I like to work quiet places with few people. I avoid well-traveled locations; however, one must make exceptions for our spectacular canyons. (Above)

No matter where I set up to photograph, passersby stare at me. I get a typical question from the gregarious personalities (usually a woman over 30 years): “What are you taking a picture of?”

Folks are puzzled because I am pointing in the wrong direction, or because I have raised my camera right in front of a tree, way too close for a clean picture of the Grand Canyon.

“Taking pictures of trees,” I say.

“Is there a bird?”

“No, no bird.”

Oh,” she will say.

And there the conversation normally ends — with no further curious inquiries.