The strip, a photo from Utah, West

Photographer's Note

I never dreamt that I would ever land in Moab (or Canyonlands Airport to be precise) but rather stay higher up in Colorado’s mountain world. While other people go hiking, I usually spend many hours of my vacation at airports, help deciding if the weather allows us to go flying, watch airplanes come and go or experience the excitement of a thunderstorm we have just flown around. But I am also the decision maker when it comes to choosing where to land! Benno planned to do some high altitude flying while in Colorado, seeing what thin air does to your body but also to your aircraft. So the first step was to change from a Cessna 172 to a stronger engine which again meant for him to take lessons. The renter also wanted to do him at least 10 hours with an instructor for insurance reasons. I guess this was a wise decision. Without Dan we would have never seen as much as we did: We landed in Aspen (a lot of radio talking there with plenty of plain language speaking which we are not so much familiar with), we “did” Telluride (you can’t see the airstrip for a long long time, the approach goes around a mountain) and mountain passes we probably would have never found. He was a wonderful source of knowledge. I guess he knew the names of all the mountains in the area but also made us aware what is going on in Colorado and how much pressure is around to keep the environment in tact before everything is ripped apart by mining or energy companies (molybdenum where Dan lives which means new roads to access the mines, polluting rivers etc. etc.). Yes it works, being a pilot and being hired by an environmental group as Dan is … but this is another story I certainly will come back to.

When Dan pointed out that we could go to Moab, I felt like a little girl before Christmas and we decided that it was a must go and not so far from home base actually, not even a one hour flight. One early morning, before the sun got too hot and no thunder storms were in the area yet (most summer afternoons they would be around somewhere), we left the higher grounds and headed via Utah. The change of scenery was tremendous and the closer we came the more canyon land was below us going from red to sand colors … so so beautiful. I got nasty looks from Dan because I was not wearing my seatbelt (he did not know about TE). Before landing we over-flew the airstrip as you always do on not controlled airfields, checking the wind sock and listening carefully to the radio if no other aircraft was in the way. Stepping out of the Cessna we felt a hot desert wind blowing into our faces … and boy it felt so good. People drive or fly to Moab to visit Arches or Canyonland Nationalpark.

Since I was sitting in the back seat, I was not including the wing a lot although it might make more interesting photos. Somehow it felt strange to see the wing from the back but on the other hand this was the way it was and I might post one with.

I always find it difficult to choose what to post for TE. Is it just "another" vacation picture that has a special meaning for me, or is it something that others would enjoy as well ... so I start with this as this is part of my life for so many years meanwhile.

tigra, avene, dolin, dospordostres, IgorDeleze, JorgeCK, euryan, dino94, sebinho342, feather, vincz, gunbud, dlevy23, Photo65Net, gary91, pboehringer, JPlumb, vinicio, chicken, vascao, jrj, plimrn, macondo, niknik, jmdaoudal, Angshu, abulafia, fulvio52, mirarer, jvachon marcou esta nota como útil

Critiques | Translate

tigra (2968) 2007-07-09 11:06

Hello Barbara
A flight on Cessna with my friend was one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life!
Nice capture from this POV:)
Katia

avene (12675) 2007-07-09 11:09

beautiful minimalistic composition, I love the pastel colours interrupted by the dark strip. and the tiny plane gives such a great feeling of wide open space. great shot, and definetly worth sharing on TE.
best,
Kristine

xavshot (69835) 2007-07-09 11:57

Bonsoir Barbara,
j'apprécie ce graphisme minimaliste et ce POV qui domine la scène. Excellentes couleurs également.
Xavier

dolin (7369) 2007-07-09 12:04

Hi Barabara.
Assez folle cette vue.
Le parallèlisme au sol est génial, ces lignes en angle ca donne un sacré effet.
Et puis cette piste noir qui contraste là au centre, au milieu de ces tons beiges....c'est parfait.
Bravo
Fred

IgorDeleze (585) 2007-07-10 3:29

Hello Barbara,
It's nice to see your are comming back to TE. And with a nice aerial graphic picture.
I don't have taken the Inari air taxi ... But you done it and it's a pleasure to see the result... What you write on my picture is truly right also in yours. The smal plane on the taxiway adds a good scalling in this nice shot.
Greetings.
Igor

euryan (8442) 2007-07-10 16:26

I like the simple graphic composition. This is a very different view of Moab. I really liked the story that accompanied it too. You must have tones of fun seeing the world from the air.
Stay safe,
Ryan

dino94 (822) 2007-07-13 3:02

Hello Barbara,

Very beautiful set of parallel bands, I would have perhaps pushed a little more the slope of the bands until 45°. What I appreciate also much in this image it is the black ribbon of road which is intercalated in the medium of the various strips of land ochre.

