A cloudy, overcast day. Not a great day for sunrise or early morning light. Thankfully, I had decided last night that I would sleep in and save my return trip to Chinook Pass for our last day in the park. We plan to leave tomorrow.

We slept until 8:30, missing a half hour of generator time, then had a nice breakfast and a wash basin bath. Jane wanted to do the local self-guided nature trail and that fits right in with my plans.  The overcast condition is great for saturated images of vegetation.  I’ll get some writing done and take a short walk to keep my honey happy.

We browsed the Visitor Center and asked a few questions. The nature trail is less than a mile, just our style. I learned how to pronounce Puyallup and we were off to embrace nature. A shot like this with the moss-covered tree and ferns would not have been possible with harsh sunlight streaming through the trees.

There are some humongous trees, as mentioned previously. The bulk are Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar. The cedar is readily identifiable but telling the difference between fir and hemlock is not so easy – for us.

I was most impressed with the GREEN. I love the way moss covers the trees. It seemed to have no preference, covering cedar, hemlock and fir equally as well as the broad leaf maple and red alder.

This area was once developed as a spa and resort. The hot mineral springs were said to have healing powers. The resort that sprung up around the springs fell into disrepair and closed many years ago. There is hardly any evidence of its existence.

It was a short walk.  We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the environment.  It encouraged us to take a slightly longer hike.  We had a quick lunch and drove the few miles up the road to a trailhead leading to the Island of the Patriarchs.  It is an isolated area of old growth trees, many reaching well over 200 feet.  It also gave us a primer on telling the difference between the Douglas Fir and the Western Hemlock.  We already had a good handle on Western Red Cedar.

I talked Jane into posing with the trees to gain a bit of perspective. That cheesy grin is her way of expressing how she felt about posing. 

It was a relaxing day. We got a little exercise and returned before our generator time expired.  Jane built a fire; it was our first cookout on this trip.  I grilled fresh corn to go with our hot dogs.  It was a perfect finish to our day of relaxation.

My plan was to get up at five, make sure I was at Lake Tipsoo before the sun.  Jane asked me to get her up too.  She had seen an Alpine Lily that was close to blooming.  She wanted to see the bloom.

But, five o’clock came and she just could not hang with the big boys.  I pulled the covers up around her and headed for Tipsoo.  This time I had to wait for the light.  The sky was filled with stars.  I waited for enough light to see the path and worked my way to the other side of the lake. 

It didn’t take long. That bright white peak was gleaming long before sunrise.  I took a few pictures of the mountain reflection, some wildflowers, the hiking trail and realized that I had left my imagination behind.  There must have been a beautiful image there.  I just could not make myself see it.  I need to look a little deeper into the Galen Rowell collection.

I saw some very unusual plants.  None, however, was the Alpine Lily that Jane had wanted to see in bloom.  Her plan worked out better than mine. 

I was back at the trailer at 7:45, completely disappointed.  Some days it just ain’t there. 

We had a light breakfast and tied everything down in the trailer and hit the road before eleven, planning a short day and an early stop.  The next adventure was waiting.  Olympic National Park here we come. 

l8r

Today was a long, activity-filled day. I was up and out of the campground at 5:45, headed for Chinook Pass. Jane was in “Do Not Disturb” mode.

I did not check closely but the drive up the big hill (Mountains) was about 35-45 minutes. The sun was not up but the stars were gone and the sky was blue. Mount Rainier already was surrounded by the rosy pink hue of morning light. The snow on the peak was constantly changing pinks, blues, yellows and the sky was pink and purple.

It was not what I expected, however. This is not the spot where all those Mount Rainier-reflecting-in-a-calm-lake pictures were taken. I took a few disappointing exposures and packed my gear back into the truck for the trek up to Sunrise.

Just as I was passing Lake Tipsoo, I saw the picture. I whipped in, unpacked the gear, and nearly jogged to the other side of the lake. This was the spot. I was a few minutes late but still got a few satisfying images. I’ll have to return. These are too much like copies of Galen Rowell.

