Mr. Quigley Photography

New Website from Mr. Quigley Photography

2011-12-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

We have launched a new website here at Mr. Quigley Photography.com.

Bradshaw Mountains.com
http://bradshawmountains.com/index.htm

Mark and his family live in these mountains, and he has photographed and worked in this beautiful mountain range for many years. Bradshaw Mountains.com has been a labor of love for Mark and his team.
Bradshaw Mountains.com will be under construction for quite a while, as we build it in between photography jobs. It will be a very large site, and house much information on northern AZ mountains, and of course photography.
The site will include unique areas to visit and explore in northern AZ, such as ghost towns, wildlife, lakes and many other locations. Check back often as we update the site. You can sign up for the monthly newsletter to receive information. Enjoy.

Phone Photography Tips... A new website from Mr Quigley Photography

2011-08-05T12:44:00.004-07:00

We have been experimenting with phone photography for quite a while and developed a new website with phone photography tips and other information. Droid Photo Life. Every day we load a new phone photograph to Droid Photo Life. Check it out.

Visit Mr. Quigley's Droid Photo Life site and be amazed at the quality of phone images!
http://droidphotography.blogspot.com/p/phone-photography-tips.html
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Robbing The Stage Coach...stage coach robberies

2010-11-20T22:24:00.012-07:00

Riding shotgun, here the stage gunner tries to
get a shot at the would be robbers.

Traveling by stagecoach during the late 1800's was equivalent to traveling on tour buses in today's world. It was the latest transportation technology. Only trains had it beat. Stage coach travel also presented many dangers to drivers and passengers. This came in the form of accidents (crashes) and hold ups or robberies. Although infrequent, sometimes passengers were killed.

Unlike Hollywood versions of stagecoach robberies the real ones occurred on foot rather than horseback. Special planning was given to the best place to commit such a robbery. Robbers would pick a spot where the stage was moving slowly usually up hill. They would hide their horses a fair distance away in case there were gunshots not wanting to scare off their horses. Here they would step out from behind desert trees usually armed with shotguns instead of handguns and stop the stage, sometimes firing warning shots. Sometimes an obstacle would be placed in the road thus requiring the driver to get out of his seat and move it.

Everything of value was taken from passengers
during robberies.

During the holdup everything of value was taken from passengers, personal effects, mail express, but most sought after were the Wells Fargo funds. Sometimes robbers took the horses that pulled stages using them to ride away on. To help stop stage robberies Wells Fargo and company assigned their own investigators to track down robbers. They were quite successful at it.

Especially desired was the Wells Fargo funds box.

In my research of Arizona stage coach robberies one area was preferred by these bad men. Just north of Lake Pleasant above the ghost town of Gillette was a very popular location. More robberies were committed here then anywhere else in Arizona.

To be specific for those of you that are interested in this area...Lake Pleasant Park to Bumble Bee, along the Old Black Canyon Stage Road...this old 4x4 stage road can still be followed today.

The area along the Black Canyon Stage Road.

One stagecoach robbery I researched at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, AZ, stated that three Mexicans on foot stopped the stage and suddenly began firing into the coach. On board was William Thomas a merchant of the now ghost town of Tip Top. After having been wounded several times, Thomas fell to the bottom of the coach and was attacked again by the robbers only this time with knives, severely cutting him. As they robbed the others Thomas tried to crawl away from coach into the desert but one of the robbers caught him and put a pistol to his head. Every one pleaded for him not to shoot. He didn't although Thomas later died from all his wounds. One of the robbers was later caught and hung for the crime.

Because stage coach robberies became so prevalent
and violent in Arizona the Governor enacted a law
that robbers were worth more dead then alive.

The term "riding shotgun" comes from the second man who sat beside the stage driver armed with a double barrel shotgun loaded with buckshot. This gunman was an attempt by stage companies to stop robberies of their coaches.

Stage robberies are a thing of the past now
and spring wild flowers grow silently along an old stage road.

Camera information
Canon 1D and 40D and first generation D30 cameras were used along with a 28 to 70, 70 to 200 and 10 to 22 lenses. These images were taken over the span of 10 years.

