Bull Frog with pouch inflated

Young Bull Frog

Hello Dere!  White-crowned Sparrow

Bee and pollen

Red Fox Kits

“think I lost my keys down there somewhere”  Male American Goldfinch

Backlight…Male Northern Harrier with vole.

Among my favorite species….American White Pelican

It’s funny how many times over the years that I have shown dewy insect pictures, and it has then been suggested that I keep insects in the refrigerator and douse them with water, instead of getting “lucky” and finding them in the field.  I know at least one photographer who thinks that many of Joseph Rossbach’s landscapes are pure digital creations because of the remarkable point of view they are made from.  It is amazing that when some people  put themselves through the pain to create something special, the rest of us who are still in bed at 4am, or make all of our landscape pictures from within 10 feet of our car door, often believe that nobody else could possibly accomplish anything that we have not.  They must be cheating.  It could not be that they worked a little harder, or took a few more risks.

This nation like all great Democracies, is built on the backs of many brave men and women who have fought for our future.  It is also built on the backs of many entrepreneurs.  Those with the courage, the foresight, and the energy to move forward when others were telling them to just go with the flow. I thank God that I have lived in a nation where the majority of the population has celebrated  those willing to walk the extra mile, instead of scorning them.

It’s true that most entrepreneurs really are not interested in making a more perfect society.  Edison, Bell, Ford and others simply wanted to create something special, and earn a wonderful life filled with plenty of everything for both their families and/or themselves.  Next time we use our cell phones, drive to the store, listen to music or turn on the lights, that would be worth remembering.  I wonder how many people have been employed over the years just because of the visions and hard work of those three.  It is true that all of us will not be the inventors and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.  Life is wonderful but it is not fair. So the rest of us can use a Commonwealth Edison, or an AT&T for employment.  Would it be better if those places never existed?   Even the entrepreneurs of tomorrow need a place to work in the mean time.  Nations that practice “trickle up poverty” guarantee that the likes of Edison and Bell will fail.

What a sad nation this would be without the Ford Foundation or the charitable endeavors of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.  I am grateful that my country allowed those individuals to selfishly follow their dreams.

My wish for all of the “want to be”  landscape stars, is that the next time you see yet another Rossbach’ image of a famous place, with a composition that no one has created before, is that you might try to celebrate the pain and risk it took to get there, instead of complaining just because he took one (or ten) step (s) farther than the rest of us.

Join me in applauding those that serve to inspire us.