Joe Morahan Nature Photography

First Storm of the Year

2009-10-05T11:45:00.001-06:00

A Winter Storms Hits Aspen, Colorado During Fall Season

This could be the closest I have ever come to a painting in my life. I took a look at this file and was very suprised on how much it looks like a painting. There is no post production or photoshop manipulation to this image. Just a massive amount of snow falling early in the season. There is a pine tree and a few yellow aspen tress in the fame, but they are a bit diffcult to make out. The snow was coming down so hard I could not see more than 50 yards in front of me. I took around ten images of this, some focused on the trees and some in the forground where the snow flakes are focused. The difference was massive and the final cut was a no brainer. This shot was taken at the top of Pearl Pass at around 12,000 feet. The early snow was wet, heavy and really coming down fast.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/2.8; 1/500 sec ; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 135mm; EF 70-200 2.8 L IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Frosted Pine Trees Surrounding Colorful Aspens

2009-10-01T11:10:00.003-06:00

The Fall Season

Once again I went to Aspen for the fall season. It was more colorful than last year with many red, orange, green, and yellow colors. The aspen trees seem to glow in this image. What happened was this was shot early morning when the first snow of the year fell and stuck to the trees. The sky was cloudy, but then started to clear up making gaps in the cloud cover. This image was taken right when the sun poked out and illuminated the aspen trees. A bit of luck!!! Love those. It was taken around 10 miles east of Aspen, Colorado.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/8; 1/400 sec ; ISO 200; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 280mm; EF 70-200 2.8 L IS USM; 1.4x
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Waterfalls of Havasupai- Mooney Falls

2009-09-12T17:50:00.004-06:00

Early Morning at Mooney Falls

I just got back from one of the most wild trips of my life.

I am glad to report that everything went well and I am back in one piece. After just 4 days shooting near the Grand Canyon I racked up over 40 miles of extreme hiking. I am far more use to driving to the National Parks, but not this trip. Far from it.

I will be writing up more stories soon and will update camera info soon. Thought I might just post a few pics.

River near Supai

2009-09-12T17:31:00.002-06:00

Waterfalls of Havasupai- Havasu Falls

2009-09-12T16:59:00.001-06:00

Havasu Falls

Wildflowers in Beaver Creek, Colorado

2009-08-12T16:46:00.003-06:00

Wildflower Rose Bowl in Beaver Creek, Colorado

I spent a day hiking around in Beaver Creek and went into Rose Bowl. One whole side of the mountain was covered in wildflowers that were all different colors. There were red, orange, purple, and white flowers that cover the hillside. I spent a few minutes shooting there before I noticed that a deer had been walking in my direction. It walked within a few meters of me and I will be posting those photos in a few days when I get a chance.

I will be traveling to Havasu Falls in a few weeks, and trek the 10 miles to get there. Its gonna be tough with all the gear and tents, and food and water for a week. But somehow and someway its gonna happen. Also I am planning on spending 3 times as much time in Aspen during the fall season than I did last year. That post and photoshoots are gonna be really great....keep your peeled.

The Black Rock Turtles in Kaanapali Maui

2009-06-20T14:22:00.003-06:00

The Black Rock Turtles in Kaanapali Maui

Well what can I say....Shooting off the Black Rock in Kaanapali Beach is fun. Maybe more than fun, great. The warm water, the clear blue sky, all made for a great day of shooting. I was free diving....so no scuba great was used to get these shots. Just a pair of flippers and a mask. It was a lot of fun to see how deep I could make it, but I feel like I got the shots I wanted.

This is a turtle who lives near by right around the corner from the shot. They feed on the plentful food near the black rock and enjoy the warm shallow waters. They have to dodge people who enjoy the perks of snorkling in the area.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4.5 ;1/2500 sec ;ISO 200 ;2336x3504 Pixe ls
Focal Length 15mm ;EF 15 mm fish eye f/2.8
Camera Details: Canon EOS 20D

It was great not shooting surfing, having to dodge waves gets exausting quickly. When shooting underwater things can be a bit tricky but makes it more fun. I shoot with a Canon 20D. I use Hoodman 8GB Card so I am able to shoot more images once in the water. I use an Ikelite housing here is the link to their website. Its a great underwater housing and they work really well. http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/2d20canon.html

A Turtle near the Black Rockin Kaanapali Maui

2009-06-20T14:21:00.004-06:00

Turtle Swimming Along the Sand off Kannapali, Maui

A Turtle gliding along the sand just

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4.5 ;1/2500 sec ;ISO 200 ;2336x3504 Pixe ls
Focal Length 15mm ;EF 15 mm fish eye f/2.8
Camera Details: Canon EOS 20D

A lone sail boat near the Hawaiian Islands

2009-06-18T17:35:00.003-06:00

A Lone Sail Boat of the Coast of Maui

This image is of a lone sail boat off the coast of Maui. In the background you see the beautiful islands of Hawaii. It's Lanai and Kahoolawe in the distance. The image was taken from an altitude of around five hundred feet.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/9.0;1/640 sec;ISO 100;3679x5518 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina, Maui

2009-06-18T14:05:00.003-06:00

Kaanapali Beach from the Sky

Maui from the air is quite a view. This image was taken from 500 feet above sea level. It shows the island and all its beauty. You can see the jagged mountains and the rain forests, and the one of a kind beaches that run along the coast. Kannapali is on the far left and Lahaina is about center on the coast. The blue skies and the cool blue water against the green of the island make for a great picture

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/9;1/500 sec;ISO 100;3582x5373 Pixe ls
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Sunset at Big Beach, Maui

2009-06-17T16:43:00.003-06:00

Big Beach Sunset, Maui

What a perfect way for the day to come to an end. Brilliant colors in the sky, Orange, red, blue, purple, just to name a few. The clouds lit up like they were on fire, and the sun just hung on the horizon for what seemed like forever. Big Beach was a great place to view the Hawaiian sunset. Its close to Wailea, but well worth the 45 minute drive from Kaanapali. It seems like there is less chance for clouds down their compared to Kaanapali, at least at sunset. Big Beach also had some big waves that some surfers were having fun on.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/5; 1/200 sec; ISO 100; 5616x3744 Pixe ls
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Black Rock Sunset in Maui

2009-06-17T16:08:00.003-06:00

Black Rock Sunset

This shot was taken just after sundown near Wailea at Big Beach. The lava rocks still sit right on the beach getting slowly broken down by the waves that crash there relentlessly. The sky turned a great blue color and helped reflect some light on the sand. It gave a great feel and made my day!!

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/22;3.2 sec;ISO 100;5094x3396 Pixe ls
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Haleakala National Park-Sunrise

2009-06-12T13:49:00.002-06:00

The House of the Rising Sun

Getting up at 2:15am for a photoshoot is not always a fun shoot. However, waking up early for the most beautiful sunrise these eyes have ever seen was well worth it. From the summit of Haleakala which stands 10,023 feet above sea level you over look a river of clouds from above as the sun pokes through the horizon.

The shot below is a composite of 8 vertical images taken to help make the final image better quality.

