Reflections: On New Fallen Snow

Standing near the end of the patch of woods overlooking the corn stubble field behind our home, I paused for a few moments and just listened. All was quiet until I listened more closely. The slight winter breeze made the falling snow whisper against my exposed face and brush against the nylon fabric of the green anorak I was wearing. As the flakes touched the fabric they skidded off with a slight wisp creating a kind of soft click as they fell. Behind me a gentle hushing joined the chorus of winter sounds as some snow fell from the branches of a cedar tree. With camera in hand, I snapped a few photos.

To my left a group of assorted birds flittered between the ground cover stopping long enough to pluck a seed from the tall grasses. The air was cold but not so nearly cold as the previous few days when a frigid winter storm blasted through the countryside depositing a frozen layer of snow across the land. Lots of folks complained. Personally, I loved it as it provided something somewhat rare in these parts; a White Christmas. 

I continued to work my way around the point and followed a fence row to the edge of another wooded area. Inside the fence several goats grazed on the giant roll of hay, stopping only briefly to look over in my direction as I passed by. The snow seemed to not bother them, nor the rooster as he strutted around.

Along the edge of the woods I continued to walk. With each step the snow crunched under foot and gathered across the tops of my boots. Turning the corner I cover the few dozen or so yards more to the pond, its surface frozen now and covered in a layer of fresh snow. Deer tracks crisscrossed the area but were beginning to lose their sharpness as the new snow filled in their outlines. 

Within a few moments the snow started falling with a lot more vigor and again I stopped, loosening my jacket to vent some of the heat I generated during the hike. That hush across the woods seemed broken by the whispering snow as it floated and curved through the trees and across the fields and slid off my jacket. The treeline maybe a hundred yards away looked diffused and gray through the falling snow. 

Working my way around the pond, more tracks appeared, squirrel I think, and then some rabbit tracks as well. Another set of tracks cut across the field and disappeared. Pretty sure they belonged to a coyote. Eventually, I worked my way back to the end of that first set of woods. A good hour or more had slipped by during my hike, and the snow continued to fall. I worked through the woods following the trail we cut through it the previous fall, which made for easier access. As I entered the backend of my yard, I noticed once again how the old swing, campfire, and firewood stacked in one corner looked like something out of a rustic Americana painting. As I neared home, dozens of birds, Cardinals, Titmice, Juncos, Blue Jays, and various sparrow-like birds, were swarming around the feeders. They seemed almost tame as they barely broke away as I approached, but they offered several good photo-ops.

Inside, the fireplace was burning casting a warming glow into the room. and I sat down to off load some photos and to write this reflection. The Christmas season is now behind us with the New Year approaching. The past year was a good year over all, and the new year looks promising in spite of all the nonsensical stuff being pushed out in the world. I feel blessed beyond all measure and peace of mind is worth a great deal. 

A simple walk through the woods during a snowfall opens the heart to hearing the true message of the Christmas season; Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men. It's the kind of message we too often say without really pausing long enough to reflect upon what it really means...that a little child 2000 years ago came into this world to bring peace and joy to all the world. And through that child all the transgressions of mankind were placed so we could find forgiveness and a life everlasting. The light of that child was a brilliant, radiant white, not unlike New Fallen Snow, but even more pure. 

Photographing Sandhill Cranes: The Challenges and Rewards - Part 2

 The alarm set for 2:00 AM went off right on que and by 2:30 or so, I was on the road heading up to Seymour, Indiana, about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive. Over the past 10 years or so, I had made a good number of trips up there during the winter months and had always found good numbers of Sandhill Cranes in the Ewing area upwards to 30,000 or more of them. I had similar visions as the road miles rolled under my Jeep. What transpired completely caught me off guard.

My intent was to hopefully capture one of those early morning rises of Sandhills coming off their roost. A couple years previous I had stumbled into such a rising and caught it on video which was made rather spur of the moment so suffered somewhat in quality.

