Carlsbad Stalagmite (click to enlarge)

I kinda missed on this image at Carlsbad Caverns.  It was pretty dark in the caverns and the autofocus on my camera was really struggling.  I switched to manual focus and live view and attempted to focus the camera myself.  Well, one gets old, one breaks their glasses, it is dark, and one just misses that point of tack sharp focusing… I wonder how the rangers and other tourists would have felt had I pulled out my flashlight and lit up the stalagmite to assist the camera’s autofocus?  Maybe next time.

I like the composition of this image, and the stalactites on the ceiling make an interesting background for the foreground stalagmite.  I think this would have been a very good image had the stalagmite been in focus.

You are allowed to bring tripods into Carlsbad Caverns, except if you are taking one of the ranger led tours.  That tour goes deeper into the cavern and requires the use of handholds and ladders.

One tip is to not take the walking trail into the cavern.  There is almost nothing of interest on the way down, and you are just wasting valuable photography time.  Take the elevator down and thank me later!

Carlsbad Caverns: N32 10 38.97 W104 26 34.32