Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Color From Canyonlands

Earlier this week, I posted a black and white photo from Canyonlands National Park. As promised, here are some more images from our recent trip down there. As much as I love black and white landscapes, there are few things in nature with the amazing natural color of Southern Utah at sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise at Superbowl. Indian Creek Recreation Area, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Sunrise at Indian Creek Recreation Area, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Bison Roundup on Antelope Island

I had the opportunity to go photograph the bison roundup at Antelope Island State Park last week. Each year, hundreds of volunteers on horseback come from around the west to help roundup the roughly 700 bison that live on the island. Biologists will spend the next couple weeks vaccinating the animals and doing some testing. They will also auction off some of the bison in order to keep the herd at a healthy size for the island. There is a large slideshow of photos on the Standard-Examiner, but some of my favorite images are below.

Riders move a herd of several hundred bison up the east side of Antelope Island during the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Around three hundred riders came out to move the 700 bison currently on the island. 

Riders move a herd of several hundred bison around the east slope of Frary Peak during the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Once a year, the bison are gather on the north end of the island to be vaccinated and studied. Around 200 bison will be sold off in order to maintain a healthy population on the island.

Riders from the Utah County Mounted Search and Rescue eat breakfast around the campfire before the Bison Roundup on Antelope Island State Park on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Mounted posse members from around Northern Utah helped lead the roundup with assistance from hundreds of visiting riders.

Neal Christensen, left, and Jeremy Shaw talk to the roughly 300 riders taking part in the Bison Roundup on Antelope Island State Park on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Before the ride, officials laid out a plan for how to reaches many bison as possible and went over the safety concerns.

Riders move a herd of several hundred bison up the east side of Antelope Island during the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Around three hundred riders came out to move the 700 bison currently on the island. 

Neal Christensen saddles horses before the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Antelope Island State Park on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014.

Richard Webb and Kendalyn Hill prepare their horses for the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Antelope Island State Park on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014.

Riders move a herd of several hundred bison up the east side of Antelope Island during the 28th annual Bison Roundup on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. Around three hundred riders came out to move the 700 bison currently on the island. 

Clouds Over Canyonlands

I just returned from another trip to Southern Utah. My last time down there, I gave myself the challenge of looking for black and white photos in such a famously colorful spot. I played with that same idea again a little bit. Here is one of my favorite shots from the appropriately named Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. I'll try to get some more photos online later in the week. Enjoy.

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Living with Cystic Fibrosis - Photos and Video

I had the pleasure last week of meeting with Kara Fierro, a local nurse in Ogden who is living with cystic fibrosis. When she was young, doctors never expected her to make it to high school. At 29, she remains active and works to constantly battle the disease. A shot some photos of Kara at her aerials classes where she spends several hours a day (in addition to work and treatments.) Check out some photos below, and scroll to the end for a video.

Kara Fierro warms up at the start of her pole fitness class at Kairos Fitness in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Fierro is battling cystic fibrosis, a deadly genetic disease that has been getting worse in recent years. "Sometimes I do feel hopeless and depressed, but exercise has really helped me a lot," says Fierro.

Kara Fierro kisses her husband Isaac Eaves after Fierro's first attempt at a difficult new move in their pole fitness class at Kairos Fitness in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. During Fierro's recent hospital stays, she set up a pole and a hope in her hospital room to help stay active and positive.

Instructor Lacey Knighton holds Kara Fierro's oxygen tube out of the way during her aerial class at Kairos Fitness in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Cystic fibrosis causes mucus to build up in the lungs and makes breathing difficult. Fierro takes part in aerial and pole dancing classes with a small oxygen can in a bag on the ground below.

Kara Fierro puts her oxygen tube back in after it fell out during an aerials class at Kairos Fitness in Ogden on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Fierro has always been an active person, but just got involved in aerial classes in the last 16 months.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Willard Canyon

I went for a short hike up Willard Canyon yesterday. There was a fair amount of water for this late in the year and nice fall colors considering how few trees are up there.

Willard Canyon, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Willard Canyon, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Willard Canyon, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Willard Canyon, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Hell's Hollow in the Fall

I posted a photo yesterday of the aspen in Hell's Hollow. As promised, here are more images from that day. This weekend is probably the tail end of the fall colors up there, and it was quite beautiful. Enjoy the photos.

Hell's Hollow, Utah
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Hell's Hollow, Utah
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Hell's Hollow, Utah
©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Hell's Hollow Aspen

I went chasing fall colors around the Bear River Mountains yesterday. There was a heavy frost on the ground and most of the aspen at that elevation had already lost their leaves, but I got several photos and a nice hike out of the deal. I'll post more later in the week, but here is a preview shot.

Aspen in Hell's Hollow.
©Benjamin Zack, 2014
See more photos from Hell's Hollow in the fall here.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Bear River Bird Refuge

These aren't the newest photos, but I was going through some shots from Bear River Bird Refuge from last month and thought I'd put a few online. Enjoy.

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

Utah Falconry

I went out hunting over the weekend with some friends and their pair of Harris's Hawks near Salt Lake City. Here are a few photos from the morning.

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014