Here and there over the years, I have mentioned my parents on this blog. Unfortunately the thoughts and the remembrances I shared were long after they were both gone.

I wish they were here right now. My sister and I, were fortunate to have the parents we had. You often don’t realize that at the time.

How about you?

My Dad much like Mom, grew up in the depression. They learned to do without, but they also learned to share. If you cannot share with goods or money, share with your hands. By doing.

I cannot count the number of cars my Dad fixed for people in my lifetime. No compensation expected and non asked for.

My Dad was not a car mechanic, but he fixed their problems anyway.

Fences, electricity in their home or garage, plumbing, laying cement, carpentry, and the beat goes on.

My Dad was not a professional at any of the things above. He ;learned by doing, and some from his dad.

He never acted as if he was generous. To him, it was just what people did. Or should do.

My mother worked outside the house for most of m life. Only in the beginning of my life, and at the end of her life, she did not hold a job. Usually at one of two specialized hospitals. One took care of tuberculosis patients, the other, people who were physically and mentally challenged. People of all ages, races and creeds. Anyone who had no insurance or money.

As a child, my feelings were hurt because when a new and young female worker would be hired, if they had children Mom would take a toy of mine, ask me if I minded, (I always said no but meant yes). And gifted it to them. Sometimes clothing as well.

I have told the story below before on this blog.

In her later working years, she was a department head at a hospital for the poor. They had many fulltime residents who has issues and needed to live in a place with doctors and nurses.

Every so many months, she packed four or five of them in her personal car, and drove them to a department store, dug into her own pocket, and gave each of them a few dollars to spend. She did that as to empower them, for at least a few minutes of their lives.

Though the years, I certainly did give my parents reasons to get angry. That anger never made me feel unloved.

Whether you are are five years old, twenty five, or sixty, love them while they’re here, and make sure they know it.

We were fortunate to be able to travel once or twice a year. We did so on a budget but it mattered not to me. Many cities and events, which I loved, and much in nature, which I really loved.

My first nature pictures ever taken were created in the Badlands of South Dakota. My first wildlife images were of a Black Bear in Yellowstone N.P.. The
Bear was on its hind legs, leaning on the right front area of the windshield of our car, with my Mother on the inside but shielding her face with her arms.

I owe much to my parents. It’s too bad that some of us figure that out so late.

In remembrance. Some nature photos that their grown son captured, and were inspired by that first trip to Yellowstone N.P.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument in Colorado is a unique place. I love unique places!

The first shot takes us straight out into the dunes. It can be a difficult hike.

A river (actually snow melt) to walk through, dunes, and snow capped mountains all in one scene.

The Badlands of South Dakota. The Badlands can make for interesting photography. A mix of warm and cool colors, and one deep shadow make this image pop.

Close-up or macro photography, is not limited in subject matter. The small details in life are often the most missed, but the most interesting.

Wildlife, from the most common to the rare, might be the most popular subject there is. 10-14

Normally, a lot of identifying detail is desirable in wildlife photography. I always believed there is room to get what you need or want, and you can still come home with the unique way of looking at things.

Below we have wild birds with first little, and then no actual detail except of course shape.

When you are out with your cameras, and nothing impresses you, look up. The skies will give you a lot.

The final four shots are out of nature. So to speak.

The first three were made in the Lake Michigan harbor area of Milwaukee, WI. As you can see, the light is mostly manmade. They were however made just before and after the light at sunrise.

There are images to be made everywhere, we just have to “see” them.

I spent a lot of my life at car races, and a fairly good piece of it as a photographer for race tracks, promoters, newspapers and magazines.

The one below was made at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin, and features two Late Model Stock Cars in action.

Well, hopefully you have found one thing or another interesting in today’s post.

Never forget Mom and Dad and your lives together.

God Bless,
Wayne