It was quite a spectacle to see the sunrise over the clouds and it looked like I was sitting on an airplane to get the angle. I would highly recommend anyone visiting Maui to make the drive to the summit of Haleakala.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/7.1;1/40 sec;ISO 125;12,755 x 4,919 Pixels
Focal Length 100 mm;EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Orange Sunset of Ocean near Wailea, Maui

2009-06-12T13:28:00.003-06:00

Wailea, Maui Sunset

For one sunset I drove to Big Beach near Makena Bay located in Wailea, Maui. We tried shoot at Big Beach, but America's Next Top Model had shut down the beach for their shoot. I choose to drive a bit South to the Red Sand Beach to shoot sunset. It was a great choice, and we had the beach to ourselfs. It was a great sunset with beautiful colors and the clouds let with briliant orange and red colors.
(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4.0;1/500 sec;ISO 250;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm;EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details:Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

The Bamboo Forest

2009-06-11T15:52:00.002-06:00

The Bamboo Forest

Located in Haleakala National Park. You park near the beach over looking the ocean and other islands, but take an hour or so hike and you run into one of Maui's best kept secrets. The Bamboo forest is one of the nicest hikes I have been on in Maui and for a while I forgot I was in Hawaii. The lush and wet ground was saturated with water and the plant life looked alive. It was so green their, with sounds of nature all around

(click image t o enlarge)
Shot details: f/9;3.2 second exposure;ISO 100;3097x4646 Pixels
Focal Length 26 mm;EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Black Sand Beach near Hana on the Island of Maui

2009-06-11T13:21:00.003-06:00

The Black Sand Beach

Honokalani Black Sand Beach is located in the Wainapanapa State Park. This beach is set among lava cliffs. Over millions of year the persistence of the ocean have beaten this lava cliffs to sand. There are different sections of sand on the beach. Some medium rocks to fine grain sand. It looks out of this world cool and the sand is a true black.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4.0;1/1600 sec;ISO 250;3744x5616 Pixe ls
Focal Length 17mm;EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Wave beating the black lava rock down to sand in action. If you look close you will see the grains of sand flying through the air after being crushed against a rock from a small wave. This turns a bunch of lava into a beautiful Black Sand Beach

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4.0;1/800 sec;ISO 100;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm;EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4.0;1/800 sec;ISO 100;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm;EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

2009-06-08T12:54:00.002-06:00

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

The first of many days shooting pictures from the Islands of Hawaii. It was two weeks of shooting but I enjoyed every second of it. Maybe the best vacation of my life!!!

The first days of shooting images were from the main Island where I went to the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It was a long 20 hour day from the flight out till well past midnight. The image below was taken from Jagger Museum just after midnight.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4.0;6 second exposure ;ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm;EF 70-200 2.8 L IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image t o enlarge)

Shot details: f/4.0;20second exposure;ISO 400;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 26 mm;EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

A lone buffalo walking on hill side in a winter blizzard

2009-04-04T20:42:00.006-06:00

I was driving today up to Copper Mountain to cover some SnowBoarding events and noticed this on the side of the road and had to take a few shots. It was a beautiful winter storm with huge snow flakes falling down and a buffalo just walking through the snow storm. The Rocky Mountains are a great placing to be living and getting days like this in Denver made the move worth it. I missed Colorado tons and I am happy to be back.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Africa Safari Featured in Rangefinder Magazine

2009-04-02T08:35:00.004-06:00

Rangefinder Magazine April 2009

Listen to Scott Shepard interview Joe Morahan (click here)

Shooting Like It was My Last Day on Earth
By Joe Morahan

For nearly a month this past summer I was on Safari across southern Africa, traveling through Namibia on Africa’s Atlantic west coast through Botswana and into Tanzania bordering the Indian Ocean on the east coast.
In each camp I stayed, people from all over the world had come to witness Africa’s beautiful, vast, and varied landscapes and its amazing wildlife. They seem relaxed, at ease, and very rested. Their days and nights were spent viewing the animals, sharing safari experiences with fellow campers while sipping tea and having every need or want satisfied by helpful, courteous, pampering camp staffers. The only thing working in Africa during their stay in the bush was their wallets. First class is, well, first class.
I, on the other hand was not relaxed, not at ease, and definitely not sitting back sipping tea, nor was I enjoying pina colada’s in the blazing African sun. I may have been ‘on safari’; but for me, this was no vacation. A photographer’s day begins long before sunrise, and ends well after sunset. To paraphrase an old Irish Proverb, ‘You can always sleep when you’re dead’. Well, I was close; I was dead on my feet! But oh my goodness, the beauty of Africa defies description.
For me the trip was an opportunity of a lifetime. The costs are high, and Africa’s fragile political landscape is constantly changing and rarely for the better. As a result, there would be no time to waste. Shoot Shoot shoot. Plan the shoot, shoot the plan. And then when not shooting, be ready to shoot. For in Africa you just never know what you will see next.

I’d work the safari and enjoy it later when I reviewed the work product. That was my plan. Easier said than done; for reviewing the work was a slightly more arduous task than I ever could have imagined. How long does it take to cull, edit and prepare a month’s work product? If you have 22,000 pictures to review, it takes a long time! But what a trip it must have been, for those relaxed campers! I now see in print what they were viewing live. I hope my work captured the essence of the African safari experience.
Each day began about 4:30 am. Gear in hand, wrapped snugly in blankets keeping me warm in the cool pre dawn hours, I hopped into our open roofed Toyota Land Cruisers. The animals move at first light and I wanted to be there when they began to prowl. I shot till noon. A quick shower, followed by a spectacular feast for lunch, we had two hours to down load cards, clean lenses, and review our notes before heading back out in the bush.
Dinner at eight, two hours of downloading, battery charging, planning the next day’s shoot. Dead in bed by eleven. Ready to do it all again the next day. How good can it get!
I shot in the Namib Desert and the Sossuvlei in Namibia, the Kalahari Desert and Okovango Delta region of Botswana, before shooting in the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Knowing I might never be at any of these places again, I shot each day like it was my last day on earth.
It took two days of traveling to position ourselves in our first camp, Duma Tau deep in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. But it was well worth the effort. A big advantage for photographers in Botswana is the ability to drive off road, deep into the bush, in the quest to find the wildlife, very wary of dirt roads and people. Most African countries severely restrict safari vehicles to designated dirt trails. Observing the animals from a vehicle on a road can prove to be both visually restrictive and very frustrating.
The Land Cruisers are perfect vehicles for bush travel, capable of traversing sandy desert terrain, crossing small rivers, and moving steadily through muck in swampy environments, climbing over downed trees, (a favorite trick of elephants whom want to reach the fruit on high branches which remain out of reach and simply knock them down), and crushing bushes that block the way in heavy thicketed areas.
I was rewarded for my efforts by filming four of the ‘big five’, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant during our first twenty-four hours in the bush. Only the Rhino escaped us that first day.
Duma Tau is located on the edge of the Okovango Delta providing plenty of food and water for the animals, making it an attractive place for most forms of wildlife. There was no shortage of either game or action here.
Every hour or so we saw amazing sights; Lions leisurely making their way to a drinking hole at sunset, the other animals all scattering at their scent; coming upon two Cheetahs devouring the delectable delights of their kill; a quick face off between a pod of elephants and several cheetahs, who got the message quickly and slipped off into wilderness; and a very large hyena which intimidated two cheetahs away from their kill. An auspicious beginning.

