I have never been very good at being a “lifelong friend”. I have long, long ago lost total contact with my friends from school. I’ve never even gone to a class reunion. Commercial and portrait photographers who were in my crowd in Colorado…..well I can’t even remember their names. My time in the world of auto racing introduced me to some great people, but they are only a part of my past. My life in the horse world allowed me to meet everyone from cowboys/cowgirls, to the Hunter/Jumper people, and they are now a vague memory of a far away world. I have had my share of day jobs, and there were people so special I get a lump in my throat from the memories. Still I never looked back. The woman (romantically speaking) in my life have mostly been left on the winding road behind me. Or maybe it was the other way around.  I am out of contact with all of my best friends that I made during the ages from 4 to 40. I have proven to be a good temporary friend. From a week to five years.  Sooner or later I move on.

Led Zeppelin’s rock classic Ramble On was a favorite of mine, and I have always lived with that credo. I carry fond memories and I am one to reminisce about those memories, but I never attempt to stay connected with my past.

Then came nature photography.

In 1986 I made my first return trip to Colorado to capture my former home state on film.  I met another landscape photographer near Telluride.  We shot together for two days and moved on.  In 2004 that same photographer found my website and emailed me.  We have been in contact ever since.  All (every single one) of the great friends that I have written about in this blog, came to me through nature photography.  I remain in contact with all of them and if I were more mobile and presentable, I still would be sharing the art of nature photography in the field with them.  I cannot envision ever parting ways with the friends I have made through nature photography.

Why is the question. These people are both men and woman, of different ages and backgrounds. They are varied personalities.  They range from full-time professionals to part-time pros, and on to serious amateurs and occasional photographers.  Politically they are liberals, conservatives and everything in between.  There is something about sharing photography, especially nature photography, that creates a bond that is hard to break.  I am thankful.

I suppose it could be surmised that I was once a jerk and now I have changed.  I don’t think so.  I am who I was and if I was  jerk then I probably am now.

I don’t have a specific  answer for “why nature photography”, but I do know that friendship is just one more reason to cherish it.  I would be a much poorer person without these people, and without nature photography.

Observations.

Rain followed by snow, followed by freezing cold. Photographers in this area are being supplied with a boatload full of image possibilities.

Ever notice how it is the photographers with the best equipment and software who insist that it is the photographer not the equipment that matters?  Of course the truth is…..it all matters.

Speaking of that combination of photographer and equipment, it seems like every day the bar is moving higher for wildlife photographers.  AMAZING!!

Today I am showing images that cover the three major genres of nature photography, landscape, wildlife and macro, as well as my personal fourth category, historic architecture.

Dinosaur N.M., Colorado/Utah

White-tailed Prairie Dog and wildflowers, Colorado

Japanese Beetle, Wisconsin

Native American/Spanish ruins, New Mexico

I appreciate the opportunity to visit with you,   Wayne