david_daniel

<p>Considering that during the film days, I was using Pentax 67 equipment, what I carry now is very light, even if I have my pack loaded with all my lenses. I can clearly remember carrying that 45 pound pack on my back into the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Canyon, or up the Mt Elden trail in Flagstaff.<br>

That said, I have found when I tried to only take certain lenses, it was the telephotos that I missed. I use quality zoom lenses, that way I carry less and still have long-range, 17-500.</p>

<p>Charles, I am finished with my S. Florida trip, here's my update. <br /><br />First off, you talked about wanting to do landscapes with big clouds. You were talking about coming in August for that. I have to tell you almost every day I was in South Florida I had clouds. They ranged from dark thunderous looking ones to light skywide cirrus clouds. I rarely had a day when the sky was pure blue. The rectangular loop formed by Birden Road and Turner River Road in Big Cypress National Preserve would be good for landscapes, along with the tower area I mention below.<br /><br />I spent a little over two months in South Florida. About three weeks of that was in the Keys. The rest was in: Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, FAKAHATCHEE STRAND SP, Collier Seminole State Park (good bike trail), Biscayne Bay National Park, Panther NWR, Corkscrew Swamp and Briggs nature center near Naples. Other than the last two, all of these areas and all of the trails/roads I mention are on the Big Cypress National Preserve or Everglades National Park Map.<br /><br />Everglades National Park: I visited most of the areas you can drive to here. I also took both a boat tour out into 10,000 Island NWR from the visitor center in Everglades City and a half-day canoe/kayak trip across the bay and over to Sandfly Island. I do a lot of kayaking but this is still a tiring trip. Sandfly Island is very historic and interesting and has a good trail.<br /><br />The Anhinga Trail in the Royal Palms area off of the main road in Everglades is a famous trail for lots of wildlife and birds. I was there several times and it didn't disappoint. Also quite a few alligators. BUT THIS IS NOT A GOOD TRAIL FOR LATE LIGHT, THE TREES BLOCK MOST OF THE AREAS, AND THE ALLIGATORS TYPICALLY LEAVE BEFORE THE GOOD LITE COMES.<br /><br />I spent more time in Big Cypress National Preserve then probably all of the other parks combined. Just in Big Cypress I probably saw a couple hundred alligators and hundreds of Egrets, Herons, Wood Storks, Cormorants, Anhingas, Turkey Vultures, Ibis and Roseate Spoonbills and more. It was a great time to see lots of wading birds & alligators, as things are drying up and they collected around the reliable water. Don't miss going to the Oasis Visitor Center, they have a boardwalk over their canal and it had 30 to 40 alligators every time I was there. I did a canoe trip here also, down Turner River. This mostly goes under Hammock Tunnels. This was one of my favorite things I did on this trip. I drove every road, paved or dirt, available in the preserve. My favorites were the loop road and Turner River Road. I was on the loop road twice, both in the afternoon. Turner River road I think is the best place to see alligators and wading birds in the entire Preserve other than the Oasis Visitor Center. Only once did I drive the entire length, which is about 40 miles from Highway 41 North past the freeway. Usually I drove the most southern 4-5 miles. That is where you'll see the most birds and alligators. <br /><br />Wherever there was a boardwalk I would take it. The boardwalks would lead you deep into the swamp, a place you couldn't otherwise go without a boat. One of my favorites was at Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk in Fakahatchee Strand SP, which is right off Highway 41. But I also enjoyed the one at Corkscrew Swamp and Briggs nature center if you're going to be near Naples. There is also a hike and observation tower just off Highway 41 that is marked by a large 10,000 Island NWR sign. This tower & the area around it is a good place to be at the end of the day, for landscapes, sunsets, birds and alligators. Got good late photos of Spoonbills from here. From the tower you can also see the trees about 100 yards away where hundreds of Ibis head to at the end of the day. Each day I was at this tower I saw egrets, great blue herons, wood storks, and others within range of a medium telephoto.<br /><br />If anyone wishes to email me for more information, hotel information, etc., feel free. drdroad@me.com. Both the keys and the swamps are fantastic, I'll be back next winter!</p><div></div>

