Bachelorettes in New Orleans
I’ve been away from the ranch for a couple of weeks to take on a big dose of southern charm. My best friend is getting married so six of her closest friends piled into a minivan and headed for the Cajun streets of New Orleans. We enjoyed shopping, local art, good eats, and fabulous concerts in the parks and on the streets.
The bride-to-be and a couple other girls got airbrush tattoos and we all wore our best friends bracelets.
You didn’t really think I was going to show you the unedited version of the bachelorette weekend did you? Oh we had a fun and very innocent time together. 
Now we are back in Georgia getting ready for the big weekend of wedding festivities. Getting excited!
a winding drive to Glade Park
Earlier this summer, I took a trip to Colorado for business and was fortunate enough to have to drive through the Colorado National Monument to get to where I needed to be.
From Wikipedia: Colorado National Monument (locally referred to as The Monument) is a part of the National Park Service near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone and even granite–gneiss–schist rock formations, in some areas. This is an area of desert land high on the Colorado Plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau.
Driving the winding Rim Rock Drive at sunrise was magical.
This was the Serpent Trail. Because I had a limited amount of time, I couldn’t put my backpack on and hike it. But I do look forward to making the trip back to spend more time exploring.
Canyon Monument runs the width of the park with many different rock formations.
When the road leveled out, I knew I had reached Glade Park, my final destination. The elevation of Glade Park is approx. 7,000 feet. I went to visit the folks I drove up to see and had a great morning. However, this trip ended up being not about the destination, but all about the journey.
Have a great weekend my friends!
Moose Encounter
We took a road trip recently traveling through back roads of Wyoming and into Colorado.
And wouldn’t you know we saw a momma moose and her calf.
They were distracted by something else and didn’t pay much attention to us. We kept our distance anyhow.
We drove off, made our way around the corner and there was another one all brushed up in the willows.
This was my first sighting of a moose and it was super cool to watch them move so gracefully around the land and in the tall brush.
A few moose facts:
-Moose are the largest of all the deer species.
-The flap of skin that sways beneath each moose’s throat is known as a bell
-Their hooves act as snowshoes to support themselves in soft snow and in muddy or marshy ground.
-Moose are at home in the water and, despite their staggering bulk, are good swimmers.
-Females give birth to one or two calves in the spring—each weighing some 30 pounds.
-Calves grow quickly and can outrun a person by the time they are just five days old.
(Thanks for the info NatGeo!)
“This shark, swallow you whole” -Quint
We surprised Dad last week for his birthday on Martha’s Vineyard. Also known as Amity Island, it is where the movie jaws was filmed 30 something years ago.
And Patrick spotted Jaws right here on the island!
Joey’s footprints.
A wet seagull feather sparkled on the sand.
Gayhead Lighthouse.
An osprey nest is housed up high and we watched as one circled in and joined it’s mate and young ones.
Joey enjoyed tossing sand into the ocean at sunset.
A few folks were fishing off the jetty.
Seagulls were everywhere. If you brought a picnic to the beach, you had to make sure you didn’t leave any food unattended or else you’d go hungry. These little thieves are fast and sneaky!
Sunsets were few and far between. The skies were overcast most evenings but we lucked out with this one.
We also enjoyed walking through craft markets and galleries in the many villages on the island.
There was an abundance of wildflowers. The wet and humid summer has done them well.
The ferry ride to the mainland on the last day was foggy, overcast, and dreary.
But the sun peeked through at times giving a calm and peaceful view.
It was so awesome surprising Dad like this. We all had a great week and he said this was the best birthday present ever. So glad we made it out there this year. Thank you Debbie for making it happen!
10 Days in Georgia= Babies, Brides, and Rock & Roll
My recent trip back east was very busy and so much fun.
Aidan and Alena
I met the brand new son of one of my favorite couples in my hometown.
Jubee and The Morning After at Grants Lounge in Macon
Attended a fabulous rehearsal party for another favorite couple and enjoyed the tunes of Macon’s newest and hottest bands, Jubee and The Morning After.
Dad and Joey
Spent quality time with my Dad and nephew.
Patches
Patches never missed a family gathering. She was always in the middle of everything. She would even eat when we ate.
Walden-Weatherford Wedding Extravaganza at the Cox Capital Theatre in Macon
Laughed, cried, and rocked out at the Wedding of the Year. Will and Kate who?
