GRAND CANYON TRAILER

     Just finished editing the trailer of our epic Grand Canyon adventure. At the time of this writing Sally and Rachel are finishing their river run through the Grand Canyon and I  hiked out yesterday morning after a four day journey. As of yet, I have no title for our presentation, nor time frame when I will finish it (I’ve giving myself three to six months), however, I know I cannot wait to see Sally and Rachel’s photos/movies when I upload them on the P.C. So please, enjoy this short trailer, the soundtrack is titled Life on Earth, and is by Heather Fenoughty. And feel free to ask me any questions. Happy hiking.

Please visit:
http://jeromeartists-davidson.blogspot.com/
http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/
http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
http://www.riveradventures.com/

WALKING AROUND LYNX LAKE

     With our upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon; Sally and Rachel will be river running through the canyon on the Colorado River with Wilderness River Adventures and I will be backpacking down to Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch, it is my hope, plan we will get see each other for a few moments on nearby Boat Beach. Then video them as they resume their journey further into the interior of the inner canyon.

     Having said that, I had purchase two new camera’s, as if I needed them right, to record our journey from a river runner’s point of view and a backpacker’s point of view. So for Sally’s trek I had purchased a FUJiFILM FINEPIX XP60 camera. A nice little waterproof/shockproof camera I hope endures the six day journey. And I had purchased a Sony HandyCam HDR-CX330 to record my journey. Of course, I will be using my GoPro Hero 2, as well as, my Canon DSLR T3i. 

     I can imagine now folks are beginning to see the jest in all this. I plan, it is my hope, goal, desire, to create an epic video of our adventure, with two differing points of view exploring the wonders of the canyon.

     

     So the video you are about to watch is a test of our new cameras when we walked around Lynx Lake recently. I wanted Sally to familiarize herself with the XP60 and become comfortable with all it’s features. Not only that, we just wanted to get out of the house and do a short little walk enjoying our time with Dori and Barney.     

And Please Visit:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

http://jeromeartists-davidson.blogspot.com/

http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/

http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

http://www.riveradventures.com/

PEAVINE TRAIL

                                                                   PEAVINE TRAIL

     Last Saturday, May 31st, Sally and I took a little walk on the Peavine Trail with Barney our dog. On the other side of the trail system, in Prescott Valley on the Iron King Trail, Rachel her daughter rode her bike where we all met on the trail. We didn’t meet half way; however, I’ll just say Rachel left us in the wake of her dust as she did her round trip bike ride.
     Having said that, the slide show presentation is our portion of the walk where I used my Canon T3i camera with a 55-250 mm lens. I wanted to experiment and see if I could snap-off some nice shots. Definitely a pleasant seven mile round trip walk  where we seen quite a few birds and wildlife during our trek. Next to the trail at the start, Granite Creek and  Watson Lake provides the essential ingredient for there comfort and survival; as well as, a photographic backdrop.
      Enjoy.

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http://jeromeartists-davidson.blogspot.com/

YELLOW FINCH

SEEING RED

     I believe it is a Lesser Goldfinch that fascinates me as I watch it jump around flighty like in the peach tree of our back yard. And I resolve to take a picture of it, hopefully. Thus far, it started yesterday just before sunrise when I set up my camera to take some shots of our beautiful roses in the front yard.   I wanted to give the the sun a chance to pop over the horizon and light up the peach tree in pleasant  early morning glow. It was beautiful.

     And the Lesser Goldfinch  showed up as I hoped, flighty,  jumpy, and singing as he hopped from tree limb to tree limb, and then fly off. I could not get the little bugger locked on in my 55-250 zoom lens. So a failure. For now.

BEAUTY HIDING

BEAUTY HIDING

     Coming home from work yesterday morning late, I had spied a yellow rose appearing somewhat  hidden in the bush behind a few leaves. I loved how it looked and decided later after sunset I would bring out my camera, tripod, shutter release cable and take a few pictures of it and see how it would  turn out. It did not! I had hoped working with the bush and shutter speed, the sun had set behind the horizon almost straight in line with my lenses, and using a UV filter, I'd squeeze off at least one good shot of many. 

     I did not see an eye catcher when reviewing the photo's this morning. Frustrated I turned to look out the office/studio window and noticed it was coming sunrise, with very light moisture or fog in the air to slightly defuse the sun light and the rose bush bright. 

     Well, you can imagine what I did. Grabbed my camera and tripod. Ran down the stairs, carefully, I am to damn old to trip and fall. Cinched my robe tightly so as not to embarrass myself and snapped off a couple of shots focusing on using my f-stop. 

     And I was quite happy with the outcome when looking at the pictures. And critically thinking I could have done better. Nonetheless, enjoy.

Happy Mother Days.

