Fire Prevention

rdc_TPFT_DSC_2520_20091104, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

The last several weeks have not been tops for one of the nation's refinery of oil. They suffered several set backs in regards to fires. Thankfully, few if anyone were injured in the fires which were quickly contained & controlled. The most recent fire damaged some homes in a Woodscross neighborhood which were damaged due to being within an unknown blast zone.

I'd hate to think about the fire damage done had teams not been on location. I know when I hear the local fire units roll out, they heading out for damage control. Seldom do the brigades arrive in time to stop the spread of immediate damage.

The day of the Woodscross fire the Wasatch Camera Club had the opportunity to experience the training that went to use earlier that day at another facility. The above image is taken at the training facility.

Before going out to the location one of the firemen (a club member) briefed us. He said the local fire brigades will not enter the facility under their chief's command, they will take up defensive positions outside the property, and follow instructions as directed by the facility's team if their help is requested in the facility. He went on to say the company's fire brigade is staffed by employee volunteers who train regularly and who are on a rotating on call duty roster. They have teams on scene literally within seconds verses minutes if they relied on an outside source.

As I set up my camera gear in the designated viewer area I thought back to my own fire fighting training with Mercy Ships. It was train, train, and train some more. Review the materials list, know the lay out of the ship/facility, know the gear, concentrate on the task at hand, etc.

Not only do I remember the physical aspect of it I also remember the preparation of it. The best way to put out a fire is not to let it start. Most of our would be fires were because of an over loaded power transformer 220v stepped down to 110v. These transformers would overheat, sizzle producing acidic smoke, and blow a circuit breaker. We'd keep our eyes and noses on the look out for overloaded transformers.

The designer's of the m.v. Africa Mercy took the lessons learned, the safety requirements, and implemented them. I haven't been to the m.v. Africa Mercy but I have seen her design, talked with the engineers, and those involved in the project. I know that our old ship issues were addressed. I'd say she's a very safe ship from that aspect.

As we head into this year's holiday season, as we pull out our decorations, as we pull out the memories of years gone by, please remember fire safety is more then not playing with matches. Fire safety begins by inspecting electrical cords and connections. Fire safety includes resisting the temptation to overload a circuit. Fire safety includes making sure flammables are away from the flames and heat source when a flame is lit or a heat source turned on. Fire safety begins with common sense.

I live in a multifamily community, not a rack and stack as some apartments are but, still I share a common wall with 2 other families. I'd hate to loose out because of a simple over sight by one of my neighbors. Even more so I'd hate for them to loose out because of me.

As we head into a season of lights, jolly, and good times please remember...

Fire safety begins with prevention.

Prevention means using common sense.

Patrick A. Dwire

Patrick A. Dwire, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

A young life taken too soon. He valiantly served Our Country right out of high school and did not complain about helping or serving others.

I knew him through the coffee shop we hung out at. A Veteran of several conflicts, he talked stories but revealed nothing. Tormented at times by his injuries sustained in combat, he never let them get in the way of conversation. His introduction to most people would include something about going sky diving, his fading hearing, and his daughter.

After the services on Monday, the group of regulars hung sipping coffee with a chilly wind blowing. Stories of how he'd drop everything to help a friend out floated away on tears. Each tear a leaf of the fading fall.

Today a light snow falls, covering the fresh grave site. Grave and fresh I know do not go together. They shouldn't. I talked to the funeral director after the services, himself a Vet. Irony, we bury our young men often before we bury our old. Young lives taken before their time.

I present to the family my deepest condolences. I knew him enough to be honored by his friendship. He helped me come to terms with my own death of my departed sister.

May the images I share be honoring to you.

calibration

I just calibrated my monitor with the Huey. Why does it all look so muddy? Or was it because its been out so long I think it looks muddy?

Either way I needed to calibrate for wedding pictures. I shot Jon & Ann Marie's wedding on Saturday. A wonderful couple I met at the coffee shop about 6 months ago. She immediately swooped in and looked at my images when I mentioned I like to shoot as a hobby. I've got most of the images sorted now. Next just a little more redefining and posting some where private for them. I'll post one or five here for show and tell. Critiques are always welcomed.