My baby cousin Delta and her fiance Matthew
Photographed a newly engaged couple.
Echo and the Bunnymen lead singer, Ian McCulloch
And ended the adventure in Atlanta photographing a concert with my bestie in the most difficult venue and lighting set up that I have ever been tossed into. More about that on Concert Sutra at a later date.
All in all it was a great trip. The weather was pleasant and the cicadas were loud and creepy. Dad says he can’t believe they’ve got to deal with those insects every 13 years.
I was able to laugh with most but not all of my dear friends. I did not get a chance to visit my friends at Theatre Macon and I send my apologies to them. I WILL spend time there on my next trip back east because I truly miss them.
Today, I’m getting geared up for full day of shooting at the University of Wyoming tomorrow and I’m very much looking forward to it
Happy Friday my friends. Uprooted Magnolia will be back in full Wyoming swing next week. I’ve got brandings to shoot, landscapes to fill my lens, and more Wyo spring air to inhale.
Toodles,
Leah
Checking in from the Southland
Sleepy Sunday Afternoon
I know I’ve been absent from here. I miss you.
But I’m still in the southeast and have been running around non-stop since I arrived. With a bridal party to attend a couple hours after getting off the airplane, a weekend full of wedding events with fabulous friends, stealing sugar from my nephew, quality time with the family, a visit with a 2 week old handsome baby boy and Wii bowling with his 4 year old brother, photo shoots for long time clients, oh the jam packed schedule goes on and on and on, I’ve barely had the time to check in with y’all. The last leg of this trip will be in Atlanta with my bestie for a concert and various projects we are working on.
I have so many images of this week to process and I’ll share a little of that with you here once I settle down in the meadows of home. But before any of that happens, I shall nap like the little ones on the lazy Sunday after my return.
Later Alligator,
Leah
Untamed Kate and a Rock & Roll Wedding
It’s a big day for Kate and William but this weekend is a big one for a royal couple in my hometown. My great friends Jessica and Jamie are joining together as one tomorrow in true rock star fashion. I’ve made the journey back east to celebrate with them I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with longtime friends.
During my riding lessons at the South Ranch on Easter Sunday, Kate was running alongside jumping and bucking.
She’s a wild one and it doesn’t take much to excite her.
She got ahead of us, stopped, and then took off throwing her head back with her mane and tail flying in the breeze.
I like visiting with Kate but I don’t think I’ll be taking lessons with her any time soon. But a ride with her may not be near as rough as my flight was coming out here. The storms in the southeast have been devastating and thankfully I landed in between them. But our decent was so turbulent it felt like we slid in on one wing. I thought I left the wild rides and wind out west but apparently they came with me.
So far the forecast for the wedding of our local royals calls for clear blue skies. I’m craving the sun on my skin and flip flops on my feet.
Have a great weekend my friends, I’ll be in touch soon!
Scenic Drive Through the Mountains
We weren’t sure where we wanted to go so we jumped in the truck and just drove. It was a beautiful day and I wanted the folks to see our surroundings. Along the way, we caught this Mule deer relaxing in the brush.
We happened upon this quiet ranch. The fresh hay bales means someone is there but at first glance we thought it was abandoned.
We got out of the truck to take in the view and breathe the fresh mountain air. As I walked along a short trail, I stepped on this rock and had to take a picture of it. It came home with me needless to say.
We saw all kinds of wildlife but of course antelope were everywhere we went. You can’t go anywhere without spotting hundreds of these guys in various pastures. But the thing that is a constant frustration to me and Dad with photographing wildlife is that we always get butt shots. They are always running from us and we’re sick of all the rear ends in our lens. So don’t be surprised if one day there is a post on this blog with strictly deer and antelope butts!
But as this one got away, I was glad that the grass covered his backside and I got a good view of his horns.
Martha’s Vineyard: Menemsha Sunsets
Menemsha is home of one of the most dramatic sunsets in New England. It reminded me of Oia in Santorini, Greece.
Our first sunset was lovely but the clouds were very low on the horizon which prevented the full effect of the sun setting beyond the ocean.
The last night on the island we had a clear sky and no clouds on the horizon.
With every minute passing, the color of the ocean and sky would change. It would all glow with a blue or purple hue, then orange.
A perfect view for our last night on the island.
Que the clapping, dogs barking, and children screaming with glee.