<p>I echo David Henderson's post above. I've been to Arches numerous times, and yet have never hiked to Delicate Arch. I've heard all the stories and just have no interest in making the same photograph thousands of others photographers have. But Arches is huge, and there's lots of trails to outlying arches. Take advantage of the less photographed ones, they are all spectacular. I would expect you would spend way more time in Arches then Bryce, but that just may be a personal preference. On another note, I would avoid Mesa Arch in Canyonlands like the plague. Have you ever been to Old Faithful in Yellowstone? Expect that kind of crowd around Mesa Arch! Also keep in mind it can be pretty hot in May. </p><div></div>

<p>There's lots of unanswered questions here. Do you already have reservations for Las Vegas, Grand Canyon? Are you planning on spending several days in Las Vegas, is that the point of the trip? Is that what your wife wants?<br /><br />If I was flying into Phoenix, and was leaving from Las Vegas eight days later, I would do the loop from the south rim of the Grand Canyon east through Flagstaff then north on 89 up into the southern Utah heading up towards Kanab, then West on 9 through to St. George and on to Las Vegas. Just looking at a map of that route will give you many places to stop and get photographs. Much of it you will simply be driving through, Red Rocks abound! Stops could include: Wupatki and Sunset Crater NP, Lake Powell/Page, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Zion NP, Snow Canyon SP, Valley of the Fire. <br>

This is a much longer route, but if you're wish is to see more places, rather than spending extra time at particular places, this would be a great route. It will never be dull!<br>

<br /><br /></p>

<p>There's lots of unanswered questions here. Do you already have reservations for Las Vegas, Grand Canyon? Are you planning on spending several days in Las Vegas, is that the point of the trip? Is that what your wife wants?<br /><br />If I was flying into Phoenix, and was leaving from Las Vegas eight days later, I would do the loop from the south rim of the Grand Canyon east through Flagstaff then north on 89 up into the southern Utah heading up towards Kanab, then West on 9 through to St. George and on to Las Vegas. Just looking at a map of that route will give you many places to stop and get photographs. Much of it you will simply be driving through, Red Rocks abound! Stops could include: Wupatki and Sunset Crater NP, Lake Powell/Page, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Zion NP, Snow Canyon SP, Valley of the Fire. <br>

This is a much longer route, but if you're wish is to see more places, rather than spending extra time at particular places, this would be a great route. It will never be dull!<br>

<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Not sure I understand why you want a UV? I never use a UV, but often use a polarizer, get a good one. B+W.<br>

I love the 60D. Not necessarily for a Safari necessarily, but my assumption is you'll be shooting lots of things that have nothing to do with the actual Safari. I like live view and the fully articulated LCD display.<br>

There's no way I'm going to Africa and not taking a tripod. But then, I like shooting things I need a tripod for. HDR, very late light, night scenes in cities and other lighted places. You can probably get away with a smaller, more portable one. I have two. A very large Titanium one, and a smaller more portable one that I hike and fly with. <br>

Have fun, I'm envious!</p>

<p>Have you searched this forum? There was recently a long discussion about photo shooting locations around Tucson.</p>

<p>I love Merrit Island NWR. Its one of my favorites. It doesn't match up to places like the big Cypress preserve and saw Florida, but nothing does anyway.</p>