Right now I've got a sad shoot to do. I found out a day before the wedding one of the guys we hung with passed away. A First Gulf War Vet, he was plagued by injury sustained in combat. I talked with his roommate about taking a few pictures but, I still didn't feel right so I called the mortuary. They called the family and I have permission. Not fun, sad really, Patrick was a cool cat to listen to tell stories.

Jon and Ann Marie

rdc_DSC_1741, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Ann Marie asked me, what seems like ages ago, to be at her wedding. This wonderful couple I met at a coffee shop had seen just a small sample of my images. Now more of my images they will see soon enough. Thank you for the opportunity to attend.

I always like to post an image or two of important events within 24 hours. So to the Bride, Groom, and family, congratulations.

Weddings are always hard work, fun, and more hard work. I've got over 1500 images to sort an decide which they will see. These two currently on flickr are what I like to say as defining representative moments.

Photojournalists photographing a launch rollout

Expedition 21 Soyuz Rollout (200909280004HQ), originally uploaded by nasa hq photo.

The world of photojournalism is dog eat dog. Sometimes it takes more then a little perseverance in finding the right contacts to get to some cool places.

This image of expedition 21 didn't come to just any joe like myself who could buy a ticket to watch some racing at a local track. These guys paid their dues to get there by forging relationships with editors, contact leads, and possible years of shooting the mundane other things.

I can dream, can't I, that one day I'll travel over to the Cosmodrome to to view a launch...

the garden

UTGrandPrix Wheels, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

A former supervisor tossed an insult my way or was it awake up call or was it simply an observation, anyways it doesn't matter he simply commented that I only talk about two things: hiking and photography. I just returned from a photography club meeting. The club president seems to digress to one subject, stock photography. I hung on her words for a while on how stock photography can provide fulfillment among other things. I came to the conclusion with these two encounters, what's in our gardens?

What's in our gardens? The proverbial onion's been cut to pieces, besides there's more to chop from the garden then the onion. The onion is good to use in many cases because it has layers one can peal away. It's bad to use for when the layers are all removed you don't have anything left but a pile of peeled away layers.

The garden has so much to offer. Currently my garden is but two planter boxes under a south facing window outside. This year I grew a few tomatoes, some basil, sunflowers, and lettuce. This garden is small yes, but it's a start for me. I've never grown anything before and yet I have this year, my first year, something to show for it.

Be a garden of topics, one subject or a few, each topic does contain many aspects. Each plant I grew I quickly found out has different light and water requirements. One can snarl at photography and say so what. Funny thing is the snarling beast may not realize how much of his life is influenced by photographers.

Photography is more then an image or a process, to a photographer it's a lifestyle. Each photographer lives and breathes in their style. It's in the fore front of their minds driving down the road, talking to others on the phone, looking through the lens. A photograph is a concept yet developed and yet nearing completion. From the seed sown to the image on a magazine cover, the photograph is. It is the only aspect of life nearing the majority of a photographer's attention, time, and conversation.

I shoot landscapes. Landscapes go hand in hand with hiking. I desire to give validity to my stories so I take pictures. These pictures are now evolving into an art. I'll hike 2, 3, 6, and many more miles to climb up a ridge line to a peak or down into a valley so deep light seldom sees. I'll traverse snow fields, wade through ice cold creeks, and put up with swarms of mosquitoes just to see something others may never see. Why, the challenge of doing and because I can. That's why, I can.

I also like journalistic styles. I love a good story. I also enjoy seeing a story unfold with out words. Remember the picture books you had when you were a child? How many of those stories had words you needed to read in order to know what the story was about?

To night I shared an image from one of my photo essays. Alone this image is par. It's technically correct with exposure, focus, and the rule of division, etc. What the image lacked is continuity. Why was this image selected for a competition? What is the purpose/message? Truthfully, it met the requirement of the competition subject matter. I pulled it out of context for tonight. This image adds support to the essay.

