the bloom moved north towards Furnace Creek and beyond.  By the end of March it was over, but what a show it was.

The snow-capped Panamint Range with 11,000' Telescope Peak can be seen in the background.
"Furnace Creek Badlands at Sunrise"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

The Furnace Creek Badlands are probably as colorful and interesting as any other area in Death Valley.  Zabriskie Point is ideally located right in the heart of the badlands.  This morning, like any other, had its share of photographers at Zabriskie.  Some people had their point and shoots, while others showed up with large format gear.  It is a wonderful place to shoot.

As usual, I decided to be different and I pointed my lens the opposite direction - to the east.  Heavy cloud cover blanketed the area, so a colorful sunrise didn't look promising.  I kept telling myself "all that I need is 10 seconds of color".  Sure enough, about 15 minutes before sunrise, the eastern sky broke just enough to create a localized but intense area of color.  It literally lasted for less than a minute, but that's all that I needed.

Photographers from the other side of Zabriskie saw what was going on and they hurried over, but by the time they set up it was too late.  No matter how poor the conditions may appear, it pays to "put yourself out there" and hope for the best.  At  worst, you get to spend time outdoors enjoying God's stunning creation.  On the other hand, God might put on a light show for you that you will never forget.  After all, He likes to show off His handiwork the same way as we photographers like to share our images with others.  Chalk up yet another gorgeous sunrise for the Creator of the universe.
"Furnace Creek Inn and Funeral Mountains"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 70-200 lens

Designed by Los Angeles architect Albert C. Martin, the 66-room Furnace Creek Inn was built in 1927.  The Pacific Coast Borax Company  built the hotel as a means to save their newly built Death Valley Railroad.  The Funeral Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the exquisitely designed structure.  Today the Inn is privately owned and provides world class luxury accommodations from October through May.
"Furnace Creek Badlands at Sunrise"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

The Furnace Creek Badlands are probably as colorful and interesting as any other area in Death Valley. Zabriskie Point is ideally located right in the heart of the badlands. This morning, like any other, had its share of photographers at Zabriskie. Some people had their point and shoots, while others showed up with large format gear. It is a wonderful place to shoot.

As usual, I decided to be different and I pointed my lens the opposite direction - to the east. Heavy cloud cover blanketed the area, so a colorful sunrise didn't look promising. I kept telling myself "all that I need is 10 seconds of color". Sure enough, about 15 minutes before sunrise, the eastern sky broke just enough to create a localized but intense area of color. It literally lasted for less than a minute, but that's all that I needed.

Photographers from the other side of Zabriskie saw what was going on and they hurried over, but by the time they set up it was too late. No matter how poor the conditions may appear, it pays to "put yourself out there" and hope for the best. At worst, you get to spend time outdoors enjoying God's stunning creation. On the other hand, God might put on a light show for you that you will never forget. After all, He likes to show off His handiwork the same way as we photographers like to share our images with others. Chalk up yet another gorgeous sunrise for the Creator of the universe.
"Furnace Creek Badlands at Sunrise" December 2010, Death Valley, California Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens The Furnace Creek Badlands are probably as colorful and interesting as any other area in Death Valley. Zabriskie Point is ideally located right in the heart of the badlands. This morning, like any other, had its share of photographers at Zabriskie. Some people had their point and shoots, while others showed up with large format gear. It is a wonderful place to shoot. As usual, I decided to be different and I pointed my lens the opposite direction - to the east. Heavy cloud cover blanketed the area, so a colorful sunrise didn't look promising. I kept telling myself "all that I need is 10 seconds of color". Sure enough, about 15 minutes before sunrise, the eastern sky broke just enough to create a localized but intense area of color. It literally lasted for less than a minute, but that's all that I needed. Photographers from the other side of Zabriskie saw what was going on and they hurried over, but by the time they set up it was too late. No matter how poor the conditions may appear, it pays to "put yourself out there" and hope for the best. At worst, you get to spend time outdoors enjoying God's stunning creation. On the other hand, God might put on a light show for you that you will never forget. After all, He likes to show off His handiwork the same way as we photographers like to share our images with others. Chalk up yet another gorgeous sunrise for the Creator of the universe." href="javascript:openLB(1338197587,'',XLarge,'',1024,684);">"Furnace Creek Badlands at Sunrise"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

The Furnace Creek Badlands are probably as colorful and interesting as any other area in Death Valley.  Zabriskie Point is ideally located right in the heart of the badlands.  This morning, like any other, had its share of photographers at Zabriskie.  Some people had their point and shoots, while others showed up with large format gear.  It is a wonderful place to shoot.

As usual, I decided to be different and I pointed my lens the opposite direction - to the east.  Heavy cloud cover blanketed the area, so a colorful sunrise didn't look promising.  I kept telling myself "all that I need is 10 seconds of color".  Sure enough, about 15 minutes before sunrise, the eastern sky broke just enough to create a localized but intense area of color.  It literally lasted for less than a minute, but that's all that I needed.

Photographers from the other side of Zabriskie saw what was going on and they hurried over, but by the time they set up it was too late.  No matter how poor the conditions may appear, it pays to "put yourself out there" and hope for the best.  At  worst, you get to spend time outdoors enjoying God's stunning creation.  On the other hand, God might put on a light show for you that you will never forget.  After all, He likes to show off His handiwork the same way as we photographers like to share our images with others.  Chalk up yet another gorgeous sunrise for the Creator of the universe.
"Furnace Creek Badlands at Sunrise"

December 2010, Death Valley, California
Canon EOS 5D MK2, Canon 24-70 lens

The Furnace Creek Badlands are probably as colorful and interesting as any other area in Death Valley. Zabriskie Point is ideally located right in the heart of the badlands. This morning, like any other, had its share of photographers at Zabriskie. Some people had their point and shoots, while others showed up with large format gear. It is a wonderful place to shoot.

As usual, I decided to be different and I pointed my lens the opposite direction - to the east. Heavy cloud cover blanketed the area, so a colorful sunrise didn't look promising. I kept telling myself "all that I need is 10 seconds of color". Sure enough, about 15 minutes before sunrise, the eastern sky broke just enough to create a localized but intense area of color. It literally lasted for less than a minute, but that's all that I needed.

Photographers from the other side of Zabriskie saw what was going on and they hurried over, but by the time they set up it was too late. No matter how poor the conditions may appear, it pays to "put yourself out there" and hope for the best. At worst, you get to spend time outdoors enjoying God's stunning creation. On the other hand, God might put on a light show for you that you will never forget. After all, He likes to show off His handiwork the same way as we photographers like to share our images with others. Chalk up yet another gorgeous sunrise for the Creator of the universe.
See photo in original gallery.