Teton Snowshoe Day

Forecast was for clouds and snow showers but we had blue sky all day!

We decided to return to Taggert Lake to re-take the photos of yesterday and then carry on to neighbouring Bradley Lake. We used snowshoes and easily covered the ground.

I used a Satmap gps with detailed topo mapping to keep us on track. The section down to Bradley Lake was quite steep but otherwise it was easy.

Lots of photos of the close-by main Tetons. Excellent light all day. Used orange filters a lot but also dark yellow when I was concerned about making the dark green conifers too dark.

Even managed some picket fencing and shadows near the car.

Another great day for taking photos.

Jackson Hole Skiing and Grand Tetons Snowshoeing

My daily blog is a bit behind as I have been ill since arriving in America. Still trying to keep to plans as need the photos.

Wednesday we skied Jackson Hole on a really good day. The views from the high point for the area (Rendezvous Mountain) were spectacular but it was bloody cold!

The surrounding mountains, as well as those for skiing, are all in the Tetons. Jackson is renowned for having lots of snow but right now the cover is thin and icy in places. The skiing was good though and I took 4 rolls of Ilford FP4, so I now have shots of the Jackson Hole ski area.

After skiing I had a quick turnaround and was out taking night shots in Jackson town. There is a square in the centre with Christmas lights on the trees there and an illuminated arch on each of the 4 corners. The arches are made of Elk antlers so they are a bit unusual. I seemed to be a bit of a novelty and had several conversions with passers-by.

Thursday was another good day with blue skies, frosted trees and a few clouds. It was cold, -15°C, but clear - great for photos.

We followed 191 north and pulled up at the winter trailhead for Antelope Flats and I was out of the car as the wheels stopped turning, eager not to miss the light and eager to cover the mile to the first location. The first stop was a barn with a frosted tree and the Grand Tetons range in the background.

Then it was along Mormon Row to Moulton Barn. This is better known than the first barn but I preferred the first. There were a few other photogenic buildings here too. The last shots were of frosted trees with the Grand Tetons in the background.

Next stop was Oxbow Bend. The light was poor so few shots. Then a bit of exercise snowshoeing around the Colter Bay area. Again the light was poor.

Friday and we spent another good day photographing the Tetons. We had a leisurely start as a poor day was forecast. We had blue sky in Jackson but as we drove closer the clouds were thick over the big peaks.

These had thinned by time we reached Oxbow Bend. Great light. Lots of shots with patches of water and snow in foreground and Tetons in background. I took a mix of wide-angle and standard lens shots so I have some where the mountains are larger in the frame.

Then it was down to the Jackson Lake dam. Not so much to put in the foreground but spotted some animal tracks in the snow so used them as a lead-in.

Great light at Teton Point Viewpoint so a quick stop here; directly in front of Grand Teton the highest mountain in the range.

Then it was time for some exercise and we snowshoed to Taggert Lake.
The light was a bit subdued but still okay. Made it back to the car as it was going dusk.

It was a 2 brewery evening, first with fizzy bitter and a Thai meal then to the Snake River Brewery for some Zonker Stout. Had to de-aerate using a mix of techniques, whisking with a straw and pouring from glass to glass. It was worth it though.

Wyoming

We survived the New Years Eve party with Rob and Annie. Nice to meet so many of their friends.

New Years Day we drove 4 hours to Laramie in Wyoming. It was dead, looked like everyone had gone somewhere else. The historic old town also didn't impress so no photos. The brewery pub was shut which put another black mark against the town.

The day after we drove to Rock Springs. A bigger town than Laramie and the brewery pub (Bitter Creek. Brewing Co) was open! Had a jolly nice porter, several times. Their chiller was broken so it was actually served at the right temperature.

Today, 3rd January, we drove to Jackson. A large town with a reputation for great skiing. Took a few photos en route, mainly skyscapes, but not a great day for pictures.

There hasn't been much snow in the USA this winter so the lower meadows along the roads are not that spectacular.

The brewery pub in Jackson was open and had some jolly nice Zonker stout.

Tomorrow we ski Jackson Hole. The forecast is good so fingers crossed there will be some good photos too.

Colorado

We arrived in Colorado on Thursday night from Washington a bit later than planned.

Most of the snow that fell last week has gone or turned to ice here in Boulder. It's mild and windy.

Just had treatment on my back and neck by Amanda to loosen it before we start our road trip tomorrow.

Walked in the foothills of the Rockies yesterday with good views of the Flatirons and surrounding peaks. Didn't go far, just 6 miles, as I picked up a chest infection on the flight over on Tuesday and combined with the 5200 feet of altitude and my asthma breathing is a little tricky.

Stopped at the Southern Sun on way back for a Java Porter, one of my all-time favourite beers.