We then flew into the heart of the Okovango delta, to an island camp named Xigera. Rainfall had been unusually heavy in the Angola mountains to the north in the past year and the runoff gradually made its way south to lower ground in the delta. As a result, there was no way into Xigera except by boat and the camp had been provisioned for nearly a year solely by boat, a logistical headache.
At Xigera, there were only two ways to view the wildlife, by macorros, indigenous hand-carved boats that resemble canoes. Piloted by tribesmen who propel them through the water by a stick they push against the muddy swamp bottom, the macorros glide silently through the reeds, stirring to life only the insects living amongst the tall water grasses. The other is by motorized flatbed boats very similar to the machines used by the locals in the Florida Everglades. You cover more territory by motorboat, but you appreciate more of the delta in a macorro.
However, a word of caution, there is little movement allowed in a macorro. Its sleek design is ingenious for slipping over or through the tall waterborne grasses, but it is not designed for surviving rough waters or weight shifting passengers. Flipping your macorro in the delta is potentially lethal; drowning is only one risk you assume. Other more dangerous risks include death by crocodile, hippopotamus, Cape Buffalo and all sorts of venomous watersnakes. Once you have seen lions swimming in the delta, one knows not to rock the boat!
Water everywhere makes shooting a bit more complicated, but does present advantages. Just before sunrise one morning, I noticed an impala relaxing in the reeds, awaiting the rise of the early morning Sun. As the sky began to light up just moments before the Sun would break through the horizon, I got an idea for a shot. We maneuvered the macorro into position so as to put the Sun’s reflection on the water directly behind the calm animal. It worked as planned. A beautiful shot. A great way to start the day, one image under my belt, only minutes after sunrise!
After a week in the world’s largest inland delta environment, it was time for a change. A flight to the Sossusvlei in Namibia would do that in spades.
The landscape in Sossusvlei looks like the surface of the moon; though on reflection, it’s rust red color made me think I was actually on Mars. Our twin engine plane circumnavigated the surrounding mountains and we landed in the middle of nowhere on a long dirt airstrip in an area devoid of buildings and people. There were no signs of any life whatsoever. Willowy but sparse eight inch high white grass grew out of the rocky surface and blew silently in the wind. The grasses your only companion in the Sosselvlei, during the heat of the day.
I shot an image from the landing strip that captures the rocky rust colored road we would need to take to get to camp. It was a curved road, trimmed by the tall bleached white grass, that ran ever so gently uphill to the horizon, where it met the bluest sky I have ever seen. We’d come along way to see the barren beauty of the Sossulvlei and its first impression was certainly impressive.
As starkly beautiful as the Sossulvlei was, we were not here to shoot the desert; the real prize lay two hours away. We were on the road by 4 am, racing towards the world’s largest and tallest complex of sand dunes. Nearly 40,000 square miles of monstrous, ever-changing dunes fill the landscape. The dunes turn fire red in the morning sun and yield fantastic images as the shadows cross the myriad of shapes the wind has carved in the sands. The natural built-in composition of the dunes is a photographer’s dream come true.
Situated more than a mile inside the dunes, just beyond the world’s tallest dune, a monster of a dune, known affectionately as, Big Daddy, is one of nature’s best kept secrets. Those willing to trek over the dunes out to the dead lake, called the deadvlei, are rewarded by the magnificent sight of petrified trees that have grown out of the bleached lake bed and stand like iron monuments under the fierce sun, surrounded nearly 360 degrees by monstrous dunes.
The lake dried out seven centuries ago, but the trees still stand tall and proud in their petrified state. In this part of Namibia, summer temperatures can exceed 120 degrees, with little rain. With humidity levels hovering near zero, there were simply no insects to attack the wood and the dunes shielded the trees from the bite of the high winds that rake the dunes. Hundreds of such petrified trees spot the dry lake bed, and demonstrate nature’s unlimited power to enthrall those willing to go out and find it
A week in the desert, a week in the delta, four days on Mars, I mean Sossulvlei, we now looked forward to Tanzania. We started off our last week on Safari in arguably the real Garden of Eden, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Crater is really a misnomer as it was not formed by a meteor strike. Rather, it is actually a caldera, the fallen remains of the cone of a dead volcano. More than twelve miles in width, and covering more than 100 square miles, Noah might well have filled his ark here and floated out of Ngorongoro when the great floods occurred, so numerous are the species of animals in the crater.
Herds of thousands and thousands of Zebra and wildebeest fill the horizon, while well-fed lions take shade near the wheels of our safari vehicle. We sit there and wait for the King of the Jungle to rouse from his nap. Bored with lions lying only three feet from you, we gawk at the sight of tens of thousands of flamingoes that turn the lake waters red; shoot threatened rhinos as they feed in the wet areas of the crater. We catch a pack of thirty plus hyenas come upon a pride of lions enjoying the taste of a recent kill. The hyenas surround the lions, intent upon finishing the meal the lions started. But you go after the King, you better finish him off. The hyenas didn’t have the courage and a few angry lioness show the hyenas just who is boss. The hyenas back off. The lions sleep the sleep of kings next to their kill. The hyenas still wait their departure as we drive off.
We are spoiled; witnessing lions stalking their prey, a cheetah running down an antelope, kites dive bombing unwitting tourists and stealing their sandwiches. Action from sunrise to sunset.
From the crater we traveled to one of the most amazing places on earth, Serengeti National Park. I remembered a quote from my childhood, a story of Africa. Paraphrased it went something like this: “Everyday in the Serengeti, an impala awakes and thinks, ‘Today I must out run the fastest lion or I will die.’ And that very same morning, a lion awakes and thinks ‘I must out run the slowest impala or I will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an impala or lion, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
My experience in the Serengeti proved the adage true, as we followed a pride of lions stalking impalas all morning long. The vast Serengeti plains appear endless with its rolling plains spreading to the horizon in all directions. Umbrella Trees dot the plains, and no matter how long you drive the Serengeti just rolls on. Animals graze everywhere. Enormous herds can be scene moving to and fro. Kudu, tommies, wildebeest, elephant, hartebeest, warthog, giraffe, Zebra catch our eye. At water holes and river crossings, hippos eyeball us, nostrils, eyeballs, and improbably small flapping ears the only parts of their huge bodies visible in the dark muddy waters. Prehistoric crocodiles soak up the sunrays on riverbanks, their stillness belying the speed and ferocity they display when the mood strikes them, most notably at feeding time.
Every few hours, we come alert at the sight of lions. They prowl with knowledge that, except for man, there’s nothing to fear. The alpha species of the plains goes where it wants, when it wants. But on the plains, all the other creatures know who the competition is, a very specific creature with the name, LION!
A month of shooting completed, all my hard drives full, more than 240 gigs worth, my computer maxed out, and my ipod erased and no longer filled with my extensive portfolio of songs, but with more of Africa’s images, we begin the arduous two day trek home.

It’s tough traveling with all my gear, hard drives, lenses, tripods, computer, and batteries half way round the globe. Exhaustion sets in. But the worst of it is the concern I have for protecting the integrity of my work product, my images, as I navigate customs in multiple countries, with nosey customs inspectors, x-ray devices, and numerous baggage transfers.
As our flight finally descended into LAX after a grueling forty-eight hours of travel, I looked out the window of the 747 and concluded four things: First, I had truly enjoyed the trip of a lifetime. Second, I knew months of hard work would be required to edit and prepare the 22,000 images I had produced. Third, I was very tired and very stressed. I really wanted to get home. But, last but not least, I admit it; I am an American carnivore. Home would have to wait, I was heading straight to McDonalds.

Rocky Mountain National Park

2009-01-19T23:05:00.003-07:00

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a living laboratory. Everyone from preschoolers to Ph.D.’s can study their favorite natural sciences while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of this park. 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams are the basis of the riparian (wetland) ecosystem in the park. Lush plant life and dense wildlife are the hallmarks of these wet areas that speckle and divide other ecosystems.Forests of pine and grassy hillsides dominate the montane ecosystem in the park. These areas may be drier than riparian areas but life still abounds. Look for critters leaping or creeping from tree to tree or poking their heads from underground.As you gain elevation, you leave the montane areas and enter the subalpine ecosystem. The bent and gnarled bodies of spruce and fir trees tell the story of hard summers and harder winters near the mountain tops. (http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm)

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/9.0;1/640 sec;ISO 100;3679x5518 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/9.0;1/640 sec;ISO 100;3679x5518 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/9.0;1/640 sec;ISO 100;3679x5518 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Colorful Aspen Trees near Aspen, Colorado

2008-09-29T18:34:00.002-06:00

Colorful Aspen Trees

This shot was taken while getting lost near Aspen, Colorado. I thought I might go for a walk and before I knew it I was all turned around. I was not sure which way was which. So I did what any other photographer should do. Go with the flow. I walked around for a few hours and found some beautiful places I will most likely not find next year. But here are two of the shots from this day lost in Aspen.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/2.8; 1/800 sec ;ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels

Focal Length 70mm; EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/2.8; 1/800 sec ;ISO 100; 3152x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 200mm; EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Maroon Bells Early Morning

2008-09-29T13:32:00.001-06:00

Sunrise over looking the valley just below Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado

