I haven't been posting much primarily because there hasn't been much photography or exploring going on of late. Things have been a bit topsy-turvy with one major change taking place in my life: As of last Friday I am no longer a volunteer here in the park. Not to worry, I'm still here, it is just that I am now a Park Ranger - they're paying me for my work! While it is only a temporary position (as a replacement for another ranger who left for a job with the BLM), it is a great opportunity that also brings with it more working hours and added responsibilities. And I get to wear the "Ranger Hat" (my uniforms should arrive today; maybe we'll post a pic sometime in the future of me all decked out).

One of my new tasks is leading "Rim Walks" on some afternoons where I take park visitors on a hike along the Rim Trail (from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point) and talk about the park's geology as well as the flora and fauna. Friday will be my first two 1/2-hour "Geology Talks" (which I am cramming for now - I'm a bird guy not a rock guy!) and I am also reworking my program "Beautiful Nature" for an additional evening program to add to my repertoire. Once I am finished with all of that I will probably move on to putting together an evening program about the Moon (astronomy being a side interest of mine).

Things should begin to settle down a little next week and I'll be able to once again start squeezing in some shooting on my days off. One can hope anyway.