A HAIKU

Canyon Solitude

Calls alone walking seeing

Alone in quiet

A TANKA POEM

HUMMINGBIRD

Early morning light

Stormy weather beyond the

window warm inside 

Looking outside Hummingbird

Astounded me looking inside 

THE MOUSER

Dori

Me

     Yesterday we had a wonderful late afternoon when we arrived  in Jerome for the art walk. Sally went to the Jerome Artist Co-op to help out with setting up the food and refreshments, while Dori and I tour the town, under a cloudy sky and chilly breeze blowing down Mingus Mountain. We were planning to sharpen our photography  skill, and though I was disappointed in my landscape shots of San Francisco Peaks in the distance to the north, I was pleasantly surprise with Dori's. So much so I made a video of  a mouser of a cat bringing his prey up to a secure spot for dinner.

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http://www.jeromeartwalk.com/

http://jeromecoop.com/

http://jeromeartists-davidson.blogspot.com/

http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/

URBAN HIKE

Periwinkle Watching Creek

Sally and I walked the Greenway Trail along a small portion of Granite Creek near downtown Prescott yesterday and we took Barney. Although, it was more of a stroll on a sunny, warm afternoon through a park, it gave me pause to think what this creek must have been like before Prescott was founded in 1863. And now what is left of its natural setting. Nonetheless, we still had a great afternoon strolling along from Granite Park to the Junior High School and back. Barney definitely loved the walk, it was a new one for him. 

SICK

     I do not like being sick! The plans I had this week-end went by the wayside when a bit of a cold drug me down. Sniffles, well more like snot running out of a tap, my nose, aches, sluggish, just plain moving on impulse power this weekend. So much so, yesterday after coming home from work, I cowered in my easy chair and slept most of the afternoon away and decided to take it easy this morning instead of heading out for an early photo shoot. However, did take a shot of an African Violet my wife has in her studio this afternoon. Had to feel productive and creative. 

A MUCH NEEDED HIKE AND WORKING WITH MY NEW CANON T3I

A Fence No More

Today, March 15th, '14 Sally and I took a much needed day hike on trail # 161, the Huckaby Trail. Smack in the Sedona, Red Rock, Oak Creek area of Arizona. And Barney our dog tagged along with us. It was nice, although I did not dress for the occasion, it was a bit warmer than I anticipated. The trail offered a bit of a challenge with slight up and down hill climbs to make it interesting. But ended nicely at Midgley Bridge on Highway 89A just north of Sedona and Oak Creek passing through. Barney loved that.
      I brought two of my cameras. One the ol' steady 'Canyon' veteran the Canon SX280HS I used while Sally and I was working our way to Midgley Bridge. The photos and videos I will use to make my You Tube video. The Canon t3i I saved for the trip on the way back and I think I may have made a mistake using it at the time of day, early to mid afternoon, and that really isn't  a good time for taking photo's of landscaping. Especially that of Red Rock country. So I played around during the hike and used a ND8 filter shooting a scene of Oak Creek and Midgley Bridge in the background with the intent of making Oak Creek looking frothy. Make the small rapids stand out. And for the hike back I used a rotating polarize filter to soften the glare of the afternoon sun. I hope.
     Having said that we'll see when I load the computer up later with the photographs. I'm in the process of bringing a new CPU on line.


FOLLOW-UP MARCH 16TH, 2014

     Finally had an opportunity today to review the 67 photo’s I had taken yesterday on the Huckaby Trail. I can say the afternoon sun was indeed harsh for photo’s in the Red Rock country. However, I did find seven favorite and one I am considering titling ‘ A Fence No More’.

MINERVA

     We do not know what killed Minerva, the veterinarian on duty explained Minerva did not appear to have suffered from trauma of a vehicle hitting her; however,  she was exhibiting  signs of  having maybe drink some antifreeze common among feral cats and some dogs. Sally and I soaked in this knowledge, my mind, thoughts, feelings did not want to go beyond the possibilities of just that. Minerva in her wondering found a puddle of coolant under a vehicle and lapped some up; unknowingly, poisoning herself. And we had two kittens, Wilburforce (aka Furr Ball) and Runt, our favorites, unaccounted for. 

     A deep sadness sank in our hearts when we gave the vet permission to euthanize Minerva. Sally and I stayed with her in a quiet office, stroking her soft fur, when it dawned on me this was the first time Minerva had anyone hold and pet her. And even now as I type this, it tears, rips, and crushes my heart to think about. Knowing especially, I felt,  Sally and I were so close to domesticating Wilburforce and Runt for possible adoption.

     That has been our goal ever since our six black cats had moved onto our front porch and made a home of our home. Yavapai Humane Society would not take them as feral cats; nevertheless, they had an awesome program called ‘Barn Cat’.

http://www.yavapaihumane.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1099

In short, after Sally and I discussed it, she set her sights with some help to catch and have our  black cats spayed or neuter and released back at our home. A win, win. We didn’t have to worry about new kittens and our six black cats could stay with us. We would take responsibilities for them. Sally worked so hard to catch them and at this time we still have one, Houdini, that needs to be caught. He’s the wily slick one. In addition, elderly friends of ours down the street have been working with Sally with their crop of feral cats.

     Having said all this, I  want to share that over the last several months our family of black cats have become our family members, each with different personalities and antics, all with the lust for life. We lost four of the six and now we have another one, a gnarly, battled scared, one eye black cat we named Moshe (aka Ghost).  And so I want to close by saying have your family pets spayed or neutered. Keep your area cleared of anything that is poison. And have fun with them.     