An onion is seldom used alone. Sure one can eat an onion but, what is the true purpose of the onion? It's purpose is to support the other items grown in the garden. It enhances the flavor of the stew, the k-bob, the salad.

Sure my supervisor made an observation, a wake up call, an insult. Call his comment what every you want. I call it one question shy of looking deeper into the garden of my life.

Peak Baggin' Shadow Monsters

Peak Baggin' Shadow Monsters, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

This is our second attempt with in a year to hike Lone Peak UT. Our first attempt made last November turned into the story of stories as we post holed through deep snow and turned around as we got into the crique (basin) below the cliffs. This time, under clear sky and on fresh snow all of 2 - 6 inches deep, our legs and lungs churned the vertical feet into miles gained.

This is the most aggressive hike I have ever done. It's been low on my list of things to do in Utah and it is now not only marked off but, is high on the list of things to do again in Utah. The peak is only 6 miles from the trail head yet is nearly a mile gain in elevation. In the first third of the hike 2/3's of the elevation is over conquered. The majority of the last 1/3 is mostly at the summit.

The summit itself is on the far side (a short hike) across a basin doted with rock and lush meadows. The trail up is over and around boulders making up a near knife edge of cliffs. We followed mountain goats across and for the most part also followed them up the summit. Typically out door's men would say this is foolish, this time I'd say the goats had it right, their path easy and safe to follow in the snow.

Leading upwards I made sure of each step, as the snow melted it formed a sheen of glass like ice. In no danger of falling anywhere, I suppressed my fear of heights. Why do I climb then, oh yeah, to over come that fear. Nearing the top, I kept checking each boulder for that little brass plug known as a US Geological Survey Marker. A rather whimsy sigh of relief echoed out as I found it. Looking ahead I was more relieved to know we didn't have to journey up & down yet another bit of precipice.

I didn't make the summit, my hiking partner in climb did. I was her 'guide.' I just happened to be on the lead at that moment. I doubt I'd climbed it myself. I must give a warm thanks to her for saying, 'Lets do it, lets go this week.'

Our journey up took roughly 5 hours from the trail head to the peak. We ate a small lunch and took many a picture. We found 3 brass markers about 20 feet apart, can we claim we summited three times?

20 years ago another friend and I had made an attempt. 20 years ago we got lost on the lower elevations. As I looked out at the valleys below wishing we'd made a second attempt with someone who knew the way. Pictures of mine from far below show a far different city. These pictures show valleys of ever increasing suburbia. What will the pictures in 20 years look like?

Our decent took us roughly along the same path ways. We took notes on where we made minor wrong turns and where approximately time should be at each location. We also had 'remember then moments.' Finally, hit the chute of Jacob's Ladder Trail Sign just at sunset. In the next mile down we enjoyed the warm color of fall and fading light but still bright enough to see the trail.

I highly recommend this trail with caution. Don't go if you are freakishly afraid of heights or steep inclines. Don't go if you are out of shape. Don't go if you have poor route finding skills - there are sections where the trail disappears.

Do go if you are into awe inspiring views. Do go if you want a measure of your stamina and dedication to the task - the climb up from the trail head isn't fun. That's where 2/3's the elevation gain takes place. Do go if you are passionate about hiking.

Mnt Raymond

Mnt Raymond UT
Yes, you may see a few images of Mnt Raymond in my files. It's an awesome place many can see it, few actually go there. It's a 2 hour one way hike in just to the Baker Pass between Gobler's Knob to the east and Mnt Raymond to the west along the spine of Big Cottonwood & Millcreek Canyons. The place I took this image is just near the trail that leads to the pass.

I could not take in all the color. I imaged the following days would have more color and I was right. The following day I drove to Guardsman's Pass above Brighton Ski Resort. The tiny parking lot there was packed & several cars parked on the edge of a parking nightmare. The view of mountain colors from there - absolutely worth while. I parked - I was one of those edger's.

