My initial concept for today’s post was to revisit the subject of autumn nature photography. The more I explored the current imagery on Facebook and Google Plus, the more I realized that I needed to create a much “more complete” photography post.

It has recently come to my attention that there are some of you out there who actually look forward to my political/social/ religious posts more so than the photography related articles I write. I can assure you that when I feel motivated by other subjects, I will continue to share my thoughts with you. As always, after 24 hours those non-photography posts will be moved to a location that contains all such writings.

Let’s begin with some fine autumn photography by three excellent image makers.

This shot was created in the Eastern Sierras of California by superb landscape artist Michael Frye. I love autumn images created in the western mountains of the U.S. This one is a true classic. There is nothing wrong, in fact there is everything right about classic image making of classic subjects. Your pictures are your pictures whether they are judged (by others) to be unique or traditional.

Carson Peak and aspens during a clearing storm, June Lake Loop, Inyo NF, CA, USA

This Idaho picture was made by one of photography’s well-known shooters, Kim Critchfield. The pano crop is perfect for this image.

The state of Maine is certainly one of America’s best known autumn landscape destinations. Kurt Budliger is the landscape artist who (along with Maine) deserves the credit for this beautiful shot.

Ian Plant is fast becoming one of photography’s most versatile stars. Wildlife photography enthusiasts should be thrilled at Ian’s decision the crossover from purely landscape image making to other genres including wildlife.

What a great, subtle wildlife picture. Two young Polar Bears play fighting in a snow storm.

Beautiful compositions, beautiful poses, and beautiful animals make for great pictures. This Ian Plant image of a Marine Iguana has all of those elements.

It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a wildlife close-up from Colorado’s Dan Walters, but I couldn’t resist this shot of a male Wood Duck.

I’ll close today’s visitor section with this unusual image from Robert Dettman. I do not know the story behind the picture, or the name of the model, but the picture is titled “cracked up” and I find the detail, the pose and the expression fascinating.

Let’s end this parade of images with a few of my own (very) old pictures. I never thought the day would come, but it takes a fair amount of courage for me to share my “elderly” pictures on the same page as the current images made with current equipment from some of photography’s greats.

Fall is my season, so I felt it necessary to show a few of my own images that originated at this time of year.

Simplicity can be an attribute when shooting in fall, and the pictures below were made entirely from the “order out of chaos” concept. Pictures like these can be made by anybody almost anywhere. You just need good light. In this case the color revealing, detail rich light of overcast, and a (small) flair for finding the patterns that exist in groups of trees.

While spring is long gone, or a long ways away whichever you prefer, we can still remember the great macro possibilities that exist during that season.

I could spend the rest of my life crawling on my hands and knees, getting soaking wet on a dewy morning, looking for images like the one below. The payment in pictures is worth the sore knees and back. The experience of what can be found would be worth it even if I never took a picture.

I have shared many pictures of ducks dabbling, but some of the larger waterfowl such as Trumpeter Swans (top), and American White Pelicans make even better subjects.

I imagine many non-photographers would think that I had wasted my life if they knew just how many hours I have spent observing and photographing waterfowl?

Small mammals are among the most photogenic subjects any photographer could ask for. The poses are often “human like”, and are almost always cute.

I made these two Meercat photos while I was teaching a workshop at a public zoo. My students were overjoyed at the subject and how they were able to make top-notch pictures at a simple local workshop.

There is nothing like being in the wild for the total nature experience, but public zoos can be great places to learn wildlife photography and it is nice to make pictures of small mammals with a slow (5.6) lightweight 300mm lens as I did here, rather than my fast 500mm, heavy 500mm.

Our coldest season will be coming soon. It will  provide photographers with an amazing array of opportunities.

Wildlife and winter just seem to go together. Birds that tend to walk rather than fly make perfect subjects in the snow, as these two pheasants prove.

Winter is a great season for landscapes, when the snow falls just right. When the morning after a snow or frost does not lend itself great landscapes, do a little piecework. One tree and the morning sun can make your entire morning.

Have a great day and God Bless,                                                                                               Wayne