Overall, I spent just a bit more than an hour taking pictures.  I was back at the trailer at eight o’clock and immediately cranked up the generator.

My honey was making breakfast – huckleberry pancakes and bacon.  We had stopped at a fruit stand in Yakama Valley for some fresh fruit.  We’d never had huckleberries and couldn’t resist the urge to give them a try, despite the hefty price.  They are selling at $53 a gallon.  We bought a small bag and some peaches.

To make a syrup for our pancakes, Jane added a bit of sugar cooked them slowly in a sauce pan.  I must reiterate – that woman can cook.  We both enjoyed the breakfast very much and have enough huckleberries to do it again.

I was not thrilled with my images but we have time to do it again, depending on the weather.  My late arrival at Lake Tipsoo coincided with an uptick in the mountain breeze.  My Mount Rainier reflection was not quite what I had hoped for.

Jane had met a lady who is from the area. Another of those ladies room encounters.  The lady told Jane that our timing was nearly perfect.  The weather had been cold and damp until recently.  The meadows and mountain peaks were just beginning to peek through the blanket of snow.  Flowers that usually bloom in July and August were just beginning to bloom.  That probably is the reason for seeing such a pretty array of wildflowers around Lake Tipsoo.

On the way into the park, we had learned that there was no diesel in the park.  After breakfast, we packed our sightseeing gear and drove out to Packwood, the closest place with diesel.  The $4.34 per gallon price was a shock, but a good one.  I had seen diesel on the way up the mountain for $4.79.

We were not sure of the distance from Packwood around to the Nisqually Entrance into the park but knew that we wanted to go.  The Paradise area is famous for its mountain meadows and abundance of wildflowers – wildflowers of every kind I can think of.  The road to Paradise is a scenic 19 miles with must see sights, access trails and trail heads for popular hiking trails along the way.

It was mid-afternoon before we reached the Nisqually Entrance.  We took our time, however, stopping at one place for a picnic lunch and using Jane’s copy of a National Parks Guide to determine what we were seeing and the best places to stop.  We saw many glaciers and were able to identify them, which had not been the case in Glacier.

Only two or three years ago, we would have hiked up to one of the glaciers.  We’ve let our conditioning deteriorate, me much more so than Jane.  I would love to hike up the hill but the enthusiasm isn’t enough to overcome the lack of energy. 

We aren’t seeing much wildlife but this Stellars Jay did pose for a few shots. It was fun using a long lens for a change. Most of what we are seeing is landscape – wide lens stuff.

We checked out the Visitor Center at Paradise, gathering information on easy trails and where the best meadows would be.  Paradise is at much higher elevation than Lake Tipsoo.  The flowers in Paradise had only just begun to bloom.

No matter, we took a short hike on the Myrtle Falls trail.  It was pretty but again, I did not see any Galen Rowell images.  That’s Jane, wondering “Where have all the flowers gone.” 

I was much less impressed with the west side of the mountain.  Not just the lack of wildflowers, it was not as pretty as the eastern side of the peak.  Perhaps because there was less snow?  I did get a few acceptable meadow pictures – this one and another that included a small stream and water fall.

It is, however, the place to be for sunset images.  The light was just getting good on the meadows – and the peak – when we decided to return to Ohanapecosh.  Fortunately, a park ranger had pointed out a shorter route home (Ohanapecosh).

We ended our activities in Packwood with sandwiches for dinner and huckleberry shakes.  We’re debating now on just what tomorrow will bring and if we want to extend our stay.

That decision will wait until the next addition.  Check back often.  We never know where we’ll be or when we will write about it.  Until then,

l8r

From Saint Regis to Coeur d’Alene was Mountainous with beautiful fishing, paddling, boating and recreational streams and lakes; Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) to Lake Moses in Washington is rolling hills and irrigated crop land – huge grain fields with an occasional farm house complex.  After climbing from Lake Moses to slightly higher elevation we were on a desert-like plateau.  It was flat.  You could see forever.  I think it is the Columbia Plateau or Columbia Basin. 