I woke up at around 3:30am to start my day today. I found a great hill last night and thought it might be a great place to view the sunrise while still having Maroon Bells in the background. I had hundreds of other photographers all standing next to me and the lake and I did not want to have a shot that hundreds of others have. I wanted my own view. So I woke up early and climbed a mountain in the pitch dark. No fear- kinda. I walked straight up until my legs would not take another step. Then went even further. I got to a great view point where you can see the whole valley below. The clouds were just right and I had a bit of good luck. The valley when lit by the sun showed the beautiful yellow and gold colors that fill Aspen Colorado every year.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/11 ; 1/80 sec; ISO 100; 5616x3324 Pixels
Focal Length 36mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Rainbow of Colors on Aspen Trees

2008-09-29T01:03:00.002-06:00

Aspen Trees Near Aspen Colorado

A rainbow of colors on a group of aspen trees near Aspen, Colorado. The fall season in Aspen is something that is hard to explain. Its so beautiful everywhere you look there are aspen trees that are gold, red, orange and so many colors. The ground in drentched in gold from the leave that have made their flight. I noticed this group of trees off the road a ways and thought why not. It was the best group of trees that I saw the whole trip. I pulled over, put on my earphones, and started walking. It seemed close but it ended up taking around a half hour before I arrived at this spot. I was all alone, it was dead slient and I took a moment. Man...this is nice!! Anyway I started snapping away for a few hours and this was the shot.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/11 ; 1/320 sec; ISO 400; 5616x3744 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Sunrise at Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado

2008-09-29T01:01:00.004-06:00

Sunrise at Maroon Bells

The sunrise at Maroon Bells, Colorado during the fall season was one sunrise I will never forget. It was a perfect morning to be their shooting. I wake up at my hotel at around 4:30am and started driving right away. I arrived at the parking lot at maybe 4:50am thinking I would be the first photog on the scene. Nope. Not even close. There had to have been 150 other people with tripods and cameras all set up waiting for the shot. I met some great people while out there and look forward to meeting more next year. This shot was a composite of a group of five images all taken that morning. You can see the sunlight just barley hitting the mountain peaks. The aspen trees are all yellow with color and the reflection in the lake was just perfect for me and all the rest there waiting to witness this event.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/11 ; 1/4 sec; ISO 100; 5318x3546 Pixels
Focal Length 26mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Morning Frost in Aspen, Colorado

2008-09-28T01:27:00.001-06:00

Morning Frost during Fall Season in Aspen, Colorado

Getting up early for photoshoots is what has to happen in order to set yourself up for a great morning shoot. After so many days its hard to keep going, but its worth it to see the great shots from the day that you forgot about. I had done so much shooting I almost forgot about these guys. They had some amazing colors. In fact it seemed like they had every color possible; yellow, green, pink, blue, tan, brown, gold and so many others. The frost was all over the plant life that morning, and yes....that means I was soaked from head to toe from rolling around in the grass trying to get the shot. It was maybe 30 degrees and as I remember a bitter cold wind.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4.5; 1/25 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 40mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III (click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4.5 ; 1/60 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 35mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

"Winter Water Colors"

As I was walking through the grass looking for the perfect composition I noticed this bush. Its had every color imaginable. It looked as though a painter had been there the night before and painted each leaf a different color. It dried and natuer put a splash of frost on the edges. It was a picture waiting to happen. It was near Ashcroft, Colorado. Aspen has some of the most beautiful colors during the fall season.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/7.1; 1/8 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 40mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/9 ; 1/3 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 29mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/9 ; 1/3 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 40mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4 ; 8 sec; ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 20mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4 ; 8 sec; ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 20mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Old Ghost Town near Aspen Colorado

2008-09-27T20:27:00.001-06:00

Old Mine Town in Aspen Colorado

Ashcroft Colorado in Infrared. I was driving around looking for a great place to shoot when I can across this old mine town called Ashcroft and it made for some great images. I am selling these through FatTail Art Gallery. (www.fattailgallery.com) They are printed on a sliver metallic paper and framed with a straight black frame. Great choice...for any wall-

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4 ; 8 sec; ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 20mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

In the spring of 1880 two prospectors, Charles B. Culver and W.F. Coxhead left the mining boomtown of Leadville in search of silver deposits in the Castle Creek Valley. Silver they found and Coxhead promoted their discovery with zeal back in Leadville. When he returned to "Castle Forks City," as it had been dubbed, he found that 23 other prospectors had joined "Crazy Culver." Together the men formed a Miner's Protective Association, built a courthouse and laid out the streets in Ashcroft in just two weeks. Each of their association's members paid a $5, or one day's work, and $1, to draw for building lots. In all there were 97 members in the Ashcroft Miner's Protective Association.(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4; 6 sec; ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

The town was renamed Ashcroft in 1882 after a rich ore strike was uncovered in Montezuma and Tam O'Shanter Mines. The mines were partially owned by H.A.W. Tabor of Leadville mining fame. Reportedly, Tabor and his second wife visited Ashcroft in 1883 and hosted a grand ball and banquet. Tabor also reportedly bought rounds of drinks for everyone in each of the town's 13 saloons.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4; 8 sec; ISO 1600; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

The same year that Tabor visited Ashcroft the town population had risen to around 2,000. Ashcroft was also home to two newspapers, a school, sawmills, a small smelter and 20 saloons. At this point in its history the town was larger than Aspen and closer to the railroad in Crested Butte.(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4; 5 sec; ISO 1600; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 21 mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

By 1885 the town was home to about 3,500 people, had six hotels and 20 saloons. As quickly as the town went boom it went bust (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashcroft,_Colorado)

Night Shots of Maroon Bells Colorado

2008-09-26T01:01:00.001-06:00

The Jagged Peaks of Maroon Bells at Night

This is a 5 minute exposure at night of Maroon Bells. Its a few minutes from downtown Aspen and quite a scene. At night it was very dark making it almost impossible to see anything at all. You will be able to see the turning aspens at night, along with star trails in the sky

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/4; 5 minutes ;ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 29mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

These images are of the milky way taken from a hiltop near Maroon Bells, Aspen. The Colorado mountains are real high and the stars you can see are so much brighter than else where. Its really great on a night with no moon-

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4; 3 minutes ;ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 21mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Aspen Colorado at night.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/4; 1 minute ;ISO 1600;3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 29mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

What's Coming Up???

2008-09-16T01:28:00.000-06:00

I am traveling to Aspen, Colorado to photograph the changing seasons-

It will be up by the end of the month-

Joey

Huntington Boticanial Gardens

2008-09-08T15:44:00.001-06:00

Monument Valley

2008-07-19T16:02:00.001-06:00

Buffalo near Denver Colorado

2008-07-03T16:05:00.001-06:00

The Great Sand Dunes

2008-07-01T16:06:00.002-06:00

Sunrise Looking at the San Juan Mountain Range in Durango, Colorado

2008-06-30T16:08:00.003-06:00

Sunrise Looking at the San Juan Mountains near Durango, Colorado

Wow. What a sunrise this day was. Great way to start a shooting day.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/9.0;1/640 sec;ISO 100;3679x5518 Pixels
Focal Length 17mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Lake Molas near Durango, Colorado

2008-06-29T16:09:00.003-06:00

Lake Molas in Durango

Lake Molas in Durango was a great place for camping and even better for shooting. I loved the Bob Ross feel that the scene presented. It had some happy trees in the foreground. Both trees have happy little neighbors next to them. The lake looks almost unreal and with the jagged Rocky Mountains in the background and making a reflection. What a great place to shoot at.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/2.8; 1/800 sec ;ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels

Focal Length 70mm; EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

At night when I can't see , I trust my camera to be my eyes

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/2.8; 1/800 sec ;ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels

Focal Length 70mm; EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Mesa Verde the Spruce Tree House

2008-06-28T16:12:00.002-06:00

Spruce Tree House

Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects over 4,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.
(http://www.nps.gov/meve/)

This is a composite of three images to help show how big this dwelling truly is.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/2.8; 1/800 sec ;ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels

Focal Length 21mm; EF 17-40 mm f/4 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Old Cabin in the Jagged Mountains

2008-06-28T16:11:00.001-06:00

This old cabin was placed among a mining town near Durango Colorado. The peaks of the mountains still have snow, however you can see that its summer time by the grass on the mountains. This cabin and the mining town that surround the area were left many years ago. They built their town in the location they did for the easy farming, and the mountains surround them, which meant no people coming from behind you, and all the mountain run off make drinking water plentiful. However the people that once lived in this town had to life through some harsh winters bringing more than 8 feet of snow.

