Our 3rd and 4th days we’re spent camping and canoeing through Santa Elena Canyon. This was a captivating experience and immediately I knew it wouldn’t be our last trip.

Canyon walls framed this star shot, cropping Orion at 3am

Light floods in over the walls and then in the next bend your floating in shadows. This presented it’s own challenges shooting with my Sony a6000 as I am using all old full manual Nikkor 25mm and 35mm prime lenses. These lenses are great for static shots, but with our boat moving and then our river partners boat moving it wasn’t easy to get the focus dialed. Thus, most of my “action” shots didn’t make it into this batch of photos. I do really enjoy the subtle cool whites these lenses achieve though, seen in the photograph below @ right corner.

My favorite co-pilot Michelle, steady’s the boat for a river portrait.

Our campsite for night 3, now bathed in morning light

Once the sun broke over the East canyon wall Kody jumped in for an invigorating morning bath

Our dry well, $15 bin, roof straps to secure & it’s the most convenient way to stow your gear.

Standing to stretch her legs, thanks for these 2 photos Kody Gibson

Each bend in the canyon offers a new cascade of light and shadow

Kody and Jenny worked together and steered their 1980’s Mohawk canoe through a bunch of fun Class I & II rapids

Scouting Rock Slide Rapid

The river walls are full of features torn into the canyon

At the canyon’s end, lines in the walls sending you out into the park.

One more entry of photographs to come, all detail shots from the trip! Check back shortly…