Jim Child Photography

I follow Moose Peterson’s Blog pretty religiously.  He is one of the few professionals that blogs multiple times a day.  And almost always he is helping the blog reader.   We have one thing in common.  We love to photograph clouds.  Though I don’t post many, my camera is aimed at clouds a lot.  Last week we flew in our jet to look at sites in a new area.  Late that day as we headed back home the cloud configurations were just spectacular.  Photographing through a window does not always provide the best results photographically.  I couldn’t pass on blogging these beauties!  Believe me I was glad my pilot averted the center of  these.  Better where we were looking back and getting some captures of this incredible site.

It is not uncommon for me to have to drop everything and tend to a critical issue at one of our working stores.  Though I am not directly involved in the maintenance of the stores there are times that my experience is needed.  This last weekend (Easter Weekend) was no exception.  Friday night I left for Cedar City and returned Sunday afternoon.  Not the greatest Easter observance ever.  I did however take a break mid day and drove the short disctance to Kolob Canyon.   Kolob is on the back side of Zions National Park and still within it’s boundaries.  Millions of people drive down I-15 in Utah and drive right past the exit to Kolob Canyon.  The crazy part is that the Canyon is a mere 4-5 miles from I-15.  And it is incredibly beautiful.  Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  This day I decided to walk/hike to the back of one of the canyons.  Because of  my failing back I was a little apprehensive.  As I progressed up the trail my pains got no worse.  In fact the strenuous nature of the trail and the beautiful surroundings gave me some relief from the pain.  As a side note the next morning was hell.  Felt like I had a wrecking ball dropped on my back.  It was worth it though.  The hike round trip took a little more than 4 hours.  I carried two cameras, a few lenses and some other gear.  About 30 lbs. worth of gear.  It was delightful.  The grandness of the rock features was overwhelming.  Several times I stopped and enjoyed the scenery.  When my trek stopped at the back of the canyon (too narrow to pass) I sat for a while and meditated.  The only sounds was the slight breeze, a woodpecker and the occasional rustling of last falls dried out leaves.  There is no way photographically or in words to describe what I experienced.

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The light reflecting off one wall to the other wall was surreal.  In seemed as though I was standing in the middle of a water color painting.

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The formations created by wind, water and the elements where so unique and individual.  Yet an art created just for me that day.

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Though I was spent physically, my spirits were lifted with the time alone, the peace and quiet and the accomplishment of getting to the top of the trail….

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