Think Spring !

Posted on March 29, 2013 by

Spring has got to be one of the neatest times of the year for the National Parks in the western part of the United States.

Springtime brings ….Babies…babies…babies and the wonderful and colorful birds return not to mention flowers and things start to green up a bit…

Here are a few of the babies you might see in our Western National Parks…. 

Think Spring!  

       “Pinyon Jay”

“Baby Doe”

      “Baby Marmot”

           “Baby Bison”


Always keep in mind NEVER APPROACH A WILD BABY!!

Mom’s are never very far away from their young and will consider anyone approaching their babies a threat  and will hurt you (even to the point of death) and you don’t want any holiday spoiled by being in the hospital, fined or worse. 
So pack your common sense, lots of long lens’s and your camera’s and read those brochures they hand out at the gates. If you are unsure; take a Tour with us or any other company that is fully licensed by the National Parks because we know how to help you have fun and be safe while in our care. Companies who are not fully licensed are illegal, not up to date with facts on the Parks and may not be certified in CPR and First Aid as we are.

100 yards away for: Wolves, Bears
25 yards for: Bison, Elk and all others

And remember to keep those cameras handy (attached to long lens’s) while in our wonderful National Parks along with lots of film or digital cards because in the Spring you never know which baby you’ll see around the corner. ~Sandi
 

 

 

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Gearing Up For 2013

Posted on February 5, 2013 by

Hard to believe another year has passed and already a month of the New Year is gone.  I swear, January flew this year didn’t it?

Much happened with Don and I (as I mentioned in one of my past Blogs) but we managed to pull through.  You can guide fate but somehow some things will happen no matter what you do.

We lost our 40 acres and sweet cabin in the High Park Fire here in Colorado when so many homes and livelihoods were damaged by the many flames.  Our fifth wheel got stolen before we could pull it off the dealership lot and in Nov.  we were heading back to Colorado and I came down with pneumonia.  So we figure there was our 3 and 2013 (which has another 3 in it) should be a great year. :)

February we sold our burnt property to an adjacent land owner and Tree Farmer as well as a great friend. He plans to plant new trees in May.  Also in February, we got another fifth wheel and all of our Photo Tours, Scenic Wildlife Tours, Family Portraits in the three National Parks this year..Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain are set to go.

I’ve been a professional photographer now for over 22 years, guided in the Rockies now going on 11years in these mountains and someone asked me the other day if I ever got tired of it.  I grew up in nature and to me nature is everywhere….all you have to do it look around.  I’ve always felt no matter if you live East, Mid West, West it’s there..sometimes all you have to do is look down or up or even look at things differently.  Take light. Light will change just trying to photograph anything scenic or an object and you’ll see it change as light changes.  I love light and use it to my advantage.  I teach this in my Photo Tours.  I’ve even photographed buffalo in fog and have blown it up 24×30 and could go larger but it’s dramatic.  As long as there is daylight I will never get tired of it.

I truly Love what I do and Don (my husband) does too.  There are so many wonderful and glorious National Parks throughout the US. each with their own animals and beauties to explore.

One year we couldn’t decide what to do for our anniversary so we hiked 8 National Parks in 18 days.  You know, that was one of the best vacations we ever took and will cherish it for a lifetime.  We can’t wait to plan our next one.

When you get ready to plan your vacation….think about all the National Parks to choose from and let us help you make it special with one of our Photography Tours in Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Teton National Park or take one of our Wildlife Scenic Safar Tours for you to enjoy.  Let us tell you about the animals, the area, the history.  Let us share what we know with you and give you something so meaningful that you can’t wait to come back to.

Wherever you go take lots of digital cards, keep those cameras and cell phones handy because you just never know what’s around the corner.

~ Sandi

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Photographing Animals

Posted on January 1, 2013 by

I’ve lived around wildlife now for about 25years and it never ceases to amaze me how close people get to animals for that great picture. Below is what I’m talking about.

If you look closely at this photo you’ll see people way to close to a wild animal that can charge them and reach them way before they get to their cars.  Crazy thing is…. look at the buffalo behind those people not paying attention and how close it is…now where do they run to and can they make it. (I have enlarged the photo at the bottom of the picture so you can see). I didn’t even see the Buffalo behind those people until I enlarged the photo and yelled at them to get to their cars.  That’s when they turned around and I took the second shot (the enlarged photo on bottom right).

Rule of thumb is: Buffalo, Elk, Grizzly Bears, Black Bears is keep away 100 yards.  They can run 30 miles an hour and these folks are way too close.  By the way, I shot this with a 500 mm lens and I was within the 100 yards and safely by my car.  All other animals are usually 25-50 feet and are all mentioned….. and by the way…… given to you at each gate of each National Park.  It is apparent these folks tossed that information on the seat of their car and will probably read it when they get home….if they get home.  Don’t spoil a great vacation by getting too close.  It’s not worth it and it doesn’t have to happened.  Let me tell you why.

