Camping on this Mesa is what dreams are made of, as one drifts off under stars of the Milky Way. “With absolutely no city lights, the number of stars that can be seen gives the appearance that the sky is actually white in color.” The charm of this experience is enhanced by enjoyment of a fresh steak dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Navajo guides. Imagine the tastes, coupled with the smell of a wood fire. Feel the history, as told though the legends of the Indians.

Emerge from sleeping under the stars in a 35 degree night and be “driven to a sunrise location in the pitch dark to watch the light provide dimension and definition to the monuments below.” Feel refreshed when the sun gets high, with fresh coffee and outdoor breakfast waiting.

“Four wheeling” up and back is not for the faint of heart, as at times, the road totally disappears, leaving only rock faces or sand dunes. Less than 400 people make this trip each year. “It’s more than just a photo tour, it’s an experience.”

###

Russell Burden is a well-known nature and wildlife shooter, with an additional focus on portraits, weddings, and pets. He leads photo tours to various parts of the country and teaches composition, lighting, and “how to look for a great photo.” Russell is a frequent contributor to Petersen's Photographic magazine—he just won the Backyard Habitat Division—and was Highly Honored in the Digital Imaging Division of Nature's Best Magazine International contest.

Honored for creating the “Millionth” image uploaded onto www.indexstock.com, Russell claims: “The shot chosen of my son was made as I saw him develop an interest in the garden hose. He's actually ‘watering’ a newly planted dwarf maple in our backyard. My wife and I dressed him in primary colors that would contrast against the background, which is out of focus grass. I shot the image with a 200mm lens wide open, to make sure the background would be soft. I used fill flash to add light to the shadow side of his face. The fact that he stuck out his tongue, and the drop of water appeared, was serendipitous and lasted an instant when I clicked the shutter and captured the moment.”