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2010-04-27T21:24:00.001-07:00

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Look who came to dinner!

2010-01-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

We've been at Grand Canyon N.P. for almost two months and have just one week left. We've had snow on the ground for the past three weeks - upwards of two feet at one time, with another 6-8 inches added just this past week.

The Park Service provided housing for us this time around - it would have been utterly miserable trying to stay warm in our trailer, let alone keep it from freezing up!

We've been snuggled into a modular trailer unit in one of the residential areas. It is a quiet neighborhood; but we have a lot of daily visitors.

The deer come in all sizes, from the littlest one that is so cute - I hope it survives the winter - it seems so much smaller than the other fawns. A lone doe and her fawn are our most regular visitors, but occasionally we get a larger group. Of course, we also get the stags who come to check out the "ladies!"

The stags come in 2-3 points - up to many points. It is amazing to see how many have broken antlers.

We've only had a few elk sightings, they must be staying elsewhere.

At least we know one thing - the animals will be glad when they can stop eating from the broken juniper and pine branches and see grass again. So will we...... see grass that is...

Happy New Year!

A Return to the Canyon…..

2009-11-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

As we drove away from Grand Canyon National Park last summer, we knew we’d be returning five months later. Good byes are always easier when you know you’ll be returning. And July would soon be upon us and we were headed north to Churchill Manitoba with its polar bears, beluga whales, red fox, and a whole new subarctic world.

Returning was like coming home - we are back among friends – being welcomed with open arms, lots of hugs, and smiles. Even the wildlife seemed to know we were back.

It has turned to winter and this morning we were greeted with snow on the ground. Like little kids we bundled up to head to the South Rim to check out the views. The ravens were playing, the snow was flying up out of the canyon, fog rimmed the northern edge…..

It is good be to back….

Sounds of an Ancient Culture

2009-11-15T20:09:00.000-08:00

A rough dirt track follows the south side of the deep sandstone canyon. For a mile or so there had been little to see, just the beauty of the canyon and the occasional eroded ruin. It took over an hour to get to the end of the road.

As we rounded a corner, a sunburst illuminated the rust colored sandstone arch that protects the multi-room ruin. A stop for pictures was required. Stepping around the 4X4, white flecks in the dirt seemed out of place. Our guide picked one up; it was half of an ancient seed pot. The hillside was littered with the shards from the Pueblo civilization.

The first inhabitants of the cliff dwellings at Mummy Cave were called the Basket Makers, an early Anasazi culture. They were experts at wicker basketry, remnants of which were left in their dwelling and burial sites. The Pueblo people came next; then the Navajo. At one time, the Canyon de Chelly canyons were home to over 1,000 people. Farmland in the bottom of the Canyon has been cultivated by the Pueblo and Navajo for over 1,000 years - it is still farmed today.

The Navajo people respect the ancient sites. They know that spirits dwell in the ruins; spirits that shouldn’t be disturbed. They’ve heard them, felt them, and know to leave the ruins untouched. Unfortunately, others don’t have the same respect and fences must keep them away.

If you stop and listen, you can hear the sound of an ancient people. They are still here.

Looking for the last of summer…

2009-11-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

As the air gets cooler and the rains starts again we find ourselves yearning for a little more summer. You see, we really haven’t had summer this year. We went from spring in the Southwest to summer in the sub-arctic, which really isn’t summer at all. Then we entered fall with its cooler temperatures and the beginnings of the rainy season. Oregon is like that.

So the trailer was hitched up, and rolling south we have finally found a little summer. Yes, it’s fall here at Zion National Park, but we call 80 degree days summer. Along with summer, we have the added benefit of golden fall leaves situated in a photographer’s paradise.

We’ll be here long enough to dry out, get some sun, and make a few pictures before moving on to Canyon de Chelly, and hopefully, a little more of this colorful summer.

What's New at CatonPhoto.com

2009-09-13T10:34:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it is September already and fall is just two weeks away? As many of you know, we put CatonPhoto.com on sabbatical and tried our hand at sometime totally different this year.