(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/16; 1/125 sec ; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels

Focal Length 70mm; EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III

Yosemite National Park at Night

2008-06-17T16:14:00.003-06:00

Foggy Morning in Kings Canyon National Park

2008-06-16T16:23:00.001-06:00

Deer at the Campsite

2008-06-16T16:22:00.001-06:00

Kings Canyon National Park

2008-06-15T16:24:00.003-06:00

This is the South Fork Kings River, taken in Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon Natioal Park.

Deer in Yosemite National Park

2008-06-14T16:34:00.001-06:00

The rest of these deer images are all from Yosemite National Park. They did not seem afraid of me at all, in fact a few times the deer walked so close to me...I freaked out. But all was good-

Tenaya Lake

2008-06-14T16:25:00.003-06:00

Sunset at Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park

Young Bear

2008-06-13T16:42:00.001-06:00

This young bear took a quick peek at me to see what I was doing just before he jumped into the Marced River, Yosemite National Park

Am I crying Wolf???

2008-06-13T16:40:00.001-06:00

This guy was on the hunt early morning in Yosemite National Park.....Still not sure if he is a Wolf, Coyote, or something else....if you know please let me know-thanks

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

2008-06-13T16:36:00.001-06:00

Bear in Yosemite National Park

2008-06-12T16:44:00.001-06:00

I found this bear just after sundown on my first night in Yosemite. He was just cruzin around feeding near Valley View.

Marced River at Night

2008-06-12T16:43:00.001-06:00

A few night shots near our hotel....well.... from the nights we were not camping. But this is the Marced River that runs Yosemite National Park

New Shoot from the Grand Canyon

2008-05-22T14:58:00.001-06:00

I just got back from the Grand Canyon. I went camping for almost a week and have a lot of new shots to be posted. They will be coming soon....but here are a few teaser images.

Dont for get to check out FatTailGalley.com and take a look at the new updates

Take Care-Joe

Bryce Canyon National Park

2008-05-18T17:30:00.001-06:00

Lake Powell

2008-05-17T17:29:00.001-06:00

Lake Powell on a sunny afternoon

Slot Canyon, Page Arizona

2008-05-16T17:32:00.001-06:00

Lone Rock

2008-05-15T17:35:00.001-06:00

Lone Rock at midnight. Taken from our campsite near Wahweap

Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon

2008-05-14T17:37:00.001-06:00

Facts About the Site-joemorahan.com

2007-12-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long but by popular demand I promise to keep this as up to date as possible. A few people have asked for some facts about my site so here I go:

I have had visitors from around the world including:
Tanzania, Costa Rica, Ireland, Ghana, Guatemala, Argentina, Bermuda, Seychelles, Canada, United States, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, China, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, Taiwan, Norway, Dominican Republic, Singapore, Italy, Belgium, Mexico, Austria, Romania, South Africa, India, Brazil, Namibia, Israel, Malaysia, South Korea, Sweden, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Portugal, Philippines, Hungary, Indonesia, Greece, Turkey, Iceland, Colombia, Chile, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland.
Sorry if I forgot you : )

Since I launched my site it has received more than 395,000 hits.

Thanks So Much!!!

Joe

Race Track- Death Valley, California

2007-11-17T17:41:00.001-07:00

The Moving Rocks!!!

One of the geological attractions is called the Racetrack Playa, famous for it's moving stones. The floor of the playa is dried, scorched mud which has broken into perfect little octagons and pentagons and mosaic. This is as "desert" as you can get in America. It's as flat as flat can be. With rocks which seem to move on their own.
The stones vary in size and shape from pebble size to half-ton boulders. They break off the hills you see in the background. Their tracks vary in length, going every which way from zig-zags to loops; some double back on themselves. Some travel only a few feet; others go for hundreds of yards, yet they can be right next to each other, and right next to some that don't move at all.

The Devils Golf Course, Death Valley

2007-11-16T17:44:00.002-07:00

At the height of the California Goldrush a group of pioneers decided, against the warning of their wagon master, to take a "shortcut" across the unknown deserts of the West. This fatal misjudgement would give us one of our greatest stories of trial and heroism, and it would give us the name Death Valley. As they made there journey they named a few locations on the way- The Devils Golf Course-

The Crater:

Ubehebe Crater system contains several volcanic craters, cinder cones and ash hills, all relics from an explosive steam eruption about 2,000 years ago, when rising magma met an underground lake. Ubehebe is by far the largest crater, 2,400 feet in diameter and 500 feet deep, and presents a very colorful spectacle with variegated, buckled strata around its sides and grey-black ash on the rim.

Badwater Basin Salt Pan, Death Valley

2007-11-15T17:48:00.002-07:00

The lowest point in the United States in the Badwater Basin salt pan, 282 feet below sea level.

Sand Dunes of Death Valley

2007-11-05T17:51:00.001-07:00

Artist's Palette, Death Valley

2007-11-04T17:52:00.001-07:00

These ancient volcanic ashfalls have been weathered by time and hot groundwater into clays of every color from pale aqua blue-green to rich carmine red.

Eclipse

2007-08-28T23:15:00.001-06:00

Click To View Image

Lions on the Hunt in Tanzania Creeping through the Grass

2007-06-29T18:05:00.005-06:00

Lion Walking at Sunrise in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Simba and Hakuna Matata may mean something in the United States only because of the Walt Disney Movie “The Lion King” but in the local Swahili language, these words mean ‘Lion’ and ‘no worry’. Lions are a symbol of power, courage, and nobility. They are Kings. Here in Africa, the king really has no worries, for they have no natural predators, except for men with guns.

So it is only natural that the King walks where he want to walk, drinks at watering holes or streams wherever he wants, and sleeps where he chooses to sleep. And these Kings sleep a lot, up to twenty hours a day. The males are especially lazy.

The other animals smartly make way when the king of the jungle appears. Even the monstrous elephants and fierce buffalo reluctantly yield when the king moves in. They are the only two species of animals that make their annoyance known, however, the others quickly exit the area, but not without checking to make sure that they are not being followed.

Lion getting ready for the early morning hunt in Tanzania

2007-06-29T00:59:00.005-06:00

Lion on the Hunt

‘Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.

And, every morning in Africa a lion wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.

So, in Africa, it doesn't matter if you’re the lion or the gazelle, when the sun comes up, you had better be running.’

Author Unknown

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Lion in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

2007-06-29T00:58:00.002-06:00

Lion in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is nearly six thousand square miles in size and is home to every plains animal including the ‘big five’. Its bi-annual migration of animals north and south chasing the rains involve the movement of six million hooves and is unlike anything else seen on planet earth. With these six million hooves stomping its surface, dropping dung to be fertilized by the ensuing rains, its bone dry, threadbare grassland will spring to life after next season’s rainfall. And, as the animals smell moisture, they know that fresh grasses await them on arrival. This cycle has been repeating itself for millennia.

Not only do 1.5 million animals thrive in this cyclic environment, but as one might surmise, the dung beetle does extremely well in such a nutrient rich environment, with researchers categorizing at least one hundred variations of this beetle within the park lands.

