BH Fire

We got our first look at the BHF yesterday.  This was the slop-over in the canyon where the fire crossed the highway.  It was about what you'd expect.  I mean, it was what you'd expect if you walk in the woods every day, which most people who want to talk about it don't do.  The wild rose and elderberry is sprouting right now.  It is going to be really interesting to see the progression.  The greenleaf manzanita is going to do really well for one thing.

Panguitch Lake

Today we got out on the lake.  I lily-dipped us half-way across and then tried to show EDO how to j-stroke us back.  The wind picked up, of course, and made it harder than it had to be.  But she worked through it.  She zigged and zagged.  She struggled.  She rapped her knuckles on the gunwales.  But she did it.  Eventually settling in to a relatively straight line.  The kid has a lot of potential.

Return to So Utah

After ten long days in northern Utah, we finally returned to the southern mountains.  I made a picture of this little pond, which I had never seen before.  I really like the picture.  When I was done, EDO asked me to pose as the Cookie Monster.  I'm not sure why.  But, I did it.

White Pine with Moose

During our little trip up the White Pine Trail the other day, Mark noticed this big fella in the woods.  On the way back, EDO noticed him again.

Up the White Pine Trail

We've been stuck indoors for most of the week.  But, thanks to Mark, EDO enjoyed a good hike at White Pine on Thursday.  It rained a little as we started up, but when we got to our turn-around point, the sun was bright again.

Drawing a Crowd

The new Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) is one of the best venues in the state.  Last year, when it opened, VSO was featured as a member of the Arts Afire paint-out that was originally hosted by the Cedar Breaks National Monument.  This year, it evolved into a 12 person juried event called Chasing Light.  Whatever they want to call it, I always enjoy seeing VSO's work on the big stage, so to speak.  Here she was last night, drawing a crowd.

Best You've Seen

Sometimes you get home, download the pictures from your camera, and realize that they are some of the best ever:  Some of the best you've ever made and some of the best you've ever seen.  And it is no credit to you.  As I've said before, with a digital camera it is simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time.  After that, the software does the rest.  In any case, Cedar Breaks has never looked this good.

Magazine Quality

A couple of months ago, a friend of a friend described one of my pictures as "magazine quality."  I like the scenery in that one too, but the subject is the little-engine-that-could.  What if I made one with great scenery, plus a truly photogenic subject?  Like the old man?  No?

OK.  How about this one?

Or this?

BHF

For the past two weeks, we've been able to watch the Brian Head Fire from our front yard.  The fire perimeter has reached 60,000 acres and, while I don't think it will grow much larger, this is probably the largest fire we've had on the Markagunt for about the past 200 years.  The easy answer, and the one that local politicians enjoy spouting, is that fire is the result of mismanagement.  If you've ever walked in these woods, though, it quickly becomes obvious that they were shaped by fire:  Every inch of them has burned in the past.  And every inch of them will burn in the future.  It is not a matter of if, just when.