Canyon Rim Photography

More from Canaan Mt.

2008-10-09T09:55:00.001-07:00

I love to catch the light coming through the leaves as they change color.
Because it is so moist on Canaan Mt. it provides a perfect environment for Soapwort Gentian.

Table Rock

2008-10-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Table Rock overlook is one of the many fine overlooks into Blackwater Canyon. From here you can see the Otter Creek wilderness.

Canaan Valley

2008-10-07T16:10:00.001-07:00

Some one turned the cloud machine on just as soon as I got there. This was taken on Canaan Mt. I found loads of cranberries and blueberries. The blueberries were a surprise since their season is usually around August. Here I am in a sea of cottongrass!
On one of my evening hikes I came across these ferns with some sort of insect hatch going on. It was quite lively.
I walked up on this little doe late one evening. She had an itch on her hind leg. All in all the weather was perfect the entire time I was there. I'll post more tomorrow.

Blackwater River

2008-10-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

They call it the Blackwater river because there is so much tannin in the water from the decaying understory that the water is a tea color. I'm leaving tomorrow for four days of shooting the fall colors up there. The weather is going to be perfect this time. Last weekend it was nothing but rain. I'm packed and ready to go. Wish I could take you all with me you'd love it! I should have something posted by Tuesday.

Blackwater Canyon

2008-09-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Blackwater Canyon and Canaan Valley have been described as ''a piece of Canada gone astray''. At an elevation of 3,000-4,000 feet both the canyon and the valley share a flora very similar to Canada. Bogs,cranberries,balsam fir and tamarack just to name a few. The area also receives an average of 150'' of snow much of it attributed to lake effect . It's an area of extreme beauty and one that offers many recreational possibilities. As a forestry student at WVU I spent 3 summers hiking in the canyon looking for genetically superior trees. Once identified we would make a map and then come back and collect the seeds either by climbing the tree or shooting branches out with seeds on them. Once collected we'd plant them in a nursery and follow their growth cycle.

It's from this point here that West Virginia's Office of Tourism shoots their photos for come and visit '' Wild Wonderful West Virginia''

Fly Like an Eagle

2008-09-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hey I had to post these blasts from the past for you all to enjoy. These were probably taken 1960-62 while I was in boy scouts. As a young boy I wanted to be an indian then when I joined the boy scouts my dream came true. I fell into a group of boys that also wanted to be indians. We made everything you see here and in the next photo. We read books and studied indian clothing, customs and dances.
Here I am on the right doing the Hopi Snake Dance. I've got a feather and am trying to distract the blacksnake from biting my buddy. It was great fun and brings back great memories!

Maine

2008-09-22T17:27:00.001-07:00

They had the most magnificent collection of rocks on their beaches. Of course signs were posted '' Do not remove rocks from the beach'' I could have filled the trunk of our car! Damn they were beautiful.

Relay for Life

2008-09-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

I've been attending the Relay for Life since 2002. When I saw this young girl my thoughts were '' she's to young to have cancer'' Cancer sucks!
David is a friend of mine and I call him the mayor of Winchester, Va which is where he lives. David knows no strangers. He's one of the most out going people that I know. The young lady next to him is a three time cancer survivor.
Ahh Hope. It's all about HOPE!!
Everyone comes to the relay!
The Relay for Life is a very emotional time for me. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. I couldn't believe what the doctor had said. Did he just say the C word! I went to Georgia for treatment which lasted about 8 weeks. While I was there I walked into the Ritz camera store and bought my first digital camera a Nikon Coolpix 885. Man I couldn't believe the pictures! So cancer and the camera were born. It's been my relief, it's my candy since I've given up sugar. Tumors love sugar. Five years passed and in April of 2007 I found out that it's come back as stage 4 cancer. I case you don't know there is no stage 5. This past summer has been painful. Pain is a real drag because it kind of robs you of the fun. So if I don't post or send a comment your way just know that I'm dealing with some discomfort. But don't worry about me because I've got great support and I've always thought of the glass being half full.

My message to you all is get regular checkups. Early detection is the best. I waited five years after people told me to get my prostate checked out even though I wasn't having any problems. If you know of anyone struggling with prostate cancer you may put them in touch with me. Party on!!

Gettysburg Photowalk

2008-09-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

This was part of the stone face that I posted the other day. Again I think it was the find of the day.
#1 Dad taking shot of #1 Trooper.
Mike and I were trying to figure out the meaning of this. Anyone have any ideas?

Gettysburg Photowalk

2008-09-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

Here's a few for now.

Andy

2008-09-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks for a wonderful time. You did a great job in organizing everything! Hope you do it again soon.

Michael and Michael

2008-09-15T14:17:00.001-07:00

Well here's to a great dad and a #1 trooper. I spent the day in Gettysburg with both of them blazing away with our cameras. It was wonderful to see a dad take such interest in his son by sharing a hobby together. It will no doubt be a lasting memory for Michael Jr. We walked close to three miles in some nasty heat and humidity and not a complaint from young Michael. Thanks guys!!