Living around animals I have found they are comfortable around people who do not push themselves on them.  Pretty much like other people.  Who likes a pushy person around…same thing with animals.  You ask …how can you make an animal comfortable?  Earn their respect  by keeping your distance. Use a large lens with larger animals.  They will let you photograph for hours!! And you’ll get so many great shots!!

Hint: Watch animal body movements.  A turned back says go away and you are too close and usually they go into the woods plus no one else gets a shot.  Get their permission (not their rear) and give others the opportunity for a shot. So don’t be a pushy photographer to animals and you’ll get tons of great photos of animals just being themselves and doing some pretty fun things.

You want to know how the above played out?  Once people realized the buffalo was right behind them they scattered to their cars.  The Buffalo came down and scared the Grizzly Bear away.  It took just seconds for that to happen. Keep that in mind when you photograph any wildlife.  Also, keep aware of what you are doing at all times because you just never know what is around the corner. ~ Sandi

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Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year

Posted on November 22, 2012 by

Photos By Sandi wishes you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season !

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Fun Apps to travel with

Posted on October 13, 2012 by

I’ve had a lot of fun with all of the Apps out there but I thought I’d share some of my most favorite with you.

Road Ahead…
This App is great. You set it to the things you are looking for and as you near each exit those items appear.  Gas Stations are my favorite.  This App will tell you the name of the Station, where it’s located, sometimes the phone number and even tell you the gas price.  Now…You can’t beat that!
You can even set it to tell you where the next restroom stop is….which I might say has been a life savor from time to time after being on the road awhile. :)
Some of the other things it will find for you are: ATM, Auto Repair, Coffee, Dining, Fast Food, Fun, Grocery, Ice Cream, Lodging, Medical, Nightlife, Park, Pet, Pharmacy, Police, Shopping, Theater and Tourist info.  This is a great one you won’t want to pass up and one of my favorites!

DOF Master…..(Depth Of Field)
This App has been helpful when your brain is on vacation and you just can’t think.  I know I have days like this so this App will help you out when it hits.  All you do is set your camera type, Len you are using, F/stop, Focus and it gives you the Focal Distance, the feet in near limit and the feet in far limit as well as the Total Depth of Field. At the very end it will also calculate the Hyoerfocal distance  Wow! huh?

Yellowstone APP….
This App is impressive!!!  I can’t believe how loaded this App is.  All I can say it is a must and so detailed on this magnificent Park.

The Chimani Apps…..
I know there is one on Yellowstone and one on Rocky but I’m not sure on the other National Parks.  They contain Information, auto Touring, Points of Interest, a place to mark your favorites, maps, ranger events, hiking safety, picnicking, restrooms, biking, fishing, sunrise/sunset, museums, ranger stations, wildlife viewing, photo gallery and settings.  I haven’t used this one much but plan on checking it out more

Audubon Apps…
These are my favorites because once they are loaded you do not need the internet.  To be able to show a client what a great horned owl looks like as well as to play the sound makes the experience even better with our Tours.  The Audubon books and Apps are great to have when you visit areas you are not familiar with.

Mag. Light…..
This one is great for reading those teeny tiny road map numbers.  It has a light and magnifies.  You’ll Love it!

Maps…..
I Love this APP!  It’s like having a tiny GPS.  Very accurate and easy to use.  It gives you a couple different suggestions of routes to take.

Well, I hope these APPS help you on your travels.  If I come across anymore, I’ll post them.

Happy Travels! And keep those cameras nearby because you just never know what’s around the corner.

~Sandi

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Each year I learn of something I hadn’t thought of…

Posted on August 25, 2012 by

It’s been a long time since my last blog….  June 9th a huge fire started about 30 miles north of where we live here in Estes Park and burnt our 40 acres and sweet little cabin we built with our bare hands (not our main home but one of the first things we purchased when we moved here 26 years ago and really own). We watched daily as the smoke rose high in the north and we just knew (but hoped) just somehow we were spared and it really didn’t hit hard till the county called and confirmed.  We were devastated and heart broken as so many became as the fires raged due to the dryness here in Colorado this year.  Our “High Park Fire” took 258 homes,  “The Woodland Heights Fire” hit here in Estes Park several days later and took 22 homes and “Waldo Canyon Fire” around Colorado Springs area (approximately) 3 hrs south of here which took about 350 homes.
What I learned from it all is how strong the people of Colorado truly are. I also learned the the true heart of a fireman/firewoman as they fought to save others homes as theirs burnt. We talk of so many homes that burnt this year but as I drive around the toasted neighborhoods I was so surprised of how many were saved!! Fires would burn right up to the foundation and the crews risked their lives on a daily basis and did save so many. The next time you see a fire man or woman please give them a hug or shake their hands for me would ya!

This whole thing may have taken a tole on us emotionally but it kind of reminds me of the story we heard in Yellowstone one year where a baby buffalo was born with a hurt leg.  All the buffalo stayed with that young fellow all taking turns licking his wound until he could walk along with the herd seven days later.  We are like the young buffalo who was wounded and thanks to all of those who Loved us and comforted us we are now ready to continue our work and blog.  Even though we lost our land and sweet cabin we are now ready to move forward doing what we truly love.. working with people in our wonderful National Parks!   Thanks again for listening. ~Sandi

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“We’ve had so much fun in the park the last few days with all of the owl nests..”