We’ve had two great volunteer experiences. Our first was a two month stint at Grand Canyon National Park where we worked in their emergency services branch building a continuity of operations plan for the park and helping out as needed on emergency calls and other odd tasks.

Second up, we spent five weeks at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Churchill, Manitoba, on the western shores of Hudson Bay. You only have to read our blog stories to know we had a great adventure – over 30 polar bear sightings, hundreds of beluga whales, red fox kits, and scores of birds. The tundra in spring is a glorious sight! Don’t miss the Churchill photos in the Portfolio.

We’re now enjoying the warmth, color, and freshness of summer. In the past few weeks, we’ve picked huckleberries and blueberries to make freezer jam, enjoyed fresh heirloom tomato salsa with fresh sweet peppers (and a few jalapeños!), and even had the air conditioner on for a few days. Not bad for two people who thought Spring would never end!

Our photos are now being marketed by age fotostock (Spain), Alamy (UK), Dreamstime, Fotolia USA, and BigStockPhoto stock distribution agencies. New technology has come our way in the form of a Nikon D700 camera body and an 80 to 400mm zoom lens.

What’s to come? We’re taking the cameras and heading for Boston for a fall color New England cruise – our first time at cruising! We don’t have to write a report, wash dishes, or anything. It is time to be pampered!

November sees us loading up the trailer and driving south to once again volunteer in the National Park system. We’ll be back at Grand Canyon with stops at Canyon de Chelly, Zion National Park, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Who knows what adventures are in store for us!

One last thought of Churchill…

2009-08-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

Every night at 10:00, the town siren wails a warning. Move inside children, adults too. It’s best to heed the warning as the denizens of the ice have moved ashore and they are the world’s largest land carnivore.

Car horns formed a cacophony of noise that sounded like a wedding or celebration; but not at 11:00 at night. Following the horns were gunshots and small explosions. The conservation folks were chasing the bear, hazing it so it would leave town. Later there was another, and early in the morning another yet.

The town – Churchill – rests on the western shores of Hudson Bay, just north of the 58th parallel. While sub-arctic, its environment is very arctic in nature. It happens to sit in the area where one of the world’s largest concentrations of polar bears comes ashore each spring to await the autumn freeze.

Polar bears usually eat ring seals and don’t typically hunt humans. But there are delinquent, old, sick, and hungry bears that will attack, as well as females with cubs that feel threatened.

So the siren sounds a warning and the town’s people heed it - there can be bears roaming the town on any night.

People create a sense of place...

2009-08-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre is located in a building on a old rocketry and aurora borealis research center. The building is austere, run down, and way out of date - a lifeless relic of the cold war.

But, where ever we go and whatever we see, it's the people that create a sense of place. Audrey, Rosalind, Robert, Emma, Aisling, Gerry, Cliff, Kat, Carley, LeeAnne, Avril, Mike, Kim, Christina, Devon, and Marie create that sense of place at CNSC. They are the staff and volunteers that we worked with at the Centre. Cooks, housekeepers, maintenance people, program coordinators, and administrators all make CNSC a place where people can feel at home while important work is done.

We tried to lend a hand in some way to all of the CNSC staff. In return, we were rewarded by each person in small and large ways. Sometimes it was just having someone new to talk to and to share our experiences with. Or, it was the camaraderie of working as a team to put out a meal and clean up after 80 people. Other times, it was the opportunity to lend our unique expertise to the operation.

To all of you, our new friends, we send our sincerest thanks and our best wishes.

Nine months to get there, two days to go home...

2009-08-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

It took nine months to get to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre in northern Manitoba. Our application had to be vetted, interviews completed, references checked, and schedules arranged. It's not a simple process, but a necessary one. Churchill is way beyond the end of the road. You don't go there lightly and weather can make access difficult.

“You are going WHERE? To do WHAT?” Yes, those are the questions we received when we told family and friends we were going to volunteer at CNSC.