<p>I am shooting Big Cypress Preserve and the surrounding areas right now. Staying in the Everglades City Motel in Everglades City. Unless you are camping, I think this is the best location to travel out of. The road south of here goes to a Everglades visitor center and has a concessionaire who offers boat tours. In town there are several airboat tour companies.<br /><br />I got most of my advice about where to go from the Photograph America newsletter # 56. If you don't subscribe to that newsletter, you can probably buy that issue on their website, <a href="http://www.photographamerica.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.photographamerica.com</a>. Pretty much every place he suggests going, is located on the Park Service map of Big Cypress Preserve. Basically I'm taking any of the roads that egress into the preserve off of Highway 41, walking all the trails & boardwalks. I've also signed up for a National Park canoe trip up Turner River that is supposed to last four or five hours.<br /><br />One of my favorite places right now is the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk into Fakahatchee Strand. Signs direct you to it just off Highway 41 West of the road to Everglades City. It's about 3/4 miles and I spent about three hours there. I plan to go back for a late light another day.<br /><br />And don't miss the Oasis visitor center in Big Cypress Preserve. I was there around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the canal along the boardwalk had about 35 alligators along it, including one we all (along with the Ranger) agreed was the biggest we'd ever seen. Lots of wading birds on the other side of the canal. It's much easier to shoot here then try to stop on Highway 41, which I've only done a couple times.<br /><br />I know you said you're from the south, but I'm trying to imagine how it would be to hike and spend time outdoors in August. Yesterday was 84° and of course very humid. I was absolutely exhausted after just a short two-mile round trip hike combined with a couple boardwalks. This morning at nine in the morning I rode my bike for about an hour. Luckily I hadn't showered beforehand. I honestly can't imagine spending much time exerting myself around here in August, I'd rather be in the middle of Death Valley. Even though I lived in Florida for sometime.<br /><br />That said, this place is incredible!!</p><div></div>

<p>Sorry guys, I was following multiple threads and replied to the wrong one!</p>

<p>I am shooting Big Cypress Preserve and the surrounding areas right now. Staying in the Everglades City Motel in Everglades City. Unless you are camping, I think this is the best location to travel out of. The road south of here goes to a Everglades visitor center and has a concessionaire who offers boat tours. In town there are several airboat tour companies.<br /><br />I got most of my advice about where to go from the Photograph America newsletter # 56. If you don't subscribe to that newsletter, you can probably buy that issue on their website, <a href="http://www.photographamerica.com/">www.photographamerica.com</a>. Pretty much every place he suggests going, is located on the Park Service map of Big Cypress Preserve. Basically I'm taking any of the roads that egress into the preserve off of Highway 41, walking all the trails & boardwalks. I've also signed up for a National Park canoe trip up Turner River that is supposed to last four or five hours.<br /><br />One of my favorite places right now is the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk into Fakahatchee Strand. Signs direct you to it just off Highway 41 West of the road to Everglades City. It's about 3/4 miles and I spent about three hours there. I plan to go back for a late light another day.<br /><br />And don't miss the Oasis visitor center in Big Cypress Preserve. I was there around 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the canal along the boardwalk had about 35 alligators along it, including one we all (along with the Ranger) agreed was the biggest we'd ever seen. Lots of wading birds on the other side of the canal. It's much easier to shoot here then try to stop on Highway 41, which I've only done a couple times.<br /><br />I know you said you're from the south, but I'm trying to imagine how it would be to hike and spend time outdoors in August. Yesterday was 84° and of course very humid. I was absolutely exhausted after just a short two-mile round trip hike combined with a couple boardwalks. This morning at nine in the morning I rode my bike for about an hour. Luckily I hadn't showered beforehand. I honestly can't imagine spending much time exerting myself around here in August, I'd rather be in the middle of Death Valley. Even though I lived in Florida for sometime.<br /><br />That said, this place is incredible!!<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>The stacks are everywhere along the Washington coast. These are on's shi shi beach in Olympic National Park.</p><div></div>

<p>Yes, BDA will definitely be cold then. But honestly, the best times for the refuge are ALL cold, Thanksgiving to February. I've been there several times, just wore LOTS of layers! One of my favorite places in the USA. <br>

However, if you want to go someplace that's warmer and has lots of birds, Florida is the place. Without looking up the names of the different and NWRs, I recommend the one south of Tallahassee and the one by Cape Canaveral. Had great success at both of those. I had a kayak with me and did lots of handheld shooting from it.</p>

<p>Yes, BDA will definitely be cold then. But honestly, the best times for the refuge are ALL cold, Thanksgiving to February. I've been there several times, just wore LOTS of layers! One of my favorite places in the USA. <br>