Mark Q.

New Book Release From Mr. Quigley Photography

2010-10-26T21:32:00.003-07:00

Well after 7 years of working on this big book project we have finally finished our huge fine art coffee table book on mounted shooting. Included within, are over 10 years of beautiful unique images that illustrate this unique sport. I write about the game from my perspective and describe the lifestyle.

We released it at the CMSA World Championship and it was a big hit. The book retails for 89.95 plus shipping and each one is autographed and numbered. The forward was written by Jim Rogers the founder of the sport.

Chapters include guns and gear, a good horse, playing the game, the match, the shot, and spectacular crashes at the end.

If you want a copy let us know.
Ride safe and shoot straight.
Mark

Capturing Desert Big Horn Sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) A photographic lesson

2010-07-25T21:07:00.013-07:00

Is this a Ovis canadensis mexicana?

Because of all the interest we had on a older blog post "To catch an Elk" I thought that once in a while I would write about capturing wildlife while working at my wildlife agency job.

By the way thank you for the comments and encouragement! You can see that post by visiting our older writings.

So how does one capture a big horn sheep alive if one needs to collect biological information from the animal? Sheep typically live in remote steep canyons.... Well it can be done safely. Capturing sheep is an interesting and well coordinated process involving several game wardens, handlers, biologists, gunners and finally pilots.

Recently I helped with such a task on the job. This project involved several days and resulted in the capture of many animals both male and female. We staged on the side of a deep canyon called Kanab Creek... just outside Grand Canyon Park along a canyon point. This by the way is the same creek that flows through Kanab UT only as it nears the Grand Canyon it becomes a deep hole in the ground. Big mule deer, chucker's and big horn sheep live here. Another interesting point about this canyon is if you have ever watched the western "The Outlaw Josey Wales" the ending scenes were shot in the bottom of this canyon.

OK back to our topic. The way this capture process works is the biologist’s stage on the side of a canyon and waits for the hunters to bring the captured sheep back to the staging area.

The hunters consist of a helicopter with 3 individuals usually game wardens trained in this process. An experienced pilot is needed because one needs to fly close to steep canyon walls where the sheep are. Got to watch those long twirling blades against canyon walls you know. Also on board is a net gunner who fires a net gun while the pilot chases the sheep. This gunner is strapped to the chopper but hangs precariously out on the skid trying to get a good shot. These are single shot rifles powered by a 308 rim fire cartridge that propel a net up to 30 to 40 yards. Takes a bit of practice to become proficient with one. The third person is called a mugger and they sit beside the pilot. Their job, once the animal is netted is to be safely dropped off, on a nearby ledge and work toward the netted animal, hobble and gather up the sheep and carry it back and load it onto to the hovering helicopter. Male sheep weigh 125-300 pounds so at times this can be a difficult process for a mugger. As you can guess this is dangerous and exciting work. All this work utilizes radio commutations to make the process as safe as possible for all.

Choppers search for sheep from different herds, capture the animal and return it to the waiting ground crew. The ground crew unloads the sheep from the chopper and begins to collect the biological info needed from each animal.

Another ground person carefully reloads the net gunner’s gun, for the next round. Sometimes first aid is provided to muggers as they have a possibility of getting kicked by sheep. By the way no drugs are used in this process.

Hold on boys and girls!

As soon as the biologists work is complete the sheep is quickly flown back to the herd that it came from, and released. If you are not a wear big horn sheep have strong necks and heads. Big horn sheep have a strong large muscle (hump) on the back of their necks that aid males to charge and hit each other during certain times of the year. Since no drugs are used a large male can be combative. It literally takes two strong handlers to hold the animal down while it is being worked on.

Mugger kicked by a sheep.

