Desert Wildflowers are in Bloom

The cactus flowers are spectacular this year

This year marks an epic cactus bloom. It's the best display of wild cactus flowers, and continues to be so.  I heard this bloom is considered a 100 year bloom (prolific). A combination of cold and rain in April and May have watered the gardens of the desert and the cactus are the stars of the show.

I like to create compositions that tell a story about the life of the prickly pear cactus

By photographing with my macro lens (Nikon 60mm), I am able to get within a few inches of the subject
and by choosing a large aperture, like f2.8, the background blurs considerably.

Camping close the the subject

In the evening light, the blooms along the slick rock were singing. ©Kit Frost

One of the primary reasons I love camping is to be close to my subjects when the right light hits.  I knew I would only photograph for a few hours after breakfast and again before sunset. The BLM lands in Southern Utah make camping accessible and private. When I scouted the subjects a few weeks ago, the blooms were amazing; up to 50 flowers on each plant.  By the time I came back for a weekend, many of the bigger blossoms were finished.  But persistence pays off, and I found many plants still in full bloom.

In this image, I focused on the main, large, bloom.

Using my 60mm macro lens and manually focusing gives me choices.

I love the pink bud hanging out with the yellow flowers

And then, hit the river.

Needing to cool down after a hot morning in the sun, it was time to move camp to the San Juan River.  I love the Sand Island Campground near Bluff.  We had our pick of sites along the river because it was "past season" in Southern Utah.  But the river trippers "put-in" is at Sand Island so I sat, lounged and watched the river flow and the rafters and kayakers go by.  I occasionally sat right in the "eddie" to cool down.

Transition from Winter to Spring Camping in Utah

Ahh, Utah

Since winterizing my camper in November, I left it stored at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff.  Each weekend, well most weekends, I drove out there and camped.  When the campground was not full, I was invited by Diana, the owner,  to leave it parked in a campsite, instead of moving it to storage.  Thanks Diana.  When I arrived at camp, all set up, I just hooked up the electric, turned on the propane and ran the heater to warm it up.  Dry camping, I am used to the system of water jugs and that worked quite well for me. The coldest night was 14 Degrees at sometime in December.  But my Sunline Saturn Travel Trailer was cozy and warm.  I wouldn't run the heater all night, but just before nodding out and then again in the morning.  Sweet.  And the days were warm so I cooked and made art on the picnic table.

Last week, after teaching a Photo Workshop in Monument Valley, I camped for a few days to chill and watch rocks grow old.  I de-winterized the trailer and tested all the systems.  Since I was the one to winterize, I knew what was in the pipes.  It was really hot, 90 degrees, so I also tested the AC, hooked up to the water and sewer and all is well.  Whew.

I added the chalkboard above my artspace/dinette/guest bed. 

Why Utah

I love Red rocks, I love Butler Wash, Comb Wash, Muley Point, the Moqui Dugway, the Valley of the Gods, Cedar Mesa, and the Night sky.

The drive from my home in Durango is less than 3 hours to all of the above.  

What I love to do while camping

1. Make Art
2. Cook Outside
3. Ride by Bike
4. Star watch
5. Fuss, build stuff
6. Sleep in my cozy bed
7. Sip Coffee and Tea
8. Go days without showering

Spring Camping in the Desert

My nephew visited me and I took him camping, and art making

He knows how to have fun with the Aunt Kit Show

This is what it looks like when the epic spring winds blow.  So glad for my camper
I've been tent camping in this kind of wind, and I prefer the camper.

I call this Camp Napoleon Blownapart.  Looking out of my dinette windows

When the wind mellowed, this is one of my favorite photo locations.

Great Ideas for Departing Camp

I ran into this link on www.thecampingjournal blog.  Although the blogger is no longer posting, having retired from his writing.  His information is still valid IMHO

It's a helpful list when packing up camp and leaving the campsite, when moving on.  I have forgotten a few things that didn't cause too much harm, like leaving the ceiling vents open.  But I must admit, I can be a bit rushed when leaving camp, so although I glued a list to my door, this checklist is a good idea.

What kind of list, items would you add, subtract from this list?

A Collection of Recent Photos

Take a few minutes to enjoy some mellow music and my photographs.