I arrived well ahead of first light and got my camera gear ready for the anticipated moment. This location had always produced amazing numbers of Sandhills and was a logical choice to set up. The horizon grew brighter...and brighter...and my anticipation grew accordingly. By the time of full sunup, which was mostly hidden behind early morning clouds, I felt a deep disappointment for there were absolutely no Sandhills to be seen. Zero, zilch, nothing.

I was utterly amazed at the situation. Reports I read and social media reports indicated the Sandhills were there in abundant numbers. But there were none. I waited around for a time hoping a few might meander through, but it was absolutely devoid of these amazing birds. What to do?

Clearly my plans had been weighlaid, and I had no clue as to where I could find some of the birds, having always found them in this one area. There were none even flying off in the distance so I began driving around and saw nothing at first. As I was heading back toward Seymour I noticed a good number of Sandhills flying way off, so I turned down a side road and followed my instincts, turning here and there down this road and then another, getting completely turned around. But, I did find a location where there were several thousand Sandhills feeding in the surrounding corn and soybean fields. A few here, some there, to eventually finding a corner field a good number of them were using. So it was here my shoot finally began.

It was not a good location for shooting as the corner of the field was bracketed by a busy intersection where a lot of traffic crisscrossed. Trucks, cars, SUV's, and other types interfered with my attempts at videoing these amazing birds. 

Eventually, in frustration, I drove a ways down the road to another place where I still had sight of the birds, but the traffic was less congested.

While there two different fellows stopped by for a chat. One of them was a farmer who owned the field spread out in front of us where the Sandhills were now congregating. He indicated that up until the day before there had been huge numbers of them in the area, but many of them had left and speculated they were sensing the coming storm and frigid weather due to arrive in a few days. 

Adapting to the situation is often the plight of the wildlife photographer. On this day, I had made plans based on previous experiences in that area. As it turned out, the Sandhills made other plans. But, I was able to gather some good footage and a few photographs by adjusting to the situation. I spent most of the rest of the day there, but the Sandhills in small groups would get up and fly off and through slow attrition, by close to sundown, there were very few birds left.

 I was hoping for at least a few of them to fly into the setting sun, but they were intent on going someplace else. The ancient migration of Sandhills is a natural phenomena worth following and photographing. As with all wildlife, they have their own agenda and sometimes they do not cooperate.  Learning to adapt to their whims can help you avoid a busted outing. 

They present challenges that often are difficult to overcome, but the rewards for persevering through the difficult attempts far outweigh the challenges. On this trip, I learned a valuable lesson about not counting on wildlife to do what you expect them to do, but to adjust your plans to what they actually will do. Turned out to be a good day and well worth the challenges they presented.

The Natural World: Working on Some Environmental Wildlife Portraits

 I'm making a strong effort for 2023 to do more wildlife photography. Being more of a general nature photographer (among other types) I find myself looking for a way to blend the two forms of photography into a single style. I love seeing the details of a close up wildlife image. They can be truly amazing and the skill required to obtain such photo's takes time and effort to accomplish. However there is something to be said about the environmental wildlife portrait for capturing that kind of image requires a special skill all its own. 

 An environmental wildlife portrait simple means capturing a wild animal within its natural habitat and emphasizing the interactions between that habitat and the animal. Sometimes the wildlife can be relatively close in but most times the most effective way to showcase this type of image is for the wildlife to be at some distance away, yet close enough to be able to identify detail about the animal.

 Composition and light as always are the keys to a successful capture. Keeping close tabs on the weather, wind direction, sunrise or sunset times, all play a part in determining how to go about attempting to capture the combination of environment and wildness.

Witnessing wildlife in a natural setting is what being an amature naturalist photographer is all about. Not only must you be able to effectively use your camera to capture the image, in order to do that, you must have some semblance of knowledge about the wildlife you are attempting to photograph. It's important to understand their natural habits and how to apply that knowledge to your photography. Luck plays a roll, however, being knowledgeable is far more productive and rewarding. 

Patience is a virtue no wildlife photographer can do without. Sometimes wildlife simply do not cooperate. Being patient and perseverate eventually pays dividends in a capture that sets the standards of your photographic attempts. 