Impressive Big Horn Sheep Facts

During the fall rut a crashing sound can be heard for up to a mile in western desert canyons. If you are in such a canyon it echos off walls. Its one of the coolest canyon sounds there is! Its the sound of rams clashing horns to establish dominance and breeding rights. Rearing up on their hind legs, both rams charge full speed toward each other hitting heads thus using their horns as battering rams. Although this hit is done with considerable force both animals are seldom hurt because of skull construction and those massive neck muscles mentioned earlier that absorb the shock.
Bighorn sheep live an average of eight years, but can live up to 16-18 years.
Growth rings on a bighorn sheep’s horns can be used to determine their age.

Kanab Canyon

Camera lessons

I used Canon equipment for this work. The camera I worked with was a 40D with a Tamron 18 to 280 lens on it. For a couple of shots I used a Canon 10 to 22 and a 70 to 200L lens. I used a dust protecting filter on the front of the lens. This particular 40D is covered with body armor... thus cuts down on helicopter dust. I set the camera to 400 ISO most of the time since I varied the f-stop and didn’t have the time to quickly change ISO. I worked off Aperture priority which allowed me to quickly change depth of field and create the look I wanted.

This is hard and fun work!
Thanks for reading!

Stay safe and please don’t try this at home….Mark

Camofauge for Camera Len's

2010-07-11T13:21:00.006-07:00

Pelicans hanging out in CO.

If you are a wildlife photographer and you use a Canon pro lens... well you could have a problem.

As you already know, Canon builds their pro len's, in the color white. When pursuing wildlife that see in color, like birds...these len's stick out like a soar thumb. Birds see in color better then humans and in some cases, with a heightened sense of sharpness and color. So here is a solution. Grab a can of black spray paint and walla... paint that pretty white lens black like Nikon's or others. Just kidding here guys.
Another better solution is to buy a product called, Lens Coat. They make use full Neoprene Lens Covers that fit a variety of lens's. About a hundred bucks will get you one.

Photo by
Lens Coat Neoprene Lens Covers

They also make several other useful products for photographers.
http://www.lenscoat.com/lenscoatsuptmsup-hoodiesuptmsup-large-p-387.html

What I do is to wrap my lens with a camo tape.

I use a different method that is cheaper and works well for bird photography. I like to wrap my len's in a camo type of duck tape. About $13.00 will buy you a roll, enough to do a couple of lens and other assorted wrapping. This is a soft, stretchy, reusable tape and will not stick to a lens only its self. It can improve your grip on a lens. It is mainly used by hunters for wrapping firearms. I use it myself for this purpose. If you want to try this method, go to a gun store and buy a product called McNett Camo Form. Here is the link.
http://www.mcnett.com/Camo-Form-Protective-Camouflage-Wrap-P274.aspx
It comes in different colors and I like their digital camo, similar to the pattern the military currently uses.

Another is that it has a very unique smell. Yep it stinks! But in a few hours the smell goes away. Luckily birds don't smell well except for...kiwi's and vultures... that is.
Back on topic!
Again this stuff is self sticking but will not cling to your lens surface. It needs to be overlapped onto itself.

Measure the parts you wish to camo. Then cut out with a sharp scissors.

What I do is carefully measure and cut the pieces with a sharp scissors. I do this in parts.

Wrapping the lens.

I next carefully cut out ahead of time, the little focus and dial windows that I will need to access, then I wrap those parts into place thus leaving the dials exposed. Next finish the other portions of your lens and your done.

Remember to cut a hole for your tripod mount.

Check to see that you can zoom and focus as well as... use other controls on your lens. If you use tele-converters for your photography, they also be easily wrapped.

Tele-converters can be wrapped also.

I do recommend if you are a wedding photographer remove the camo before the wedding. Looks better for you. Take the pieces and store them in a zip lock bag and label the bag with a sharpie, as to what lens the camo goes to. Reinstall as needed. By the way I have no ties to McNett just in case you were wondering.

The finished look.

You can also wrap other photographic tools.

Have fun bird photographers and shoot well! Mark

SASS End of Trail 2010

2010-07-05T22:46:00.005-07:00

End of Trail 2010

What an event 2010 EOT was. The temps were nice and each afternoon we got a little rain. Well... maybe a good shower on the last two days. It made for good sleeping nights.

If you didn't make it... well you missed out.
As far as top gun...Bad Lands Bud won!

