Hashknife!

I almost didn’t go.  The wind across interstate 40 in northern Arizona was gusting over 60 MPH.  My curiosity got the better of me, though, so I tackled the drive.  The route I choose only included 30 miles of the interstate.  Even so, there was a semi on its side. 

No harm, no foul.  The Subaru and I made it to Holbrook intact.

My friend Greg McKelvey is friendly with Mark Reynolds, the captain of the Hashknife Pony Express.  These guys are riding the 62nd annual commemorative run, which takes its honorific from an iconic Arizona cattle brand, now owned by the Babbitt Family.  They ride Holbrook to Payson, then Payson to Fountain Hills, and finally to Scottsdale, in one-mile increments. Greg has created a win-win situation with Mark, so that a small group of photographers had the opportunity to do an exclusive early morning shoot with two of the riders.  In return, we agreed to share our best work with them for publicity and personal use.

Meet Shawn Maestas (on the white mare) and Wade Carlisle (riding the chestnut).

The riders carry actual U.S. Mail, and are sworn in as Postal Workers.

The experience was extraordinary.  Though I agree with a friend who asked, “so, why do they do it in February?”  It was good and cold at sunrise.

There were demonstrations of the mail bag hand-off, after which (while still galloping) both riders yell “Hashknife!”  We photographed horse and rider speeding along and some quiet moments as well.

We were working for a couple of hours, but it was over before I knew it.  I was past Winona on the way home before my feet thawed, though.

By the way, a hashknife is an old cowboy chuckwagon tool which looks something like a mezzaluna.

There’s more in the Winter 2019-2020 Gallery on the website.

Passive Travel

 

Summer in Full Swing, Apache National Forest Arizona

I didn’t do much of the planning on this one.  That’s a little unusual for me, but if I’m honest it was a fun change.

My husband put this together as a trip primarily for fishing.  The delightful thing was that Arizona’s White Mountains and Mogollon Rim are not just fishy, but also spectacularly photogenic.  There were flowers everywhere.  All I had to do was show up and find the compositions.

A Little Time in Civilization; Grand Canyon Brewing in Williams

We started with a night with dear friends at their RV camp south of Winslow.  The stop was perfect for making the transition to the forest mindset.  We walked, chatted, and watched the wildlife.  Full disclosure, though, we went to town for a beer and tacos.

Hashknife Pony Express Commemoration, Holbrook Arizona

I’d been meaning to find this plaque for some time, even looking half-heartedly on a trip with photography friends last spring.  This time through Holbrook Arizona, though, we found it.  In fact Marco did.  I had the honor of photographing a couple of the riders in the Hashknife Pony Express ride in February 2020.  One of them, Shawn Maestas, has kept in touch and asked to use my photograph for the plaque on the statue in Gillespie Park.  One of the riders is Mr. Maestas.  Sadly, the other, Wade Carlisle, died unexpectedly the next year making the commemoration even more poignant.

The Terrain We Tried to Hike Down Through, Apache National Forest Arizona

Marco was tipped to the next camp spot by a fishing buddy.  The hike from camp to a fork of the Black River looked simple (or at least do-able) on the topo map.  We settled in to let a thunderstorm pass, and decided to do the hike in the morning. 

Lupines in Morning Light, Apache National Forest Arizona

Lupines and dew at sunrise got my attention.  I felt as if I’d made a good photographic start to the trip on the mesa as we geared up for the hike into the canyon.  I’ll take full responsibility for turning back after an hour or so slogging through piles of downed trees, grapefruit-sized rock slopes (AKA ankle-turners), and a legendary bush-whack. He says he’ll try again another time, and I asked that I not be included and that he find another crazy angler to do it with him for safety. 

Onward.

Undisclosed Riparian Area With Flowers, Apache National Forest Arizona

This next secret spot is also part of the Black River watershed.  We were there last season, in June, when it was gorgeous.  In August the flowers had had time to bloom, and it was even better this time around.  Apparently there were fish as well, but I couldn’t swear to it.