However, if you want to go someplace that's warmer and has lots of birds, Florida is the place. Without looking up the names of the different and NWRs, I recommend the one south of Tallahassee and the one by Cape Canaveral. Had great success at both of those. I had a kayak with me and did lots of handheld shooting from it.</p><div></div>

<p>Wow, I can't imagine doing this every day! And then going home and processing film, and I assume scanning it so you can process it in Photoshop? Man, you must have nothing to do! Then again, you're traveling in the Ukraine, and I'm just motoring around the South in the US.</p>

<p>Any National Wildlife Refuge in Florida or Southern Texas. Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico.</p>

<p>If you get up to the Tuolumne Meadows area (along the road that leaves the park through Tioga Pass), there are many hikes to glacier lakes in gorgeous settings. Some of these hikes are very long, 10 to 15 miles one way, but you'll also find ones as short as 3 miles. I would not go to Yosemite without getting in the backcountry.</p>

<p>I don't think these two photographers were telling you to "forget" the filter idea. I think almost any advanced photographer carries at least a circular polarizer with them at all times. Personally I have one on the front of every one of my lenses, except for my wides. That doesn't mean I use it for every shot, as you've read. But it is highly valuable in the southwest for making the red come out even more red, by reducing the reflected light. And often it helps with other colors, especially fall colors which right now are still out. It's typically the only filter I use, unless I'm trying to smooth out reflections in water during daylight, then an ND will be useful.</p>

<p>Not sure what your question is here? Are you wanting to know if there are Goblin Valley similar hoodoos located in Arizona or New Mexico?</p>

<p>The southwest is full of all kinds of hoodoos, but they typically look different in each area. The ones in Bryce Canyon are very different from the ones in Goblin Valley. Also, check out the Bisti Badlands (www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wilderness/<strong>bisti</strong>.html) in New Mexico. Again, a bunch of hoodoos, but very different looking, and different colored rock. </p>

<p>Consider checking out Native American ruins and rock art while you're in the Southwest. Something very unique to the West. www.photosofrockart.com. </p>

<p>Not sure what your question is here? Are you wanting to know if there are Goblin Valley similar hoodoos located in Arizona or New Mexico?</p>

<p>The southwest is full of all kinds of hoodoos, but they typically look different in each area. The ones in Bryce Canyon are very different from the ones in Goblin Valley. Also, check out the Bisti Badlands (www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wilderness/<strong>bisti</strong>.html) in New Mexico. Again, a bunch of hoodoos, but very different looking, and different colored rock. </p>

<p>Consider checking out Native American ruins and rock art while you're in the Southwest. Something very unique to the West. www.photosofrockart.com. </p><div></div>

<p>How far away are you willing to go? Death Valley won't be below freezing. Nor will Big Basin.</p>

<p>When I shot film my system was Pentax 67. You could not pay me enough to put that system on my back again. I absolutely LOVED that camera and format, but even then I never carried it more than a day at a time. Now with RAW digital files I don't think there is anything I did then that I can't replicate now. Right now I"m in the middle of converting my 67 transparencies to high quality digital files. I am amazed how many slides I thought were a lost cause are now recoverable in Photoshop. Are you young? Time to learn Photoshop and switch to digital!</p><div></div>

<p>Being from the Midwest, you probably haven't seen much of the desert. It's pretty outstanding, especially if you've never been there. There are two really good desert parks that are within your 2 to 3 hour time frame. Closest is Anza Borrego State Park, North San Diego County (which is also close to the Salton Sea, which can be interesting). Further away, but one of my favorites, is Joshua Tree National Park. That would be about two hours east. The chollo cactus garden in JTNP is one of my favorite places in all deserts. Have fun.</p>

<p>Stephen, your link doesn't give us directions to the point in question. Were you merely trying to tell us how to get to Glen Canyon???</p>

<p>Its hard to imagine spending only one day in Chaco, one of the premier ruin sites in the USA. Lots of hikes to rock art locations and outlier sites. I was in Farmington for a Rock Art conference a few years ago and spent all my time in Chaco, 4 full days. That including planned shooting each early am and late pm. I agree its not scenic, like most SW canyons, but the ruins and rock art are magnificent. </p><div></div>