Stretching from the The Great Rift Valley in the East to Lake Victoria in the West, to the contiguous Masai Mara game reserve in the North, as far as Ngorongoro Crater in the south, The Serengeti represents one of Nature’s finest treasures. Despite the struggles, travails, political instability, corruption, tribal conflicts, poverty, and disease that plague most of Africa, the respect for, and management of, the Serengeti Ecosystem is recognized by the governments of the countries in which the plains exist, donations to support the park come from all over the world, a world that solemnly believes that the marvels of the Serengeti truly belong to all mankind. Recently, man has done well in his efforts to preserve such a wonderful place, and to protect the animals that live in a place like none other on earth.

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Female Lion Hunting at Sunrise in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

2007-06-29T00:56:00.004-06:00

Female Lioness At Sunrise Hunting in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa

The female lioness pictured here was hunting at the crack of dawn near a place known as Simba’s rock in the Serengeti plains of Tanzania.

Lions learned ages ago that, while solo performances may be dramatic ego boosting exercises, real success comes more from symphonic performances, where each player does his part. Using this strategy, lions are capable of taking prey as large as wildebeests, zebras, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, and even giraffes. It’s all about teamwork in the bush.

Females perform 85 to 90 percent of the Pride’s hunting. They have mastered the art of hunting in groups, surreptitiously stalking their prey in silence and practicing a strategy that involves ‘triangulating their targets’, surrounding it without the target’s knowledge. Taking advantage of reduced visibility in the tall grasses, they especially favor the advantages of hunting in the dead of night.

Lions will usually work in tandem until their prey is inside 100 feet before making the final attack. One of the Lionesses will confront the startled prey by charging it head on. The terrified animal instinctually turns and bolts away from the charging lion only to find itself confronting the other lionesses waiting in cover who, during the hunt, at full speed, can reach speeds of up to 50 miles an hour for short distances. They strike the target in a deadly pincer move, racing in from both left and right. They pounce upon the confused, horrified animal. This hunting methodology produces a 50% success rate, far in excess of the success rate of solo hunters.

Meanwhile, the males are back at ‘home’ protecting the pride and its precious territory. They participate in only 10% to 15% of the kills, and display bad manners, demanding to be the first to savor the fruits of the kill.

Being King brings other privileges, as well. Lions often supplement their diets in a big way by driving off hyenas, cheetahs, and even leopards from their kills. At times, this bullying may produce half the pride’s diet, achieved with very little effort.

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

The Shifting Sands of Tanzania

2007-06-27T00:41:00.002-06:00

The Shifting Sands in Tanzania

There is a quite unusual sight on the Serengeti Plains, several miles from the Ngorongoro Crater. Innocuously small from a distance, an apparently unremarkable and incongruous pile of blackish sand has somehow found its way to this particular piece of earth and formed into a sand dune where none other exist. But there is nothing ordinary about this sand. Today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year it will surely have moved somewhere else. The sand is magnetic, and moves with the wind, but the magnetic attraction between the grains keeps the sand together, an isolated dune that shifts with the winds. Markers have been set up by researchers to denote its location on a given date and one can trace its past movements over the weeks and months and years by following the trail of stakes that denote the date the dune had passed a given spot on the windswept plain.

The ‘Shifting Sands’ of Tanzania, as they are known, consist of volcanic ash that the winds have blown out of, and deposited here, from the dead Volcano, Oldonyo Lengai. Once on the ground, and in the presence of other ash, the magnetic charge of the particals has allowed the ash that continues to fall to accumulate into a sizeable and growing dune. The blowing winds are strong enough to move the ash, but not strong enough to defeat the magnetic forces that keep the grains attached. Wind merely shifts the dune’s shape as it crawls slowly across the plains, at the rate of about sixteen feet per year.

Discovered and first tracked by researchers in 1969, this peculiar ‘Shifting Sand Dune’ has traveled about two kilometers over the past thirty-nine years.

Local Maasai, familiar with the moving sands, believe the shifting sands to be blessed with special powers. Decades ago, Maasai women would leave goat’s blood in a container in front of the dune, as an offering to the Gods. They would return to find the jug gone. A year later, the empty jug would reappear, apparently untouched, but empty of its contents on the other side of the dune. The Maasai legend grew that the Gods were pleased with and had accepted their offering. Hence, the gift became ritual in nature. Even today the sands are still considered a ‘holy place’ by the Maasai People.

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

***dead tree in the dead vlei

2007-06-19T00:18:00.002-06:00

This specific ‘vlei’, pictured here in Sossusvlei, is called by the name, “dead-vlei”. It is nearly a mile wide, formed roughly into the shape of a circle, surrounded by massive peaked dunes. Its limestone floor, baked dry, hardened, and cracked into odd shaped puzzle pieces, and cooked a bleached white by the blazing sun, the vlei once contained enough water to nurture the growth of trees that now are petrified and dot the landscape. The rains that fed this vlei disappeared more than half a millennia ago.

The tall dunes protect the ‘vlei’ from the damaging winds that would erode the trees, the winds passing harmlessly over the tops of the dunes. Free from the moisture that would erode them, and absent insects, which would infest the wood, the petrified trees ‘flourish’ within the dead ‘vlei’. Researchers estimate the rains essentially ceased about 700 years ago creating this dried up monument to the power of nature to transform itself ever so harshly. The grey rock hard trees serve as testaments to a much different eco and climactic system that once made this ‘vlei’ a very vibrant and colorful place. It now resides in a somber, overheated, shocking quietude, with few life forms taking up residence here. We visitors have ventured a long way to shoot this forsaken place.Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)

Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

***tree shadow in dead vlei

2007-06-19T00:16:00.001-06:00

‘Vlei’ is an Afrikaans word for a shallow depression in the landscape, a pan, usually filled with water. In reality, it is no more than a small, shallow lake. There is a place in the Namib Desert called ‘Sossusvlei’ and it defines a relatively small region, a pan that lies at a place where the dunes collide and close in tightly, preventing the Tasauchab River from flowing any further. However in the last five centuries, the river has rarely flowed; but on those very rare occasions it does, the river flows into the area between the dunes forming a small shallow lake that will have a short-lived life above the hard pan desert floor trapped between the towering dunes. When this rarity occurs, it is big news in Namibia, and Namibians may trek or drive for days to see the undeniable beauty of the deep blue waters of the fresh water lake, framed against the burnt red dunes, which loom far above.

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Papyrus Plants in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

2007-06-17T00:04:00.002-06:00

Okavango Delta Papyrus

Pictured here is the tall willowy, wispy but surprisingly strong papyrus plant valuable to the region not only for its magical water filtration capabilities, but also for its usage when dried as paper, a process that dates back to ancient times. Strong, thin, lighter than rock, pliable, and able to absorb, yet preserve inks applied to its surface, papyrus became the medium of choice for ancient Egyptian historians and writers, our first purveyors of the written language.

Papyrus is also adapted for use in perfumes, baskets, mats, bedding, boxes, chairs, and even is used as a compound in certain medicines.

We know use of Papyrus by the Ancient Egyptians dates back to as early as 4000 B.C. Writing on rock tablets proved difficult and inconvenient and the discovery that dried papyrus could serve as an alternative to rock was an ingenious invention with serious social implications, as a great volume of written information became portable and available to a much greater proportion of the population than had been previously possible. Knowledge spread broadly and quickly throughout the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions.

While the exact origins of the use of papyrus as a recorder of deeds remains unknown, The Greek Historian, Pliny the Elder, had written that the ancient Egyptians had been utilizing papyrus in many ways that predated use by Greeks for at least several thousand years.