The answer was always, “we’ll wash dishes all day for the chance to see a polar bear in the wild!” For five weeks, we washed dishes, cleaned rooms, made beds, mopped floors, washed more dishes, and assisted with many other tasks. And though summer came late to Churchill this year, the tundra bloomed, the red fox kits appeared, the bears came in off the ice, and the belugas filled the river. We witnessed it all; with awe, inspiration, and respect for the researchers who spend months following their goals and dreams.

We met interesting people from all over Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. We hiked with researchers and helped on their projects. We held baby plover chicks as they were being banded with Rita and Simone, and gosling chicks with Tom, Shawn, Jess, and Jay. We watched in awe as Carla and Vanya fed baby yellow warblers with an eye dropper. And, yes, we slipped into tidal pools following the lead of Amanda, Erinn, and Ingrid, our favorite planktoneers!

Volunteering at CNSC may not be for everyone. The work can be tiring and long and sometimes you feel like you haven’t been outside for days. But, knowing you are helping in your own small way to support the science that is making a difference in our world makes it all worthwhile.

Our thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Heather MacLeod, and the entire CNSC staff for making our volunteer experience such a wonderful adventure. We wish everyone the best of luck during construction of the new building and renovation of the current one. Life will certainly be easier with more space, more bathrooms, and a larger kitchen. Remember, though, there will always be another dish that needs to be washed!

Now, we are looking forward to a little rest before starting the next adventure. What's next? First, a fall color cruise from Boston to Montreal for a little pampering and relaxation. Then it's back to the SW to volunteer for the U.S. Park Service at Canyon de Chelly, Grand Canyon, Glenn Canyon, and Zion.

The wild ride continues. Maybe we'll go even farther south -> Antarctica may be on the horizon...

It's a good day at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre when...

2009-08-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

There are not too many dishes to be washed.
You can understand the Canadian, Newfoundland, Scottish, Irish, British, and French accents.
You are no longer considered a "nut-job" for being a volunteer dishwasher.
CNSC staff share their Tuck Tape for repairing your clothing.
There are chocolate chip cookies or brownies for dessert.
You don't fall in a pond and get a "booter" or your jeans wet to way past your waist!
You can get a ride to town on your day off instead of being stalked by bears while walking.
The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the storms have all passed.
The wind is blowing and there are no mosquitoes.
You have more freckles on your arms than mosquito bites.
It's calm and the mosquito swarm can't carry you away.
You can kill two mosquitoes on every swat.
You have a bug hat and 100% DEET when there are mosquitoes.
There are fewer mosquitoes inside than outside.
It's cold and the mosquitoes are DEAD.
A researcher asks you to join them in the field.
A polar bear is sighted.
The researcher is afraid of bears and lets you run ahead of them (you don't want to be last).
The polar bear doesn't eat you because you are too slow.
You have a day off and the bears want to pose for photos.
You don't have to room with a snorer.
Researchers take showers! (Though not showering is built in mosquito repellant!)
The Aurora Borealis is out - and you are up at 1am to see it.
You can find a place to plug in your laptop.
Your flight to Winnipeg is confirmed...

Researchers Needed for Dangerous Assignment

2009-07-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

"There's a bear at Dump Beach" came over the radio as Amanda and Erinn got ready to leave. They were prepared. Their kit includes binoculars, radio, 12 gauge shotgun (bear gun), and a lot of nerve. All they want to do is sample water in small ponds near the edge of Hudson Bay. But in order to do that, they frequently have to run a gauntlet of polar bears - or lose a day of sampling.

The shoreline can be a dangerous place this time of the year. The Hudson Bay ice pack is melting quickly and bears are swimming to land and summer dens. The polar bear is the largest of the land carnivores, but this doesn't make them slow. They are fast swimmers and can run at over 25 MPH. Time and distance to the sanctuary of a car are important. Much more important than having to shoot a bear.

