For quit a while now I have been “focused” on little things!  Bugs, wasps, birds, couples, etc.  In two weeks I will be home in the outdoors.  YELLOWSTONE for a week !!!

Love is beautiful.  And so are these two people.

Annie is special.  What a gal.  Beautiful, smart and hard working.  Her fiance – I met tonight.  Seems like a great fit for her.  They seem to have the same goals ambitions and desires.  Important these days.  They are to be betrothed in October.  God bless you!  You deserve it!

Dan helped tonight.  Good thing his shots were the best!!!

For some reason they wanted to keep taking this shot!!!!!

His name is Ben

He is dating my daughter,.

I like Ben

last weekend at Bear lake Ben and my daughter played.  Wave runners for each of them.  Look close at this pic.  In the spray from Ben is my daughter……getting wet.

Crazy FUN

Impressive “guns” ………

I am NOT a penny pincher.

I have no debt.

I like quality

In an effort to be a “team player” my transportation expectations have changed dramatically.  For many years getting from the plane to the rental car and on the road has been SIMPLE.  The cars have been new.  And I drive with a smile.

The last two weeks have been dramatically different.  Here is an accurate comparison

National Car Rental:                                                          Hertz:

Save $5.00

A wait for a shuttle                                                                                    No wait

A long wait at the counter                                                                        No wait

A long wait for a car (one hour)

Everything in reverse when returning car                                           Drop car in walking distance of Delta

Shuttle back to airport

Why the story?  I have ordered the Nikon 600mm F/4 VR lens.  It’s the Hertz Gold card lens.  Every review talks about it’s incredible tack sharp focus.  Nano coated glass.  Ultra quiet and fast focusing.  The ‘king” for wildlife photography.  No cutting corners or shuttle busses here.  It’s the best of the best.  I hope the wait is not a year or more.  It’s very hard lens to get.  September I will be walking the woods in yellowstone.  I hope to see the lens at the end of the trees before then.

Somewhere right now, all around the world a frog is sitting and waiting.  And waiting.  And Waiting.  The life of a frog.  Waiting for that unlucky insect that will become a meal for the frog.  Look close.  Is he smiling?  I doubt it.  How long will he sit there?  For hours.  Or at least until dinner arrives.  Yep you guessed it.  I waited to see if I could photograph the moment the frog “took in” the meal.  It seemed like eternity.  More like an hour.  He did not flinch.  I was writhing.  Something to learn here…..

Then I noticed the bubbles around the frogs.  Not what you think.  To be honest I need to do some homework myself.  But I did notice some bubbles coming from the frogs mouth.  Something to pass the time?  Gas?  Or part of the waiting process?  Who knows.

While I was impatiently waiting for the Frog to flinch a flock of White Face Ibis’s stopped by.  Until I flinched!!!

Portland, Oregon.  My landing and take off place.  Sunnyside, Washington is three hours from Portland.  I spend little time in Portland.  Just enough time to get a car.  Or check into a hotel by the airport and sleep.  Last night I skipped dinner and took off to see “The Grotto”.  A world famous place of worship for the public.  Owned by the Catholic Church.  I heard the grounds where spectacular. An arboretum and beautiful scriptural statues.  It was well after 7:00 p.m. and did not expect to photograph much.  The Grotto is nestled in a huge trees and a plethora of plant life.

My time was short.  The trail I took was a path lined with brass three dimensional murals/placards.  I was moved to say the least.  The expressions, textures and finishes was incredible.  And the light.  It was perfect.  This first one is a representation of Christ fallen while carrying the cross

This second shot piece blew me away.  The light was falling off and broken by tree limbs and leaves.  Regardless of your personal beliefs this work has an impact.  If you believe in Christ it takes you there.  Some worship in the representation.  Some the actual event.  And others in Christ’s life.  I was moved by the work and it’s beauty.  Especially this night with the light and conditions I witnessed.  I hope to go back soon.

Sanford. A unique man.  He has as many miles on a Harley as any biker out there. Maybe more.   One of his lines is “ten thousand miles and a ten thousand dollar bike doesn’t make you a biker”.  My favorite line of his is “let me say this about that”.  Sanford is a project superintendent for a very large construction company.  A construction know-it-all.  In a good way.  He builds stores for me (Maverik).  Thought it would be good to recognize this man.  He gets few “kudos”.  He is one of the very best in his field.

This store is in Buffalo Wyoming.  Maverik’s newest.  Should be opened by NOON tomorrow.

Since I was ten years old horses freak me out.  Scare me to death.  Though I have always wanted to photograph them.  Just need a fence between me and them.  Today for the first time I stood in a stadium with horses .  And a NINE year old rider.  Couldn’t make to big a deal when a nine year old was going to barrel race.  Erika, a beautiful young lady ( takes after her mother – gorgeous) was the boss when on each horse.  As she controlled the animal ten times her size I was humbled.

I really enjoyed the time tonight.  Great people and fun photography.  And a little less afraid of horses.  Don’t expect to see me ON one ever…..

I love the Oregon Coast!  When I get to see it.

The drive from Sunnyside, Washington to Portland is about three hours.  The drive to the coast is about an hour and a half.  A portion of the drive to portland includes the Columbia River Gorge.  Multnomah Falls on the way.  A long list of photo opportunities.  This trip was to extend through the weekend photographing on the coast.  Nothing but sun-up to sun-down photographic fun!   Have to eat as part of the journey.  A quick stop at the burger place next to the “Bridge of the Gods”.  The pier supporting the south section is right in the parking lot of the burger place.  Great art painted on the pier…………….

All was going well until the traffic jamb in downtown Portland.  A wreck on the bridge.  I thought my anxiety was churning.  Nope.  It was my stomach.  A little nausea.  More nausea.  Stuck in traffic.  Before long I was leaning out the door refunding my lunch back to Oregon.  The people in the cars behind me witnessed my nightmare to their own distaste.  Without going into much detail my drive to Tillamook Oregon was the longest in my life.  and the smelliest.

That afternoon and night was spent in bed.  And the next day…in bed.  Not photographing, hiking, or enjoying the incredible scenery of the Oregon Coast.  Me, a 27″ TV, a toilet and the stomach cramps.  No food for two days.  I paid for this?  Maybe next trip I can go back to the burger place and get a CASH refund!!!!!!!!

I love my Sunday schedule….

Again this morning the camera gear and I traveled.  To my favorite spot ten minutes from my home.  Farmington Bay.  Year round goodies!  Winter summer, spring or fall the photographic elements are always waiting.  Unlike heaven on earth (Yellowstone)that requires six hours at the wheel, Farmington bay is next door.  Sunday mornings are extra special there. The churches are full, snoring is still happening or just laziness allows me a guaranteed front row.   And like today- exclusivity.

How about some stretching and yawning Pellicans…….

Dragonfly’s are plentiful and easily photographed.  This little one would fly off and return to the same spot several times.

Then there was this guy. Thought he was hiding.  Camouflaged.   Pretty dang ugly fella if you ask me.    At first I could not approach them.  Then I figured it out.  Move very slow and shoot fast!