Storm over Buffalo Point – Nikon D300, f16, 1/320, ISO 500, +1.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light
After 5 days of not going out into the field I was having withdrawals so yesterday Antelope Island State Park was our destination even though there were clouds. After the cold, cloudy weather I hoped that the birds would be active but that wasn’t to be, in fact very few birds were seen close enough to get decent images of but the weather did put on a show. At the group campground the sun lit up the slopes of Buffalo Point and the clouds provided the drama as thunder boomed in the distance. The thunder was about the only noise I heard other than the breeze rustling the grasses.
Clearing clouds over Freemont Island and Promontory Point – Nikon D300, f16, 1/250, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 48mm, natural light
Last week I read an article about photographers misbehaving in Yellowstone with a photo included that showed perhaps 30-40 photographers lined up side by side and some times they were two deep plus there were lots of other people with smaller cameras milling around in the background. I am sure there were loads more people outside of the frame. I shuddered at the thought of being in that line of photographers.
That just isn’t my cuppa tea.
What is my cuppa tea is taking in all of the beauty around me as I did yesterday looking north from Antelope Island as the clouds were clearing over Promontory Point and Freemont Island and the only noise I heard was from California Gulls flying overhead.
Stormy clouds over Antelope Island – HTC One cell phone image, f2, 1/4348, ISO 125, 4mm, natural light
I love photographing my subjects but I am also there for the experiences I crave in nature, the quiet, the peace and the grand views. I’m there to connect with the natural world.
Mia
Oh, I relate. This is a beautiful spot with many experiences. Soothes the soul and teaches us about life. I am grateful that you share your experiences with such a keen eye and heart.
Crowds give me the horrors. Scenes like those you have given us today soothe my soul. No contest – and thank you.
Beautiful images all. I always enjoy clouds and interesting weather. Yesterday I mentioned that this is an El Niño year, but scientists are not yet sure how strong. For more info I recommend this site: http://grist.org/climate-energy/when-el-nino-comes-to-town/
lovely, lovely images,! first one is a little scary…looks too much like the beginning of a twister. One of the dumbest Yellowstone photo stunts I’ve seen was a Japanese father urging his young son to “get closer” to an elk stag that was lying out in the field…so he could get a picture of the two together!
Mia, you and I are of the same mind! I flee the crowds and crave the solitude and beauty of nature! you would not find me in that line of photographers either! Seeing these photos makes me miss Utah. You KNOW I love Antelope Island! I love the sound of the wind rustling the grasses and those glorious views on and from the island! How hard it is to explain to those who are not so connected to nature how it feels to crave it with every fiber of your being!
Oh, Mia – your words and photographs put me right there with you. Antelope Island is one of my most favorite places. I try to squeeze a full day or two there whenever I am in Utah (not often enough!). I love that deep velvety silence that sometimes envelops me there. In those moments I put my camera down and just experience the unique, special beauty of the place. I find it deeply profound and rejuvenating to just ‘be’ there in a way that words and photographs cannot fully capture.
When I read your Antelope Island posts, your words and photographs transport me there – if only for a few joyful minutes. Your blog makes me long to return to this very special place. Thank you Mia!
what a magnificent place … beautiful scenes, Mia!!! I love them all but the drama of the blue sky and the encroaching clouds just takes my breath away!!!