Bastion Falls

Bastion Falls, Hudson Valley, New York

Iceland - Grass Church

Church with grass roof, Iceland 

The one image I wanted to make on this trip was to re-shoot the church with the grass roof. One would pass this church on the way to the glacier lagoon - it sits on a private farm just off the highway. When I was  in Iceland last year I had maybe 15 minutes one morning to photograph this church and never got something I liked....This time around there were only three of us so time was not an issue. I decided to make a three image panoramic to give an idea of how remote a location this is. These churches are in all sorts of locations from behind the barn to high on the hill overlooking a town - other are hidden like this one on a private farm hidden behind the barn....

Highlight of the trip was going back to the glacier lagoon twice....this morning we caught a marvelous pink sky over the lagoon that lasted for about 60 minutes.....and it got even better after the sun peeked out...IMage from this week will be on the blog next week...both iPhone (iphone-antics.blogspot.com) and these pages.

Driving back to  Reykjavik  today - back to New York tomorrow.......these trips always end way to fast......

Racetrack Playa

Sailing Stone, Racetrack Playa, Death Valley

Yesterday we went to Racetrack Playa to see the 'sailing stones'. Racetrack is situated above Death Valley in Inyo County, California. Rented two four wheel drive Jeeps and headed out mid-day on the 72 mile trek - the last 28 miles being on rocky roads.....

The 'sailing stones' seem to move across the surface of Racetrack leaving a track behind, apparently not caused by human hand. They move across the Playa surface approximately once every two years leaving a track that they say lasts for two or three years.

The general consensus, although no one has ever seen them moving, is that strong winds with speeds up to 90 miles per hour move the stones across Racetrack. Another theory is that rain accumulates, which at lower temperatures turn to ice, and coupled with the strong wind, causes the larger rocks to slide across Racetrack.

If you can get out to Death Valley this is a day well spent.....

West End

Death Valley, West End

Captured with Alpa SWA12, Phase One P65, 120MM Schneider

Death Valley

Death Valley, January 2011

'How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains'....John Muir

Death Valley seems rather quiet this time of year. Not sure why as the weather is great - around 68 degrees.

Up early yesterday to catch a sunrise out at Zabriske Point. The 'Point' just might be one of the best places to catch a sunrise - afternoon sunset was at Dante's View.

As mentioned yesterday I am road testing a new camera, the Alpa SW. The Alpa is a Swiss made, view camera style, lightweight camera. Basically it is a body, lens and digital back. No mirrors or zoom lens to deal with - just a high quality view camera lens, and I am out with a Schneider 48MM 5.6.

Basically I wanted to drop the amount of weight in my backpack and the Alpa , for me, is the perfect choice. The camera rides around my neck on the very well made  Alpa neckstrap and I carry my tripod. In my Scottie Vest are spare batteries and a few filters - no backpack - no weight....Amazing

Int he future will probably add another lens and a few accessories that will need a small backpack but still my guess is that I save minimum 10-15 pounds.

More on the Alpa tomorrow...

Red Rocks

Red Rocks National Park, Las Vegas, Nevada

Arrived Vegas yesterday, rented a car and headed out to Death Valley for a couple of days. Bought a new camera, an Alpa SW, and thought I would take it out for a test drive in the desert. Since I had to be in Vegas on Thursday this seemed a perfect short adventure.

On the way out of Vegas saw a signpost for Red Rock National Park and headed off in that direction. Never really knew there was a National Park so close to Vegas. Another one crossed off the bucket list.

Lots to learn about this camera still but here is the first image. More the camera in tomorrow's blog - have to run and off and catch the sunrise at Zabriske Point.