I changed my HTC Chacha for a Samsung Galaxy S2 last week. The old phone ran out of internal memory and no easy fix so Vodafone did a swap to get me going again.

Just discovered it has an 8mp camera so tried it out on walk with pictures of Flatirons and surrounding peaks. Also photographed my first pint in Boulder!

Tomorrow we drive to Laramie en route to Grand Tetons. Before that I have a New Years Eve party to go to with our friends Rob and Annie!

Washington DC Photos and Breweries

Just waiting at hotel for shuttle to airport.

Have taken 12 rolls / 120 negatives in Washington DC. Managed to avoid arrest taking photos of the White House but stopped from using tripod. Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson and several other monuments and statues. The reflecting pool was a building site.

Cold and windy yesterday, my main day for photographs. The flags were impressive in such strong wind.

Also walked around Georgetown, very stylish old buildings and an old canal.

Quite a few night shots, they also hid the mess from lots of building works going on. Reminded me of London!

As luck would have it we also found 2 brew pubs. The Capital City Brewing Co. had a very tasty porter but the food could have been better.

The Chophouse Brewery had 2 good Stouts, an oatmeal and a bourbon one. I stuck to the oatmeal one so that I was capable of walking back to the hotel. The food was good here.

Fly to Denver for the ski and snowshoe part in a couple of hours. Looking forward to seeing our best friends Rob and Annie again in Boulder. Hope they have built up to spending 3 weeks with us!

Heathrow Virgin

We are sitting in the Virgin lounge at Heathrow waiting for our flight to Washington DC. This is the first leg of our photo trip to the USA. About 30 minutes until we board. Photos in Washington DC later. Hope it's brighter than here. Night shots later too.

As usual Heathrow refused to do hand search on my film so had to put through x-ray machine. Hope the US airports give hand searches as the effects are cumulative and we pass 4 scanners in total. I have seen x-ray damage to my films after just 3 passes in the past.

Christmas Travels Begin

That's it, my last Christmas order for framed photos has been delivered at a rendezvous with customer at the A50 services south of Derby. Now driving down M1 to spend Christmas with Jan's family in Harpenden.

Tuesday we fly from London Heathrow to Washington DC. The first stop on this years winter photo trip. Colorado, Wyoming and Utah follow for skiing and snowshoeing. Really looking forward to the break, it's been pretty full on through last 3 months. Lots of photography planned too, as you would expect, as well as the odd visit to a brew pub or two!

Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to one and all.

Berwick upon Tweed in Winter

We came up to Berwick yesterday in the snow and ice. Took 6 hours instead of 4 because of difficulty getting out of Peak District (snow storms and sheet ice on roads), big detour and traffic jams.

We are here planning the landscape photography course that we are running here in April 2012. It will be 1 day around Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles, 1 day in Berwick, Eyemouth and St Abbs, and 1 day in the Cheviot or Lammermuir hills.

Good day today, cold and clear. Big waves on the coast at Eyemouth and St Abbs, good for pics. Light went early though, by 3.30pm it was the start of night photography! Main bridge in Berwick looks great with Christmas lights and It's a full mooooon.

Tomorrow we're in the hills, hopefully. They are snow covered so should be good if clear. Will return home via Newcastle for some night shots; I have had a few requests at recent shows for shots from here.

As luck would have it, we found a Wetherspoons pub in Berwick. Just finished dinner and on to 2nd pint. Ruddles bitter and this one, Goodwill Bitter, were both cloudy but tasted fine. Looks like they're rushing them through!

Off to take more night shots soon then back to Travelodge on the north side of Berwick. Jan dozing after large Merlot, will have to wake her carefully!

First Snowy Walk this Winter

I walked to the Gallery in the Gardens in Buxton this morning. Good covering of snow everywhere, up to 6 inches on the tops but mostly just 2 or 3 inches of wet snow. Bit of a blizzard on the most exposed section, typical!

Jolly quiet in the Gallery today. I wonder why?

Didn't bring the camera as Pauline, who should be helping this morning, is ill. Can't sneak out as on my own. Nice light now and snow plastered on the tree trunks. Am sure it won't last, they forecast gales and more snow for later.

The snow will make it a bit lighter walking home tonight in the dark, should be home by 7pm, maybe earlier if Pavilion Gardens closes early because of the weather.

Artist & Designer's Fair, Buxton

We are doing our 15th and last show of 2011 this weekend. This is the Artist & Designer's Fair in Buxton Pavilion Gardens, 10am to 4.30pm, free entry.

We have lots of original prints at half-price as well as posters from £5, books at £5 plus lots of other prints from £15 to £180.

If you are interested in a course for next year why not come along for a chat about our new locations in Northumberland (April) and Glen Coe (September) as well as the old favourites of the Peak District, Lake District and Yorkshire Dales around Grassington.