Five years ago a good friend drew a coveted sheep tag for one of the remotest locations in the lower 48. Deep in the heart of the Absoraka range in west central Wyoming, the country is rugged, steep and inaccessible except through miles of backpacking or horse packing. I accompanied him once that year and fell in love with the views. We've been back every year since in what has become an annual test of strength, endurance and overall physical fitness. It is a love/hate relationship as I love the views and the sense of accomplishment after climbing the next 11,000'+ ridge, but my body hates the non stop stair climbing of over 3000'+ vertical feet to achieve such.
After finishing a busy month of June filled with weddings, I looked forward with great anticipation to this trip. Laden with 40 pounds of backpacking gear and 20 additional pounds of photo equipment, we (myself and 3 others) began our trip on July 18th, my birthday. It was a great present to myself.
A great sense of awe fills me with wonder as I stand atop some ridges, watching grizzly bears work shale slopes for moths (they eat as many as 40,000 a day at 1/2 calorie per moth), observing huge herds of elk (200+) swarm across distant grassy meadows, pondering wolf tracks the size of saucers stamped into muddy trails and glimpsing Bighorn sheep tight roping across sheer rock faces, defying both logic and gravity. I watch it all and marvel, for despite some doubters who put great faith in unintelligent life and its ability to evolve into such distinct and diverse life forms from nothing, I choose to believe in a much greater, much more intelligent designer. Only God could design such intricacy and grandeur. His signature can easily be seen in these images of His creation below.
I took Peter & Maggie's engagement photos last fall on the Widener ranch here in Sheridan County. At that time it was fun to get to know both Peter and his mother, Lucy. I knew Maggie previously as I have taught English with her mother for 12 years at Sheridan Junior High. I'll admit that I felt a touch of pressure with this wedding. Not only are both families well known and the attendance would be huge, I also didn't want to disappoint my friends.
As it was, I showed up for the rehearsal Friday evening, and by the time I left the reception at 11:15 Saturday evening, I had recorded 3383 images of an incredible celebration of their love.
I am so grateful the weather cooperated. In fact, it threw a curve ball that turned amazing. Contrary to the forecast, much of the day featured heavy overcast. I love clouds for natural diffused light, but it looked like it might even be gloomy. As it was, God parted the clouds just in time for the images to begin, and for the duration of the pre- through post ceremony images, the light was perfect. I would describe the lighting for the final formal images as truly magical.
Rather than describe them to you, let me just share some of their images instead so you can see for yourself.
Sisters!
Proud Mother!
Proud Papa!