Depending on the situation, when I attempt to photograph wildlife I almost always wear darker and/or dull colored clothing and most times I will be dressed in full camouflage. When photographing deer, as with most wildlife, I make a strong effort to conceal myself and blend into the background as much as possible. How I do this is straightforward. In addition to the camo clothing, I will wear a face mask to hide my face which can be a bright spot in the middle of your concealment attempts. Moving your uncovered head back and forth will attract deer's attention pretty quickly. I also will wear dark or camouflaged gloves for the same reason.  

Hand movements can easily give away your position. I have several pair I use, all of them made with the fingertips exposed which makes it easier to work the camera controls. On really cold days, I have a pair of regular gloves with a small slit cut into the thumb and index finger so I can work the camera but also tuck the exposed fingertip back inside to protect it from the cold. With deer, I also use a compact piece of camouflaged burlap. I simply drape it around the front of the camera tripod and extend it to either side sometimes propping the ends up with a couple of small sticks I may find. This provides a easily transportable, quick, and effect blind I sit behind. When the wind is in my favor, and sitting behind this quick setup, I've had deer come within a few yards of me and never know I was there

Photographing wildlife requires you to be able to find wildlife to photograph. Backyard birds are an easy place to begin. They readily come to feeders and usually require only minor concealment to be able to get close to them. Placing feeders near trees or shrubs provide the birds a place to perch before and after they visit the feeder. A more elaborate setup if you have the space for it would be to setup your own perching locations. Vertically planting a couple of larger limbs in the ground for a base, you can attach cross limbs at various heights. 

Drilling a few small holes in the limbs allows for the placement of peanut butter mixed with birdseed. Woodpeckers love this and are fun to photograph. When you build your limb perch, place it some distance from the background. This provides several advantages for the birds and the photographer. Birds like a safe place to perch before feeding and your limb perch is a good attractant for them to perch on with cover nearby. With the background some distance away, this helps to create those blurred, soft background images that are so appealing.

Another good place to start is to simply sit next to a patch of wildflowers and watch closely. Within a few minutes you will begin to notice small insects and other forms of wildlife. These provide some really interesting subjects.

  A good macro lens helps but is not necessary. Just use a small telephoto and zoom in close to them.

Most states offer state parks and/or state owned wildlife management areas for use by the public. These can be great locations to find deer and other wildlife, just make sure you know the regulations for the areas. Other places like wildlife refuges can often be found nearby and they provide access to sometimes thousands of acres of habitat. Do a little research and give them a try and most of all remain patient. Wildlife will often prove frustrating, but that's part of the appeal of attempting to capture their portrait. Just remember, a good wildlife portrait does not always have to be a closeup. 

Environmental wildlife portraits, where the animal is only a small portion of the image, can often be extremely rewarding. They blend landscape, nature, and wildlife all in one photograph. So, being close is not a requirement. These kinds of photographs provide a wealth of scenic value.

Other good places to find wildlife is at local ponds or local lakes. Ponds will require a bit more concealment on your part, but are fun to sit beside and simply watch what happens. 

Dragonflies, birds, squirrels, are just a few of the visitors you may find at ponds. At some of the larger lakes you can also find migrating birds including gulls. They are graceful flyers, fun to watch, and a challenge to photograph.

Environmental wildlife photography is a year round opportunity. The change of seasons offers their unique blend of challenges. I love all four seasons and look forward to what they have to offer. Hope to see you out there.

Photographing Sandhill Cranes: The Challenges and Rewards - Part 1

The first time I ever saw Sandhill Cranes was a good number of years ago, well over 20 close to 25 years anyway, while I and a friend were on a late season goose hunt on Oklahoma's Canton Lake. The goose hunt was pretty much a bust but all through the morning we kept hearing this haunting chattel like call echoing off in the distance. Neither one of us knew what it was so we decided to investigate. Eventually we spied a large circling dome of birds hovering and spinning above a distant shallow arm of the lake. We still were not sure what they were but eventually made our way close enough to where they were setting down to be almost on the very edge of their group. A large span of tall grasses hid our advance as we worked our way closer. It was quite a sight to witness being where we were, all but in the middle of this amazing flight of exotic birds. The odd thing was, we still were not sure what they were.