Very beautiful composition, best regards, Dino.

sebinho342 (19329) 2007-07-13 5:36

Hi Barbara, this is the best note i've read for a long time here on TE, we are almost with you, wearing and locking seat belt (which was not your case), checking level of pressure in the air, and vamos for the ride ... uh i didn't know you were that much implyed and passionate in flight, so particular passion ... and this marries so well with photogrpahy.
I do love this picture and after reading your note this gives another dimension to this shot, for than a shot : a story
Excellent :))

feather (51130) 2007-07-13 6:54

A good minimal but graphic composition accompanied with an excellent note. I like the tiny plane that gives the scale of the image. Well done
Kath

vincz (19113) 2007-07-14 3:01

I like very much the geometry and the tones here. Great note!

jinju (14265) 2007-07-15 20:26

An efective minimalist compositoon. Lines, color....this is very good Barbara.

PJE (20758) 2007-07-16 7:54

Barbara upon opening the photo I noticed the viewpoint and wonderful framing composition you have captured here. Its always nice to be at the right place in the plane and when the plane tips to one side to allow this kind of photo. Good shot just like others in your gallery.

gunbud (34066) 2007-07-16 8:24

Hi Barbara,
Dramatic capture of this dessert airstripe with its impressive lines and the bit of dust landing on the barren runway.
Regards, Tom

dlevy23 (2018) 2007-07-17 6:30

Great photo, nice composition, putting the runway in a diagonal.
Excellent POV!!!

Daniel

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-07-17 9:59

Barbara,
A picture I like a lot.
The image is very graphic, with pleasant contrasts... Beautiful !
Regards,
JB.

hay_kes (31439) 2007-07-17 14:04

Hi Barbara,
What an impressive capture.Superb POV, colours and graphism.Well composed.TFS.
Cheers!

hAyAti

Nicou (193806) 2007-07-19 23:57

Hello,

très belle imagne, mangifgique graphise pour cette belle image, le cadrage est parfiat et la piste noir ressort très bien, superbe

Bravo et belle journée

Nicou

ifanik (21679) 2007-07-20 6:56

Hi Barbara and thank you
Beautiful picture
I see that you like the photos from the air just like me
This is very nice
regards from Greece

Stepan (27210) 2007-07-22 1:07

Beautiful abstract land-compo. The lines make it graphic, the plane (very useful) produces the scale, the light is cool... Well, that's simply really well done.
Stéphane

gary91 (15348) 2007-07-24 15:24

Hello Barbara,
This is a very bright minimalist composition. These experiences on small planes like this remind me of a lot of bizarre souvenirs...
Well done;
Have a nice evening.
Best regards, Christian

pboehringer (770) 2007-07-26 14:21

There are several strips in the US and certainly one of the most famous one is the Las Vegas strip. However, you found a much better one - the Moab strip. It looks fantastic! I didn't know that you were coming back to the US and next time I want to know it - I will get there and take pictures of the "Little Princess" in her airplane and I will be the fox waiting for the landing and be visited.
I don't miss the wing at all. I think it would interfere with the image a lot.

JPlumb (3159) 2007-07-27 4:08

Hi Barbara, this is a great fly-by shot of the air strip. You don't see them quite like this when you are a passenger in a jet. The composition is good with the angled view. The smaller plane on the runway adds great interest. Great notes.

Thanks, John

vinicio (23423) 2007-07-27 4:55

A nice graphic image that have also beautiful soft pastel colors and nice and interesting view from the high, the small airplane into this largeness is amazing, good idea Brabara, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

danyy (0) 2007-08-02 12:21

Bonjour Barbara,
c'est très graphique et pris dans une netteté sans faille.
L'angle que font les droites au sol est parfait.
La photo est tellement nette que l'on voit toutes ces traces de roues dans le sable ou la terre.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

vascao (192) 2007-08-05 17:21

Hi, Barbara
A strong graphical component here. Nice diagonals and superb colors, with lots of details. Fine work, really eye-catching.
Regards and TFS. And thanks for your comments about my previous post, largely appreciated.
Sergio

jrj (34843) 2007-08-08 1:56

Simple details in this bird persepctive capture of the small strip in the dry land B. Good use of the format and diagonal of the strip. The little plane included also of importance for the total result

jaywalker (16105) 2007-08-09 14:18

Hi Barbara, Simple but beautifully graphic, the angled line cutting the shot in two, with others parallel to it across the photo, your POV shows this up perfectly, excellent light & the little plane is a great finishing touch, kind regards Wilson.

rajhema (1873) 2007-08-09 16:54

A powerful story behind a strip. Wonderful presentation Barbara.
TFS
Rajesh

macondo (20449) 2007-08-11 7:37

Greetings Barbara. Having been up last week in a long flight in a light plane (Piper Seminole) piloted by a friend, I can appreciate this photo and identify with it. None of my photos turned out very well because of the bad weather and dirty windows, unlike this sharp and well composed/cropped shot. It's a nice graphical image broken by the single tiny plane, so sharply captured. I liked the notes too.
Regards,
Andrew

jmdaoudal (82) 2007-08-21 1:21

Hello Barbara,
your portfolio is offering very good pictures composed to offer clean picture with few but strong elements;
This "graphic" one is well balanced, readable.
Thank you for the story in the note.
Jean Michel

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-08-23 4:59

Hi Barbara, i like this composition and the green line in the middle of the yellow...
again a bird view!
ciao!
Valeria

darrasin (2860) 2007-08-30 21:55

Hello Barbara! This one is of course wonderful and is both a great image on it's own merits and a great vacation photo at the same time. Wonderful note too. The numerous vertical lines compliment the main ribbon and make it an aerial artwork. Well done!

