Flat light, drizzling rain and Red Reock Coulee

[Matt K.]

On my recent trip to Red Rock Coulee I wondered why it was not called "Mud Slip Coulee"? The surface of the ground, familiar to me as hard and brittle, had transformed into something entirely different, due to the drenching rains. Walking to get a nice angle was damn near impossible unless one stuck to the grass and shrubs on the ground to walk on, since the rest of the area was 'infested' with ankle deep mud, very very slippery mud, optically very confusing since it did look solid enough to venture onto it (given the pebbles and somewhat larger stones which did not seem to sink in at all). This, and the fact that the rain was relentless and would not stop, temperature was hovering around 8°C, a nice driving wind made me think what the dickens I was doing out there (by the way, I was the only person there, no one else had the will or inclination to go there in such weather). Do not most photographers take pictures in nice dry situations, without the elements playing a nasty role in the activity? Then it occurred to me: it is easy to do that, but not so easy to shoot when one is faced with these obstacles. So I froze my hind quarters off and continued on.

[Runmonty]

The nice thing about this light is the richness of colour. The wet ground also adds interest for me

I appreciate you enduring the discomfort to bring these to us. I bet you felt better for walk and enduring the elements too (after the event anyway)

[Iguanasan]

It's the intrepid photographer that braves such difficulties who gets the really unique and interesting shots because they dare go where no one else will. Good on ya for sticking it out. Number 3 is my favourite here with that hint of a hill way in the background making it seem like this place goes on forever.

[Matt K.]

Thanks Iggy and Runmonty for your kind words. Not sure if I would want to do this again, but one never knows ....