Please visit;

http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/

http://jeromeartists-davidson.blogspot.com/

      

GOODBYE MINERVA

MINERVA

GOODBYE MINERVA

No human kindness 

has ever touched or pet you

until today when

I picked you up from the street

dying from maybe poison

And we held you at

the vet's one last time stroking

your head and ears sad

beyond belief of what is 

happening to you dying

You died peaceful  in

 my arms and though you never

shared the warmth of our

home we hope you leave knowing

human kindness we loved you

LATE WINTER BLOOM

     In our back yard we have two plum trees and a apricot tree. They are blooming! In Arizona’s late winter. Over the past couple of weeks Sally and I have watched our fruit trees; in addition to, the trees in and around our neighborhood coming out and blooming. I do admit, I am concerned about this mild winter of ours this year.
     However, this morning with the temperature around 38 degrees, and just before the sun popped over the horizon, I took this picture. Enjoy.        

ARRIVED UNINVITED

Runt

          They arrived uninvited around Halloween, and at first I ignore them;  hopeful they would not set  up camp, make their selves at home, just simply move on  as a band of nomad's to a better place, and I would forget about their passing through. They did not! Instead, the six black cats, three kittens and three adults set up residence at our home.

     Who could blame them. Clearly, they are as sharp as a tack when I come home from work and they would scatter in all four direction under our large front porch. They found the perfect home to suit them, their needs, desires and wants. With bird feeder and bird bath nearby just in our front yard and cover below our porch they found a home that offered food, water, and shelter. So during the first couple of weeks, I was so hoping they would move on to greener pasture in the neighborhood. Still, I observed them with interest; akin to that of being a zoologist. 

     Sally and I talked about our uninvited guests often and so she began her research. As an animal lover with allergies, she wanted to see what she could do to find them homes and who could blame her.  It soon became clear our front yard was not only their playground scaring all the birds away, it is their toilet as well. And this put a tremendous damper on Sally's plans to landscape our front yard and now spending more time cleaning up after them.     

     As in any clan, family, pack of animals there seems to always be a runt. And in this tribe of black cats they had theirs. One day I watched as two of the stronger kittens hopped up the bird bath to drink the water. The runt, skinny, slow, but trying, could not achieve what his siblings could do. It tugged at my heart strings and with Sally's blessing, I began to bring some water out to them and not long after hard cat food. I named the first of six cats. 'Runt'. 

     And so welcome to my blog where today I opened the 'Pets and Shadows Gallery' of photographs with our pets and the world of shadows, feral cats and maybe a stray dog or two at  http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/   Please browse through my galleries , enjoy, and don't forget half the sales from “Pets and Shadows' I will donate to the Yavapai Humane Society and The Humane Society.

Thanks

Chuck

A HAIKU

‘Smell of life giving

Moisture teasing the dry senses

Bringing desert hope’

LOST LITTLE ONE

                                                                 LOST LITTLE ONE

     I titled this photograph 'Lost Little One' and she has inspired me to create the gallery 'Pets and Shadows' coming soon to my site at   http://chuckables.artistwebsites.com/  with http://fineartamerica.com/.  Her wide eye expression tells her story. Scared, uncertain, resigned about her fate as a shadow of life around her. And starving; she ate a small plate of sardine Sally had set in a trap. Not to catch this little one, but another one in a family of six feral black cats who set up residence on our front porch. However, the black cats is another story for later.

    This little one was a complete surprise when we open the cage in the garage to have  look see and she shot out, around, back deep into the garage under boxes in the corner. After carefully digging in and around the boxes I found her, all fur and bones when I dug her out and picked her up. My heart went out to this 'Lost Little One' I held in both hands carefully. Frail and frightened, she was resigned when I placed her in a cat carrier we had borrowed from a neighbor a while ago. And though I wanted to keep her, I knew I had to put that notion out of my mind; Sally has allergies to critters and having another one running around in the house, well you can imagine.

     Which brings me to the reason why I have created this gallery. Sally took the little one to the Yavapai Humane Society and after reviewing their site on line, I have decided I wanted to help out a bit. And so I will give 50 % of the sales from 'Pets and Shadow' to the Yavapai Humane Society and The Humane Society.

      All I ask is, when I open the gallery soon; please enjoy, laugh, smile, wonder, purchase if you wish. Try and read my blogs every once in a while, I will endeavor to improve on my writing skills. And please share this with family and friends.

Thanks
Chuck  

CANON T3I

Finally did it! Step over the edge and purchased my first DSLR camera. After the moon shoot last Friday evening in Jerome, reading Scott Kelby’s digital photography books, working on a photo project soon coming to Fine Art America, and the generous support from my wife, Sally; I decided to take the plunge and purchase a Canon EOS Rebel t3i. Whew! It was a spontaneous, overwhelming, silly, need, want, desire to achieve, reach, grab the best photograph of whatever subject I am taking. I hope in the future, many of you will enjoy.