The scrub brush and sage reminded me a bit of West Texas.  But, there were huge fields of irrigated crops – corn, wheat (or oats and barley?), then onions and potatoes.  Yes, Potatoes.  Idaho may be losing a few chips of the potato market.

We’re at the edge of Washington’s Mountains now.  It is a bit disturbing.  At first I wasn’t sure then realized the mountains are shrouded in a thick haze – or smog.  It is not the clean, fresh mountain air that one would expect.  I don’t want to go off on an Al Gore rant, but … It is scary.

We are less than two hundred miles from our next destination, an extended stay in Mount Rainier National Park.  We will be coming in from the south.  We may not explore the northern part, depending on what we see in Southern and Eastern Rainier.  We’ll make a more informed decision when we get there.

Tonight is another stop in an expensive commercial RV Park.  More than $20 is expensive to us.  Jane has joined several clubs that offer discounts and purchased such books as FREE or nearly free RV camping.  We purchased the National Park Services “Golden Age Pass” many years ago.  We get free entry into the National Parks, Forests ,BLM and other public lands.  And, we get 50% discount on camping fees in those facilities.  That saves a lot of money.  Our stay in Wind Caves National Park, for instance, was only six dollars per night.

Our biggest expense, by far, is fuel.  That expense is best controlled by spending longer periods at each extended stay area and less time towing the trailer.  The first 1600 miles used up a lot of the budget.  We’re still recovering from that.  In addition to being a great cook, Jane does an excellent job of monitoring our expenses.

LATER–

We drove into Mount Rainier National Park yesterday afternoon.  Jane’s first words were, “Oh my God!  This is absolutely beautiful.  I think it is more beautiful than Glacier.”

Glacier is gorgeous; don’t get me wrong, but this is even more so. Mount Rainier was our first sight after passing the sign in Chinook Pass that announced that we were entering Mount Rainier National Park.  The snow covered peak is the star but it is only a small part of what this National Park is about – mountain meadows, wildflowers, huge trees, lakes, streams, waterfalls.  We’ve barely begun our exploration.

We were parked and had setup camp before three.    Ohanapecosh Campground was not our first choice but the road (706) from Highway 123 to Paradise and Longmire is closed for repair. We drove a few miles farther south to Ohanapecosh and settled in. We took a lunch break then jumped into the truck to see what surrounded us – besides the humongous trees.

We drove back to Chinook Pass from our campground in Ohanapecosh.   Jane wanted to hike around Lake Tipsoo.  She had noticed the wildflowers on our trip in but I didn’t want to stop while we were pulling the trailer. 

The wildflower picture is a view from the edge of Lake Tipsoo.  After a short stroll around the lake, we drove the remaining distance up to Chinook Pass.  Mount Rainier from Chinook Pass is a jaw dropping view.  But, it is not a great spot for setting sun pictures.  I mentioned to a Park Ranger standing nearby that it must be much better at sunrise.  “Oh Yes,” he responded, “and you should see it from Sunrise in the morning.”  I made a note to set my alarm for 5:30. 

We left Chinook Pass and drove the steep, crooked Sunrise Road up to Sunrise.  It was fantastic but, again, not very photogenic in the setting sun.  Being on the southeast side of the park made early morning photography a necessity. 

We should have paid more attention to our map.  We stopped and missed views from farther up Sunrise Road.  I think we missed a Visitor Center and maybe more?

We may have missed a few things but it had been a long day and we were feeling less and less enthusiastic as it wore on.  Nothing seems close here in the park.  The closure of the normal route between the Eastern and Western sides of the park made distances even longer.  Our interest in Paradise would have to be another day and maybe another move between campsites.

We’ll make those major decisions when the enthusiasm returns.  Until then, I will cut this short, keeping the word count short to avoid total boredom.  We’ll be here for three days.  That should be more than enough for and entire chapter (edition, article) of its own.

Check back soon

l8r

We arrived in South Dakota a day earlier than expected.  We made good time across Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.   Our trip across the bread basket of America was rather enjoyable.  it reminded me of when the family farm was the soul of agriculture.  I really liked the green rolling hills after leaving drought-stricken Texas. 