Turning papyrus into paper is a tedious and methodical process. After harvesting the papyrus, the outer layers are stripped off and the paper making process begins. The core is exposed and very thin slices are stripped from the plant as broadly as possible, creating thin, wide, long strips. The strips are then soaked in water to remove the sugars that are contained in the plants. Once this has been accomplished, the strips are laid out in a manner so that the strips overlap one another. Then another layer is applied and placed at a 90-degree angle to the layer underneath. The next step is to dry, then pound and press the papyrus sheathes together. The resultant ‘paper’ is then soaked again to help tighten the bonds between the strips. Pounded and pressed a second time, the ‘paper’ is again set out to dry. To assure the sheathes of layers were tightly bound, in ancient times heavy flattened stones were carefully placed upon the papyrus and left in place for about a week. During this final pressing process, the small amount of sugar remaining in the papyrus migrates to the edge of the sheaths and dries up, sealing the layers together. The final step is to polish the papyrus to a smooth finish, removing as much of the frayed ends of the grass that remains as possible. The result is a dependable medium for writing and painting.

The Egyptians knew how commercially valuable this process of turning papyrus into paper was, and tried to prevent its export to outsiders. The Egyptians became famous for their high quality product and exported the papyrus paper at great profit throughout the Mediterranean Region. Overtime, the Egyptians created different grades of paper, increasing their market as customers purchased the quality of product they needed and could afford.

Quality was a function of a number of factors including the location in which the papyrus was grown, the season during which the papyrus was harvested, and the age of the plants themselves. The highest quality papers were used for religious and literary works. Merchants utilized minimum quality paper to wrap items and make baskets.

The papyrus paper was placed on rolls or turned into scrolls. This made transportation of the paper rather simple, and spread the use of writing throughout the region.

In the making of the papyrus into paper, the best part of the rolled paper would be put on the ends of the rolls because this part of the scroll or paper roll would receive the most wear and tear. The more fragile parts of the paper would be placed in the middle of the roll.

Even today, researchers still discover from archaeological digs papyrus scrolls and rolls of paper that contain written memorabilia that can be dated back more than two millennia; so strong and durable has been the papyrus paper created by the Egyptians.

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Gliding Through the Okavango Delta by Makorro

2007-06-17T00:01:00.002-06:00

Gliding Through the Okavango Delta by Makorro

A Water Lily soaks up the sun, and bobs up and down on the tiny ripples generated by a passing Mokorro. Mokorros were the inventions of local tribesmen. They hollowed out the trunk of a Mokorro tree and found them to be excellent in the waters of the delta, gliding silently and smoothly though the shallow delta waters. (Today Mokorros are made from fiberglass.)

Up to 12 feet long by 2 to 3 feet wide, the Mokorro is an excellent water safari vehicle. The guides stand in the back of the Mokorro and utilize a pushing poll to propel the sleek canoe-like vehicle. The pole is dug into the Kalahari Sand beneath the delta waters to propel the boat forward.

The sleek Mokorro glides effortlessly over the grasses that grow in the shallow delta waters and through the maze of narrow channels in the grasses made by passing hippos.

Riding in the Mokorros is an exhilarating experience. There is an almost eerie silence as you glide over the crystal clear still waters, and make your way through the tall grass; unable at many times, to see much beyond just what is in front of you, as the grasses obscure your view. Suddenly a channel will open and hippos in a pool can be wading just a few feet in front of you. Or you might happen upon a wading Buffalo. It is the uncertainty of what awaits you that generates so much excitement.(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

A Leopard on the Hunt at Duma Tau, Botswana

2007-06-16T23:27:00.003-06:00

Leopard on the Hunt

We our way slowly down the dirt path that serves as a road in the Kalahari, eyes glued to the undergrowth, an uneventful but beautiful amble through the bush, we circumnavigated a large termite mound and suddenly there it was; a male leopard, not ten feet from us, laying leisurely supine and hidden in the tall grass.(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Now I have been to Africa on safari four times and I have never once been this close to a leopard. Africa’s most elusive and secretive predator rarely is seen in the open. Active at night, often hidden in the trees safe from danger, during the daylight hours, my prior sightings of leopard were always from a distance, and my shots taken with long lenses, interesting shots, but no exciting close-ups. This moment was nothing short of breathtaking. It was a moment I will never forget.

The leopard or “Chui” as the locals call them, can weigh as much as 140 pounds with a thick, broad head. Built with an elegant, powerful body, relatively short but sinewy muscular legs, designed for pouncing upon unwitting prey, their coat is covered with dark irregular circles called “rosettes”; a perfect disguise for their natural habitat. (1) With strong jaws, a leopard suffocates its prey and has been known to drag a kill several times its own body weight up into trees to protect it from scavengers. As fierce as is a leopard, it will avoid fighting with other carnivores to avoid any injury, which would impede its ability to hunt, and put its survival in jeapordy.

To witness a leopard, such a magnificent specimen at first light, in the open, just scanning the grassy fields was a rare photographic treat and we made the most of it. He posed for us for nearly an hour, enduring, oblivious to, or simply defiantly ignoring the ‘rat-a-tat-tat’ clicking of our cameras. Then without warning, the cat leapt up and took cover behind a tall termite mound 4 yards directly left of our vehicle, its focus directed seemingly straight at us. We surveyed the grasses and brush behind us but saw nothing. Still, the leopard remained fixated. Then he dropped to the ground and in a silent stealth-like move slowly made his way into the crevice of an old tree, the opening obscured by two termite mounds that stood like pillars guarding the crevice. Practically invisible, crouched so low inside the tree, its muscular legs were taut and its shoulder muscles were prominent as it assumed the attack position.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Not yet clear what the leopard saw or what scent he’d picked up, there was a moment of, let’s say, discomfort, maybe even a bit of fear that rippled through our vehicle as we sat now a mere ten feet from an animal obviously poised for attack who was staring at us with angry, alert eyes. With no doors and no roof, we did feel exposed in our open land rover. If this powerful cat chose to leap into the vehicle we would be powerless to stop it. The menu was a leopard’s choice, and fortunately for us, this morning the leopard’s taste was for something else.

Finally, we saw what so mesmerized the leopard; a group of impalas, known as a ‘Couple’ of impalas was grazing up-wind. Their scent wafted down wind, serving to stoke this cat’s hunger. The impala did not know what awaited them just 50 yards down wind. We awaited fate with excitement. Just how would this play out?

Unlike cheetahs, which will chase its prey for up to 400 meters, and lions which may chase its prey for up to 200 meters, the leopard will wait in hiding and rely more on stealth than other cats and often chases its prey no more than thirty meters or so.

Stories of leopards leaping from trees or outcrops to kill its prey may be true, but the reality is the leopard prefers to establish footing on solid ground before launching a ferocious sneak attack upon unwitting prey. Running an animal down is contrary to the leopard’s preferred method of hunting. Fewer opportunities present itself to the leopard as a result of this strategy, but it does conserve energy, minimizes the chances of injury, and produces a sufficiently high kill rate when the leopard finally strikes; a risky but successful strategy for a predator who makes a kill on the average of only once every seven to nine days. Opportunistic hunting, conservation of energy, and the idea of risk management are not just human concepts.

Alas, on this fateful day, another land rover spotted us and the noise generated by its engine spooked the impala and they quickly moved off. The cat, resignedly, gave away his position, and simply ambled away disappointed, as did we.(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

A group of Lions getting a drink of water at sundown

2007-06-15T23:10:00.002-06:00

A Group of Lions Taking a quick Drink of Water in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Most cat species live a fundamentally solitary existence, but the lion is an exception. It has developed a social system based on teamwork and a division of labor within the pride, and an extended, but close family unit centers around the related females. The average pride consists of about 15 individuals, including five to 10 females with their young and two or three territorial males that are usually brothers or pride mates. (2)

At maturity, young males are forced by the dominant males to leave the Pride and spend several years as nomads before they become strong enough to challenge another male for its Pride. Some never stop their wandering and are forced to follow migrating herds. The nomadic life is much more difficult, hunting proves exhausting, with little time left for resting or reproducing. (3)

Lions are vigilant, and appreciate the benefits of hunting in groups. They keep in contact with one another by roaring and the sound has a range of 5 miles.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Proud Kudu at Duma Tau, Botswana

2007-06-14T23:04:00.004-06:00

A Proud Kudu stands on a mound to pose of a quick pic

Standing tall and proud this Kudu is vigilant, keenly aware that predators are ever present and roam nearby. The Kudu is a Magnificent animal, regal in bearing, weighing up to 580 pounds, and is easily denoted by the stripes on its body, which serve as enormously effective camouflage in the thick underbrush. The Kudu also has a whitish stripe on its torso and a similar whitish strip across its face almost from eye to eye that make it nearly invisible in the bush.

