I thought it was time for a quick update.  It’s a busy time of year.  As I have said before, one of my favorite places to visit is Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.  I missed the spring flower show this year, kinda.  I went the weekend before the opening.  I do this on purpose because most of the construction work is complete but the crowds are a minimum since most people don’t go until the official opening.  Unfortunately, this year the work was running behind schedule and very few rooms were complete.  Those that were done had small plants with minimal blooms.  So it was a bust.

I ventured back to Phipps last Sunday for the summer flower show, again the weekend before opening day.  This time I wasn’t disappointed.  A couple rooms still needed work but the majority were completed plus a few displays of the spring flowers were still in bloom.  Since there were no crowds it was a great time to take a few macros and abstracts.

I hope to get back in a couple weeks since that should give more time for the plants to bloom.  Anyone interested in making the trip with me should send me an email.

Keep clickin!

While in Tucson I made the usual stops in Saguaro National Park, the Sonoran Desert Museum, and several other local and state parks as well as some botanical gardens.  I mention this because flowers are not the only things I like to photograph.

The Desert Museum is more of a zoo and garden then a museum.  I was lucky to get some good shots of the coyote, bobcat and fox…remember, let the sleeping fox lie…  The Museum gardens and aviary are wonderful places to spend time photographing.  For me, it’s usually hours or until the heat gets to me.  Birds are particularly abundant this time of year since they feed on the blooms (hummungbirds, etc) or on what else feeds on the blooms (insects and other birds).  Hawks, hummingbirds and woodpeckers make easy targets around the blooms as they wait for dinner.

The downtown Barrio District has beautiful examples of colorful dwellings typical of the southwest.  Much like the Mexican War Streets area in Pittsburgh, these homes are strictly governed to keep them as authentic as possible.  Though not a large neighborhood, visiting in the morning and evening can give very different looks.

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Do you have a bucket list? I think that we all kinda have one as we get older. Even if we don’t admit it. One item on my photo bucket list is the desert wildflower bloom. It’s a tricky thing since it depends on rainfall, temps and fate. I hoped to get that one crossed off this spring.

I flew into Tucson only to be told I was a little late for the main events. The Mexican Poppies had bloomed early because of the unseasonable temps and early spring. Plus the stiff breezes had taken a toll on the delicate blooms. I still hoped to find some blooms since I was here and determined to visit the usual places plus a few recommended from websites.

The first day I drove up to Picacho Peak State Park but the poppies were indeed done. Next I tried Catalina State Park. The report was that the poppies were only on the higher trails, which were over 2.5 miles to the trail. Things were not looking good.

An amusing side note. Many people were overwhelmingly happy to tell me “the hedgehogs are starting to bloom.” Really? The little rodents bloom? No, silly! The Hedgehog cactus! Well, why didn’t you say so? Guess it’s a big deal to desert dwellers…

I drove north through Globe into the Indian reservations. I was delighted to find several patched of wildflowers and poppies. No hillsides or sweeping vistas but good enough for me. I made the usual stops in Saguaro National Park, the Sonora Desert Museum, and several other local and state parks as well as some botanical gardens.

In all, I think it was a good trip. I may have to attempt it again sometime but for now, I’m satisfied enough to at least put a “check” next to that item on the list if I don’t actually cross it off.

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On my last full day in Gatlinburg, TN, the weather forecast called for a snow storm to pass north of town through KY and WV.  I was a little disappointed because I hoped to get images of the streams and old cabins with some snowfall.  As usual, I was not so lucky.

When I left the next day I was surprised to see how much snow was on the trees, ground and buildings on my way home.  The closer I got to the Beckley, WV area, the more determined I was to get to the Babcock State Park and the Glade Creek Grist Mill.  Although it was a little late in the day for the best light, the snow still clung to the trees and rocks along the stream.

I had been to Glade Creek many times in the past but this was the first time with this type of significant snow fall.  As sorry as I was that there was no snow in GSMNP, I was really pleased to have made it to the Mill.

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The water was running well in the streams and waterfalls.  I found several new sections of stream to photograph as well as exploring several back roads I had not attempted before.

I’m not sure how well I did with my challenge since I have not had a lot of time to process my images but several look good initially.  I will attempt to get some more processed soon.  In the mean time, I hope you enjoy these.

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What do you think of a photography challenge?  Want to try one?

Bob Hitchman has been publishing the Photograph America Newsletter travel newsletter for photographers since 1989. Each issue of the 12-page newsletter describes in detail where to photograph North American landscapes, wildlife, hidden waterfalls, remote beaches, slot canyons, wildlife migrations, and much more. Learn where, when, and how to discover the best nature photography in America.  Now numbering 120, these newsletters are wonderfully detailed with places to photograph (often including GPS coordinates), places to stay, equipment to bring and much more.

Bob also produces a calendar listing the places to photograph by month.  It is a great planning tool for photography or just vacations.  For instance, you wouldn’t go to Washington D.C. in February to photograph the Cherry Blossoms or look for Autumn foliage in June.