The Excitement Builds

2008-09-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

This is the weekend for the Gettysburg photowalk! I'll get to see Mike Palmer and Andy from Visual Realia again. Andy is the one putting the event on and it looks like he's done one heck of a job. We're all hoping the weather will hold off because they're calling for showers on Sunday. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Water Lilies

2008-09-10T17:01:00.001-07:00

While I was in Maine I read a book that Julie Mcleod recommended. Its '' Understanding Shutter Speed'' by Bryan Peterson. After reading it I used some of his techniques to produce this photo. There were hundreds of lilies on the pond and every day brought new ones in both white and pink varietys.

Jack

2008-09-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

Here's one from Maine of Jack on Hodgdon Pond.

Well I'm back after my big crash on the external hard drive. I don't know if any one of you heard the cussing and the hair pulling but I think I've got everything straightened out for now. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice on backing up!

Butch Lee

2008-09-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a blast from my past. Butch and I were hippies back in the late 60's as well as photographers. We shot many a roll of film at the peace demonstrations in DC. Butch and I would buy bulk film (100' rolls) and load our own cassettes. We did all our developing at the WVU darkroom. If memory serves me right I had a Nikon F100 and a Nikkormat camera and we'd shoot Tri-X iso 400 film. I've got about 3000 images from this era. It was a great and exciting time to be alive!!

Sommesville, Maine

2008-08-28T14:01:00.001-07:00

This was one beautiful spot right along the road to the cottage where we stayed. Across the road was the Port in a Storm bookstore one of our other favorite hangouts. I'm ready to go back!

Me and My Cairn

2008-08-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

If you've ever done any hiking above tree line especially when there's snow on the ground you know how valuable cairns are in marking the trail. But here cairns are another way of saying I was here!

62 And Still Kickin

2008-08-27T17:59:00.001-07:00

Here I am celebrating my 62 birthday with my sister in law Julie also celebrating her birthday too. I was polite and didn't ask how many she was celebrating. My other sister in law, Anna looks on in disbelief. It was quite and evening and included crab cakes (Mike Palmer eat your heart out). Julie made the cake and it was outstanding!

Pigtown Fling

2008-08-27T06:14:00.001-07:00

For the past 28 years Paul has been hosting the ''Pigtown Fling''. Most of the people here I've been playing with for over 20years. The music we play is often refered to as ''Old Time Music'' or mountain music. You got it fiddles,banjos, hammered dulcimers, mandolins etc. As you can see my band is second, we went on as the Bob Jordan Experience!
Pete is not only a banjo player but also a banjo maker. He out did himself and made 5 banjos for the Fling. I spent most of the morning playing them. Pete made a neck for me that he put on an old head, a Vega style K. It's the sweetest banjo I've ever owned and it's the main one that I play.
Jamie is a fiddle player but also his newest instrument is the banjo-uke. He gettin it on here thumping out the chords.
Cody and Courtney are two amazing fiddle players and violinist. Cody is Pete's daughter. Whats so cool is seeing most of the kids now playing
'' The Bob Jordan Experience'' gettin in on. That's me sitting down taking it easy. The 3 older guys I've played with in various bands. In the back are their kids playing. The Fling is such a great time it's both a music and eating party. Paul's parents and friends BBQ pork for 300 people and everyone else brings a covered dish. Now I've gotten myself hungry!

The Color of Lobstering

2008-08-25T17:28:00.001-07:00

Man what can I say? It's one beautiful place and is like West Virginia only it's by the sea. The mountains there come right down to the water. Did we eat a lot of lobster, yes we did!! Everybody should go there at least once.

Teasel

2008-08-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

I went fly fishing on the Dry Fork with my friends Tom and Shawn. The trout weren't biting so I decided to check out the flora. Teasel looks alot like Thistle but it's different. It was a beautiful West Virginia summer morning!

Outta Here in the AM

2008-07-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pics from last year. We're getting up at 4am and are hoping to get to Seabrook, NH by the afternoon. We stopped there last year and really liked Hampton Beach. Thanks for your book suggestions. I went to Books A Million and picked up a couple. I'm to tired and can't remember the titles but one has to do with exposure and the other was a landscape photography book. My next post will be in about a week and a half because the first place we're staying doesn't have internet.

Got It Goin On!

2008-06-29T19:35:00.001-07:00

Well finally after to much rain, my neighbors cattle wandering through, the ground hog that lives in our barn, deer and rabbits the garden is coming into it's own. These critters are lucky we're vegetarians!! This was taken with my 12-24mm lens which I'm really liking. Well we're all packed, I've gone over my camera equipment a thousand times and we're just waiting for my wife to work two 12 hour shifts and we're outta here. I've got a question for everyone whats your favorite photography book or books. I read alot of Scott Kelbys stuff and really like him. Has anyone read '' The moment it clicks''?