Everyone I spoke with had fun and were glad they came! Met many shooters from Oregon this year.
Watch for my story in and upcoming issue of Guns of the Old West magazine.

Dumping those empty smoking shotgun shells.

Mounted shooting

Taking on the boys...go girl!

Southern Bell.

Draw

1911 games.

Taking a ride on the stage coach

Riding the steers.

Respect

Where did they go....

Smoke em.

Riding my horse upside down ...Oh and got a place for my cowboy hat also.

Next year is the 30 anniversary of EOT so make plans to be there.

CMSA STETSON Summer Classic, Guthrie, OK

2010-06-20T19:16:00.006-07:00

What a beautiful facility.

All images by Canon 1D's and 7D's. 70 to 200 L IS version 2 used for most images.

http://www.mrquigleyphotography.com/

Last week we had a chance to go to Guthrie OK, for the CMSA Summer Classic. This event was held at the beautiful Lazy E facility. If you have never been in this part of horse country well simply said its beautiful! Gently rolling hills decorated with white fencing and beautiful horses... fill these pastures.

The Lazy E is one of the finest arenas in the nation.

Jessie Kuka wins overall!

Jesse Kuka was the top winner of this fulfilled mounted shoot! Her and Rock Clark were close but girls prevailed in the end.

Cody Clark breaks new world record!

Speaking of Rock Clark his son Cody broke a world record here and boy was dad proud!

Indoor arena.

The Lazy E arena is one of the largest indoor arenas in the nation. Its climate controlled and even the warm up arena is inside!

Got it!

Reaching back for the last rifle shot.

CMSA hosted a barbecue by the lake.

A beautiful small lake is next to the arena and we all had a fun time... country barbecue by the lake! The burgers were the best and there was so much different food! Ummmmm.....

Good food!

Got the balloon... but lost my hat.

A great place for a family portrait.

Come join us next year at this fantastic facility. You will love the beauty of the area and riding in this indoor arena. By the way it has some of the best dirt in the nation. I didn't photograph any crashes all weekend.
Not the norm for me.
Ride safe and travel smart. Mark

Influencing People and Photography

2010-05-30T22:06:00.017-07:00

Canon 40 D 100 - 400 IS Canon lens, 1.4 dupp, TN

Have you had people in your life that were influential in shaping your life? Yes we all have.
Here at Mr. Quigley Photography we are often asked the question ...who influenced your photography style? Id like to share a bit about that in this post.

Canon D30, 28 - 105 Canon lens

Northern, AZ

Early on it was my mom and dad. They introduced me to the great outdoors and the magic and intricacies of it all. My mom and dad were photographers and always snapping photos so they naturally influenced and created a desire for me to be a photographer. In my teens I began picking up a camera and began creating images with 110 film. Soon I moved on to 35mm and next 6x7 cm and as soon as digital hit I embraced it with the Canon D30.

Canon 40 D, Canon 70 - 200 IS lens, FL Keys

As I studied photography styles through the years some photographers and their styles really influenced me.

Early on it was a high school teacher named Ron Hildreth. Ron took the time for me as well as others and really cared for those young ones around him. He taught science and photography as well as other subjects. I'm just one of the many that he may not realize he deeply influenced. Ive stayed in contact with Ron and in fact he photographed our wedding.

I have always loved Rons photography. To me its practical, inspirational and spiritual. Ron taught me to use my camera as a means for visual and emotional communication. Ive tried to include those elements into my work.

http://ronhildrethphotography.com/Site/Welcome.html

Canon 40 D, Tamron 18 - 270 lens. TN

Being from Arizona David Muench was a photography style I admired and studied. I ran into David and his wife once while working my wildlife department job in the Kofa mountains. He was of course making powerful images of this unique mountain range.

D30, 200 to 400 Canon L lens.

For me there is no better western photographer that has influenced my western photography style... then David Stoecklein!