Amanda and Erinn approach their research site by road; followed by a short walk across tundra and boulders. They blow the horn and stop to scan for bears frequently. Hopefully, a slumbering bear will pop up and run away. The all-clear is given, but the distance to the research site is measured in the minutes it will take to get back to the car.

For eight weeks now, they have returned to the same site to take samples and conduct their experiments. At times, bears were already there and research was put on hold. And, there have been a few close calls when bears have emerged from the Bay causing them to scamper back to the car and safety.

In spite of the danger, they stay dedicated to their work, returning to the site day after day, running the gauntlet of bears.

Girls In White Satin...

2009-07-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

With their coats glistening white like ghosts, they emerged from an afternoon fog. They have left the ice - it is melting - and their food source is leaving with it. They swim ashore seeking a place to rest and wait for the ice to return - along with their primary food source – the ring seal.

Two cubs are usually born in October, but now there is just one. The arctic is a harsh place. Only the fittest survive. After leaving a den of snow, the mother has been eating seal blubber and snuggling down into the white landscape to feed her cub on rich breast milk. On the ice, they have traveled far, always looking for food. Patiently waiting, the mother stands still near a seal's breathing hole, never moving, waiting, for the instant when she will lunge for a meal.

Now ashore, they wait for the ice to build again; their white coats contrasting with the dark tundra. The playful cub will be schooled by its mother and growing bigger. For the next two years, the mother will always be ready to repel a threat.

They came to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre for a visit but the threat is too great – to us and to them. So they have moved on to a quiet area where they can wait in peace for the ice to form. Then they will return, ghostly moving in a sea of white.

Churchill Northern Studies Centre

2009-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) is a facility dedicated to arctic research and education. The Centre serves as research station that provides accommodations, food, basic laboratory facilities, and other logistics. In addition to research, the Centre is host to Elderhostel and its own learning vacation programs.

The CNCS is housed in an abandon U.S. and Canadian aurora borealis research facility that was run by NASA. The research conducted used rocketry and the area is pockmarked by craters and debris from rockets falling to earth.

Located near the 58th parallel, the area is considered sub-arctic. However, researchers value this area because it is at the confluence of three major eco-systems: tundra and permafrost, boreal forest, and the marine environment of Hudson Bay.

During our time here, there will be up to 40 researchers conducting studies on a broad range of topics. At the same time, there are 40 students taking a university field course or participating in Earth Watch activities. Later, there will be a learning vacation group coming to see beluga whales.

We're volunteering in support of the Centre by providing general labor in a variety of activities, primarily in the kitchen. In return for 36 hours/week of labor, we get free room and board and the opportunity to spend time in the field with the researchers (which is a real treat). In addition, the Centre has arranged a special tour for us to see beluga whales and Karen has been invited to join a tundra buggy tour on her next day off.

The area around the Centre is a mix of boreal forest and tundra. There are many ponds and flooded areas from all the rains. Summer is about three weeks late - many of the spring flowers are blooming now, many of the baby birds are just hatching, and the ice is still melting in Hudson Bay.

We highly recommend taking one of their learning vacations or volunteering for this worthwhile cause. Just know that Churchill is remote, the CNSC is 25 kilometers from town, there is limited to no transportation, and you just can't go for a walk, run, or bike ride due to the polar bears. You'll live in dorm rooms with bunk beds and eat in a common dining room. But if you want to experience the far north in a sub-arctic environment, experience life in a true research station, and chat with researchers from all over Canada and some from the U.S..... this is a great adventure.

And, yes, if you volunteer...... you do have to wash dishes.... lots of dishes!!!!!

Always another dish...

2009-07-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

There’s always another dish…

We came to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre knowing that we would be washing dishes for our room and board. We had no idea that there are an infinite number of dishes.

The life of a dishwasher is peculiar. Just when you think you are done - you aren't. There’s always another dish. Beside the obvious places – such as the kitchen and dining room – there are cups in corners and dishes on desks. They seem to be… everywhere!

