I had the great privilege of staying at Bear Bend overnight recently. This cabin was Sam Houston’s bear hunting cabin for some time. Sam Houston University is beginning to move the General’s cabin and several other historical cabins from their secluded piney environment to the campus this week.

Many and much thanks to Denton Florian for having me out to photograph these last images of the cabins in their natural locations. Denton is completing a documentary of the life of Sam Houston. Visit the Sam Houston Project for more information.

Denton, Grayson and I getting a last shot in

ƒ/5 at 1/160 sec ISO 500

ƒ/2 at 1/640 sec ISO 400

ƒ/1.8 at 1/1600 ISO 400

ƒ/2 at 1/400 ISO 200

Bear Bend under the stars

Power lines have always found a way to be in my shot. It’s the proverbial thorn in my side. Nothing like a great landscape – natural and surreal – and there is a 50ft metal frame with wires connecting it to yet another metal tower.

I figured, if its always there, perhaps I should just shoot it. Make it the focus.

Maybe it will make some sort of statement….. I think there might be a project in the works here.

ƒ3.5 at 1/1600 sec ISO 250

ƒ1.6 at 1/5000 sec ISO 250

A few shots from a recent trip to the land of enchantment. I stuck to my new 50mm lens to get a different feel of places I visit often.

1. Big Springs Rail Yard - One of those places that I’ve always stared at as I passed by, never stopped. In the early morning snow and fog, I tried to find the lines and textures that made me stare at it every time.

ƒ/4 at 1/800 sec ISO 1250

2. White Sands – Tried to shoot a different aspect of the sands than I usually do. Got down on my belly and shot tight, tried shallower DOF, etc. – something that I usually oppose while at White Sands.

ƒ/2.8 at 1/320 sec ISO 200

ƒ/3.5 at 1/4000 ISO 200

ƒ/3.5 at 1/3200 sec ISO 200

3. Loretto -  A very small place in the Loretto church in Santa Fe, I have overlooked its simplicity from the overshadowing immaculate staircase.

ƒ/2 at 1/160 ISO 100

4. Ed Larson – One of my favorite artists to chat with when I’m on canyon road.

ƒ/1.8 at 1/100 sec ISO 1250