He is the best and I love the mood and colors he uses to create images of the modern west.

http://www.stoeckleinphotography.com/

Canon 40 D 70 - 200 IS Canon lens, FL coast

One of the best wildlife photographers I know is Thomas Mangelsen. Tom is so good at captuering those perfect wildlife moments. If you ever pass through Jackson Hole, WY.... make sure you make it a point... to step into his beautiful gallery.

http://www.mangelsen.com/store/catalog?Args=

I have always loved Gary Irvings style. His images have such mood to them. My favorite book of his is Beneath the Open Sky. Its a collection of panoramic photographs in the heartland of America. Ive always tried to create mood and feeling with photographs.

http://www.lightboxinc.com/gallery6/gallery06.html

Canon 7D. 70 - 200 IS Canon lens Gen 2, Central AZ

I just love Shinzo Maeda work. He really had an eye for capturing the natural world. His use of color, unique light and composition are some of the best combinations Ive ever seen. Of course Shinzo is no longer with us but his style influenced me. Would have liked to meet him and chat for a while. Of all his books I liked "A tree, a blade of grass... the best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinzo_Maeda

Canon 40D, 28 - 200 Canon lens, NC

And of course for me there is Ken Duncan. I love Kens view on life and his images just capture me and draw me in. He has always been so open about sharing his style and techniques. I always enjoy getting an encouraging email from Ken or his staff once in a while.

http://www.kenduncan.com/

Canon 7D, Canon 10 - 22 lens, Western AZ

There are so many good photographers out there but I would have to say these influenced the personal photography style I use today and my life. Study other photographers but create your own unique style.

Canon 20D 70 200 IS lens, 4 Peaks AZ

Who are you influencing with your life in a positive way? If you are not you should be. Your kids, coworkers, friends to name a few.

Dare to be a Ron Hildreth and use your life to influence others around you.

Photograph and shoot well. Mark

Death Comes to Us ALL

2010-05-23T23:04:00.006-07:00

Canon 7D 10 - 22 lens
Kind of squirrel?

While walking up a canyon this week I came across a desert squirrel that had gotten into some jumping cactus and apparently couldn’t get it out of its back legs... and died. It made me think that animals are not aware that death is coming to them someday. Only human beings are precognizant of death. Only one human had the power to come back from the dead and we measure history and time by Him.
So for years I have photographed death in the animal world. I know it’s weird and strange.

Canon D30 14 mm Sigma lens

Kind of deer?

Have you ever wondered… when an animal dies how come we don’t see more of their remains about? The reasons I believe is most of the remains I have found through the years are hidden under brush rocks etc. One can usually count on a sick or old animal, lying down in cover and expiring. So sick and old creatures will choose secretive safe places to hide when they are not feeling well..

Canon 1D First gen. Sigma 14 mm lens

What is this?

Sudden death circumstances can that take the life of creatures. Here in the west a sudden summer thunder storm quickly fills a normally dry wash and drowns animals. Fences can hang up an animal… or a predator catching its prey off guard. It’s interesting looking for these circumstances and photographing them.

Canon 40D Tamron 18 to 270 lens.

Here a coyote is partly covered by brush in a northern AZ slot canyon.

Caught in a sudden flood.

You can make out his face and teeth bottom right of the fur.

Devolope your own photography style. Dare to be different and photograph unusual subjects where you live.

Photograph well and stay safe.

Death is coming…Mark

If the eye could see...

2010-05-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Canon 1 D 70 to 200 IS lens (first generation). I pushed the shutter when I thought this shooter would pull the trigger thus capturing the muzzle flash.

Cameras capture things the eye cannot see. Even high speed video cameras must be slowed way down to see the flash of gunfire and never really at this level. I love to TRY and capture the powder burning as it leaves the barrel. Black powder is classified as an explosive and at the right moment in time this type of an image can be captured.

I love to shoot black powder guns and use them to hunt with. From my old flintlock muzzleloaders, cap and ball pistols, long range sharps rifles to 1870 cartridge guns these old black powder guns are fun to shoot! I think if our eye ever really saw the explosion coming from our barrels we would probably never shoot them again.

Shoot well and stay safe!

Mark

Where Are the AZ Wildflowers this Week?

