ShutterBug: Playing in the Snow....

ShutterBug: Playing in the Snow....: "...With my Camera of course! I have been trying for the past few months to get out and go on a nature photo shoot. Well, this past wee..."

Playing in the Snow....

...With my Camera of course!

I have been trying for the past few months to get out and go on a nature photo shoot.  Well, this past weekend I finally made this want a reality. So without further delay - here's the best I could come up with :)

 I packed up the car with Ryan and Kooper and headed out to Ensign Peak.  This has been one our favorite places to hike since we moved here and this was our first time hiking up it in the snow - we had a blast! I have to say though, I think Kooper enjoyed it more than we did. You will see some proof in the following shots.

With the temperature in SLC not going above 26 in the past 2 weeks, I was so excited to find such a bold red in our winter wonderland.  These berries were still available for the many deer that live on and near Ensign Peak.  They photograph beautifully too!

 The park at Ensign has a trellis with vines growing up them and intertwining together making such a neat ceiling  to peer up though to the gorgeous blue sky.   

This dainty little vine was dangling in the breeze, I'm glad I was able to capture it without much blurriness.

I love icicles, especially when they are hanging from such delicate things such as this pretty golden leaf.

This has been a favorite of those whose opinions matter most to me.  It was a quick shot and after I took it I remember saying to myself - "that one is not going to turn out!"  I love it though.

More lovely reds covered in crisp white snow. 

I love this shot.  I was so excited about it as soon as I snapped it.  

The path leading to an amazing view... a bit treacherous for those of us looking through a viewfinder the whole way up!

What a pretty boy!  And such a good sport.  He wanted to run and jump though the snow (see next photo), but to appease me he sat for a full minute, butt in the snow, so I could capture some Kooper memories!

This is Kooper at his finest on a snow day! Man he loves it.  It is so much fun to watch him bounding through the snow, up and down the mountain, so excited to explore, but also wanting us to experience it with him.  Such a thoughtful dog.

I think one of my favorite things about snow is how when it fall it stays just about anywhere, even on thin tree branches.  Even with the sun out, shinning down on it on those branches, it didn't budge.

Caught Ryan's favorite bird flying away from us, look at those beautiful wings!

Underbrush...covered in snow!

Almost to the top of the peak!

Koop watching his daddy almost slip off the icy rock, ready to go save him if needed.

I don't know why, but these fences on the mountain intrigue me...

What a gorgeous blue sky, especially against the stark white snow.

Here's the monument at the top of the peak

And here's the sign that Ryan ignores every time we go up there.

My finger messed up this shot - but i still love - and I will be photo shopping it as soon as I am able!!!

A small mound of snow resting on an old tree branch.

It's amazing when you hovel snow how heavy to is, but when leaves and other winter foliage are holding snow it seems so weightless.

This was a 'off the cuff' shot on our way for lunch after Ensign Peak.  I had not yet used the tungsten light white balance on my camera yet, so I thought I'd give a whirl.

SMASHBURGER! It was delicious.  Spicy Baja urger with Fried Pickles - YUM.

I had so much fun with this shoot! I am so thankful that I have direction and field exercises from the book Ryan bought me for Christmas, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.  

Thanks for viewing!