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

2008-06-26T12:31:00.001-07:00

We're heading out next Wed for two weeks on Mt. Desert Island. Acadia National Park makes up most of the island and it's a place of magnificent beauty. It's really West Virginia by the sea because the mountains come right down to the sea. We spent two weeks there last year and decided to go back. I'm armed with my new 12-24mm lens and plan on getting some of those great landscape shots. One of the places we're staying in has an internet connection so I should be able to post some of the time that I'm there.

Thomas, WV

2008-06-23T09:46:00.001-07:00

Thomas, WV is a relic from the past as you can see by the multiple layers covering this house. Almost a ghost town now but in the early 1900's it was a lumbering center. It was said that after the lumbermen left there wasn't enough standing timber left to make a match stick. Today the area has recovered and is one of the most beautiful places in WV.

Bald Knob

2008-06-22T16:03:00.001-07:00

Here's Clara having arrived at the summit of Bald Knob in her new hiking boots! There's quite a view up there at 4000+ feet. The knob is also a great destination in the winter on XC skis. Hope everyone is having a good summer. I miss my daily posts and reading yours. We're taking off for Maine July 2 and I think where we're staying has internet connection. So I should be able to post from daily from up there.

Mary and Clara

2008-06-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

In June we celebrate 2 anniversaries . June 14th,2000 was the day Mary called me to come over and fix her faucet. I'm not sure if I ever fixed the faucet or not! On June 5th,2004 we were married. I just feel so lucky to have her in my life. We also celebrate Clara's birthday, she just turned 14 and an honor roll student. The photo was taken in the Dolly Sods wilderness in WV on Red Creek. For the next 10 weeks I won't have an internet connection so I'll be posting when ever I have access to one. I hope everyone has a good summer and thank you for your comments!!

Evil Elephant

2008-06-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

I posted this one from the Georgetown Photowalk since Andy put some of his storefront shots up. I wanted to make it evil and sinister. This is the kind of things nightmares are made of. Please don't show it to any kids!! Hey I've got a lens question for people. Sometimes I feel like I wish I had a longer lens for wildlife and sports but don't want to spend $5-10,ooo bucks on it. I mostly use a 18-200mm nikon vr. Either that or has anyone come up with a good excuse to their spouse as to why the bank account is $5-10,000 dollars short? Any suggestions?

Garden Road

2008-06-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

I spent today working in our garden. My wife and I love to grow our own grub and this is the road from the house to the garden. This year has had it's share of frustration with to much rain followed by my neighbors cattle wandering through it. But today is a new day , the cattle are in their pen and the rain has finally moderated. It was a glorious day!!

Blackwater Canyon

2008-06-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

I've been going to Blackwater canyon since 1965. As a forestry major at WVU I spent the better part of 3 summers hiking in it looking for genetically superior trees. We would mark the superior trees and come back later and either shoot some branches out or climb the trees to collect the seeds. The seeds were planted in a nursery and studied for a lifetime. Now, I work near by at a ski resort in the winter time teaching skiing and snowboarding. I love the place!! Checkout photowalking.org for a photowalk at 6pm August 22 starting at the Lincoln memorial.

Jackie O's Driveway

2008-06-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

This past spring I stopped in Middleburg, Va and found Jackie O's driveway. When JFK was president he and Jackie maintained a house in Middleburg. It was a great getaway for them from the Washington DC grind.

Parks Hollow

2008-06-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

I I live in Parks Hollow but I call it Hooter Hollow because you can hoot all night and howl all day and no one cares. The legend is Mr Parks was the first settler in the area and one night while he was building his cabin he decided to sleep in a tree. It was that night the indians came looking for him to take his scalp!

Ocracoke Sunrise

2008-06-09T05:12:00.000-07:00

I've been going to Ocracoke since the 60's with my parents. In the 70's I went there and spent a week on a deserted island where I fought off mosquitoes the entire time. My wife and I spent our honeymoon there and last fall went back for her birthday. It's a beautiful place!!!

Canaan Valley

2008-06-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

There's only one way to describe Canaan Valley and that's beautiful. At 33oo' it's the highest valley on the east coast. This shot is of the headwaters of the Blackwater River.

Tripods

2008-06-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've been following the whole tripod ordeal that photographers have to go through. I took this shot in 1968 at a peace demonstration in DC. As you can see there was no problem with having a tripod then and you could even shoot naked!!! Where is this country headed? Can we bring back the good old days?

Summertime

2008-06-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite times is summertime. Long days,warm nights,gardening,hiking,vacationing and loafing.

Olivia's Shoes

2008-06-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went on my first photowalk with a group of about 50 photographers. One of those was Mike Palmer who encouraged me to start this blog. These are the shoes of his daughter Olivia.

Pic of Hippy Bob

2008-06-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hippy Bob

2008-06-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is my first post! Just wanted to post a pic of me taken in 1976. I changed a little bit now that I'm 61! I'm sitting in my 1953 Ford 3/4 ton pickup with my transistor radio hanging from the rear view mirror. To the right you can see my bicentenial bouquet.