One would think that there are a finite number of dishes. After all, we are 250 miles beyond the end of the road. How would they get here? Do they fall from an airplane? Are they carried from the train? Have they stowed away on a boat? This is a research station, and we have joined in the studies here to answer the question: Where do the dishes come from?

We conducted interviews with key stakeholders involved with the acquisition and maintenance of food purveyance equipment (dishes). It was determined that a finite number of dishes were initially delivered to CNSC by train. The initial delivery has been supplemented by small deliveries. So it can be concluded that the dishes are not propagating through human intervention (delivery).

At this point we were forced to conduct an exhaustive study of each food purveyance item* which was conducted by a certified** dishwashing research assistant. The data obtained from this study was collated and outliers*** eliminated from the data set. The following extremely complex statistical analysis was conducted utilizing the following formula: {DW=[∞]d,kfs,c,cc,pp(R)}**.

Based on the outcome of the analysis, and anecdotal reports, we have determined there is an 89.31789 percent likelihood that dishes are a self propagating species.

Consequently, there is always another dish.

*DW= dishwasher; d=dishes; kfs=knife fork spoon; c=cup; cc=coffee cup; pp=pots & pans; R=researcher
**certified=gone crazy or mad from doing dishes
***broken dishes

Respectfully submitted by:
Riley & Karen Caton
Independent researchers****

****Unemployed consultants – CNSC Volunteers Summer 2009

Adaptation...

2009-07-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

The climate around Churchill is so harsh that it's amazing that human beings can exist here. After all, we are at 58 degrees North latitude in an area that is sub-arctic. The Inuit have lived here for many many generations and are masters of adaptation. If it weren't for our artificial habitat (clothing and housing) it would certainly be impossible for us to visit.

The natural inhabitants are experts at adaptation and utilization of their surroundings. The red fox kit (pup) blends in with its surroundings when it lies down and the polar bear is a master of disguise for most of the year. Caribou blend in to the tundra so well they are hard to see at a distance.

We'll continue to look for wildlife for the next four weeks and update our photo file (http://www.catonphoto.zenfolio.com/ - Portfolio/Churchill MB) on a regular basis. Please let us know what you think.

Trying to figure it out...

2009-07-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Arctic Circle is at 66 degrees North latitude and Churchill, Manitoba and the Churchill Northern Studies Centre is just north of 58 degrees. By comparison, the 45th parellel (another way of saying latitude) is between Portland and Salem, Oregon. So Churchill is pretty darn close to the Arctic. It’s also pretty close to the North Pole at 90 degrees.

Needless to say, the weather varies a great deal here. And since we are in Canada, the weather reports are given in Celsius, not Fahrenheit. So we have had to do a little converting to figure it out. Here’s the formula: [°C] = ([°F] − 32) ×5/9. Now, figure that out in your head... So we looked up the following mnemonic to help us remember what it’s like outside: When it's zero it's freezing, when it's 10 it's not, when it's 20 it's warm, when it's 30 it's hot! Or, thirty is hot, twenty is nice, ten is cool, and zero is ice.

I guess it really doesn’t matter because you are so busy waiving your arms to shoo away the bugs that you don’t notice the weather.

An Arrival... The Churchill Northern Studies Centre

2009-07-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

At times it seems as though we are living in a perpetual winter, except for those 80+ degree days at home. Now that we count them, we've had three springs this year. Our third spring is occuring at the 58th parallel, not far from the arctic circle. We're in Churchill, Manitoba looking for the ice to clear from Hudson Bay, polar bears to come on shore, beluga whales to congregate, and the tundra to bloom. However, spring is also hearlded by the onslaught of hords of the mighty mosquito. They arrived today, along with us.

So join us as we spend five weeks at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre getting to know the environment at the arctic's edge. Check out our photos under "Portfolio" at http://www.catonphoto.com/.

We're Packing....

2009-07-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday night and we're almost packed for our trip to Churchill, Manitoba. Sure, we don't leave until Monday - but one just has to make sure that everything will fit! Like the new rubber boots we bought today - and don't forget the tri-pods! Can't wait to see the beluga whales and we have our fingers doubly crossed in hopes of seeing a polar bear... or two... or three...

