Tag: Flagstaff

Sunset glow on the Kachina Peaks

Several days of snow have come to an end and the skies cleared just before sunset to allow the low sun to bring a fantastic glow to the Kachina Peaks. A few lingering clouds add to the dramatic effect.

Sunset glow on the Kachina Peaks.
Sunset glow on the Kachina Peaks.

It’s cold outside…and I don’t want to get up and shoot photos!

We’ve had several days of snow across northern Arizona with about 20 inches measured in Flagstaff — and lesser amounts in the lower elevations. Snow levels were low enough that Sedona recorded snow but little or no accumulation. That means that a few inches or more fell and accumulated in Oak Creek Canyon. When there is snow on the red rock the scenery can be amazing and worth photographing. Even if it’s cold outside.

Morning light illuminates the red rock walls of Oak Creek Canyon above Slide Rock State Park. (HDR image)
Morning light illuminates the red rock walls of Oak Creek Canyon above Slide Rock State Park. (HDR image)

All things considered, it wasn’t too bad. Temperatures were in the mid-teens when I left Flagstaff and were in the mid-20s near Slide Rock State Park. This is much warmer than last year when I shot photographs at Slide Rock State Park.

Snow clings to the steep walls of Oak Creek Canyon. (HDR image)
Snow clings to the steep walls of Oak Creek Canyon. (HDR image)

To add to the visual interest, there were clouds clinging to the upper walls of the canyon that caught the early morning sun.

Wispy clouds swirl around the cliff tops of Oak Creek Canyon.
Wispy clouds swirl around the cliff tops of Oak Creek Canyon.

Because of the extreme dynamic range of light with dark shadows and brightly-lit snow I took multiple exposures and then experimented with HDR (high dynamic range) to tone map the results. Definitely a lot of fun but like many HDR images some of the results look a bit cartoonish. Nonetheless, presented here for your amusement.

Reflected sky in the deep pools of Oak Creek.
Reflected sky in the deep pools of Oak Creek.

So, I’m glad I got up early and braved the cold. The photos were worth it. After I finished shooting, I headed to Indian Gardens Oak Creek Market for coffee and a bagel.

Winter has arrived…

It’s been a warm and dry fall and up until a few days ago only about one inch of snow has fallen. That all changed yesterday and today and we have had about 18″ of new snow in the Flagstaff area with more to come. Instead of our NATRA group trail run today some of us went cross-county skiing (but I forgot the camera!). So, here are a few shots from the neighborhood instead.

New snow blankets the Ponderosa Pine forest.
New snow blankets the Ponderosa Pine forest.
Detailed texture of snow clinging to branches.
Detailed texture of snow clinging to branches.

First Friday Art Walk with Sambatuque and Circus Bacchus

It’s the beginning of the month and another Flagstaff First Friday Art Walk is here. This is a year-round event that occurs every month, rain or shine (or snow) and is well attended.

Circus Bacchus performer.
Circus Bacchus performer.
Sambatuque performing on Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Sambatuque performing on Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Circus Bacchus playing with fire at Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Circus Bacchus playing with fire at Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Circus Bacchus at Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Circus Bacchus at Heritage Square, Flagstaff, Arizona.

This month there were performances at Heritage Square by Sambatuque on their percussion instruments and theatre performance by Circus Bacchus.

Venus Transit of the the Sun

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The transit of Venus across the face of the Sun on 05-06 June 2012 UTC was an amazing sight. Even more amazing is the rarity of this event. Transits of Venus occur in pairs approximately eight years apart then not repeated again for over one hundred years. Since this was the second transit of the pair the next will not occur until the year 2117. So, if you wanted to see a transit, this was your last best chance!

NASA has compiled some stunning video and images of the transit. The SpaceWeather site also has information and a user gallery of images.

Venus transiting the sun at 1523 MST (2223 UTC). The full disk of the planet is visible at this time.
Venus transiting the sun at 1523 MST (2223 UTC). The full disk of the planet is visible at this time.

I was able to capture several images of the transit including first contact at ~2206 UTC and when the full disk first became completely visible in front of the sun.

Venus transiting the sun as the sun sets behind the low mountains west of Flagstaff. Image shot using a ND3 filter.
Venus transiting the sun as the sun sets behind the low mountains west of Flagstaff. Image shot using a ND3 filter.

As the sun began to set behind the mountains west of Flagstaff I was able to capture this image with the lower portion of the sun already behind the trees.

Composite image of (1) filtered image of the sun and Venus in transit and (2) the darkening sky a few minutes after sunset.
Composite image of (1) filtered image of the sun and Venus in transit and (2) the darkening sky a few minutes after sunset.

This image is a composite of a filtered image of the sun followed a few minutes later by a standard exposure showing the colors in the evening sky as well as numerous birds.

(Edit: Fixed typo in year of next transit.)