Jogging down a ski lift access road I came to the place that let me frame up another picture of Mnt Raymond. The colors of the upper Mill A Basin boomed all yellow. I doubt a touch of green resided any where except for the pines. I also grabbed a few images of the aspens around me, all bursting with color.

On the horizon this week is our first snow storm. I doubt I'll get back to Mill A Basin before the colors collapse. I will however try to double my efforts to get to Sundial Peak to see if I can recreate a very popular picture. If I can't I'll just enjoy the 12 mile hike knowing it'll be 6 months before I venture that high up into that particular basin. The trail to Sundial Peak crosses several active avalanche paths.

I'll make my first winter safety plug here. Get Educated! Be Aware of your surroundings! If in doubt don't go! The website Avalanche(dot)org http://avalanche.org is the best resource for winter travel in the back country.

As this hiking season transitions into winter wonderland; play, stay safe, get out, and take your cameras (or sketch pad).
Later
B

PS
Thanks to all who've fav'd both the mnt Raymond Sept 2009 & Sundial Peak pictures. You're letting me know what you want to see.

Utah State Fair

FairsWheelGOtToGoRound, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Utahan's the State Fair is in full swing. I can't say full glory for the Rodeo is over but we'll get the rodeos back next spring. So I say don't miss the fun, the excitement, all the over priced fried foods your mother won't let you eat and head on out to the Fair Grounds.

Swing on by my flickr site I just posted a few rodeo pictures. Yes, they are a bit grainy and out of focus but hey they work. I so desire a faster lens for the Nikon. The lens I want though is about half of what I owe on my car presently If I can drop the hint.

see
Utahstatefair(dot)com for more info on the fair.

It's gona be close...

It's gona be close..., originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

The Deseret Classic, held this past weekend at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns UT, brought in new fastest ice times & speed skaters from around the globe. Though not a sanctioned event this event still qualifies the skaters in the bid for their national team's Olympic Team. The races were as fast & furious as the sanctioned events I've attended.

Alerted by an email from one the the US Speed Skaters I know, let me know they were in town. Having the day off, I took charge & went out there. I cranked up the ISO concentrated on getting clean sharp images, I fore went the stylistic panning shots I am known for with other racing images.

For more information about the US National Speed Skating Team please visit their website at USSpeedSkating(dot)org (http://www.usspeedskating.org/)

You can see more of my images at flickr(dot)com/preyingjaws

Later
B

Pursued by a Bear Players

I have added and updated the Pursued by a Bear Player's photo album and show. I do encourage you to stop by and check out this page. I also encourage you to stop by Proletariat Theatre and let Mr Luckau know how you like his production.

Rain

RainMug_A590_2573_rdc, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Despite the threat of rain, I chose to head out the high Uinta Mountains this past week to an area I've read about. South of Ft Bridger Wyo is an area called Red Castle Mntn. I hear it's shimmering red colored rock is awe inspiring in the evening. It is. I managed to get to the lower lake in time to see the color show of the evening. That nigh I enjoyed a full moon rise just to the north and a gentle swing in the hammock for a peaceful night sleep - some where in the same valley I know some Tenderfoot Boy Scout was getting introduced to the fine art of sleeping on strategically placed rocks. I'd seen more then a handful of Boy Scouts enroute to this basin.

The following morning, color of the sky out shining the red rock of the night before I hunkered down expecting rain for the day but not letting it hamper my activity. After a lazy morning of drinking a cup of mountain grounds & packing, I headed up past the Scouts to the upper lake and back. I grabbed the ruck & then went on to the East Fork of the Smith River drainage also known as East Basin of Red Castle. Because of wind & time limitations I chose not to go to Smith's Pass. It's better to plan aggressive, hike with intent & err on the side of caution then to be on the evening news.

A couple of miles down the trail about mid afternoon the rains came. This is the first image of me in the rain. I pressed on to Hessie Lake. Where fortunately I was able to find an uncrowed camping area. Except for a couple of Moose, I was alone. The rain broke long enough for me to find a camping site, string my hammock & tarp before returning. I then ducked in & out of the tarp several times while doing camp chores like fetching water & cleaning myself up - I hate sleeping dirty. Tarping is better then tenting in this situation for one can cook under the corner of the tarp where as in a tent one must expose oneself to the elements.