Warm-Cool Colors on the Canyon Floor, Apache National Forest Arizona

Marco and I found the next spot by pouring over Google Earth.  It looked quite a bit like the first camp’s hike from hell, but getting around was easy, at least by comparison.  Grateful for my wading boots, I found lovely morning scenes with flowers.

Detail From "Mushroom Camp," Apache National Forest Arizona

I dubbed the place we stayed “Mushroom Camp,” and enjoyed crawling around with my macro lens shooting details there as well. 

Willow Springs Lake, Sitgreaves National Forest Arizona

We were hesitant to drive all the way home in one day, so the angler-planner suggested Willow Springs Lake in Mogollon Rim Country, about halfway.  We don’t love campgrounds, but Sinkhole CG is comfortable, and allowed us to walk twice to the tailwaters (creek below the dam) of the lake.

Reflections, Sitgreaves National Forest Arizona

 We didn’t see a soul there, and there were more flowers and lovely reflections.

Flat Head Ed, From an AZGFD Photo, 2013

I also met a local celebrity in the parking lot.  This dude’s name is Flat Head Ed.  He’s a fishing guide.  Over a decade ago I saw this photograph on social media, from an AZ Game and Fish newsletter.  At the time this was the record-size catfish (at 76 ½ pounds) for Arizona.  Thanks to his goofy moniker, I remembered the guy and we had a nice chat.  Sometimes, when travelling, it really is the little things.

Finally, out of clean shirts and beer, we scooted home to edit photos and tell fish stories. I expect we’ll be back.

Morning Reflections, Apache National Forest Arizona

More images from the trip are in the Summer 2024 Gallery on the website.

Spies

 

Owl Parent

Photography has led me to so many cool opportunities.  As I ponder this, I‘m grateful for a lot of help.  I’m particularly grateful for my “spies.”

My friends know what excites me in the natural world, and they’re so good at telling me about things that I should check out.

Owlets

Most recently, a friend let me know about a nesting pair of Great Horned Owls in her tree.  Since then, I’ve had several adventures on her rather slippery roof (the best vantage point) and discovered two owlets in the nest while watching one of the parents chase off marauding ravens.  These are not art quality images, but they are a window into the natural world. 

Barn Owl

My veterinarian friend lets me know when she’s doing something interesting, like helping to fledge this orphaned barn owlet. I love the chance to photograph these things.

Enough owls, maybe?

Summer Poppies, Kirkland AZ

A pair of friends, as curious as I am, have turned me on to flowers I might not have noticed on my own.  The most memorable were these “summer poppies” which sometimes pop up during monsoon season.  They look like the Mexican Gold Poppies we see in spring when I drive by at 65 MPH but they’re not related: they’re actually a member of the Creosote family.

Ajo Lily, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

One friend is a Park Service Ranger who’s pointed me toward a huge variety of places since we met ten or so years ago, both at the Grand Canyon and at her current gig at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Most recently it was Ajo Lilies in a corner of the monument.

Solitude at Mojave Trails National Monument

Speaking of Rangers, I called the BLM Needles (CA) office for information about Mojave Trails National Monument a few years ago and had the good luck to connect with another generous ranger.  She walked through google earth with me to help me get to this and other nearby places. 

Handoff; Hashknife Pony Express

Another friend is connected with the Hashknife Pony Express.  I was thrilled that he invited me to help shoot publicity images for them.  One of these riders has since died, and the other, his good friend, has used this image several times in his memory.  RIP Wade. I’ve recently learned that the image was used on a plaque for a new sculpture in Holbrook Arizona. 

Volcan Fuego, Esquintla Guatemala

My husband and I have become acquainted with the director of the Spanish language school we frequent in Guatemala.  Knowing I was a photographer, he arranged for his brother-in-law to guide us to this vantage point of Volcan Fuego.  I was getting impatient waiting for an eruption, but he encouraged me to keep waiting.  This happened.  I only had time for one 25 second shot 

Walnut Grove Bridge over Hassayampa River

Our local waterways are lined with cottonwood trees.  I was anticipating shooting these trees upstream from the 1930s bridge in bright spring green.  The spot is a long enough drive that I appreciated the intelligence I got from a friend who is building a house out that way.