But what if you can’t get away to that special place at just the right time?  Now that’s the challenge!

I find myself in Tennessee outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  This is a wonderful place to visit for spring flowers for fall colors.  Even summertime can offer the nature photographer a chance at wildlife in the park.  Unfortunately for me, its February.

I spent the day looking for something worthy of photographing.  Moss-covered rocks still line streams and falls but the trees are bare.  Oddly enough, the daffodils have started blooming.  I plan on looking more tomorrow but rain may make it more difficult.

If you feel up to the challenge, post your ‘right place, wrong time’ photos in the comments.  I’d like to see them.

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This Saturday my daughter and grand-daughter as well as our niece and her daughter came over for a play-date.  The two little girls (age 2 and 5) had a great time running around the house, chasing the dogs and playing the piano (my head is still ringing!)

As luck would have it, we also had one of our biggest snowfalls of this overly-warm winter.  With several inches of snow on the ground, the girls and Kringle (dog) went out to play.  Snow Angels, sled-riding and general horseplay kept the girls busy for about an hour until the temperature and wind forced them back inside for hot chocolate.

It was wonderful having the girls (big and small) around for the day

Now…back on topic.  See attached photos.

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I was out hiking when I found this beaver pond.  Then on my way back to the car, I saw a grouse drumming on a log.  I thought I was really lucky until a rattlesnake appeared, ready to strike.

Honest!

All right, the truth is I had to make a trip to Cabalas on Friday and remembered to take a camera.  For anyone who has not been to a Cabalas or Bass Pro Shop, these stores are a lot more than just a retailer.  Streams and waterfalls, mountainscapes and deserts make up displays of animals in natural habitats.  Full body mounts and heads of various record animals are on display in the “Hall of Horns.”

These make for interesting places to photograph.  Lighting is good and the climate is great.  Although they might complain if you set up a camp and tripod, the people who work there are usually accommodating and friendly.

Just remember to be truthful about where the photos were taken!

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A  few places come to mind in the Pittsburgh area and a lot of other places around the country.   There are a number of indoor places where we can go and take photos of birds, animals and flowers. Here is a list of a few:

• Phipps Conservatory – Phipps and other Botanical gardens like The Franklin Park Conservatory and Longwood Gardens allow photographers (with some restrictions) to use tripods and photograph floral displays.  This is a great place for macro photography.

• The National Aviary – Aviaries are a great place to find all sorts of birds in controlled settings.  The displays may have screens or thin wire fronts that can be shot through and may not be evident in the photos if you can get close.  Also some have large rooms that allow the birds to fly freely.  Filled with trees and pools, these are great for photos of the birds in natural environments.

• Zoos – Although zoo animals may be kept indoors while the weather is bad, many zoos have bird or reptile houses that are open.  Like the aviary, these can be great for birds.  Reptiles can be a little more challenging.  Their enclosures are usually small and obviously artificial.

• Aquariums – Many aquariums are a real challenge because of the lighting and crowds.  Winter usually is less crowded.  Lighting can be compensated for with high ISO and fast lenses.  Fish are seldom still and move quickly so “keepers” are hard to get.

• Butterfly houses – Butterfly houses are like botanical gardens with a little something special.  I’ve found them in many states around the country.  Some let photographers in early to beat the crowds and because the butterflies are less active in the mornings before the buildings warm up.

Although these are just a few suggestions, many great places are right under your nose.

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Which leads me to the second thing I realized:  Spring isn’t far away!  At least not calendar wise.  Spring is a great time to be out.  Wildflowers, trees in bloom, waterfalls have nice flow and so much more is just waiting for you to discover it.  I can’t wait!

While I still like to photograph winter scenes, I sometimes think the Photography Gods created winter for us mortals so we can get caught up with the past year’s accumulation of images and to get prepared for the new photo season.  I’m currently working both angles at the moment.

As I have for many years, I created my new year’s calendar featuring images from my last year’s travels.  This year’s 2012 calendar features Rhode Island, Arizona, Columbus, OH, as well as some local Pittsburgh images.  I have also started compiling images for my coffee table book, In Reflection, that I have done for the past several years.  I am also updating my file backup system with larger drives.

In preparation for the new year, equipment maintenance tops the list.  One body is already back from Canon service and 2 more will head out soon for minor tuning and cleaning.  I clean the Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods here as well as the ball heads.  Cleaning out the accumulated debris from the camera packs is usually last.  I am also updating my handouts and samples for a new basic photography class.

It’s a busy time of year getting past work organized and processed and the equipment ready for the upcoming year.  Spring is just around the corner and will start off with a trip to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park with Palm Springs and Italy to follow.

Anyone interested in photographing with a great group of experienced photographers, check out http://allaboutmpeg.blogspot.com.  The group travels throughout Western PA, Ohio and WV to some great photography spots.  If you want to try it out before joining, any member can take a guest to a shoot.  Contact me if you’re interested and we can review the 2012 shoots planned so far.

Take off the lens cap and get shooting!