In January, I got to cross off a bucket list item for me.  I love Texas History and in particular the history of the Red River Wars.  I find much of it sad and tragic, but it explains so much of the land I photograph and knowing of those actions makes those places seem almost holy and sacred.

February 2021  Cold Wind

February brought a blizzard, a literal blizzard.  I love photographing winter and snow and have a lot of experience in Alaska and the northwest doing so.  I love how dramatic the sky was for the very common panhandle scene, painted white and blues.

This limited-edition print is special to my heart.  For one it is part fund raiser for the historical outdoor musical TEXAS which is the longest running outdoor musical in the United States.  35% of this goes directly to the non-profit responsible for this Texas Treasure set in Palo Duro Canyon.  More on August's photo.  But if you want it, get it now because the run of the print will end soon.  Working with Texas was a pure joy!

August 2021 

TEXAS is the longest running outdoor Musical in the United States.  It opened in 1966 in the same location of the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon.  The play speaks a historical fiction about the settling of the Panhandle of Texas.  It is about our history here in this rough hard-fought land.  The music is catchy, the story enchanting and for a photographer the play is a visual feast, and I am so honored to have been part of it with my camera.  This photo is the fireworks that closes the play, but it is one of the most unusual photos of the moon I have ever caught.  On the last play of the 55th season as the show closed the moon set over the canyon wall at the same time as the fireworks!

For more information and tickets to the 56th season check them out here:
TEXAS THE OUTDOOR MUSICAL

Check out my blog here:  A Thrilling Ride and More.

I am not given to many portraits of people. I enjoy landscapes and action shots. Annually Amarillo has one of the best concerts anywhere.  Friends of Fogelberg was founded in honor of Dan Fogelberg who died of prostate cancer.  The concert raises money so that every man in Amarillo can get his psa checked.  The concert is responsible for 100's of men finding out they had prostate cancer and being saved.  Literally this concert saves lives annually.  My great friend Joe Ed Coffman is the guy who came up the idea, but this guy has been an integral part of that concert and as a Urologist has helped save countless men's lives dealing with prostate cancer.  One of the best people I know and a rare character portrait on my part in honor of Dr. Kibby who retired and moved this year.  Thanks, Doc, for all you have done for Amarillo.

October found me and my oldest friend (by number of years known not age) in Albuquerque once again for the 49.5 Balloon Fiesta!  Damon and I have known each other since grade school and have been great friends all those years.  Annually we have taken a trip together to chase pixels.  Usually, we end up in Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta.  We have done so since 2014 with the exception of last year when the Fiesta became a Siesta and was canceled.  But this year it came back with all the glory and pomp and color!

Check out my blog here: 49.5 2021 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

November had a once in lifetime event.  Really several lifetimes.  The lunar Eclipse of November 19th was the longest in duration for the last 500 years and it was spectacular!  Read about it in my blog: Shooting the Moon During a Lunar Eclipse

I ended near the beginning of this year.  A friend took me to Indian Point (what the locals call it).  In September 1874, Col Badhand Mackenzie, stood near this overlook and stared down upon the Comanche Camp and some 1400 horses and mules which were Quanah Parker's reserve.  Minus those horses, Quanah would be severally impaired in his ability to continue to fight.  Mackenzie captured those horses and drove them from this canyon (modern day Ceta Canyon, a finger of Palo Duro canyon) to Tule canyon some 30 miles away.  Mackenzie made the decision to kill 1000 or so of those horses.  Quanah was able to continue to hold out for another year but without those horses, his fight was doomed and in 1875 Quanah surrendered.  This is view of the canyon where Mackenzie captured the horses.