Communion:

1. intimacy: a feeling of emotional or spiritual closeness  2. connection: a relationship, especially one in which something is communicated or shared

All of you who read Earth Images know who Ron Toel is.  In fact you can read his wildlife experiences in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula below.  Ron and I have shot together more times than we can remember.  In addition to many shared photo experiences in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, we have photographed together in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Tennessee and North Carolina.  Each of us has also shot with many other people in more places than we could ever remember. In his case that would included Africa.  Having said that, just like in his articles on UP wildlife adventures, we have spent even more time in the field alone.  Many, many hours near our homes and many, many places on the road have been visited alone.  Neither one of us would have 10% of the stock that we carry, if we would have never headed out on our own.  The truth is that quite often your best images are made when it is just you and nature.

There is no better way to solidify a personal relationship with someone special, than to spend quality time alone with them.  Just them and you.  No distractions.  No group games to be played.  Under these circumstances you are free to be you, and they are free to be whom they are.  Spending time in nature is no different.

The closer your “one on one” relationship is with the natural world, the more intimate and mutual it will become.  You will reveal who you are to her and she will return the favor.  You are absolutely never alone when you are in nature and  cultivating a personal relationship.  As photographers you will make many of the best pictures of your life while you are apart from other humans.  She will return the reverence you show her, ten fold.  I have stood three feet from a Red-tailed Hawk, and sat while an immature Black-crowned Night Heron walked to within two feet of my tripod.  You treat her with respect and care, and she provides for you.

The concept of developing a personal relationship with someone/something that is bigger than us, and being taken care of in return is not a new one.  Nature and her Benefactor are waiting for you.  Treat the natural world like more than a just a warehouse of photo subjects and sincerely ask for “ those special moments”, and you will be rewarded.

I am not saying that you shouldn’t share nature (photography) with other people.  If I  would have spent all of my time in nature without friends, I would be much poorer for it.  I have just come to believe that the way to come to know nature the best, is to meet her one on one, and then share what you have found with the world.

When I look back over some of my recent posts concerning who I think are some of today’s best “newer” photographers, I usually mention one landscape photographer, one macro photographer and one other that is not a nature photographer.  I haven’t included any wildlife photographers, but I do believe Ontario, Canada’s David Hemmings is near the top.  If you love traditional wildlife photography filled with action, containing breathtaking detail, David is your guy.  His work might not be considered artistic to some, but hopefully there will always be room at the top for this type of imagery.  I follow David on Facebook and marvel every single day at his work.   David Hemmings

Tandems:

Double-crested Cormorants

Sandhill Cranes.