A little investigation later that evening revealed their identity and I was forever mesmerized by their haunting call and graceful dance across the sky. Fast forward to more recent times. Living now in Kentucky opened up an all new array of photographic and outdoor adventures, and I learned about how a few thousand Sandhills would winter over around the Barren River Lake area. It did not take long to find them and I began to photograph them with a renewed vigor. After a few seasons of this, I learned about a new and exciting and much larger congregation of them near Seymour, Indiana, something like 30 to 40 thousand of them spend the winter there. The chase was on and over the next several seasons I ventured the 3 hour drive up there to capture and gaze in awe of the spectacle of watching all of those Sandhill lift off their roost just before sunrise to head for their feeding grounds.

Photographing Sandhill Cranes provides a range of challenges but also an abundance of rewards. They are quite wary with sharp eyesight. Getting close to them is not an easy task although I have discovered it is easier to do when there are a large number of them setting down in a cornfield. Numbers seem to provide for them a sense of security. Even so, they keep a sharp eye out for any intrusions and you can't just walk up to them and start photographing.

Trying to guess where they will be feeding is a gamble for they might decide one day to use a particular location and the next day go somewhere else. The most success I've had was to simply drive around until I spotted a large formation setting down in a field, then position myself reasonably close and use a long lens to capture them. I've tried to move closer at times only to have them bust skyward. I've even tried to set up a blind. This has worked on occasion, however it is a guessing game as to where they will be and I've lost many an hour waiting on the birds to show up that never do. Using my Jeep as a blind works pretty well, but I don't like doing that. I much prefer to be outside where I can experience the full range of the moment where large flights of the birds fly over and set down in distance fields. Being inside a blind or a vehicle limits the range of the visual experience in many instances blocking your view of the full sky.

I always wear dull colored or camouflaged clothing so as to blend as much as possible into the prevailing background. Just to explain how good their eyesight is, one time I was in full camo, top to bottom including my face, and I was nestled inside some cover that lined a fence row. Sure enough a group of Sandhills came floating in about to set down a few dozen yards in front of me. 

They were descending maybe 75 feet or so off the ground and I moved ever so slightly and pointed my camera toward them. In an instant, they picked up my movement and flared off to find another safer location. Did manage a few photos, but learned very quickly just how wary they are. 

One of the most magnificent days afield photographing Sandhills I decided to stay until after sundown.

 Most of the birds except for a few straggler had moved off through the day leaving the cornfields around me mostly devoid of their activity. I figured they were gone. A few moments before sundown, with a bright and amazing sunset developing, They started flying through in groups of a hundred, then two hundred and more, returning to their roosting area. By chance, I happened to aligned with their direction of travel as they moved into the sunset. What an amazing sight! Thousands of them sailing by, calling to each other as they settled toward the setting sun. 

On another occasion, I arrived just before sunup and caught the full flight of at least 30,000 Sandhills lifting from their roost to head into the fields for the morning. An amazing sight and one I will not long forget.

In the near future, I will again be heading back to Indiana to witness and capture these amazing birds. Plan is to shoot more video than still photo's, then create a Beyond the Campfire Adventure Video program about the experience. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Photographing Sandhill Cranes: The Challenges and Rewards.

Red Letter Days: Photographing Elusive Kentucky Whitetail Deer

Over the years I could probably count on one hand how many true red letter photography days I've managed to have. They do not come all that often, one or two a season at most. By red letter I mean a photography day where everything falls into place; timing, subject, light, opportunity, and preparation. Two days near the end of November and into early December 2022 became such a time.

The farming fields that surround the area where I live harbors a great assortment of wildlife. Coyotes, foxes, birds of prey, and other small game, but deer are by far the most prominent. They may indeed also be abundant, but that does not make them easy to photograph for they are extremely shy and easily spooked by people. They are survivors, so they have learned to be vigilant or risk not surviving. These instincts are what makes them so difficult to photograph.