2010-05-02T21:40:00.003-07:00

We have received some question and requests to write about more wildflower hotspots. As I told you in an earlier blog post … follow the wildflower bloom up Interstate 17. Last week I was near the Castle Creek Wilderness border and took a short hike up Castle Creek. This is the Castle Creek on the east side of the Bradshaw Mountain Range.

The sides along this high desert creek were aglow. This is a place seldom visited except by serious hikers and hunters. A 4x4 road follows the creek up to what I call the Castle Creek Waterfall. About a mile before reaching the waterfall the wildflowers appear thick.

Watch for rattle snakes. Came across one! Diamond backs and Arizona Black rattlers live here.
Enjoy! Shoot well and stay safe! Mark

To catch an ELK

2010-04-25T18:22:00.008-07:00

One of the interesting projects I work on each year with our department biologists is capturing collaring and tagging elk. Last week we were doing this. You might be asking yourself "are you crazy ... elk are big and dangerous. Well you would be right. When a big bull is caught we release it because of the possibility of being stabbed by antler. We only deal with cows and young bulls, but young bulls can be dangerous.

Elk grazing along highways.

The reason we capture live elk in AZ is for human safety. When an elk is hit by a automobile it can kill or seriously injure occupants within the auto and elk commonly cross roads. So after collaring and capturing these large creatures we track their movements for two years and develop patterns where their favorite and most common road crossings are. This aids in building crossing points over or under highways in the future thus making travel by auto, in elk country safer for elk and humans. Now you hunters are probably thinking that you would sure like to get your hands on this elk movement data. Sure would aid in hunting...huh? Sorry your out of luck.

Lariats are used to capture feet first.

The way we capture an elk is to set a big live trap similar to a trap you may rent from your local humane society. By the way drugs are not used. We place a trap in a know elk area near a highway. For several months the area around the trap is baited with alfalfa. After the animals become use to the trap the alfalfa is next moved to the inside of the trap. An unaware elk walks into the trap ... trips a trap wire and bam... the door closes and now they are trapped.

The entire mechanism is triggered by a high dollar well just kidding here ...rat trap and fishing line.

Photo by Chuck Dillion

Hey that me in the background.

We can then approach the trap use and use lariats to rope their feet and pull the elk to ground and tie off to T-posts. Pulling to the ground is the hard part as these big animals are strong! In the above photo I am in the background. At this point we open the cage and place a hood over their head to calm them down.

Next a radio collar is placed around the neck of the animal and a numbered ear tag placed in the animals ear like cattle ear tags.

Sometimes school groups are invited and the whole ordeal is made into an educational activity. Once every thing is complete the animal is released to rejoin their group.

Here a young bull is released. Antler missing because of time of year.

At times young bulls have been known to come after us.

The elk is released with its now pretty jewelery...GPS necklace, ear piercing with a new earrings. No doubt they go back to their heard bragging and showing off their new jewelry. Collars are programed too fall off in two years.

Airplane flights are scheduled every once in a while and we fly over the collared elk and upload the data. Some collars transmit data directly from the collar to a satellite and then to a laptop. Older technology collars need to be physically retained to gather the data and radio telemetry is used to locate these older pre-programed fall off dated collar. After they are found we download the information to a computer.

Let me know if you enjoy these types of stories and I will post more of my game warden work related stuff.

Shoot well and be safe.

Mark Quigley

CMSA National Championship

2010-04-20T20:19:00.002-07:00

What a great time of year to be in Tunica Mississippi! The trees are blooming and the Mississippi River is full! Mounted shooters from all over our great nation... come to this shoot... (251) this year! This is one of my favorite arenas in the nation. This year the temps and weather were just perfect!
Kenda Lenseigne and John Clark won overall!
Enjoy a few images from the event.
To see more photos visit our website.
http://www.mrquigleyphotography.com/

Winners.

What a blessing!

Flags.

Jim Rogers.

A nice place for portraits.

Roping a motorcycle.

Shoot...Shoot

Our future shooters!

Colt Elim.