Stay tuned - more to come!!!

We Really Can Work Anywhere

2009-05-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe we've been here in Grand Canyon National Park (or GRCA as it is known in National Park Service "lingo!") for six weeks - two weeks to go!

Most of our work time has been at Station 1 in a large conference room -but we spend time at the trailer for uniterrupted time (except for the ravens, bees, and "oh, do you have internet?"). While we are both able to work at the dinette table in the trailer - we have a great outdoor workspace.

The best part of wrapping up the Continuity of Operations Plan we are writing, has been the opportunity to photograph training exercises. Whether it is a team being lifted off the ground by the helicopter, carrying injured away from a bus crash, to lowering a litter over the canyon rim - we've caught the action...

Check out my favorite "patient!"

Who knows where we'll end up from here... we've been approached by several visitors to GRCA to do the same thing at their park... we'll just have to see how it all works out!

But for us... two more weeks here... three weeks at home... and it is off to Churchill Manitoba - We'll be basic laborers there... but for that adventure, we'll wash dishes and do food prep all day long just to see a polar bear and the beluga whales!! Stay in touch!!

It Really is Grand...

2009-04-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

Between us, we have visited the Grand Canyon eight times. You'd think that we'd be a little immune to the grandeur of the Canyon. But no, it simply draws you in and compels you to gawk at its beauty. It's so big that the scale is not comprehendible. After all it's a mile deep and nearly 18 miles wide at the widest point.

We've stood on the rim and enjoyed the layers of colors and the birds soring on it's wind, and at the same time there is no sound. The Canyon absorbs sound...

We've traversed the South Rim by road and are in the process of walking the Rim Trail 3-5 miles at a time. Soon we'll go "below the Rim" on a walk down the Bright Angel Trail.

Dam, Dam, Dam

2009-04-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Dam Plaza, Dam Coffee, Dam Mexican Food, Dam Tours... The Glen Canyon Dam lends its last name to many of the businesses in Page, AZ. Page was originally built to house the Dam workers, now it is an oasis in the middle of the desert. The Dam created a huge recreation area 180 miles long with 2000 miles of shoreline. But the Dam also inundated one of the most wild and scenic stretches of the Colorado River and obliterated dozens of historic native american sites. Damn that Dam...

On another note, there is so much water in Lake Powell that if the Dam were to fail, the water level would rise 500 feet in 4 - 5 hours at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The water would flow over Hoover Dam for 11 days - if it held... If you thought Katrina was a disaster, this scenario is predicted to result in the greatest economic catastrophe of modern times.

Funny what you learn while on the road...

April 10: A new Page...

2009-04-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

1155 miles, 4 states, too many gas stations..... Hello from Page AZ. Pulling a trailer through rush hour traffic in Boise and the Salt Lake metro area (ie: Ogden to Provo) can really try one's patience - but today has been all non-freeway driving through beautiful country - it makes it all worthwhile.

One thing - with 27feet behind us, we just can't pull off the road to take photos... it takes careful planning and many shots passed up! We'll spend three nights here in Page exploring the area and catch up on some of the shots we missed (with the trailer safely parked away)!

We'll be moving into the Grand Canyon on Monday. Our adventure really begins there.... we'll let you know how it goes.... follow our journey!

It's A Whole New Year - Lots of Changes

2009-03-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hello 2009! Our photo business continues with steady assignments for local businesses. We're shooting monthly promo shots for Silk Espresso and progress of construction shots for Tokola Properties Third Central complex. Other assignments include the new Owens Corning facility in Rockwood and food shots for Sunny Hans. We joined our photography with the music of Yoyodyne, a local indie band.

