The Highwayman

abraxas · Dec 2, 2007

The banditos would hide their horses in the clefts in the formation, climb to the top, and keep a lookout- They could see for 20 miles in each direction. The stage would approach, and they would move dustlessly into a deep and shadowy arroyo, then lie in wait.

Vasquez, the 'Gentleman', would politely rob them all. But one man refused to give up his watch, a gift from his since departed wife. Vasquez left him with his watch, a gold piece, and his condolence. Once a rich man carried only $200 for him to steal. Vasquez sternly warned him to bring him more next time or he would be a dead rich man.

Tiburcio Vasquez, the last 'Californio', was eventually hanged for a murder he did not commit. He died a young man, but the legend of the Robber's Roost remains.

Antithesis · Dec 2, 2007

That's quite an interesting story and adds a lot to the picture.

Roger · Dec 3, 2007

lovely light and strong composition...good story too!

abraxas · Dec 3, 2007

Antithesis said:
That's quite an interesting story and adds a lot to the picture.

Roger said:
lovely light and strong composition...good story too!

Thanks Antithesis & Roger. Your comments are appreciated.

Battou · Dec 3, 2007

With out the story I would not have understood that at all. Very nice

The Empress · Dec 3, 2007

I love all of the layers of color and shadow, story def adds to it

abraxas · Dec 4, 2007

Thanks everyone. This is one of those shots that work best with an explanation of what it is. I think that's more because the environment is so alien to many. It is a somewhat historic site as well as an interesting geologic formation.

I had arrived at the 'Roost' about an hour before sunrise. I wanted to get up closer, but the maze of roads leading to the rocks was undecipherable winding and dropping through the canyons and washes in the dark. At one point I put the truck in 4 wheel drive to scramble up a hill. I hit the gas and climbed right up and was glad I stopped at the top because the road ended and a 50-60 foot drop was the only way forward. Backing down a steep road is unnerving but preferrable to falling forward.

I went back the way I came in and stopped about 1/2 mile from where I left the paved road. The temperature was probably about 34f, just a bit above freezing. I had to hike a couple hundred yards from the truck to the positions I wanted to try. I set up and waited about 20 minutes for the sky to lighten up. I left my gloves in the truck. I could have walked back and got them, but the profile of the area was unfamiliar to me and I wasn't sure exactly when the sun would crack on the top of the peak. I wasn't willing to take the chance on missing it. The lighting only lasts for a few seconds.

This is from the first series of shots- the light didn't 'crack' like I wanted. The foreground lightened up first and the rocks went kind of ambient (the horizon was about 20 miles away).

The first shot I posted pretty much matched the way I've seen it in my head though, and I'm very happy about that.