Hope you can make it next year! Shoot well ... stay safe ... MQ

Bushhawk Sholder Stock

2010-04-02T12:59:00.097-07:00

Before BushHawk came out (about 20 years ago) I had devised a wooden rifle shoulder stock to house my film cameras. It worked good for my wildlife work and gave me a steady platform to use telephoto lens. I could never get the trigger system (shutter release) right though. Well when I found out about the BrushHawk shoulder stock I ordered one!

Through the years folks have asked about the BushHawk device that we use here at Mr. Quigley Photography and how we liked it.

http://www.mrquigleyphotography.com/

I love it for certain kinds of photography work! You may ask what kind of work?

I use my BrushHawk shoulder stock for

creating images like these.

• Long lens wildlife shots ... adds stability when you don’t have time to set up a tripod. Sometimes when I’m patrolling I have this set up on the seat next to me to catch a poacher or sudden wildlife.

• The new generation of DSLR's that shoot movies I find again adds stability for the movie.

• Some panning shots using telephoto lens. We have used the stock setup for our old west posse pics where robbers are being chased by the posse.

• Bird photography.

Early morning light images with the aid of a BrushHawk stock.

Here are a few things I like about this camera support.

A steady platform with a excellent two stage trigger system that works!
Something that may sound strange is ... I like the way I can carry a camera easily in the field.
Since I am a rifle shooter it is easy for me to use the shooting disciplines in long range shooting along with this camera stock. I shoulder...take a deep breath...focus... steady the stock and squeeze off a photograph. It is very successful for me and I retain a high percentage of distant images.
BrushHawk makes long distance photography easy and enjoyable.

The 2 stage trigger.

Connection from camera to stock.

I set mine up with a rifle sling or you can use the sling that comes with it so I can throw it over my shoulder quickly when I go for a quick hike for ease of carry.

I recommend you get the shoulder pad. The release cable is sold separately and by the way different cables for different cameras.

Dave the company’s owner has been a joy to work with through the years and repaired my original stock for a reasonable cost and has fast turnaround times for pros.

The Brushhawlk shoulder stock aids in steadying

images in action photography.

The BushHawk stock is perfect for bird photography.

At times I will keep my camera attached to the "Hawk"

when I’m out on patrol. Sometimes there is not

enough time to set up a tripod to snap a quick

shot like this one.

So where do you get such a cool shoulder stock?

Visit this website and tell them I sent you over.

Well worth the money! We own a couple now.

http://www.bushhawk.com/Home.htm

Shoot well and stay safe....Mark

http://www.MrQuigleyPhotography.com/

2010 Arizona Wildflower Hot Spots

2010-03-26T19:36:00.010-07:00

A few years ago I posted a wildflower link on our site and was surprised at the email and response we got! So here goes another for 2010.

So have you been looking for areas to photograph wildflowers and found them scarce? With all the rain we have had in AZ this year and cooler temps...one can find wildflowers. Since we specialize in the Bradshaw Mountain Range I pretty much stick to these areas... but recently made a quick trip to the Bartlett Lake area to look for poppies. They have been very scarce in the lower Bradshaw’s this year. I found a few blooms east of Humbug Creek near Tule ghost ranch. Now is the time to be out and one can follow the blooms up the Bradshaw Range as the weather warms. Just above Black Canyon City is where the "happening" ends right now.

Old New River Road area.

Places to look for wildflowers

Look west of I17 on the Carefree Hwy. for tons of blue dicks. The scorpion tail is thick in here also.
Go to Bartlett Lake for poppies as well as the Superior area.
New River road off west of I 17 has lupine.
Between Wickenburg and Phx is also a good place for brittle bush as well as west Carefree Hwy.

Watch for rattlesnakes and have fun!

Mark

Chia near Bartlett Lake. Can also be found along the

2009 gas line areas near Black Canyon City.

Blue dicks and scorpion tail near Lake Pleasant Carefree Hwy.

Create your own unique Composition. Near Lake Pleasant Outdoor Center.

Poppies and Chia naer Bartlett Lake.

Near the town Carefree AZ.

Near Lake Pleasant.

AZ Indian Mesa ...what a place!

