Todd Bryan - Creative photographer based in San Diego

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Grand Canyon National Park

I never seem to get tired of visiting Grand Canyon National Park. What an amazing and scenic place to visit. One of these days, rather then just passing through, I need to plan enough time to explore down into the canyon and visit the waterfalls of Havasupai. The great flood of 2008, which coincidentally occurred the day after my last visit, has caused some changes to Havasu Falls and even created some beautiful new falls. I'd also enjoy taking a rafting trip down the river some day but for that I'll have to leave the camera behind.

Thunderstorm moving across the Grand Canyon

Landscape photograph of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

Another canyon view

Colorful red walls

Close-up photograph of the rock layers of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

Millions of years exposed in the canyon walls

The Colorado River snaking through the Grand Canyon

Please help me to continue adding to this site by using these links to Amazon and Adorama to get all your photography gadgets. Using these links will cost you nothing extra. These online stores have the best prices and great service, which is why I personally use them exclusively for all of my photography purchases. Thank you. -Todd

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Land Of The Lost

Just a few miles west of Tuba City, Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation you will find a sign on the side of Route US 160 that advertises dinosaur tracks. While there is no actual admission for stopping to view the tracks, the Navajo guides will walk you around and show you all of the petrified artifacts while educating you about the historical significance that they have uncovered. They do this for a donation, so kindly tip them what you feel the short tour is worth. I've always had very friendly and knowledgeable guides and that is the reason I always stop while traveling on Route US 160.

If you stop and think about it, there is only a very small area of limestone that is exposed for viewing. If all of these dinosaur tracks and petrified artifact exist in this small area, what lies beneath the rest of the Arizona soil? It's mind boggling...

Next time you're traveling through Route US 160, stop and walk the foot steps where giant creatures once roamed millions of years in the past.

Photograph of ancient petrified dinosaur tracks near Tuba City, Arizona

Petrified dinosaur footprints

Photograph of ancient petrified dinosaur eggs near Tuba City, Arizona

Petrified dinosaur eggs

Monday, August 2, 2010

Mesa Verde National Park

Step back in time to around 550 A.D. when the Ancestral Pueblo people called Mesa Verde their home for over 700 years. 4,000 known archeological sites are protected among Mesa Verde National Park and some are even the most notable and best persevered in the United States. If you find yourself in the area of southwestern Colorado, make sure to stop and explore Mesa Verde National Park. The scenic views and the amazing story of the Ancestral Pueblo People is something everyone should experience. The camping up on the Mesa is also fantastic.

For more information, please visit the National Park Service website for Mesa Verde National Park.

Other online resources that also contain information about Mesa Verde.

A Turkey Vulture soars over The Spruce House in Mesa Verde

Photograph of dramtic thunderclouds hovering over Mesa Verde National Park in western Colorado

Thunderclouds over Mesa Verde National Park

The Spruce House in Mesa Verde National Park

Black & white versions of The Spruce House in Mesa Verde National Park

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Return Of Red Mountain

I just can't seem to drive through Colorado without crossing the scenic but treacherous Red Mountain Pass. Red Mountain Pass is located in the San Juan Mountains and connects Silverton, Colorado to Ouray, Colorado. The name Red Mountain Pass is derived from Red Mountain which is a series of three peaks that are all over 12K feet in elevation. Despite the fact that Red Mountain was best known for its production of gold and silver, it got its name from the reddish coloration of the soil which is caused by a very high content of iron ore.

If you ever get the chance to tour western Colorado, I highly suggest you set aside some time to explore the old mining towns of Ouray and Silverton, and make sure to set aside enough time to ride the Narrow Gauge train from Silverton to Durango. There just isn't any better way to experience the stunning scenery of the Red Mountain area then by riding on a 120+ year old coal burning locomotive. The sound of the steam whistle echoing through the deep canyon will definitely blow your mind.

For more information about the Narrow Gauge Railroad and other Red Mountain attractions, please see the following web sites.

Also, while in Durango, make sure to treat yourself to some Serious Texas Bar-B-Q during lunch or dinner for some amazingly good Texas Tacos. If you happen to be looking for breakfast, out on the west side of Durango you can find The Kennebec Café and Bakery. The food is spectacular, don't miss out!

Photograph of an old mining structure along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

Old mining structure and tailing pile along Red Mountain

Another view of the same mining structure

Another mining structure and tailing pile

Close-up photograph of an old mining structure along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

Closer view of the same mining structure

Photograph of some old mining structures along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

A group of mining structures near the top of Red Mountain Pass

Photograph of Red Mountain along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

One of the 3 Red Mountain peaks

Close-up photograph of the soil of Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

Close-up views of the rusted iron oxide rich soil of Red Mountain

Photograph of a grassy peak along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

Grassy peaks along Red Mountain Pass

Scenic photograph of the hillsides above Silverton, Colorado

Tailing pile, trees, and a waterfall near Silverton, Colorado

Photograph of trees near Silverton, Colorado

Layers of trees near Silverton, Colorado

Photograph of purple flowers along Red Mountain Pass in Colorado

Beautiful purple and yellow flowers along Red Mountain Pass

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Battle Of The Bighorn

While in Colorado, driving along the Arkansas River between Salida and Canon City, we came across a small herd of Bighorn Sheep grazing just on the other side of the river. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how exciting it was to be only 50-60 feet away from such beautiful and prestigious animals. It's no wonder why the Bighorn Sheep is the Colorado state animal.

Photograph of Bighorn Sheep in the wild taken along the Arkansas River in Colorado

Two Bighorn Sheep standing near the railroad tracks

Close-up photograph of a Bighorn Sheep in the wild taken along the Arkansas River in Colorado

Close-up of a Bighorn Sheep

These two Rams had just finished butting heads

Photograph of Bighorn Sheep grazing on wildflowers along the Arkansas River in Colorado

Two bighorn Sheep eating wildflowers

Photograph of a Bighorn Sheep in the wild taken along the Arkansas River in Colorado

Front profile of a Bighorn Sheep

Side profile of a Bighorn Sheep

Photograph of Bighorn Sheep grazing along the Arkansas River in Colorado

Two Bighorn Sheep grazing along the railroad tracks

Side profile of a Bighorn Sheep in Colorado

Cave Of The Winds

4 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado at the foothills of Pikes Peak is the town of Manitou Springs and within it lies a geological wonder named Cave of the Winds. The Cave of the Winds offers an enjoyable adventure for all ages into a 500 million-year old world of underground geology.

If you enjoy geology and have some time to kill while in the scenic town of Manitou Springs, grab your wallet and your camera and head up to the Cave of the Winds.

While there is no restriction about bringing in photographic equipment required for low light photography such as a tripod, the tour guides do not allow you enough time to stop and set up for a shot. In fact, they barely even allow you time to take any pictures at all unless they have stopped for commentary. I apologize for the low resolution photographs that follow, but I had no choice but to shoot them handheld at ISO 1600 as I refused to ruin them by using a flash.