Tempe Town Lake - Planes, Trains and Automobiles (or paddle boats)

Sometimes you don't have to go very far to experience something new - and very cool!  After stumbling across this aviation photography website based here in Phoenix, and some time to kill due to our daughter attending softball camp in Tempe this week, we headed out to Tempe Town Lake.  Tempe is just southeast of Phoenix and the home of ASU.  We took a stroll around the lake, stopping to shoot a few photos of the sunset and some landing planes.

bridge at sunset (11-16mm Tokina ultra wide)

The lake was man made in 1999.  The computer controlled dams are actually rubber inflated tubes.  They maintain an air pressure of 6 pounds per inch.  Back in July of 2010, one of the dams on the west end burst, releasing 15,000 cubic feet of water - per second.

The phoenix light rail passes over it's own bridge.  (cell phone)

 While we were there we watched people catch carp, and a few bass.  The lake is stocked with trout from November to February.  All motor boats are required to have a four stroke marine engine.

Pedestrian Bridge, west end (11-16mm Tokina ultra wide)

There's a small boat rental facility where you can rent paddle boats and kayaks for about $15 an hour.  Even at 100+ degree temperatures, the sunset from the middle of the lake was very nice!

cell phone photo of a sunset

 Thanks to PhxSpotters, and aviation photography website for posting spots to view and photograph aircraft all over the valley.  What a cool website!

Nikon 70-300 mm @ 300mm, cropped (and metered for the sun).

So grab your camera and get out there - in your own backyard! You may just end up with some fun shots.

Esther Wilkins/Colgate Award Party

A few photos from an event I shot last night at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.  This was one of many dental hygiene groups that's in Phoenix right now for a huge convention.  Lots of smiling white teeth!

I used a 35mm 1.8 for the tight shots

As usual, the Hyatt staff pulled off an amazing event.  The party went of without a hitch and the attendees were super impressed with the hotel and the ballroom.

Close ups were shot with a 70-300mm.

For wide angle shots, I used my Tokina 11-16 which I absolutely love.

 Thanks again to Ken and Danielle @ Belmont Publications!

Phoenix in bloom

This is the time of year in Phoenix when it starts to get really HOT.  Fortunately its also when some of the desert plants really bloom - check out these sage bushes and oleanders right in our front yard.  Who says you have to travel to get cool shots?