Picture Perfect Day in Grand Teton National Park

Saturday September 19, 2009

Shaddy emitted a low growl from somewhere under the covers when I arose before the crack of dawn. I dressed, took my camera gear to The Beast and throttled up in order to be in the field at first light. I imagine there were low growls from under many covers in the campground when the diesel engine fired up with its own cacophonous growl.

There was already a crowd of vehicles and photographers when I arrived at Moran reflection view. Tripods topped with digital cameras were erected all over the side of the hill, attended by folk gazing at Mt. Moran, their backs to the east. There was a hushed reverence for what was about to happen at first light.

“First pink, first pink” the fellow to my right called out.

“Ahhhh,” someone else exclaimed!

You would think a swarm of crickets had arrived with all the clicking and clacking going on. Memory cards were filling up at a rapid rate.

“Shot of the day,” I cried out just to juice up the excitement!

Click, click, click, click, click, I fired off a sequence of five shots, moving the tripod head left to right to capture a sequence of images for a pano.

“Be still my heart,” a woman behind me exclaimed.

“I’m shooting RAW.”

“Oh my goodness, we got ourselves a commando,” a fellow, two tripods down acknowledged.

After the sortie of the morning, I returned to camp for breakfast, a cup of joe and a brief nap.

Nan, Shad and I set our for a picture taking day in Jackson Hole. We drove all over the place, and visited just about every view point there was. Shaddy was very patient with it all; this stopping and getting out with cameras and tripod while he protects The Beast is nothing new to him.

What a good day we enjoyed. Tomorry is a rest and relaxation day; and a clothes washing day. I might take a couple more photos. The aspen are quaking and there might be some good shots.

More to come.

Paddy

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