TFS
Doug

abulafia (4900) 2007-09-08 9:54

Hi Barbara
You are pretty lucky to be able to fly around that way.
I like the view with the straight lines and the small plane.
Nice shot
Harry

Angshu (56760) 2007-09-08 21:45

Hello Barbara,
This is an excellent minimal and graphic composition...loved reading your note. The contrast with the road and the surroundings makes this attractive. The small plane gives the scale of the image. This is good work!
Regards
Angshu

inuit66 (663) 2007-09-18 11:58

Hi Barbara. Nice symmetri and a very well composed motive. Good calm colors and tones. The black runway brakes up the scene and gives good contrast. Well seen and good work. Take care, Jens :-)

smarcell (19965) 2007-09-30 3:27

Hello Barbara, I enjoyed your mountain view gallery. I am impreseed by this picture, which is different, and very interesting, althought made out of few simple ingrediente. Very well composed.

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-10-14 9:01

Wonderful minimal shot, Barbara.
Excellent clarity,lovely soft colors, and that little plane gives extra sense of scale to the composition.
Great note too!
Ciao,
Fulvio.

fryz (1735) 2007-10-24 11:22

good composition with there lines
you're a ballon passionate?
See you soon Barbara and thank you very much for your message
Vincent depuis Grenoble au pied des Alpes ;)

brandstaetter (15915) 2007-10-27 12:26

Hallo Barbara,

so viele schöne Photos in Deiner Gallerie... habe die Qual der Wahl. Hier gefällt mir alles, die Diagonalen, der Grössenvergleich mit dem Flugzeug, die Farben...
Kompliment ! Auch für die anderen.
Grüezi, Christian
PS: Fliegen ist ein Traum.. könnte stundenlang aus dem Fenster schauen.

mirarer (4751) 2007-12-24 9:38

Hi Barbara,
I love aerial pictures and this is very special, graphic and really nice whith this black strip in the middle of the ochre lands. Beautiful compo.
Best wishes and happy Christmas for you.
Mirari.

woozbman (368) 2007-12-26 17:37

Hi Barbara,
Beautiful colors and lines here. The plane adds another point of interest. Not much I have to say here; the picture speaks for itself. TFS.
Lamberto

difty93 (545) 2008-01-27 5:14

Hi Barbara,
wow....what a wonderful picture!
with great colours...
well done and happy 2008!!
PS:Sorry...I don't speak english....

Vivi

MarcT (20964) 2008-01-31 12:20

Hallo Barbara,
Ein wunderschönes und doch nicht so einfaches Bild...
Well composed, soft, based on a few lines in the desert.
Well done
Cheers
Marc

goodwill (4274) 2008-08-06 8:44

HI Barbara,
Your decision to clcik this shot at the right time, shows your precsion in your work also.
You createda beautiful shot...a cracking beauty.
The shot from the top fascinate me.........but this has gone all above the others.
why not then to my list of favourites.........

Regards,
R

jvachon (548) 2008-08-07 8:56

hello Barbara,
What a great story to your note. And what a way to see the countryside. You are very fortunate. One summer I spent time riding around the Front Range of Colorado in a helicopter.Great way to see the landscape.
A very nice graphic shot here with the lines of pastels and dark colours of the strip.
Well done,
Joni

Photo Information

Copyright: Barbara Kehl (baba_flies) (8829)
Genre: Lugares
Medium: Cor
Date Taken: 2007-06-10
Categories: Natureza, Transportes
Camera: Nikon D70 DSLR, Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED, Circular Polarizing
Exposição: f/9.0, 1/320 segundos
Versão da Foto: Versão Original
Tema(s): Looking down, Stripes [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-09 10:52
Favoritos: 1 [ver]

Viewed: 3117

Points: 88

Discussions

To pboehringer: The crown ... (1)
by baba_flies, last updated 2007-07-27 08:36
To fryz: Taken from a Cessna ... (1)
by baba_flies, last updated 2007-10-24 11:33
To difty93: Your English is good :)))) (1)
by baba_flies, last updated 2008-01-27 06:07

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Additional Photos by Barbara Kehl (baba_flies) (8829)

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::: The strip by baba_flies (8829)

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Additional Photos by Barbara Kehl (baba_flies) (8829)

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