First a few pictures.

Today’s images are mine, and were chosen in an extremely random fashion. When we look through our own pictures and choose some to share, I doubt any of us choose the same images that an outsider would. I surely don’t think that very many people would choose portraits of two very common Herring Gulls. I love these birds when they are in immature or alternate plumage. There is just something (to me) about the soft, gentle mottling that makes them pleasing to the eye, and to photograph. Usually only ardent birders enjoy gulls, but I love finding them in between those boisterous, squawking moments when they are often pensive and reflective.

One of my favorite things to do as a photographer was wander wherever the wind blows me, and look for landscape opportunities along the way. In the west, especially in New Mexico, worthy landscapes can be found about every 1.5 miles, or there about.

The countless hours I have spent with wild Sandhill Cranes were a profitable experience for me. Watching the “ways and means” of wild creatures can sometimes help us understand why we do what we do.

Short-eared Owls are among my favorite owls. They always have such a serious expression, and I think that serious look photographs really well. In the winter, these guys can be found out an about at any time of day, although dusk is their preferred time. They appear from nowhere, and literally take over the wild world. I have had around 15 of them appear on three separate occasions.

The rest of today’s images are united solely by the theme of winter. What better time than the Christmas season to follow that unifying concept.

Snow and Snowy Owls obviously go together. This large female stayed around these parts for over a month and became an unwitting participant in a controversy over whether it was ethical for photographers to bait owls or not. I came down on the side that said no, but ultimately “photographic greed” led my opposition to win the war.

We can’t always win the battles we choose to fight, but it is worth every effort to fight them anyway.

I know that I’ve shared this worn out image of a Whitetail Deer doe and her half-grown fawn too many times. Sometimes it is the subject that leads us to share a picture, sometimes it the uniqueness or quality of the actual photo, but on this occasion it is the strong memory of an hour on a winter’s afternoon with an entire herd of deer.  I only left when there was no more light for photography. The image was made in Illinois.

Most of today’s landscapes (and icicles) have been shared (too) many times before, but here we go again.

The Pike River in southern Wisconsin.

Another day, another winter, the same Pike River.

Icicles and a blue sky day.

Mornings like this make me feel alive.

Fresh snow, giant sun star.

One of the most beautiful and perfect sunrises after a winter storm, that I have been privileged to experience. Tiny sun star.

Hoarfrost, Bong State Rec. Area, Wisconsin.

Each and every one of you have a very Merry and blessed Christmas.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but, have everlasting life.

Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

God Bless,                                                                                                                                             Wayne