These are just a few examples of helpful spies – I’m grateful to you all. If you see something, please say something.  😊

Monthly Favorites 2020

 

Runner-up.  Mojave Desert Sand Dunes

What can be said about 2020 that hasn’t already?  If I stick with the positive, I’ll say that I needed a nudge to slow down (which certainly occurred), and that I was motivated to try lots of new things (I’ve been messing with tabletop still lifes and Intentional Camera Movement) and have done lots of on-line education, principally two Out of Chicago seminars.

 

I continue to be so very grateful for the support of friends and family, as well as clients and social media acquaintances.  Connection has become even more important this year.

 

So, here goes my annual exercise of choosing one favorite image from each month of the year.  Enjoy!

 

January

Petroglyph in Ironwood Forest, Arizona

There’s magic in exploring a new place, especially when I have a tip about something exciting like petroglyphs.  Sharing an image of the ones I was tipped off on would seem like cheating, but these I found on my own, wandering around the area.  Ironwood Forest National Monument is an under-utilized gem which is well worth exploring.

February

The handoff, Hashknife Pony Express in Holbrook Arizona

 

What a thrill to be invited to chilly Holbrook, Arizona to photograph the Hashknife Pony Express! This multi-day ride from Holbrook to Scottsdale delivers real US Mail and has taken place for 61 years. Shawn and Wade were kind enough to model for us at sunrise.

March

Spring at Organ Pipe National Monument Arizona

Owl clover at Organ Pipe National Monument took my breath away on a gorgeous spring day.  It wasn’t a spectacular spring for flowers, but they were there for those who looked.

April

Primrose, stone stairs, and moon set, Yarnell Hill Arizona

Yarnell Hill is my front door, and driving in and out in April, I kept seeing more primrose blooms each trip.  I was positioning for shots of the setting full moon at sunrise and stumbled on these clusters of blooms on either side of some disused stone stairs.  What a cool moment!

May

Tabletop photography of the versatile Gerbera Daisy.  Part of the fun here is controlling the lighting, which is not so easy out in nature.  I also appreciate the lack of wind in the house.

June

Layers, Yarnell Hill Arizona

Close to home again, this time waiting for the full moon to rise over the Weaver Mountains in the evening (there’s a pattern here) I looked behind me and there were the purple mountains majesty rising from the desert floor.

July

Sunburst in the aspens, Kaibab Plateau Arizona

My favorite little stand of aspens on the Kaibab Plateau.  I’ve photographed the heck out of this area in autumn, but I rather like it in summer, too.

August

Rock Comet, San Clemente California

This image is just plain off the wall.  I was wandering around the beach in San Clemente, trying to shoot something different than the usual pier shots, and decided to take a walk looking down.  It was low tide, and the rock (lovely on its own) had created this pattern in the retreating tide.  I thought it looked like a comet.

September

ICM backlighted aspen, Kaibab Plateau Arizona

A bit of a new take on the backlighted autumn aspen shot, this one was taken while moving the camera.  The Wickenburg Art Club, which I’ve recently been juried into, does a fun annual show called “Double Takes,” where artists of other types and writers choose a work by a photographer for inspiration.  The two are exhibited together.  I liked this one enough to submit it, and you can see it and its not-yet-created counterpart there, along with many other pairs, March 1 – April 14.

October

 

Late autumn, Kebler Pass Colorado

Colorado was so very spectacular last autumn that choosing a favorite was nearly impossible.  Here, a stand of aspens on Kebler Pass.

November

Cloudburst and sunset from the El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon Arizona

Zing!  A sunset storm from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

December

Gypsy on the dunes

Dog.  This year’s recurring theme.

 

Thanks again for riding along this year.  Who knows what 2021 will bring, but there will be photos.