Managed to sort out the fault that had crippled the Tundra the day before and was able to bring Tonka along for a drive up and over Wolf Creek Pass in the Unitas.  I even managed to bring the ball head for the tripod rig.  Weather was getting interesting as a monsoonal flow was surging up from the south.  Could either be a bust or epic but you don’t know if ya don’t go.  Taking a road less traveled we left the tarmac and followed the sinuous ribbon of dirt toward Silver Meadow.  It wasn’t long before we came across a shepard riding horseback and two border collies.  I actually had to close the window on Tonka as he was half way out the truck.  I really think he believes he can take a horse.

About a mile up further in we came across the flock which seemed to be a few hundred strong spread out over a half mile of meadow.  As we slowly picked our way along the road right through the flock 3 massive Great Pyrenees charged the truck.  Even with the windows half closed I gave Tonka 50/50 odds on being able to overcome the Tundra and escape.  As we left them behind there was an epic image that I wish I could have taken but trying to keep Tonka from destroying my truck was the best I could muster until the flock was a distant memory.  One of the Great Pyrenees had taken up a position atop a small hill.  He was all puffed out in it’s most regal stance doing exactly what it is they have been bread to do for centuries.  Watching us leave as it’s flock was safely nestled in behind it.  If you love dogs, seeing this animal working as it’s ancestors have done since the 15th century is just awesome.

The weather was now closing in fast but we had finally found what we were really looking for.  High alpine meadows brimming with flowers.  Purple was just giving way to pink and white but more importantly the sky was changing from overcast to ominous.  As we got out of the truck the first rumbles could be heard and the wind did an abrupt shift.  I knew this was gonna be a bust but figured WTF…might as well set up and see if we can’t get lucky.  Another long day exploring and nothing really all that special to show for it as far as images go.  The flip side is I’ve got a ton of new terrain in my mental guide book now and that’s a good thing.  Might just have to get back to that flock and see if I can get that dog to strike another pose for me.

Tonka, keeping an eye out for sheep and horses.

I swear Tonka had nothing to with this.

Lightning is a tricky thing to expose properly during the day and warranted a fairly hasty retreat.

Got out last night with Kevin Brown and Tonka to shoot some sunset trail running above town.  It was a gamble to bring Tonka with but I thought he’d add something comical to the scene and he did not let me down.  He’s not really built for long haul trucking and I knew the heat was going to be a factor.  Tonka up and quit on us just before the sunset really got busy but we couldn’t really blame him. In the end we got a few decent images but the reality was that I was just using Kevin as an unpaid dog walker.  Call it hedging my bets I suppose…thanks Kev.  Good luck with hell week.

Fall colors on the grand scale are well past their peak in northern Utah now, but there are still plenty of smaller scenes that are evolving day to day.  Tonka and I headed up Beus Canyon this afternoon and were greeted with a few minutes of broken sunshine and some truly wonderful little gifts along the stream.  While both of us ended up with very wet feet, he was far more pleased by it than I was.  Most of these berry bunches where either all green or all red, but this one seemed to be facing some sort of internal struggle with it’s identity.

If anyone knows what species this vine is I’d love to know.

Tonka…keepin’ an eye on things while I shoot.

Been fighting off some flu bug and in hopes of not becoming a statistic of the h1n1 swine plague I’ve been trying to lay low around the house.  Doesn’t take long before I’m assembling gear and light rigs putting on a  strobe show for the neighbors.  I can only imagine what the house looks like from the street at times.  Tonka’s an unwilling subject which makes for great comedy but few decent pics.  Especially comical is trying get him to stay put in a 10 degree gridded spot. Here’s a couple from what was a slew of really bad images.

Strobe in the living room for kicks…