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

We’ve had so much fun in the park the last few days with all of the owl nests we’ve been keeping a watchful eye on. We managed to get a owlet baby and one of her yawning as well as the Mom and Dad Owl watching from other trees over this nest.  Our second was close to town and the third in the National Park as well.  When we do our Tours those areas are part of our Tours but can change once the babies are able to fly away.
We do ask when photographing any wildlife you give them lots of space and try not to encroach on their space or you will not get good, natural photos.  Use those zoom lenses and always remember, we are the visitor and this is their home so be a good guest.

Don’t forget those cameras.. extra cards ..and film…you just never know what’s around the corner. ~Sandi

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What Camera Equipment Do I Pack For Vacation?

Posted on May 12, 2012 by

We just returned from a three week vacation trip to the southern states and my first question before we left was (as so many of you will ask yourselves this summer as you pack for your vacation), “What camera equipment do I pack?”  When I’m faced with that question I ask how important will the photos be?  If not too important, I’ll take “Otto” My Canon G10.  It can be point and shoot or I can get fairly good photos flipping it into Manual or one of the other modes and I’ll take either a small tripod or a walking stick monopod (Mine is a Gitzo) and it works well for stabilization for my camera or even me for hiking and it’s great for flipping rattlers off the trail. :-o

If you plan to visit a majestic mountain village with tons of scenic opportunities and animals such as Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park I would not only take your Otto camera;  but I recommend a sturdy tripod (or ask your Tour Guide such as us if we supply one and my answer would be “yes!”). That way, you may not have to pack one.  I would also pack a good standard lens, shutter release cord, good IS zoom lens, extra batteries and digital cards and don’t forget those chargers!  You may want to check out a comfortable camera bag or camera backpack (I use a lowpro). Most of all, be comfortable!! because if your comfortable, the fun will just comes easy.
Don’t forge to read up on what you’d like to photograph, whether it’s animals or scenery.  If you are not sure, take a Tour with a fully licensed company because the local Tour Guides know where to go and the best times such as Don and I here at Photos By Sandi.  Give us a call!  We’d Love to show you the best parts of our Estes Mountain Village and our Majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains.  We’ll be waiting!  Hope to see you soon!

Take only pictures, leave only footsteps, kill only time!  (Not sure who wrote it but we love the saying!)

Sandi

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“Welcome to my new Website and Blog!”

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Welcome to my new Website and Blog! Hopefully I can share my ideas,  keep you informed of what’s going on here at Photos By Sandi and of course, listen to what you have to say.

My Website and Blog will change frequently so visit us often! So hang on, here we go it should be fun and hopefully interesting.

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“Hard to believe will be starting into our 22nd year in June!”

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Hard to believe will be starting into our 22nd year in June. It seems like yesterday (1991) I had just put down a good chunk of money and as the garage door was opening I thought to myself, “how will I make this work out of my home?” as I looked up in the sky I saw a bald eagle fly over,  and circle three times  he looked down and ever so gracefully flew off into the distance.  Although my sister said he was looking for a place to potty, I felt it was my sign.  Now going on 22years in June of this year I was right and I’m happy to say she was wrong.

Now, I’m writing my first Blog.  22years ago we didn’t know what a Blog was.  There were more handshakes than contracts and there weren’t many women in the photography field.  Many women were looked down upon until the guys saw you in the dirt with them for a few years.. and only then, were you accepted among them.  Today with digital… everyone has a camera and is a pro, no matter the education or experience.  Digital has opened new doors for so many.. even me now as a new Blogger..

We moved our business to Estes in April 2000 and combined the business with retail.  I sold over 1000 variations of photo frames, scrapbooking supplies and anything photo related I could find.  In 2010 I closed my retail business after 11years.  I took it pretty hard at first and very personal but the economy actually gave me an opportunity to take a step back and look at where my business was and where I wanted to be.  Now I have time to focus (no pun intended) on what I do best and Love.  I will still be offering:  Family Portraits, Family  Re Unions, Small Weddings, Grads, Commercial, Passports, Photography Tours and Large Format Printing.

Don (my husband) retired late last year and has joined the team here (me) at Photos By Sandi he will be conducting  the New “Wildlife/Scenic Safari Tours”. You may be wondering, “what’s the difference between the Photo Tours and Wildlife/Scenic Safari Tours?”  The difference is:  Photo Tours are “Custom” and Instructional where you will learn how to take photos with your camera, learn about Rocky while I share my tips and tricks of Photography.  The “New” “Wildlife/Scenic Safari Tours” You’ll learn more about Rocky, Don will help you with your gear, teach you about Rocky and her animals and be taken to best areas for animal and scenic photography with no instruction, just loads of fun!  Entrusting a National Park Certified Guide ensures you are going with a Guide who is informed, Certified in CPR and First Aid and know the area and animals well.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my first Blog… it was a windy one….I promise the next will have photos and be briefly fun!

“Keep those extra digital cards handy because you just never know what’s around the next corner”!

                                        

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