Return to Three Turkey Ruin

Three Turkey Ruin in Three Turkey Canyon, AZ is one of the best preserved ruins in the southwest, by Mother Nature herself. Back in May of 2008 I was humbled by it's grand presence at the top of the Canyon. Now even more at the Canyons bottom looking up as we backpack through the whole canyon. It all started with friend and writer David Roberts and I doing a story on Canyon De Chelley, for National Geographic Adventure (issue February 2009). David's curiosity got him looking about the area and we found ourselves at one of the most amazing non tourist and rarely touched ruin I have ever seen. We both looked at each other and agreed it would be amazing to return to the beauty below us.

The ruin is built HIGH above into a cliff alcove about 30+ feet. An urge to climb is almost irresistible, it calls you to join the ancient ones before us. How did they climb like that and make these empires? Climbing into Three Turkey Ruin is officially off-limits to visitors, according to the Navajo Nation. Look with your eyes and not your hands and feet.

Every twist in the Canyon offered us rock art and other ruins along the way. We were also fortunate with underground water that came up here and there to help us along our journey.

I have no idea what the pictographs above mean but as an artist they are inspiring.

Gavin Wilson, NYC artist extravaganza, joins us backpacking as well. Finding this natural bridge was one of many surprises along the bottom of the Canyon.

Lowering our backpacks a few times over pour-overs seems to be easier than using your back.

Finding remains in the desert as we walk in a sandstorm toward our finish.

David Roberts at the end of the day, soaking up rays of the juniper campfire.

And if you made it past this story, check out the other story on Canyon De Chelley I posted on this blog back in February.

Thanks to David and Gavin for a great trip. Also a special thanks goes out to the native people of that country. Walk in beauty.

NEW ZEALAND 3/2009

I'm editing thousands and thousands of photos from New Zealand. "This was a trip of a life time" as Gavin, my man, puts it.  And yes, for sure he is right. Everyday was amazing, beautiful and cute. Yes, cute. Everywhere we went was adorable hobbit land all the way to the vast landscape of another planet. We photographed nature, adventure, plants, animals, landscapes, close-ups....EVERYTHING. Along with our friend Bill Hatcher, we would photogeek all day long taking in this most amazing place.

The wildlife on these islands is limited, no predators really but we did come in contact with slick looking seals and pups. Being from the desert I was so excited to be so close to them to where they would charge us. This was New Zealand, not in a zoo cage or looking far off the coast at little ants. Here are a few portraits of the lovely seals we encountered so closely. I'm a people photographer and I thought that I would post something different. 

EVERETT RUESS FOUND

Well, well, well.... after 70+ years Everett Ruess finally appeared. The DNA was conclusive as a positive match. What a great story about a missing young southwest adventurer now found . You can read the rest of the story in National Geographic Adventure. I had the privilege to photograph the people who found him buried around Comb Ridge, Utah. Thanks to Denny, Daisy, Ron and David Roberts for his passionate persistence.

BLOG BABBLE ...

BLOGS are cool but I find it hard to keep updating what I shoot. I need a blogphotogeekmaster to keep this going. I don't even think folks are checking this out? Today, I missed out on doing laps in the pool or shooting some climbing because of updating this and password that and moving files where? Sounds like I'm complaining but I swear I'm not. I love blogs. I love to check out other blogs and learn what is up. Some blogs I adore, aphotoeditor.com or strobist.blogspot.com, these are creative learning tools of the trade. I also enjoy the blogs of other professionals and artists. I'm just observing that I'm not out there shooting or climbing. That is where I would love to be. In the dirt. But this new techphotobabble has me caught in the web. One of these days I'll get those New Zealand photos up...heehee.

Canyon De Chelley for Adventure Magazine

Kalvin Watchman, Navajo Guide, standing beside a stack of prayer stones. Canyon De Chelly

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Canyon De Chelley is an amazing place. This is where the ancient ones lived before us, high up in their cliff dwellings. National Geographic Adventure gave me an assignment to document a story about the history and beautiful landscape, plus, tag along with Contributing Editor, David Roberts. I'm putting these photos up because if you saw the magazine article these photos were cut in half and really don't show the whole picture.

Three Turkey Ruin, Canyon De Chelly

Moon Dog

on Thursday, 8/7/08, i lost my beautiful best friend Monday Girl a.k.a. Moon Dog. she was 101.5 years old and her body was breaking down, breaking my heart. now she is in doggie heaven. i took these photos the day before her departure of the physical world. i wanted to share her beauty with you. i miss her.

Arizona Highways and Tai Chi

Hey all you Arizona Highways Magazine buffs. Looks like a new look and a new editor again. August 2008 issue has Adventure photography included. It looks great and I'm happy that this shot of Nate doing a little Tai Chi caught their eye. Thanks Nate!