Image taken in Rapid City, South Dakota on July 4th, 2018.
A gorgeous but poisonous southwestern plant...
that expresses enormous white blossoms larger than the palm of your hands, sacred datura is sometimes used as a narcotic and hallucinogen by Native Americans.
Sacred datura (Datura wrightii) in Lions Park.
Jimson Weed, oil on linen by Georgia O’Keeffe, 1936. Image courtesy Indianapolis Museum of Art.
A unique and engaging local character...
has shuffled off this mortal coil, when, sadly, creative narrative poet and rock art expert Rory Tyler passed away at home in Castleton, Utah last Friday. Close friends are gathering with Rory’s brother in order to determine how to preserve his on-going academic work on local rock art and to honor his legacy.
Rory Paul Tyler, 1950 - 2025, RIP.
Standing at the vanguard...
of our bucolic high desert community, Smokey the Bear wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a safe holiday season. We are all very grateful and sleep better at night knowing that Smokey is tirelessly on the job.
While the elves toil away...
in the workshop, the boss hits the trail for a hike on a spectacularly nice day. Busy season is just about to start. Ho ho ho.
Huge heaps of praise...
go to the Grand County Road Department for a job well done eradicating graffiti on the Castleton Road bridge over Castle Creek earlier this year. I alerted them to the offensive tagging in May via email, and much to my surprise the director responded within hours asking for more information. He additionally followed up with another email in July informing me that the graffiti had been painted over. On behalf of all Castle Valley residents that enjoy this beautiful place, THANKS!
May 2023
September 2023
A quick re-shoot...
was necessary for the final edit of a video volume of original narrative poetry by local Rory Tyler. We got out early this morning in the cool soft light of dawn in Castle Valley.
Volume 1 of original cowboy poetry...
by Rory Tyler is nearly finished in production, where we recorded his last poem this morning in Castleton, Utah. The collection of Rory’s stories will be posted on YouTube and I’ll provide a link when they are available. Good stuff.
The snaggletoothed cowboy poet...
of Castleton, Utah, reciting some of his work as I shoot a test video this morning. I will be working with local poet Rory Tyler, shooting several hours of him reciting his poetry, and posting clips on YouTube. Stay tuned, it's wonderful stuff.
Rory Tyler, rock art guru and cowboy poet.
The view from Rory’s porch. Inspiring.