I spent the night with rain titer tatting on the shelter and for a while being woken by the full moon. In the morning more of the same dodge balling the rain. By mid morning the rains had cleared and a new set of trekers were enroute to the mountain. I passed many a group bound for Red Castle. Ah the story I can now share. I ponder did it rain on them too?

Proletriat Theatre

Proletriat Theatre, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Pursued By A Bear Players by Proletariat Theatre Co

Catch the drama, foul ups, & all the action when a group of theater students put on the opening night of the Home Ec teacher's play.
See http://proletariat-theatre.com/ for more info.

three passions

My three passions will take me places I never thought possible at times, then again at times my three passions will also leave me hurting as well. There are times like sitting on the mountain top for the sun set and the following sun rise that make my spirit soar. Then there are times when the pain for the struggle is to much to bear.

Last weekend I turned far short of my intended goal. All the preparation, the planning, & the drive to get out there just could not be over come by one limitation. After 5 miles in with a little rain, an ice cold swift creek crossing (2x) a few leaches too, I turned back. I turned back not for the lack of mosquito repellent (which I had) but, for the physical discomfort of walking. Carrying a 40lb pack up hill stressed my knee out. I know the trail I chose was well with in my limits but, limping it wasn't. I don't know if it was for the lack of physical conditioning or the lack of a warm up after a 3 1/2 hours drive but, not knowing why my knee stressed out gave great concern to me. I wanted so much to keep pushing on. During the past week I did get to a physical therapist, his simple reply - I'm getting old. What a relief for a moment I though I was getting younger.

NO!~! I'm a sprite 24 + 14. Look at those numbers & that's how I like to play. I do play it safe but, I'm not old'n bound, when that day comes put me in my rocking chair on the cabin porch. I've got my rocking chair already, I'm still looking for my cabin.

My three passions are photography, hiking, & GOD.
I'm not into religion but, I am into the relationship with the Maker. Yes, I am a God fearing Christian. I was burned by the but,'church' earlier this year I am not burned by God, Himself.

I'm into photography. I am part of the carry your camera every where club. Even though I don't shoot it all the time I do have at least the point & shoot within reasonable reach of the knapsack. I save the dSLR for the times I need the high quality. Of which I need to push out my rehearsal pictures this weekend the follow up with my hiking pictures, too.

Finally, I'm into hiking. The trail gives me breath to make it through the week. It also cools me off from the valley heat. SL UT is bound for the triple's later this week. AC does not cut it very well nor does the swamp cooler. Utah is funny like that, to dry for AC & just an edge to moist for cooling vis evaporation. My workmates & family ask why I hike. Simple I can. What's the point of looking at the mountains if you can't explore them. At one time, because I could not get out into the mountains, these mountains became my prison. I worked & went to school full time which left me with no time to explore. Hiking is about exploring for me. Does not everyone have some form of desire to explore, to learn, to achieve?

Though my passions ensue me I also pursue them. Despite the hardship the rewards are exponentially greater.

First Light

First Light, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

A solo trek into the Uinta Mountians east of SLC/Kamas Utah put me at a mountain pass above Naturalist Basin late Tuesday night. I hoped for a couple of trees to sling my hammock between but so what I was to tired to attempt the lakes at east side of the pass about 1/2 a mile away and 500 feet below. So I lay my 40lb pack down pulled out my camp stove, fought the wind for a flame before I used my soaking wet boots as wind break & pulled out my down sleeping bag.

In the morning I awoke a the chill of predawn noticing the stars beginning to fade I rummaged my sleeping bag for the point & shoot & waited dozing off again a few times for the sun to rise. When I awoke next it was first light & the glimmer of dawn just about to happen, I reached up took a few snaps & rolled back over.

My trek that day would not let me over the ridge. I determined it was a bit to steep to attempt with all the snow still remaining so I turned back & headed towards Rainbow Lake on over to Pinto Lake and down towards the Duchesne River where I stayed the next night before trekking back to Mirror Lake where I parked.

