Of Moonroofs and Mountain Goats

Well, Bighorn Sheep if not actual mountain goats.

Every now and again, I come across an indispensible photographic accessory where I least expect it. Who knew it was right above me all the time?

Rikk pauses for a self-portrait during a sunrise shoot

Last year-before gas hit three dollars a gallon-I acquired a Toyota Prius to be the main mode of transport for my photographic endeavors. It is quiet. I can sneak up on wildlife with its electrics and get much closer than my Grand Marquis ever could. It is small. I can grab anything out of the backseat from the driver’s seat. That is handy when you shoot as many cameras as I do. It is also economical. I can travel to destinations much more cheaply-regardless of the current gas price. Oh, and it has a moonroof too.

Seeing the rest of the world through the moonroof 

As you know, I have been serving as Artist in Residence at Badlands National Park these past few weeks.  I discovered that an entire world happens at above roof-line windshield view. On a lark, I opened my moonroof cover one day and was astonished to find that many things of wonder were hidden just out of view overhead.  Suddenly, hawks, owls and eagles unseen were soaring right above me.  It turns out there are Bighorn Sheep on the slopes just above windshield view too.  Driving around with the moonroof uncovered opened many more photographic possibilities. Sure, a convertible would be better but not in winter!

A ram I might have missed

Today it is sheep in the Badlands, tomorrow it may be a Bald Eagle in a road-side tree on the North Shore. Next week, it might be a window washer dangling from a high-rise building.  How many photographic opportunities simply pass unnoticed because of the enclosures in which we’ve placed ourselves? If you can’t get out and walk around, at least look out the windows-all of them.

Rikk Flohr © 2008

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