In late January, we were accepted for a two month volunteer assignment at the Grand Canyon National Park. We'll be working with the Emergency Services Director on a Continuity of Operations Plan for the park, as well as many other activities. The park provides a spot with full hookups for their volunteers - which led to.... guess we better go buy an RV. We found the perfect trailer - and you can be sure our cameras will be packed and ready to go! We leave April 8!

We also applied for volunteer positions at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Churchill, Manitoba, on the shores of Hudson Bay. We heard Saturday that we were accepted for positions this summer. We'll be working at the Centre helping with a wide variety of duties. In our off time, we can participate in the Centre's programs as space allows and we will always be looking for photo opportunties.

We're still on schedule for the New England cruise this fall - lots of space still available. Check our website for details!

Where did the summer go?

2008-10-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

It's almost Halloween, November is right around the corner, and we're still wondering what happened to September!

We are still working with Tokola Properties shooting construction progress images of their 3rd Central property in Historic Downtown Gresham, and Mt. Hood Community College. We are very excited to have an agreement shooting images for Silk Espresso for their monthly newsletter, and we're preparing for a couple of workshops at Menucha Retreat Center, in Corbett, along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

June saw us improving our photographic technique and artistic abilities by attending Art Wolfe's Creative Series workshop here in Portland. Remember - it's okay to move the antlers! It's called working the image and moving objects to make a better image is okay.

Our next workshop at the Art Wolfe Digital Photography Center was in September in Seattle - Stock Photography Industry with Patrick Donehue. Patrick is a wonderful instructor (and all around good guy) - we highly recommend his workshops. Check him out at AWDPC or at the Santa Fe Workshops.

Check out our new adventure - CatonPhoto Trips & Workshops on our website - http://www.catonphoto.com/. In 2009, we'll be conducting photo workshops while visiting Panama, San Francisco, Canada, and a fall color cruise in the northest starting in Boston, ending in Montreal. Hope you can join us!

Reflecting on a dangerous country…

2007-11-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

It was a dark, rainy night as we walked the trail from the restaurant to our hotel. Every shadow on the track hid a snake and every hanging branch readied a lethal spider. Crocodiles were sneaking out of the bay in anticipation of a human meal. This place is so dangerous that we wondered why we came here. What other risks were we to endure? Mobs of wild kangaroos? Grunting koalas falling from the trees? Wombat attacks? Cockatoo crunches? Bad wine?

Bill Bryson* got it wrong. Well, actually, he is right – there probably are 740 ways to die in Oz, but the likelihood of dying from one of these causes is quite small. However, our extensive experience in this wonderful country (several weeks) has shown that there are other more insidious ways of getting into trouble. For instance…

The sign said that the Botanical Garden closed at 6:30. It didn’t appear to be true. It was 7:00 and people were wandering past the gate and all over the grounds. There was even a bride and groom being photographed on the lawn. What they were doing getting married on a Monday night, we have no idea, but this is Oz and things are different here. We followed the concrete path, intent on walking around the bay to a place on the harbor that would be great for photographing the Opera House.

The promenade was lovely. The trail sign said it would only take six minutes to reach our intended destination. Three minutes later another sign said it would only take us three minutes. Not bad…

It took two more minutes to reach a locked gate - just like the one we walked through earlier. Remember the sign? Evidently, they really meant it. Bugger! I like this word. In Aussie speak; it describes a complex set of events that tend to screw up your day.

It was reassuring to see other people looking at the chain and padlock holding the gate shut. With our destination close by, we wandered into the garden looking for a way to the other side.
During our search for an escape, we found an excellent location for our evening photo shoot. We set up our tripods and began making pictures - until a little car with a ranger pulled up. We hadn’t noticed that everyone else had left the garden. The ranger told us that the gardens were closed. In other words, leave! “And by the way, do you have a permit to do commercial photography in the park?” Fearing incarceration, a lengthy trial, deportation, confiscation of our camera equipment, and attack by lethal animals, we told the ranger “we are only tourists” and ran for the exit.

Australia can be a dangerous place to visit, especially if you get locked in a park.

* with apologies to Bill Bryson author of A Sunburned Country.