It's the beginning of a new day and a brand new trip. I'm talking about going to Jasper NP--my first big photo trip of the year. I'm especially looking forward to this for two reasons. First, it's been two years since I'd been to Jasper NP. If you remember, I lived across the Alberta Province from Jasper for two years in Cold Lake and routinely visited the park on wekends. I grew to love the it because the accessible wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and quiet demenour. The second reason I'm looking forward to this is I'm helping Charles "Chas" Glatzer work a Shoot the Light Photography Workshop. All of you are well familiar with Chas' credentials and just a chance to help and learn is a great reason to go on this trip.

Let's get down to business. I live near Mojave California, about 2 to 3 hours north of LAX depending on traffic. If you're traveling on a 0630 flight--that's six thirty in the morning for you non-military types--you have to really wake up early or decided to spend the previous night in LA. I decided on the latter and chose the take one of those ubiquitous blue shuttle vans to the airport. Even then, I had to wake at 230 am to be ready to go by 3 as recommended by the shuttle company. I'm not sure why they wanted to pick me up so early but they did. Not only that, they were there 15 minutes early--ughhh! The beauty of being at the airport at 330, three hours before your flight, you don't have to worry about talking to too many others. Socialbility isn't required at that hour Actually, it's kind of funny because of the hundreds of times I'd traveled through this airport, I never been there with so few people. It was kind of spooky being alone in one of Americas most busy locations. BTW, what do idle photographers do when there's nothing else to do? They shoot pictures. Duh! Waiting for the ticket counter to open and trying to look energized was one of the greater challenges of the day.

1630 MDT - 22 Oct 02

We're in Jasper NP now. Got in place just in time to shoot a small elk herd. Just in time to see the sun descend over the mountians. Just in time to miss the boat. Actually, we stayed out for a while, watched a couple other visitors see what we were looking at. Even saw someone try to light up the twilight with her point and shoot flash. Chas and I smiled at each other when the flash fired. We watched a bull try to keep his hareem together--bugling encouragement to the wayward cow to stay with everyone else. Even watch what looked to us as a yearling male try to get some "action" while the dominate bull was occupied elsewhere. He was promptly chased off with a couple loud calls from the big male.

Probably the neatest thing of the day were the Magpies landing on the elk. From a distance the birds looked to be doing good things for our subject elk. Upon further review of our images--thanks to digital technology--the birds were actully pinching the hell out of the subjects--Owwww! Actually, I only saw this happen to one female and she definitely didn't like having any birds on her back. It was interesting watching the interaction.

Tomorrow, we get a real feel for the park and where to go for the Shoot the Light workshop.

Until then,

Cheers

Tom