The Greater Kudu have majestic spiral shaped horns, which can grow to six feet in length. The Horns are often used as musical instruments, by local African tribes but also by Jews as a Shofar in religious services.

Mating rights among dominant males tend to be short displays and very non-violent affairs given the mighty horns they display. One male tends to give way early on. It’s as if there is an unwritten rule among Male Kudu, ‘let’s not ruin our magnificent horns in battle, we both know who will win this fight, so let’s just get it over with and move on’. Or so it seems! Male Kudus aren’t much family men, staying with their mates only during the mating season and then moving on to engage in the bachelor’s life.

(click image to enlarge)
Shot details: f/3.5; 1/640 sec; ISO 100; 3744x5616 Pixels
Focal Length 73mm; EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM

Camera Details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Rangefinder Magazine-Star Trails Part II

2006-09-17T11:56:00.000-06:00

Rangefinder Magazine
September 2006

Rf Cookbook by Joe Morahan
The Trees and the Stars

The Trees and the Stars

Surrounded by monstrous, magnificent trees while camping in Kings Canyon National Park, many opportunities to create great imagery flicker in the imagination. Around midnight while sitting near a campfire, I was inspired to create this picture.

I was gazing up intently through the treetops, amazed by how many stars were in the sky. In the city there are simply not that many stars visible; the ambient lights mask so much of the heavens. But here, away from the city lights, Kings Canyon was the perfect theater for the stars’ light show, and millions made their appearance known, flickering in the night for attention.

I was with my buddy Mike and his wife camping near a river. The tents were only 20 feet up from the bank, which provided a peaceful background noise, and the crackling of the fire made for a cozy, relaxing evening.

I sensed immediately the difficulty of capturing this shot. As a photographer, I know great shots don’t just happen. Mike, his wife and I had been trekking through Sequoia National Park for two weeks, and we’d each shot 30 rolls of film. This shot, however, would take some doing.

INGREDIENTS: • Camera: Canon Elan; • Lens: Canon 17–40mm f/5.6; • Film: Kodak ISO 400 transparency film; • Scanner: Nikon Scan 5000; • Computer: Power Mac G5; • Software: Photoshop CS2; • Other: Cable release, flashlight, tripod

I knew I needed a bigger fire to help pump light onto the trees. They were hundreds of feet tall, and I needed light to reach the tops. Mike and I gathered dry firewood near the river. The fallen trees were too huge, but there were branches that made good firewood. As we broke the branches to throw into the fire, a sliver broke loose and shot into my eye. We found the park rangers, and they were able to extract the sliver. With a patch over one eye, I was still determined to get the shot; visiting a doctor could wait until morning!

Back at the campsite, we finished gathering wood (more carefully this time). The fire was now throwing off sufficient light so I could begin the shoot. I grabbed my tripod and camera, and set up. I was having a hard time framing the shot as the eye patch covered my shooting eye. I made the calculations, pointed the camera nearly straight up on its sturdy tripod, and started shooting. I was uncertain how much light was actually hitting the top of the trees, but I was able to approximate it with my light meter.

I wanted at least 45 minutes of exposure so the stars would have time to twist in the sky. I did a total of four frames, each at 45 minutes. I stoked the fire for the first two and let the fire die down naturally for the last two— a roughly calibrated bracketing with less light hitting the tree tops on each progressive shot. To obtain more light, we had backed a four-wheel drive down a slope so the headlights would illuminate the tree tops. They were daytime lights, yielding a color temperature of 5500°K and producing a green shade in the tree tops.

After two weeks of roughing it in the forest, I looked forward to viewing the film back in Santa Barbara. While I was interested in seeing whether certain shots had turned out, I was simply blown away by this one. I could not believe my eyes. The shot was everything I imagined. And to think, all it took was a campfire, car headlights, an eye patch and, of course, a little help from Mother Nature.

Visit www.joemorahan.com.

Rangefinder Magazine-Star Trails Part I

2006-07-09T11:51:00.000-06:00

Rangefinder Magazine
July 2006

Rf Cookbook: by Joe Morahan
Star Trails Illuminate the Night

The ability to bring the night to life with photographic magic is a cathartic experience. To the naked, untrained eye, night might seem to be a dark, boring stillness—but this is to miss out on the beauty and motion one can see only at night. From a photographic standpoint, shooting at night is quite difficult because of all the variables. But the results can be exquisite.

My vision was simple—a photograph of a huge, triumphant tree, framed by star trails as they moved through the night sky. Making my vision a reality proved far more complex. Many issues confronted me and thwarted an easy setup.

Finding the right tree on the right hill with the right slope took hours of hunting. At one point, I was about to conclude that no such site existed anywhere near where I was searching. Then, like magic, the perfect specimen appeared right in front of me near Solvang, California.

The next step was more technical, calculating just how I could get the exact exposure I wanted. I would need a moonless night to avoid ambient lighting. Years of nighttime shooting have given me the experience to determine in which direction the stars will rotate by using Polaris (the North Star) as my anchor point. I used this insight to my advantage to support the composition.

From previous photographic shoots, I knew that a good base exposure would be two hours at f/8 with ISO 400 film. Shooting such long exposures requires film, as digital efforts produce digital noise that would ruin the exposure.

It was a tricky setup, and a sturdy tripod was an absolute must— the slightest vibration or movement over two hours will ruin the desired effect. Proper framing of a shot at night is quite difficult, so I brought a flashlight and spent an hour or so framing what I believed would be the perfect setup. I set the focus at infinity and used a cable release to keep the shutter open for the two hours.

I had to wait nearly a month to get the moonless midnight I needed. I set up early and waited for the dark blue sky to fade into black. In the deep darkness I started the exposure, making sure the North Star was framed properly. Then I just waited and prayed all would turn out according to plan.

The next morning produced bad news. I studied the developed film and saw that the star trails through the skies were broken up with huge gaps between them. The gaps were caused by clouds that had passed high in the night sky.

INGREDIENTS
• Camera: Canon Elan
• Lens: EF 17–40mm f/4L USM
• Film: Fujichrome ISO 400
• Scanner: Nikon Scan 5000
• Computer: Power Mac G5
• Software: Photoshop CS2
• Other: Cable release, flash light, tripod

I had no option but to reshoot. I would never have imagined it would take four more attempts to get it right!

Weather predictions on the night of the last shoot called for a clear, cloudless night. This was lucky, as I found out the hard way that Solvang gets a lot of fog. I drove back to what I now affectionately called “my tree” and started the familiar routine.

I had been shooting approximately two hours when I noticed the fog rolling in over Solvang, creating an orange glow over the city. I made a conscious decision to continue the exposure for another 30 minutes, allowing ample time for the film to absorb the orange tint. When I studied the film the next morning I was amazed. It was a perfectly clean exposure and the sky looked incredible. It is in moments such as this that a photographer knows all that work is worth it!

Visit www.joemorahan.com.

Kamatsi Lake, Saskatchewan Canada

2006-06-01T20:35:00.001-06:00

Kamatsi Lake, Saskatchewan Canada

2006-05-31T20:35:00.000-06:00

Kamatsi Lake

2006-05-27T20:35:00.000-06:00

Kamatsi Lake, Saskatchewan Canada

2006-05-26T20:35:00.000-06:00

Slot Canyons

2004-08-30T20:35:00.000-06:00

Sequoia National Park

2004-06-22T20:35:00.000-06:00

Kings Canyon National Park

2004-06-13T20:35:00.000-06:00

Rose Garden, Santa Barbara

2004-06-10T20:35:00.000-06:00