Boise area old barns….
Feb 262010
Feb 252010
Idaho in late winter/early spring. Plowed fields everywhere. Not to hard to find converging lines to photograph. Near Emmett where work took me today were these areas of large acreage of evenly planted trees. It was sure nice of someone to plant these 20 or 30 years ago so I could photograph them today!
This photograph is an HDR compilation of nine images. The bracketing was 1/3 stop between each exposure. The first or “base” photo is -.7 exposure compensation. I really like the lines in this photograph. There is the obvious line of trees where a path is located. Look close and notice the shadows create lines across the photograph at about 45 degrees. Hopefully the viewer of this photograph sees the ability to enter it and go way back where there is a slight hint of an opening of light at the back.
Feb 242010
HDR Image – (9 stop range) Topaz filter – “Buzim”
I have Anxiety Disorder! A mental disorder and disability.
Today I find myself in the Boise, Idaho area. Because of the events of this day an epiphany slapped me square between the eyes. For many years I have battled with anxiety and claustrophobia. Those that know me this is no surprise announcement. At some point in any day a little teasing comes my way. That’s Ok. It kinda helps with the ailment. After checking in at the airport today my usual check for my Xanax back up revealed the drug was left home. For at least 10 years I have carried a bottle with a couple of Xanax therein. The dependence is on having it with me at all times not ingesting the drug itself. The epiphany……Recently I have participated in discussions with people that don’t think anxiety, depression or the like is a real thing. That these ailments can be easily “fixed” by just a change of attitude, exercise or my favorite just “bucking up”. Anxiety, depression, bipolar, OCD and other mental disorders are as real as the condition of “FEAR”. Why do the individuals that do not think mental disorders are a reality think the same about the condition of “fear”? Because everyone has experienced fear. But everyone does not have a mental disorder. Can fear be disabling? Can everyone stand at the edge of a cliff with a small backpack and jump off hoping the backpack releases a device that will lessen the impact at the bottom? Can everyone walk in the backwoods of Yellowstone well after dark where there have been grizzly sightings? Can everyone stand front and center on a stage facing a crowd of thousands and sing a solo? Fear is real. And so in anxiety. In fact some of the symptoms are the same. Like shaking, sweating, increased heart rate, dry mouth and a need to keep moving. Today I could not push myself enough to get on the plane without the Xanax. Anxiety was taking it’s toll. Not having the drug was making it so I needed the drug. A lot of self talk. And a prayer. Just before the gate was to open they announced the plane was over booked. And they needed 5 volunteers to take a later flight. An answer to my prayer. Oh yes! I volunteered, received a voucher towards a future flight and my wife brought me the bottle of Xanax before the next flight. Heart rate decreased. Palms stopped sweating. A feeling of peace and warmth came over me. I had the drug. But did not take one. So is my ailment real? Today my anxiety was settled just with the possession of the drug. For anyone that does not believe these conditions are real I am a walking, living example of a person with significant bouts of anxiety and claustrophobia. It’s real. It’s manageable. And a lot of people suffer with it. My hope is that non believers never have to experience what we that have metal disorders have experienced. Too much information? Not if it helps someone.
Feb 232010
The time of year I really look forward to is spring. Not just that everything is coming back to life. Or that green abounds and flowers flourish. It’s the rebirth and birth of so many animal things. As photographers we are out looking for that youthful zest of a little calf or kitten. The photo opportunities are expanded with the enlarged movements of these small new lives. Hurry up spring…I can hardly wait!
Feb 212010
Had a chance to get out this morning. Seasonal changes at the FBBR. No ice and the eagles are where the crowds aren’t. The geese however are stopping over in big numbers. Not much photography during the Olympics. Most of my time on the couch.
Feb 142010
The carp are dead. DWR kills the carp most years at this time. It’s free food for the scavengers and the Eagles (also scavengers).
Some food fights are created. Which is really strange because there is dead carp everywhere. Thousands of them.
All morning the Eagles were moving around.
Even the seagulls have a “pecking” order! It was a great morning. The only thing to make it better would be a sunny sky.
Feb 122010
I follow Moose Petersons website. Today he had a great thought. To see it go here.
Feb 112010
As a very serious amateur wildlife photographer I dream about experiencing certain animals in the wild. Until last week one such animal is the Bobcat. At the first sight of this beautiful animal I started to shake. Probably the difference between a professional and a lame amateur! My shakes were so bad the first 30 or so photographs were blurry. I mean shaking in my boots blurry! Soon the thrill of watching the Bobcats actions settled my nerves.
This Bobcat was all over the mountain. It was eating off a dead deer. The temperature was about 20 degrees when I first started shooting. Standing in snow in tennis shoes and a sweater. I literally forgot about the cold for about two hours. 
What a great opportunity! Travels have taken me many places with camera in hand. Different countries and nations. Incredible memories of water falls, foreign peoples, rare wildlife, charges from grizzley’s, and almost being caught by a badger are times not soon forgot. At the top was my experience last week with this Bobcat. Why? I am not sure why. I can tell you this – I will never forget this day.
Feb 102010
The tough guys! I often wondered why the Buffalo in Yellowstone have such huge necks. One reason is the searching for food in the winter. All day these behemoths bury their heads in the snow moving their massive heads back and forth. This gets the snow out of the way and gets them to the grasses deep in the snow.
Even with their size they are at a constant risk from predators. Energy is often expended running from possible trouble.
The life for the buffalo in winter is typical for all the other wildlife. Cold, wind, extremely limited food resources and difficulty getting around makes for great opportunities for some specific predators.
Feb 092010
Wolves of Yellowstone are definitely the most watched, studied, talked about and controversial animal in the park. With a spotting scope in hand it’s not to hard to find one of the clans. To be close enough to photograph a wolf is another story! The photograph above is one of those in the right place at the right time moments. Driving through Lamar valley I could see the large group wolf followers with their spotting scopes at a turnout in the distance. I pulled to a stop in the middle of the road to see if I could find the wolves. to my very right and running directly was this wolf. Moments later the wolf was in my view finder. With only a few frames in the camera a truck pulled behind me. The driver jumped out of the truck in a dead run to the side of the road. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What a moron! The wolf turned and ran the opposite direction away from us. The wolf in the photo was looking at the man without a brain.
I was surprised to see this moose. I have seen them in the park many times. My expectations of seeing one was nil. I was fortunate to photograph a variety of wildlife in two days. Especially one animal very seldom seen in the park………..