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Red Rabbit

Bryce Canyon Utah-

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I made what was going to be a three day weekend to Bryce Canyon NP in southern Utah. Friday was forecast to be sunny, and then a snow storm was to come in Saturday and Sunday. I figured if it was to be broken clouds possible with the predicted 30% chance of snow, broken clouds and patches of sunlight would have made for some nice photos.

 

Friday dawned with clear skies that allowed a morning sun to light up the amphitheatre seen from Bryce Point. The orange spires against the white snow reminded me of Creamsicles.

 

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Broke out the new Nikon 300mm f/4 and scoped in on some formations seen below. The lens seem sharp and should make using it enjoyable, especially for wildlife.

 

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With the sun rising fast, the nice morning light gone and tour buses now arriving, I spent the day stopping at other viewpoints and planning the evening an next morning. Friday's sunset at Sunset Point held a few images.

 

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I was hoping the sun would appear before the storm arrived as I drove into the Park to Sunset Point. However, Saturday morning began with overcast skies and the sun never peaked beneath to illuminate the amphitheatre. Took a few photos just in case, and then took a hike down amongst the HooDoos from Sunset Point, around and up the Navajo Trail through Wall Street. The overcast prevented any harsh shadows and extremely bright snow for difficult exposures, but made for a yucky white sky.

 

Thor's Hammer

 

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Twin Bridges

 

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Looking down Wall Street

 

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With up to 7" snow forecast for Saturday and Sunday, I bagged the Sunday morning shoot due to a likely sunless sunrise and raced the windy front back to Flagstaff.

 

Shooting in the snow was difficult with lots of images being deleted after being taken. Even if the histograms looked OK and to the right, many of the images had snow that was way over-exposed. Perhaps I should underexpose more to leave room for the snow's highlights.

 

Doug

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My family is going to Panguitch Lake this summer for a get-together, I told my husband we should take a couple of days and go to Bryce... Your pictures just sold the trip! :P Thanks Doug!!!

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Ilene,

Sunrise at Sunrise, Sunset or Bryce Point is highly recommended. Also be sure to hike one of the easy loop trails down amongst the hoodoos. Have an enjoyable gathering at Panguitch this summer.

 

It was a nipper 1* Friday morning, but it will certainly warm up by the time of your visit ;)

 

Doug

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Awesome pictures as always Doug. Sounds pretty chilly but looks like it was worth it!

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Great pics Doug! You of course, know that I spend a week in the Navajo Lake area each year. We might move over to Boulder Mountain for this year's rendevoux..... We'll see.... ;) Either way, thanks for the great pics of that amazing country!!

 

S.

 

:)

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Ilene,

Sunrise at Sunrise, Sunset or Bryce Point is highly recommended. Also be sure to hike one of the easy loop trails down amongst the hoodoos. Have an enjoyable gathering at Panguitch this summer.

 

It was a nipper 1* Friday morning, but it will certainly warm up by the time of your visit ;)

 

Doug

Thanks Doug, we are definitely going to swing by there. I practically grew up with summers spent at Panguitch, my Grandparents had a cabin at Brian Head, I've been to Bryce but my husband has not. He wasn't all that interested until I showed him your pictures...again, Thanks! :rolleyes:

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Ilene,

I recall about 40 years ago that Panguitch Lake was one of the top 10 trout lakes in the US. You must have had a blast fishing as a kid. I wonder how it has recovered since they retenoned it a few years ago. I shot my first mule deer about 10 miles north of the lake.

 

Doug

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Creamsicles! I like it! ;)

 

Nice pics as usual Doug.

 

You were talking about exposure settings. I am not sure what your Nikon has, but some cameras have programmable exposure bracketing. -1,0,+1 etc..

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Beautiful, Doug.

 

Bryce Canyon is my wife's favorite national park. She loves to hike the trail through those columns of rocks.

 

She was impressed with your photos, too, and said the snow looked like Cool-Whip.

 

Bill Quimby

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