I blame it on the cows.
… a bittersweet tale of happy memories and uninspired photography…
It all began in late November. I started doing family photoshoots for the holiday season. I was focused on finding the perfect locations, capturing the best light, and utilizing unique poses. There were hours and hours of editing and re-editing and then more editing. Then waiting for the families to respond to the work… waiting anxiously to see if they like it. That’s the hardest part of portrait photography- I’m no longer shooting for myself but have a paying audience who obviously have high expectations of capturing their family’s personalities and unique identity. It’s especially nerve-wracking to people-pleasing perfectionists like me.
So as I spent all of my creative energy on this avenue of photography and wrapping up the fall semester at school, I had to let something go. Sadly it was hiking, and it chafed at me that I wasn’t out there on the trails. But there are only so many hours in the day!! So I pushed it aside, as well as nature photography, until I could get my life settled for winter break.
Winter Break began, and it was a great time of putting up Christmas decorations and wrapping gifts for my family. Finally time to get outside, hike and photograph!! So as the winter sun was setting, I went on my first Winter Break hike. It was very close to my house, at the White Tank Mountains. I was hoping for a great sunset photo. I hiked four miles, looking for a unique composition, lighting, shadows, anything!! All I found were some curious cows, munching on their desert salad bar. So I took their family photo, since it seemed to be my thing, and went home. And then began my uninspiring photography streak…
Two days later, another familiar hike. I was swamped with preparing for Christmas and didn’t have time to drive to a new location. I went with one of my favorites, the Competitive Loop. Ironically the designated trail for competitive mountain-biking and trail-running has the best collection of wildlife and cactus on the mountain. My theory is that most people are traveling the trail so quickly that they have no idea what they are passing by. So it’s my spot for a quick brisk hike along a loop while snapping photos. In the past I’ve seen large desert jackrabbits with such massive ears that they stand at almost four feet tall! I’ve come across large desert tortoises lumbering along the trail. But this time, nothing…just some inspiration for the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
The next hike was very important to me- my oldest son was joining me during his holiday leave. It was a familiar loop to a favorite location in the desert (which I wrote another blog post about- “Full Circle”). We hiked down to the creek which I have visited so many times and meandered along the deciduous trees and papyrus reeds in the little creek canyon. Usually I see a lot of wildlife down there, but this time, NOTHING! I scratched my head in puzzlement. I looked for something new, anything, to be inspired. NOTHING! We still had a great hike and good views, but I couldn’t find the shot that said, “This is the one!”
Christmas Day alone means a long hike in the middle of nowhere. I used to dread celebrating Christmas Day alone, especially being raised with a big extended family who celebrated all the holidays together. But I found a new tradition- getting up at dawn amidst the cacophonous din of the neighbor kids who are excitedly riding new bikes, flying new drones, or racing their RC cars down the sidewalks. I pack up a Christmas lunch and head up to the hills to hike at least ten miles. This year my sights were set on the new panel of petroglyphs I had discovered in the White Tanks last spring. I didn’t have my zoom lens with me that day, and was frustrated to not get a good photograph of the ancient native stone tablets. I thought that would be the best Christmas gift to myself, to rediscover and document them! It had poured rain for about 12 hours the day before, so I knew the trails would be muddy and slick. But I also excitedly prepared for the “white tanks” to be filled with water!! (Please read “That Crazy Algorithm Called Life” about the history of the White Tank Mountains). I set out for my hike shortly after dawn. Of course I was one of the only people on the mountain, which I always love. The desert was glowing with vibrancy of life, hydrated by the previous day’s rainstorm. There were dense clouds overhead, threatening more rain. I didn’t care, I was ready for whatever. I used my hiking poles to maneuver over deep mud and slick granite boulders. Although I took a ton of photos and had fun on the trip, as I reviewed them digitally on my laptop, I just felt like none of them was “the ONE.” They were ho-hum, okay, but not great. Another great example that photography doesn’t define the outcome of a hiking trip. I had fun, I felt content and peaceful, and that’s all that mattered! Plus, I was participating the #100hikechallenge for 2021, and that was Hike #100!! Nothing could take away the joy of completing such a big goal for myself.
The day after Christmas was Sunday, Boxing Day, and I wanted to continue my hiking streak. I felt so energized and alive from my 10 miles in the mountains, but needed a slow recovery hike among nature. So once again, I went to one of my favorites, the Hassayampa River Preserve. I always find interesting wildlife to photograph, and it’s fun to see Palm Lake and the “river” in the middle of the desert. Usually I can find something to inspire me and have at least one great photo. But I’m sure you’ve figured out the trend of this blog post… ha ha! Actually I stumbled across some really cool birds along the river, and so I used my zoom lens to capture their activity and behavior. So I felt a little more inspired, and actually it was a great day to just sit down on a bench and listen and wait for nature to do it’s thing.
Next day, new hike. It was supposed to rain cats and dogs, so I knew I could finally head to Spur Cross Ranch, one of the most popular hiking destinations for the north Phoenix residents (translation: trails are way too crowded on gorgeous winter/spring days for me to enjoy). I packed up my camera gear in baggies and had my rain poncho ready for the downpour. It was forecasted to rain at 1:00 p.m. When I got there at 9 a.m., it started to drizzle. I whipped out my poncho and began the hike. Then it stopped. I took off the poncho and got out the camera. It started pouring. I put the camera away and replaced the poncho… and repeat about 20 times during the hike. Finally I started laughing whenever it rained. I did get a few shots in… nothing to write home about. And the mud was so thick that it went to my ankles at times. That was hard to manage with the poncho on and the wind whipping it around my face. Although not the most ideal hike with the bipolar weather, it was peaceful and quiet without the crowds of people. Cave Creek was running, so high that I couldn’t cross to complete the trail that I had planned. I did see a cardinal but couldn’t get my zoom lens on in time to photograph. Once again, it was a hike that will be set in my memories but not really the photographs!
Last hike of 2021, and I wanted to capture the evening light at the White Tanks. I have worked on Golden Hour photograph all year, but this time I wanted to capture the Blue Hour. (Who knew there were so many hours?). Actually, I packed the little Canon point-and-shoot camera because I was a little tired of lugging around the big camera bag all week. I did get a few photos in, and ironically if I had my nicer Canon, the resolution would have been much more impressive. Oh well, it completely fits the theme of my Winter Break, great memories but not the greatest photos!! I’m not complaining.
If a memory is created without an accompanying photo, does it exist? Definitely! And maybe it’s more special because you have to remember it. So these photographs may not win any contests, but they mean something special to me.
