I have two spectacular, each in their own way, images today, from two superb photographer/artists.  Hence forth today’s title.

Raymond Barlow shows us that not only is wildlife photography an artistic endeavor, but wildlife action is as artful and any static pose might be.

These two eastern Bluebirds are suspended in a midair ballet of sorts. A frame freezing image, with both birds caught in spectacular poses, tack sharp and beautiful.

There’s nothing like an action/behavior image that gives us natural history information, and art all in one frame.

It may be a bit easier to capture a plant in the desert at sunrise or sunset, but then again maybe not.

My guess is that photographer/artist Kerry Drager put no small amount of effort in being on this desert at the edge of light, while locating and composing an image of sand furrows that visually lead us to a desert plant. That low level side light also provided gorgeous texture. It looks good enough to eat. This image is both complex and simplistic at the same time.

Spectacular Kerry.

Please do understand, the images of my own that I selected for today, were chosen by the “throw a dart against the wall and see what we hit” method.  They were in one folder and in each case, something to discuss came to my mind when I saw them. That is the sole reason they are here today.

This was with the image below, only the third or fourth click of the shutter I ever made with a digital camera after years with film. I was blessed to have two male Ring-necked Pheasants doing battle right outside the window of my car. If they were human, this image would have been made in the corner bar.

I do like the blend of motion blur and tack sharp focus in this image. It does have some artistic merit accompanied by the story telling aspect of males fighting over breeding rights.

I would always photograph any wild animal when I was out making pictures. Really, a Gray Tree Squirrel?  Anytime I could, but especially when they are of a regional group of black Gray Squirrels if you will. Information and a nice pose meant it was time to trip the shutter.

I always loved photographing old buildings, bridges and such.  To me, this simple image was about the weathering of the cabin, the crossing of vertical and horizontal boards, and about reducing the image to “only” what interested me.

There’s a lot of ways to photograph a sunrise on a beach. To me, this was about the transition of color, texture and light between the sky, the soft (slow shutter speed) waves, and sand.

There is some form of action, great light, texture or design to be found wherever we are. It is the photographer’s job to “see it”, capture it, and share the story and the art.

See you next time and may God Bless,
Wayne