It’s funny how things go.  I never dreamed the biggest part of my photographic life, would be viewing and commenting on other people’s photos. I mean I have always enjoyed looking at photos from others, and  sometimes I would comment on them, but frankly I was used to answering the comments of others on my own photos.  I guess it took a change in my life to realize just how self-absorbed I was.  There are always lessons to be learned and if we stop learning them, well that is the time to be alarmed.

Being a photographer is a series of lessons.  The best among us will accept those lessons and profit from them.  Those photographers will also remain in search of new lessons.  In photography or in life, education should never stop.

When I look back on my youth, much about me today is different, and much is the same.  While my political and social philosophy has been changed through my life’s experiences and gained wisdoms, my core belief system is pretty much the same as it was when I was 21 years old.  I am however, thankful for the changes that have occurred and I appreciate my lessons learned.

For a nice selection of images from our national parks and national historic sites, you may want to try Russ Finley Photography.  He has twenty years of imagery of the American scene, both natural and human just waiting for you to view.  He has more images of American human history than any photographer I have found to this point. 

Visit our older posts?  Honoring Wildness by Wayne Nelson

Let’s browse a few pictures.

I’ve made my share of images of herons and egrets in my life.  Just like most of your images, my pictures usually consist of those artful clean images in open water, clear sky, or on the outstretched limb of a tree.  A scene that is free of branches and confusing lines.  I actually have a pretty full file of images of egrets/herons in trees, and in the thick of the branches and leaves.  They seem to languish in my files, so here are three Great Egret images that fit the “busy tree” description.

As bird migration moves along in these northern climates it will not be long before everyone who feeds birds will have a slice of orange or grapefruit, or a cap full of grape jelly set out for those beautiful Baltimore Orioles.  Orioles are not alone in their quest of the sweet stuff.  Most woodpeckers, Gray Catbirds and House/Purple Finches also enjoy some sugar for breakfast.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Gray Catbird

Female House Finch portrait

I haven’t shown any Great-horned Owlets for a while so here we are. It is the time of year to enjoy these guys.

While I’m showing young birds, I remember this baby Mourning Dove from a few years ago. It lived in my backyard for two weeks.  Mom would come and feed every day.  The problem was there were three dogs here who shared that backyard. We had to save the birds life about six times a day.

Of course those little Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels should be waking up very soon. One of my favorite local subjects throughout my photographic life.

Happy trails my friends,                                                                                                              Wayne