Martha’s Vineyard: The Swordfish Harpooner
In this small fishing village of Menemsha, which was our home-base, is a sculpture of a man spearing a swordfish. It represents a time when this was popular trade for the village. The sculpture was created by an artist named Jay Lagemann and is displayed on the dunes.
Swordfish Harpooner at sunset.
That’s my handsome fella on the far right. He was so patient with me and my constant quest for the perfect light.
Swordfish Harpooner and Patrick on the Dunes
Martha’s Vineyard: Menemsha’s Harbor
This is an area of the harbor where the movie “Jaws” was filmed. Quints shack was temporarily built for the movie on this plot of land overlooking the harbor.
Patrick and I watched these fishing boats come in full of fluke and striped bass and much more. The fish markets were always stocked with tons of fresh seafood that we gobbled up every night.
Martha’s Vineyard: My Nephew
Wonderful few days last week spent with my family on The Vinyud. Joey is 18 months old now, walking, talking jibberish, and is ALL boy.
He would flash his long lashes and baby blues after playing in the only dirt hole at the park .
Show off his teeth while laughing at that big guy we call Patrick.
And would act coyly when asked for a high-five.
A Quiet Drive to Nowhere
On a recent lazy Sunday, we took a drive through the Snowy Range within the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. It was absolutely beautiful. There was still snow in some parts and Patrick pointed out where he and his buddies drive, er um race, their snow sleds in the dead of winter. I’m still not sure I’ve got the nerve to do it but we’ll see come this winter.
We came across this guy sunning on a rock. He’s a yellow-bellied marmot or Rock chuck.
Rock chuck in the Medicine Bow National Forest
This young buck stopped for a smile while having a drink in this peaceful stream.
Buck Mule Deer
This little guy was perched on a fence when we stopped at a friends house in the mountains just across the Wyoming/Colorado border.
Mountain Chipmunk
no-name road through the mountains
I just love these drives in the middle of nowhere. It feels like we are the only people on earth.
The Five Points Ranch
We took a quick drive to Nebraska for a barbecue on July 4th. We weren’t there long but we had enough time to fish and hunt elk. By fish I mean with a fly-rod. Patrick taught me how to fly-fish. I caught a few too! And by hunt elk of course I mean with my camera. I have never been this close to elk unless it’s hanging on someone’s wall. Out in the hills around the ranch where we live, I will see them way off in the distance and usually it’s just their rear-end getting the heck away from us. But on this trip, we located them at sunset and sunrise. They posed for us and it was incredible.
Click this image for some close-ups of elk in the velvet.
Elk silhouette at sunrise
Click this image to see the area and insects that hopped and fluttered around us while we fished in the ponds that were FULL of bass. We spent time with Patrick’s Uncle Rich and his lovely gal and her two kids. Storms would creep up on us and quickly move along which created great conditions for the fish to bite.
the beautiful calm before the storm
Needless to say we had a great time. Thanks Uncle Rich!
Been Travelin’
We were in Nebraska for a barbecue Saturday evening and I’ve got some great images to share with you soon. We didn’t go to any of the fireworks shindigs but we did have beautiful color in the sky at the ranch this evening. Sunsets are always a treat out here. It was lovely.
Fourth of July Sky
Fast Times at Spring Creek High
We’ve been in Nevada for a few days for the high school graduation of Patrick’s nephew Kaleb. It was a windy yet beautiful drive through Wyoming. Salty, humid and hilly through Utah. Dry desert through Nevada. A 10 hour drive and I loved every minute.
Windmills in Wyoming
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Train crossing the Flats
Kaleb graduated 3rd in his class. Such a smart and kind young man. I enjoyed meeting him and his friends.
Yay Kaleb!
Congratulations Kaleb and the 2010 Spring Creek High School Graduates!
Our drive home was great until we got back into Wyoming. Storms were brewing all around us.
Sheets of rain were blanketing the meadows and farmlands.
We drove as hard as we could but were not successful at outrunning the storm.
And WAM! Suddenly we were caught in a massive hail storm on highway 34. Have you ever been inside a car when hail is pounding so hard you can’t hear what the person next to you is saying? If you have, you know what I’m talking about. Frightening.
We made it home safely just before it started pouring down at the ranch. We slept so good to the sound of rain I barely remember my head hitting the pillow.
6 comments