Our first stop was in Perry, Oklahoma.  The campsite was only $20, which is a few dollars above Jane’s tight budget.  It probably was overpriced at that.  It was convenient.  We were tired and the spot was long enough to spend the night without disconnecting. 

There was a fright in Nebraska.  I wanted to make 500 miles before stopping. It was getting late when  we ran into a rain storm that turned to hail.  I pulled into a side road, trying to find shelter under a tree.  The side road turned out to be a farmers road into his fields.  Getting our rig turned around was exciting.  But we managed and only a few miles further on were rewarded with FREE camping in a City Park in O’Neil, the Irish Capitol of Nebraska. 

The campground included complete hookups and hot showers.  We have seen such parks on previous trips.  It is a good way of keeping tourist dollars in the small town’s economy.  We appreciated it enough to fill the fuel tank even though we still had half a tank.

We later learned that a tornado had touched down a short distance from where we had pulled into the farm road.  The stormy weather created a beautiful, somewhat frightening, sunset. 

Again, we had spent the night without disconnecting and were on the road before nine o’clock – a ridiculously early start for us. 

We were in Elk Mountain Campground – Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota; disconnected, completely setup and exploring the the area by mid-afternoon.  We drove through Custer State Park to get to Iron Mountain Highway and its three very narrow tunnels.  Each tunnel leads to progressively more interesting views of Mount Rushmore.  The drive along Iron Mountain Highway is an experience in itself, the kind of drive motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts love.

Iron Mountain is only one of several “must do” drives in the Black Hills.  Needles Highway is another.  We were very tired, however, and saved Needles and the Wildlife Loop around Custer State Park for another day.

A great meal at Cattlemen’s Steak House in Custer concluded an eventful day and made Jane happy.  We both were much too tired  (and hungry) to worry about preparing a meal in the trailer.  Prime Rib and a rib eye steak were only $35 and prepared to absolute perfection.  Should you ever pass through Custer City, South Dakota, a meal at Cattlemen’s Steak House is worth every penny.

The rush to get to South Dakota in three days had really worn me down.  I was in bed, asleep before dark.  The sleep did not last long.  A large storm move in and spent the night right over our campsite.  Lightning, booming thunder and constant rumblings accompanied a downpour.  It rained nearly all night.  And, lightning and thunder made sleeping intermittent at best.

But, I was up with the sun and off to see the wild things.  I left Jane to finish her beauty rest and headed to a town of prairie dogs that we had spotted on the way in.  They are really fun to watch and rather tame, considering that they are in the wild and NOT completely protected.  I got to watch a coyote catch and eat one of the little fellows.

It is a distant shot but that is a coyote eating a black tail prairie dog.

The wildlife was active but the area so vast that the morning light was gone without a lot of photographs.  I saw the prairie dogs, buffalo, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer but they weren’t doing anything interesting.  A feeding animal doesn’t generally make exciting images – unless it is eating another animal. 

I did make plans for the late-day light though, as I drove back to the campsite.  Jane had breakfast ready and we made “loose” plans another adventure. 

Most of the sight seeing drives start in or around Custer State Park.  There was no charge for driving the Iron Mountain Highway but for Needles and the Wildlife Loop there is a $15 fee.  The fee is good for seven days, however, and there is a lot to see and do within the park.

I should mention that Wind Cave National Park is really about the cave.  I’m sure it is interesting and the formations in the cave are unique.  But, we have done several cave tours.  We may have missed something but both prefer our adventure above the ground.

The Needles Highway drive was fun.  The Wildlife Loop around Custer State Park less so.  Maybe we were too early.  The only wildlife we saw was buffalo, pronghorns and the infamous wild burros.  There was even more traffic than the Needles drive and tour buses frequent the Wildlife Loop.  The Iron Mountain and Needles drives are restricted to passenger vehicles.  The twists and turns are much too tight for buses, motorhomes or trucks with trailers.  My opinion of the Loop probably was influenced by the rudeness of some tourists.