2010-03-05T21:28:00.011-07:00

Recently I had a chance to take a group to this great Indian ruin with amazing views! Not much has changed and thats good. We get email asking us for directions to this high mesa ruin often.

When Lake Pleasant lake water is low, from PHX travel north on I 17 and exit west on Table Mesa Rd. Follow it down to the park road closure and from here one must hike into the Agua Fria River downstream past Bolder Creek and exit the river on the north west side on Old Table Mesa RD.
Follow Table Mesa Rd uphill for about a mile and a half until you top out at the saddle. Here turn south and climb a trail to Indian Mesa. Sometimes trailhead rock markers mark this location. Another 1/2 mile to go.

During the winter when Lake Pleasant waters are high and the Agua Fria River is flooded travel behind Lake Pleasant on Cow Creek Rd. Follow Cow Creek road past the old Castle Hot Spring landing strip (now where ATV riders stage for the Crown King ride) and turn right on the road that leads to Humbug Creek (signed). Follow this road all the way past Humbug Creek to the previously mentioned saddle.

Here again follow the trail uphill. There is only one way into this well protected fort and it is accessed on the south west side of the mesa.

I hope I helped and let us know how about your adventuer

Old Table Mesa traveling up toward the saddle trailhead.

New River Mountains and I 17 in background.

The trail uphill to Indian Mesa.

Only way into the ruin.

Stone walls.

The views.

In the ground matate.

Shards litter the ground.

Treat our cultural wonders with respect.

Complete Hohokam house with out roof.

J. Harkin photo.

Travel safe and smart and photograph well....Mark

Different antler day

2010-03-05T21:24:00.002-07:00

Came across a deer the other day where the antler almost touched.

Took awhile to get close enough with a Canon 70 - 200 f2.8 IS lens.

He knew something was up and shortly after this image was made he took off.

Should have brought a bigger lens with that day.

Lesson learned. Photograph well.

Natalie Johnson Wins the CMSA Desert Classic 2010

2010-03-03T11:25:00.003-07:00

I’ve known Natalie Johnson and her family since she was a wrangler in the CMSA sport. Boy she sure has come a long way and recently at the 2010 CMSA Desert Classic in AZ, she won!

This girl can ride and shoot!

Several years ago the Johnson family was in a terrible automobile accident. The CMSA family gathered and prayed for them and they recovered. It’s cool to see Natalie become a beautiful young woman. Congratulations Natalie!

WinterRange 2010 What Fun!!

2010-03-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

Well if you missed this year’s Winter range you missed a good one! Over 700 people from all over our great nation flocked to shoot, get warm and step back into the old west for a week. Winter range is a SASS shoot located near Phoenix AZ in February each year. I’ve written several articles about this great match in Guns of the Old West magazine. Here are a few pics from the Mr. Quigley Photography team!
See u next year!
Mark

2009 CMSA World Championship

2009-12-01T14:01:00.001-07:00

World Championship of Mounted Shooting was in Amarillo TX last week. Kenda Lenseigne won overall!! It was very cold in this TX town but all 300 plus riders did well. Very few crashes and fun fun fun. Next year the CMSA World is also here again but in Oct when the weather will be warmer. Watch for my story on World in Guns of the Old West Magazine soon. MQ

2009-11-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have written two articles on the best long range match in the nation. I enjoy shooting this match and give tips on how to win. Read our story on the Quigley Long Range match in the current issue of SHOOT magazine on the newsstands now. Three years ago I also did a story on it in Guns of the Old West Magazine.. You can find it in most Wall mark magazine sections. Plan to attend this great long range match this fathers day in MT and take your dad with you! Mark

SASS Alaska State Championship

2009-07-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

While at the Alaska State Championship I had a chance to compete in a long gun match. Little Lil and I tied for first place. Good job Lil! By the way this is a great SASS shoot and I recommend it to all! Plan a sightseeing trip and fishing while there. Watch for my story on this shoot in the next issue of Guns of the Old West magazine. Mark

2009-02-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

From my wife and I ... thank you.

Mark and Mary