I'm about to put up a post about the book party/soirée/art on the walls event that happened just two days ago. I'm still processing what went on that night, all that led up to it and the aftermath. The most wonderful thing about the whole experience are the friends who showed up. I was really floored by the affection and support.
So I'm still thinking about how to say it the right way, how to thank those involved. I don't generally say much, and this event has me even more contemplative and I appreciate your indulgence and patience. I'll work it out and figure out what to say, but right now I'm still flummoxed by all the attention.
Thus, this short interim post on a few favorite images on the recent sojourn to and from Colorado. The bride flew, I went on another blue highway leisurely photo road trip. I don't know how I can ever be disappointed in doing that—even when revisiting some favorite spots.
The image at the top is near the Capulin Volcano National Monument in northeastern New Mexico. An image from an earlier visit and from a different season is here. I like the earlier one, but this recent one is technically and artistically much better. The light is better at dawn and a bonus moon and beautiful wispy clouds make it an instant favorite of mine. The one at the top here was on the drive to Colorado. Here is another one, a third one I like, that I took on the way home to Dallas:
It's not a dawn shot, taken mid-afternoon, but it fits the other theme elements. A larger version can be found here.
Just south of Palo Duro Canyon, and still coming out of dawn on the way back home I ran across this evocative scene:
A larger version is here. I always wonder about what went on in a now abandoned home—the love, the laughter, the pain and tears. We'll never know, but it seems as if the power of the lives linger still.
I sent my OS friend Steve/Procopius an earlier version of this next shot. Again, it was a different season and a different time of day. Steve loves the Llano Estacado and I know how he feels. There is a spare beauty in the big sky and distant horizons—a vast area that induces yearning and longing either to leave or to return.
See a larger version of it here.
Here's a cool thing: My son, the one that went on the cancer bike ride from Austin to Anchorage, left a comment on this picture when he saw it on Flickr. He said "Perfect TOD…" (time of day). Since I consider Colin to be a much better photographer than I am—his avant garde abilities are incredible compared to my snap-shottiness—getting a compliment from him is something I treasure.
I'll end with a shot from one of my favorite places. This is a dawn shot at the overlook on the south rim of the Palo Duro Canyon. It overlooks State Highway 207, the Hamblen Highway.
A larger version of the Palo Duro shot above is here. You can see some other images of mine from this vantage spot here and here.
In the distance, at the bottom of the shallow canyon, is the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River.
Larger is here.
You'll notice that I don't feature a lot of people in my shots when I'm on my solo photo road trips. I think it's one of the advantages of taking the blue highways and back roads that suits my not quite misanthropic sensibilities and contemplative (read: slow) photo style and abilities.
Thanks for visiting—I'll get the post about the book debut party up sometime tomorrow or Wednesday (I hope).
all images copyright © 2007, 2009 by barry b. doyle • all rights reserved
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Comments
Thanks for sharing your trip! I'm really looking forward to hearing all about your debut party. Congrats!
(thumbified for roads without McDonalds signs)
I´m happy everything went well on your art evening. Please, tell us more about it!
Kisses,
Marcela
Julie: I love it when you come by, thanks!
Rita: thanks for your words
Chuck: I agree, there must be some echoes bouncing around somewhere, if only we knew how to capture them. Thanks friend.
Marcela: besos a tu. thanks for your always lovely thoughtful comments.
WalkAway: thank you WA for your kind words. They mean a great deal to me.
Kelly: a wonderful thing to say, thanks so much.
Michael: you're just too kind, though I really appreciate it, but I spoke the truth about my son. Thanks.
Ocular: I did indeed travel to Raton on 72 and I love that drive. The next leg is down the Santa Fe Trail on 64 (or is it 62) past Eagle Nest...I love that drive too. Next time I'm over that way I might try highway 555 to the north a bit.
Silkstone: ha! thanks so much! xo
R
the horizon has a perfect union of Land and Sky, with the gentle, high clouds slicing in a friendly diagonal, from edge to edge...
Lea: I'm glad you get that loneliness/solitary distinction. And you are able to do magic with your words.
ff: thanks for those words.
Buffy: what an interesting catch you made on that photo. I love the sky too.
Zuma: friends interaction are an important part of comfort--the anticipated sharing is a component. And thanks again for the compliment.
Dr Steve: thanks again for coming by...Chico is the quintessential small town--far enough away to get all the good things about being small and close enough to Ft Worth to get there when needed.
Gary: thanks so much, I love that shot too for a lot of reasons.
Nora: I think you've captured part of why I do what I do, and I've very grateful.