On our final day in the Black Hills, I made a few videos of the prairie dogs and a buffalo herd.  I need a lot of practice to develop any kind of skill as a videographer.  I keep forgetting that I have the capability.  That may be because I have to think so hard to get decent still pictures. 

But, sometimes they just happen.  One of my favorite images from the Black Hills set is a baby pronghorn antelope nursing. It was strictly serendipitous — right place at the right time.   I had been concentrating on the male (buck?) when the young antelope (kid?) got hungry.  There is a heavy shadow but the image is interesting.  It will make it into the family slide show. 

We spent our final day relaxing on the “1880 Train Ride” from Hill City to Keystone and back.  It would probably have been more enjoyable had we not already ridden the old steam train from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado.  In comparison, the 1880 train was very disappointing.  But, our stop for ice cream in the 1950s Diner was a hit.  Finished the day on a Happy Days note. 

We spent three nights in the Black Hills.  There is plenty to see and I’m sure we missed most of the sights.  There is just too much to see in our big, beautiful country.  As they say (I’ve heard) – for every image you capture, you have missed thousands. 

On to the Badlands.  That will be in a different gathering of a thousand words.

l8r

It wasn’t exactly that way.  The cruise she was suggesting was on a 137 year-old wooden ship with few to no modern conveniences.  She had booked passage on an historical old schooner that would transport us to and through the islands off the coast of Maine, as well as some of the most scenic ports ever to be visited. 

That was just the beginning.  Our anniversary celebration lasted seven weeks with historic and cultural excursions through twelve states, mountains, oceans, coastlines, safe harbors, farmlands and a few irritatingly large cities,  Much of it was strictly spur-of-the-moment decisions.  Only the cruise and a leased cottage near Acadia National Park were pre-planned.

I can’t effectively cover the entire adventure in one post.  It would be much too long and, for some, bore you to tears.  I’ll break it into sections to please myself and give any readers the opportunity to pick and choose what to read and when.  Chronological order may seem the best approach.  But, remember, my wife is the organized one. 

As stated, this will be approached from a photographer’s point of view.  i will drop a few tips or provide references throughout.  I’ll mention right here that this article is especially relevant for photographers using “point-and-shoot” cameras.  A lot of what I have submitted to my stock agencies was shot with a Sony Cyber Shot, DSC-W170, 10.1 Mega Pixel camera that I carried around in my pocket. 

I bought this camera shortly before leaving for the cruise because I was afraid that the salt water would ruin my “Professional” equipment.  Man, did this baby perform.  My wife used the camera for the above picture of me in a canoe.   I love it.

Since our grandson spends summers with us, his return to the DC area was incorporated into our plans.  We decided that driving would provide the best opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of our nation’s birthplace, the East Coast and especially New England.  Besides, Dillon is seventeen.  He helped my drive through Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia.  Parts of that section will be included in our adventure.

We will relax along the Blue Ridge Parkway; curse frantically along New Jersey and New York’s toll roads; recover along a calming, tree-covered Connecticut trail; see hardly any of Massachusetts; gape, open-mouthed at the beauty and cleanliness of our greenest state, Vermont. 

Hunting a moose will bring us into Maine a few days before our scheduled windjammer departure from Rockland, Maine.  The early arrival will allow us time to thrill at the plethora of lighthouses along our coastal shores, learn more about lobster men and the rugged life of fishing and fishermen;  step back in time as ancient airplanes and historic vehicles are on display and demonstrate their capabilities at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. 

We will document our six days of sailing on a strictly authentic schooner as we are offered the opportunity to learn sailing as hands-on crewmembers of this beautiful relic from our coastal history.  Our ship will follow no particular course as we let the wind lead us to the best harbor for the evening, or the most interesting of the thousands of islands along Maine’s coast. 

We will view much of Acadia National Park from the deck of our schooner and spend time ashore at our own lobster boil; gawk at the “cottages” of several of America’s wealthiest citizens and shop in quaint shops of Stonington, Maine on the ever popular Deer Isle.

