Even as we sit at the edge of summer, we know that time will not stop here.   Our next season is (to me)  the most atmospheric and moody of them all.  It is colorful and just a bit sad as we know it is very fleeting.

I love the summer as a nature lover because it has more subjects to enjoy and to photograph than any season of the year.  Just the same, the most unique,  quiet and powerful season comes next, and as it approaches I look up and give thanks for what we are about to receive.

Then we have winter.

In honor of spring and summer.

Every season be it hot or cold will be exactly what you want it to be.   Each season begins in our mind and migrates (like the birds) to our heart and soul.

Rush here, rush there!  When we head out to photograph (and experience) nature, we can finally slow down.  The question is do we?

I do believe when we are out making pictures, it pays to make pictures.  I mean that it is foolish to save shutter clicks like they are a dollar a piece.  Having said that it is simply photographic trial and error to forever keep your finger on the button.  It is not about hoping you get a good shot.  I think all photographers including me are prone to exchange info with other photographers on how many pix we made today.   I have however been out with photographers who proclaim at the end of the day that they shot 1,000 pictures today.  That’s a lot of clicks for those four good images.  The biggest single problem with the keep your finger down all of the time method, is when you have that perfect shot of that bird, made at just the right moment, that photographer likely missed experiencing the whole thing when it actually happened.  I think being in the moment is important to most of us.   Nature photography is not all about the photography.

As long as I am already pretending to know it all.  Whether it be one of the Yahoo photo-e-mail groups like Birds-pix or places like Bird Forum or Facebook, when someone takes a moment out of their day to compliment one of your pictures, how difficult can it be to reply thank you?  We live in an it’s all about me world but can’t at least nature photographers show a bit of class.  These are the same people who ask for “how to” info  on photography via e-mail and after you have taken an hour to answer them they can’t hit the reply button to send  a simple thank you.

My gripes are over and it is time to appreciate all of those great photographers who are giving this hobby/business a good name.  Those pros who allow their pictures to be used without charge because they believe in the good they may do.  Those big name pros who are graceful and real, and repect those that follow them as human beings.  Those nature photographers who take the time to pick up the beer cans or the shot gun shells when they are in the field.  I know photographers who always put wildlife ahead of themselves when a decision about “making the shot” has to be made.

I stated in my last post the best friends of the second half of my life are all nature photographers.  It is not a suprise that most of those drawn to nature photography are among the nicest people that you will find anywhere.