Kathy: thanks again for your kind words.
Anni: anytime I can please, I'm happy to do so.
Owl: I was hoping you'd stop by.
Cindy: thanks, it's true about being spoken to, thanks for getting it.
Apache: A lot of my travel shots are with the estimable 14-24 f2.8 lens, part of Nikon's pro line. It provides amazing clarity from corner to corner--a beautiful piece of glass. You can see what it looks like here. It's one of the best lenses I own.
Congrats on the book!
And to say they are "gorgeous" is to say "it's Barry's photograph" :) Especially since nobody does color like you do.
I want to sincerely thank you once again for the book, it occupies a place of honor on my coffee table. I've gone through it a few times now, and I can't seem to be able to select a favorite shot - they are all magnificent.
Sounds like the book party was an awesome event. :-D
-the melancholy of the abandoned homes, the lives that were lived there now forgotten, and the buildings themselves just waiting to be demolished or to slowly disintegrate.
-the wispy, early morning clouds giving feature to the featureless Llano Estacado, and the just barely noticeable rise on the left horizon.
-the play of shadow and light on the canyon shot
-and the lonely footprints in the red sand of the stream.
Beautiful as always. Oh, the last time I drove through the Llano (Canyon TX to SE New Mexico), we went nearly 4 hours without seeing a single steam or pond with any water. I liked the drive much more than my wife did!
-
(In that movie, Brokeback Mountain, they had just about a perfect scenario of a homestead nearly lost to the elements when Ennis goes to Jack Twist's parents' house. I cry every time I see Jack's father's angry, desolate face.)
Your shots are so wonderful! I want one (or more) blown up to grand size someday. It looks as though I could run my hands through the grasses. I can smell the autumn coming, being.
Thank you.
Rated.
Rated.
the second photo grabs me - i feel like the sky and the clouds and pressing down and the earth is pressing up and the only things keeping us from being sandwiched is the squat house. something heroic about it. and i love this shot.
and i am looking forward to healring about the party. and if ever you are coming through denver....beers are on me. :)
Denise: thank you very much.
Janie: and to you too, thanks. I'm glad you like that second shot.
Susan: your comment has to rank near the top of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I'm very grateful.
Bill: it's all about friends as you know, and you have long (much longer than our time here on OS) been supportive and encouraging.
Steve: I was hoping you'd make it here. One of the things I wanted to say in the narrative was something about the footprints in the Prairie Dog Town Fork river bed. You picked up on that--it was a subtle and critical point for me, one that had me stop in the middle of the low bridge spanning the stream bed. I wasn't supposed to, but I as it turns out there was about three hours there where I only saw about 10 cars or trucks, so I was pretty safe. I'm also delighted that you saw that little rise on the Llano lonely road shot. I think what these images represent are in your DNA friend.
Lisa: takes one to know one (sorta--you know what I mean).
Blue: thanks for those kind words.
Duane: from an artist I so admire, those are very nice things to say.
Ash: I feel the same way, I'm glad you do too.
Con: your gracious words really touched me.
Mamoore: peace to you and strength as you journey to the Wyoming big sky to tend to your mother. My thoughts go with you in a very personal way.
Andy: thank you!
Julie: I think everyone should be jealousing. There are not many that can attest that that smile in your avatar is only 1/10 as bright as the real thing and the fun intimated there is scared bejeesus running away from the real fun you bring. Jealous away everyone.
t&d: just hold your horses. and get to work on that book.
suz: evocative is what I try for, glad it worked here.
kmb: I think a trip to Denver to talk about lenses and apertures and -0.3EV kinda stuff should be put on my agenda, the beer is bonus and so would meeting you and your talented partner. I'm very happy that shot spoke to you in that way...I had the same feeling when I got home and loaded it up to see on a large screen. Thanks so much.
CB: I think you picked up on something with what you said. It seems like that shot is outside of time and we could just as easily be looking at it with the first people who walked there.
Steph: thanks for coming by and for your words
Sue: thanks to you too
Dorinda: I got delayed a bit by the break-in and damage to my car, but your image got in the mail today. Let me know how it arrives. I really like that first image too. xo
Voicegal: thank you for that
Monte
I regret missing your soireee -- and put me on the list to get a copy of your book at the first opportunity -- but I didn't feel up to the drive as I was recovering from the H1N1 flu. Hope we meet up again soon.
Having grown up on the high prairie, I love photos of empty spaces, and you do such a wonderful job of capturing the light. Thank you for sharing these.
Spectacular scenery and awesome photography.