We will spend another week in a small fishing cottage in Stonington, using that as headquarters as we explore Acadia National Park and eat lobster almost every day.  Jane will take in the local farmers market and we will see a movie in the hundred year old Stonington Opera House.

This already has gotten too long.  I will add pictures and anecdotes as we work our way around Moosehead Lake, the Catskills, Pennsylvania’s Amish Area and on to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  I promise something for everyone and a generous selection of images and photography techniques.  Please stay tuned for more on our great adventure.

l8r

In a good season, photographers line the highways and tourism brings a smile to the faces of local business people.  Finding just the right (not already occupied) spot is a task.  There is a place, however, for photographers to get an entire season of wildflower photographs in one day.  The Wildseed Farms is on US290,  seven miles east of Fredericksburg.  Not only can you have free access to their gardens, you can buy seeds and plants for your own garden.  They also offer very artistic planters, pots, bird baths, water structures and decorative designs.

My wife has a new car.  We decided to take it for an old-fashioned Sunday drive.  She had never been to the Wildseed Farm and had always wanted to see the place … and shop.  She is really into gardening.  She absolutely loved it.  We spent several hours there; me taking pictures and her ooohing and ahhhhing, admiring the flowers and handling the trinkets.  She wanted something for her mother.  (Mother’s Day, you know)  She didn’t find that perfect gift but did buy several packages of seeds for our own gardens.

There are 200 acres of wild flowers in  various stages of development.  The shopping areas are central; you go through the shops to get to the flower trails.  There is no charge and it seems the flower gardens are laid out with photographers in mind.  Distractions and busy backgrounds are minimal.

We stopped in Fredericksburg for our Sunday drive lunch but could just as well have visited the Wildflower Farms’ Brewbonned Biergarden.  They serve some excellent sandwiches and offer a beautiful outdoor setting for enjoying your lunch and beverage.

There also is a live butterfly exhibit.  We will try it on our next visit.  There is a small fee.  It was four dollars  for seniors.  I can’t recall the other prices.  You can gather much more information at their website, including phone numbers and the hours.  The website is at:

http://www.wildseedfarms.com/

Maybe we can schedule this as a Photography Club outing.  I will propose the idea tonight at our monthly meeting.

l8r

This week finds me pushing away from the “how to” stuff and just remembering how fortunate I have been.  My camera allowed me to be a part of one of the most exciting sports in the world – motocross.  It brought me close to super heroes and some of the zaniest characters ever.  One of my super heroes, David Bailey, was born December 31, 1961, in San Diego California.  In honor of his birthday, I’m dedicating this post to “The Icon.”

I first met David Bailey in Gaildorf, West Germany in September 1982.  He was rushed to Germany to replace Donnie Hansen on the US Motocross and Trophee des Nations Team.  Hansen was injured while practicing for these events.  The accident was essentially the end of his career and the beginning of David Bailey’s ascension to Super Hero status.  Ultimately, both riders were inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

One of my first images of The Icon was less than flattering. It was right after the first moto of the Trophee des Nations and he was puking his guts out.  In the rush to replace Donnie Hansen, David was not allowed a lot of transition time.  He was exhausted from the unplanned trip, adapting to a new time zone and sleep (or lack of) schedule, and had just raced his heart out for Team USA.  Against the best motocross racers the world had to offer this hardly heard of American had just hung on for an eighth place finish, enough to place his team first going into the final race.  Certainly no shame in that well-earned puke.  :-) 

1982 was the year after the Americans won their first ever Motocross des Nations title and the same year that one of the zaniest, most revered motocrossers of all time won all four motos of the Motocross and Trophee des Nations, a never-before-accomplished feat.  And, it was to never again be accomplished.  But this is not about Magoo (Danny Chandler.)  It’s the Icon’s birthday.  :-)

After a brief recovery, Bailey went on to an even better finish in the second moto.  He was sixth.  The Americans clobbered the world, placing all four team members in the top ten of each moto and winning the Trophee des Nations Championship by 21 points.

