What makes me tick?  I work everyday with people I enjoy and respect.  I love my career and this job.  I have a beautiful wife that has taken up home decorating with a passion.  And is exceeding everyones expectations.  My home has turned more beautiful.  I love my kids. They each have their own talents, hopes and individualism.  My grandkids……well I am left speechless with love and enjoyment.   It isn’t all good.  Yesterday I had to eat a little crow at work.  Though I was praised for my work ethic I know that I had fell short.  Not the first time.  And not the last.  Last week the doc called and gave me news that at first was shocking.  Then it all fell into place and I understand all the consequences.  Though my life is full of positives,  there is the intermittent emotional stress and set backs.

So I fall back to the greatest stress reliever in my life.  Photography.

I never get tired of the Great Blue Heron.  An easy subject to shoot.  And found in a lot of places.  Tonight I found this beauty fishing.  Watching this big bird reveals that they are quit successful at fishing.  And they let me into their moments……

These two ducks were fighting tonight over the female.  This happens a lot in the wild world.  There is always a winner.  Sometimes to ones own fate.  Look at the fear(?)in the ducks eyes.  I was invisible to him.  This instant saved with 1′s and 0′s.  A real mind blowing thing to me.  The camera literally has a brain.  It just needs a nudge when photographing………

The darks fall into a black hole.  The character of the subject is limited to the split second catch on the sensor.  I think about the balance of light and real reproduction of the subject every time I shoot.  In the end light or dark is compromised.  At best the fast moving subject is trapped motionless.   At worst the subject looks different than real life……

The entire time the camera is to my good eye I forget.  Stress falls away quickly.  Epiphanies surge.  Peak experiences abound.  The time from capture to viewing on the screen at home is like christmas eve to the opening of the present.  Anticipation of seeing if the flash of an image in my eye when shooting turned out as my brain thought I saw it.  Hoping that my imagination will pop out as the image is brought up in post.  I escape.  A little selfish.  My own time.  Thinking of only myself?  Probably.  At the end of the day I am more calm.  More relaxed. I have a better perspective with my role as a father, grandfather and co-worker.   I have time to look ahead.  At least one more day.  One more chance to shoot my wild friends.  To love my family.  To love my co-workers.  And to love myself.  What else is there?

Every year I search out the Pheasant.  They are sneaky.  But kinda dumb.  Do you really think I can’t see you?  Way too much makeup!

This guy knows how too hide.  Check out that beak!!!!!!

DLWS is done…until November.

I drove to the ocean today to try and get a few shots.  But I first saw this Great Blue Heron right at the cliffs catching mice.  It was wild…….

The mouse must have been a great snack!

Then there was this Rock in the ocean.  Getting really beat up.

Man am I having fun.

Little sleep for the last few days.  My head is full.  I feel my age.  Mind mind however is going like an eight year old in a candy store.  Though I worry about work I am escaping from it.  The passion of photography takes me to another world.  Away but close to my heart and mind.  I miss my family.   I miss my associates at work.  I miss my bed.  Today is the last day of fun.  A little more sleep tonight.  Tomorrow I will miss DLWS…….

It’s still raining!  And it is great.

Have just a few moments to post.  Up before 5:00 a.m. again today.  Brain is a little dusty.  Living on adrenaline.  Our morning shoot was enhanced by clouds and rain.  Could not ask for better conditions considering what we were shooting.  We were welcomed at a location loaded with classic cars, old collections and color!  It was a BLAST.  Could have stayed all day.  Tonight our photograph’s will be critiqued.  Getting  geared up for that.  Maybe a little Xanax or a bullet proof vest.

Am I dreaming?

This afternoon we were rained out.  This morning however it was overcast with no rain.  A morning I will never forget.  In life we have idols.  Like my Dad.  And others that have had a great impact on our lives.  In my case one of those is the famous Joe McNally.  He looks like a normal guy.  Jeans, regular shirt, and regular clothes.  Says hi to anyone.  He is NOT arrogant.  He is normal.  Unless you ask him.  If you walk into one of his sold out photographic presentations you would never know that he is a legend in photography.  The master.  A plethora of published materials.  Cover photographs on the biggest name magazines.  Photographed famous people from Gorbachev to Chamberlin. A name sake at Geographic. He made history with his 6′x9′ polaroids of 911 survivors and families.  Millions for good causes.  Looked down from the very top antenna on the empire state building.  Hung from helicopters for his one-of-a-kind shots.  He has seen and done it all in photography.

My idol

He is the best at his craft.

He took my photograph today.  Gorbachev and I photographed by Joe McNally. What can I say?  INCREDIBLE!  Not sure why he asked me to be the subject.  What did I learn today?  How a famous person can be so personable.

Joe McNally said it best in his presentation tonight…..

“When you get that “one” shot, it’s like wind in our sails as photographers”

Tonight was presentations by the best of the best.  Starting tomorrow morning at 3:30 a.m. it’s time to start shooting.  Can’t wait!!!!!!

Arrived late in California last night.  The hotel was junk.  But man am I having fun!  Point Reyes National Seashore was my destination today.  I really looked forward to seeing the ocean and hopefully some critters (as Moose Peterson calls them).  I am here for DLWS.  A photography workshop hosted by Moose Peterson and Joe McNalley.  Two of the greatest photographers in America.  I am truly blessed to be able to be here.  I came a day early to shoot the coast.  Especially Point Reyes.  And the Tule Elk herd.  Yep.  A chance to shoot Elk with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. What is the chance?………

The DLWS workshop is about an hour inland.  Driving across a state where I have not been before is like a kid in a candy store.  Saw (photographed) tons of things.  But honestly this one lone tree was by far the most striking.  Waited about an hour and a half for the sun and shade to be just right.

I am heading out tomorrow for a week of photography in California!!!!!

Tonight for just a few short minutes I went to Farmington.  Had to check on the nests.  Found the nest.  No eggs or Avocet chicks at the nest.  But a little distance away were three little balls of fur.  And a very protective mother.  Nobody got close to the chick’s not even a Red Head Duck…..

Can’t wait for the week ahead.

Happy Mothers day to all Mothers and Mothers-to-be…………….