photography, random thought, travel, writing

vermejo again

i was lucky enough to be invited back to vermejo last week for another shoot.

_MG_0033AS

_MG_0039AS

_MG_0093AS

_MG_9991AS

the hummingbirds were very social.

_MG_0240AS

_MG_0292AS

_MG_0296AS

_MG_0819AS

_MG_0921AS

_MG_1044AS

_MG_1106AS

_MG_1410AS

_MG_1525AS

_MG_1712AS

_MG_1770AS

_MG_2003AS

there are a few groups of ferrel horses on the property.  they don’t call them wild because at some point they were broken and used by humans.  but they are now ferrel because they have been released and are free to roam the 600k acres.

i came across a group of about a dozen on the road down to the main lodge.  i stopped the car and stepped out to snap a few shots.  two of the horses came right up to me and began sniffing.  they gently rubbed their long faces against me.

i had no idea what was going on, but it seems these powerful, wild creatures wanted to be friends.  perhaps they missed the strange bond that horses and humans share.

_MG_2004AS

_MG_2005AS

_MG_2007AS

_MG_2014AS

_MG_2021AS

_MG_2025AS

_MG_2026AS

_MG_2029AS

one of them seemed interested in tasting my camera.

_MG_2032AS

i had a strong urge to hop up on one of their backs and see if they remembered what it was like to transport a human to and fro.  i decided against that idea.

it was really hard to get back in the car and leave my new friends…

_MG_2129AS

but i did.  after all, we had lots of great wine to drink…

_MG_2281AS

the next day, we set out for lower underwood lake to catch some trout.  i have never fly fished before, so i thought i’d give it a try…

_MG_2292AS

with the help of a fantastic guide, and a lot of luck, i got to land a 3 lb brown.  good looking fish!

_MG_2328AS

_MG_2334AS

_MG_2390AS

that afternoon, john and i headed for the streams.  fly fishing streams is a whole different game, and frankly, my confidence was high and i wanted to give that a shot as well.

the weather had different plans however.  the sky opened with reckless fury.  lightning and wind kept us from fishing the rest of the day.

_MG_2393AS

we set out at 6 a.m. the next morning to catch our flight out of amarillo.  on the way out of vermejo, we were treated to a spectacular sunrise.

_MG_2412AS

_MG_2414AS

_MG_2417AS

_MG_2428AS

_MG_2430AS

_MG_2432AS

a great last memory to hold in my mind of this amazing place…

i sincerely hope i have the opportunity to return, some day.

all images © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2009

Standard
photography, random thought, travel, writing

living the high life

this past week, my great friend John got married in napa, california.  it was hugely entertaining.

_MG_9840AS_1

_MG_9842AS_1

_MG_9868AS_1

_MG_9882AS_1

_MG_9885AS_1

the weekend started early with a friendly croquet match on thursday…

_MG_9909AS_1

then came the photo bomb contest.  a photo bomb is an interesting phenomenon in which someone, totally unrelated to and not invited in a posed picture, finds a way to intrude.  let the contest begin!

_MG_9921AS_1

_MG_9989AS_1

_MG_9992AS_1

_MG_9997AS_1

big Leo had some fun with Amy and Leah.

_MG_0007AS_1

photo bomb!

_MG_0041AS_1

_MG_0043AS_1

John knows his wine.  he frequently writes on the subject for books, magazines, and blogs.  we reaped the benefits of his superior knowledge with a weekend chalked full of fantastic tastings…

_MG_0048AS_1

_MG_0059AS_1

Amy enjoyed the outdoor photo booth.  perhaps a little too much.

_MG_0089AS_1

_MG_0092AS_1

_MG_0207AS_1

even the kids had a great time, playing in the sand traps of the surrounding golf course.

_MG_0236AS_1

John seemed truly happy.

_MG_0330AS_1

BD and Jaclyn too.

_MG_0419AS_1

_MG_0428AS_1

photo bomb!  that was a good one.

_MG_0493AS_1

the two Mike’s and their girlfriends Ashley and Kate.  John and i met the two Mike’s in telluride many summers ago.  some of my favorite people around.

_MG_0505AS_1

_MG_0509AS_1

_MG_0533AS_1

_MG_0549AS_1

_MG_0553AS_1

_MG_0555AS_1

Amy and Graham played models for me.  what a good looking couple!

_MG_0620AS_1

there’s that happy guy i’ve known and loved for so long!

_MG_0627AS_1

_MG_0636AS_1

_MG_0687AS_1

and what can you say… Tracie looks fantastic!

_MG_0760AS_1

_MG_0778AS_1

the first kiss as man and wife…

_MG_0792AS_1

the second kiss… not long after…

_MG_0822AS_1

_MG_0852AS_1

_MG_0863AS_1

Jaclyn and the B humored me with some fun shots at the reception.

_MG_0956AS_1

_MG_0958AS_1

great wine, great friends… it truly was a weekend to remember.

_MG_0968AS_1

i photo bombed my own picture…

all images © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2009



Standard