The following week, the team was in Wohlen, Switzerland for the Motocross des Nations.  Europeans looked at the 250cc bikes (Trophee des Nations) as a training ground for the “real” championship – the 500cc Open Class.  Though the American team had also won the Motocross des Nations in 1981, it was still regarded as a fluke by the rest of the world.  Magoo won both “big bike” motos and David Bailey was even better than on the 250; he finished fourth in the first moto behind Danny Chandler, Andre Vromans and David Thorpe.  He beat everyone but Magoo in the second moto and the fluke continued. 

That team of David Bailey, Johnny O’Mara, Danny Chandler and Jim Gibson is on my list of Super Heroes.  Man, those guys could ride.

I later wrote an article about Jim Gibson and his move to Yamaha.  See the previous blog post for that article.  David Bailey won both 250cc Motocross and Supercross championships in 1983, as well as again beating the world’s best by winning  the 250 USGP in Unadilla.  He and Brian Myerscough had one of the hardest fought most exciting motocross races I have ever seen, with Bailey taking the championship by beating such notables as Georges Jobe, Danny LaPorte, and Heinz Kinigadner –  all of whom are former 250cc World Champions.

Danny Chandler made a mockery of the 500cc Support Class at that event, winning so easily that he finished riding backwards on his Honda.

Unfortunately, I never got to watch Johnny O’Mara race again, although he went on to assemble one of the most impressive motocross resumes in the history of the sport.  Man, those guys could ride.

Though an unfortunate crash in 1987 ended his racing career, David Bailey still is one of the most authoritative voices in our sport.  It was his open letter to the industry that finally convinced me to spend over $400 on a piece of safety equipment for my grandson.  It is fun to think of those David Bailey days when I watch my grandson ride.  I even have a few pictures of him that look a little like the Icon.

 To the Icon, I say, “Thanks for the memories and Happy Birthday.” 

l8r

I continued to sell photographs and articles to newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies as a motorsports photojournalist through the mid-80s.  It wasn’t until recently, however, that I considered selling photographs as fine art.   It has taken some convincing to transform myself from photographer to artist.  I have some really beautiful images of beautiful things and beautiful places. But, to call my work fine art seems a bit pompous. I certainly did not create the beauty.  Was photographing that beauty creative?  I painted a photograph of Venice in Photoshop Elements.  Does that make it art?

I did a Google search on fine art photography.  Here is what I found in Wikipedia:

Fine art photography refers to photographs that are created to fulfill the creative vision of the artist. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism and commercial photography. Photojournalism is to promote an editorial point of view. Commercial photography’s main focus being to sell a product or service.
The final creative reason for a fine art photograph is the photograph itself. It is not a means to another end except perhaps to please those besides the photographer who beholds it.

Wikipedia is my most authoratative source of information. I may not be an Ansel Adams but, according to Wikipedia,  I am a fine art photographer.  

I have done a lot of thinking on the subject since taking steps to promote my name in the fine art field. An acquaintance, former editor of Dirt Rider Magazine, sells his images of Motocross Legends as fine art. I have since learned that calendars and fine art prints of these legends sell quite well. And, they are expressly presented as fine art prints. Somehow, that seems to be an oxymoron, calling a calendar fine art.   This classic image of motocross legend David Bailey at the Unadilla MX Track, New Berlin, NY was taken in 1983. When printed on fine art paper using the giclée printing process it is fine art.  Many people have enjoyed them.  It seems the only answer to the question is … beauty is in the mind of the beholder.  I enjoy my art.  Hope you will too.

I have also copied several posts from my previous blog.  One, for instance, is my first impression of my new Nikon D80, Nikon D80 — WOW!.  It was written in March 2007, but seemed fitting for this blog.  Any article that seems confusing in relation to time or date was probably copied from the earlier blog.  They will be toward the bottom of this blog.  The more recent posts will be near the top.   I will try to include only those that I think will interest most readers/photographers.  Check the sidebar for subjects.  If you find it interesting … great.  If not … check back tomorrow.