The only time my boots were dry was this chilly mountain morning the wind had dried them out. I learned a few things. 1) wear boots that fit good even when wet, I have my share of blisters 2) carry a sleeping pad however small it is, it may be extra weight but it's worth a great night's sleep, oh them rocks. & 3) however heavy it is a candle lantern is worth its weight for warmth, comfort & convince over any little fire.

One Descriptive Image

OneDescriptiveImage, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

Mr Luckau of Proletariat Theatre asked me to come by and shoot one of the beginning rehearsals for his production of Pursued by a Bear, a play about a play.

I did. Under less then ideal lighting of this old Mormon Church, I meet up with Mr Luckau for the first time since shooting his wedding 2 years ago. It was a pleasure to see how this creative man with an abiding enthusiasm for the arts pumped up the high school kids as they went over and over 2 or 3 scenes.

I chose this one image to represent the evening.

If you are interested in seeing more of the images please email me.
If you are interested in finding out more about Proletariat Theatre please see the connected link.

http://proletariat-theatre.com/

Introducing the Wet Birds...

With less then ideal conditions a friend & I braved the weather to go to the Thunder Birds' Airshow at Hill AFB in Ogden UT. The day before was perfect, but we both were tied into working. Still, wrapping the camera in a bread bag I shot with rain dripping of my hat while 'trespassing' in flight line puddles near ankle deep. Got'a love days like that they make for great stories.

The weather did break about 1pm allowing for the Air Boss to make the decision to let the show go on. Hours late and with a very modified low show the T-Birds were in the air after a series of other fly by's that included F-22 Raptors. Even during the T-Bird's performance the weather went south with a rain squall moving rapidly through the area.

How far a head of the other racers?

How far a head of the other racers?, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

I'm always fascinated with 'odds' in racing. They give a dynamic to sports that I don't think can be captured by any other number. Here I have a lone rider heading for the Kink while three others are coming of Bad Attitude at Miller Motor Sports Park.

This set is part of the Super Bike event held there over May 29-31'st. I noticed almost double the amount of people there this year then last year. This by far is the most exciting event held in Utah.

For the danger of motor cycle racing this track is aggressive yet every wipe out I witnessed or heard of the riders walked away from it. Please visit my flickr page for a series of images of one rider taking a spill on Bad Attitude.

Mistakes

Mistakes happen all the time. It's like I have an addiction to sticking my foot in my mouth. This time though it's not about me. It's about an aggressive track known as MillerMotorSportsPark. Yes, I'm providing free advertising for the Larry H Miller Group solely because I like Motor Sports. Motor sports in Utah hasn't yet taken off like it has with NASCAR in the South. So I want to let you know that Utah does have Motor Sports.

The mistakes I'm focusing on are almost victories. The track is a driver's track. If the driver isn't on top of his/her game then the course will drive the driver.

Here are a few of the 2500 shots I took last weekend at the Utah Grand Prix. The first image I didn't catch until I chimped after watching him drive into the pits. The second is at the 'Kink' an almost straight a way. The third is near 'Club House Bend' I don't know why he got turned around.

Map n Compass

Map n Compass, originally uploaded by preyingjaws.

The sign at the trail head asks, "Are you beeping?"
That isn't a bad thing. It's a great thing. I heard, saw, or witnessed over 5 avalanches today. The beep is in reference to the beacon. I stopped here. The fields around me were sliding. I chose to stop here. I don't have a beacon and I was solo.
I carry a map and compass with me on every trail I do, even those I know very well. This is White Pine Lake up Little Cottonwood Canyon, a very popular destination in the summer.
It may look like I'm holding the map wrong but I'm not north is always to the top of the map, I'm facing south. I thought I'd give this image a try.
As I put the gear away. The zipper thermometer on the pack read 60's. Yeah a bit warm, no wonder everything was sliding.

If your out in the back country this spring, use your head. A beacon is only useful if someone can find you and dig you out.