They have good eyesight, but can only see in shades of gray. They also have excellent hearing, but the one sense they rely on the most is their keen sense of smell. It is that sense that makes them a challenging foe for the hunter and photographer alike. They may hear you but that does not always generate a flight. They may even see you, but again that may not spook them if you remain motionless for they rely on detecting motion and if you stand or crouch and be very still, they may not be able to distinguish you from the background. But, if they get one whiff of you, they are most assuredly gone. But knowing this and how their other senses are used can be deployed in your favor when it comes to photographing these amazing animals. Camouflage or dull colored clothing helps to break up you pattern against the background, however, wind is the key. By always positioning yourself downwind from their expected sighting area, your odds of seeing and photographing these amazing animals greatly increases. It's also important to position yourself against a dark shaded background and to stay low so as not to present the form of a standing person.

Deer follow predictable patterns and tend to utilize familiar pathways and feeding locations. The corn and soybean fields that prevail around here draw them like magnets. The two weeks leading up to the end of November were the gun hunting season, so I stayed out of the woods during that time to avoid interrupting someone's hunt. But after it ended, I once again headed through the spit of woods that ends where two fields converge. Across the way about a hundred yards or so begins another more extensive woods, and that is where most of the deer congregate.

I wanted to capture some good quality photographs of these amazingly beautiful animals. I knew they typically feed in those fields late in the day and if the wind was right, I'd stand a good chance to catch some as they entered and begin their feeding. It was chilly, so I dressed accordingly. Top to bottom full camouflage was the dress of choice which included a full mess facemask and dark gloves. Along with me I packed a 3 by 6 piece of camouflaged burlap. 

Around 2:00pm I slowly walked through that spit of woods slowing and stopping just before I came to the end of it. A quick look revealed no deer, but that was expected and the down time afforded me time to get set up. A large cedar tree became my backdrop as it provided a shaded area out of the sun not so much to prevent my getting too hot, it was quite chilly, but to provide a dark area my camo clothes could blend against. I sat down with my tripod extended to its lowest level and draped the burlap across and to either side of the tripod effectively creating a simple but effective blind that would muffle and hide most any movements. The wind was good, blowing from my left to right which would take my scent pretty much away from where I expected the deer would show up. A slight adjustment to the tripod and camera, then it was time to wait.

I expected the deer would possibly show up between 3 and 3:30pm as I had previously inadvertently jumped them out of those fields around that time.  Right on cue, just after 3:00 I spotted the first one, a young doe coming out of the woods across the way. She was followed by another, then another. For several minutes, they were the only ones I saw, but the late afternoon light was awesome coming from behind and to my left flooding the field with long shadows and brighter areas. Before long a fourth deer arrived and he was a young buck with a small set of spike antlers. Within a few minutes a second buck  cautiously walked out of the woods. This guy was a nice 6 point with a well shaped rack. He was strong and healthy having survived the deer season and definitely was interested in the does as the rut was still on.

A short time later the does wandered back into the woods but the two bucks remained for a time before following them. Before long several more deer appeared along the edge of the adjoining field. They were a ways off but I was able to capture a few photos. As the light began to settle toward dusk, five more does came out of the woods and crossed over the field to my right. I suspected they would wind me as they crossed my downwind area. They did, but oddly they did not spook, they just got a bit antsy, and real cautious and kept looked over my way. Holding still and with the camo along with the natural foliage made it difficult for them to see me. 

Within a couple of minutes I heard a loud snort and thought they had figured me out, but when I turn my gaze toward them, they were looking in the opposite direction. Far across the other end of the field were two does and another buck...a nice buck somewhat larger than the 6 pointer. He was chasing after those two does. Too far away to get a clear image but I fired off a couple of quick photographs...then my battery died, the third one of the day to do so. I had no more batteries with me, so my photography day was over, but I sat for a while longer just watching. At one time there were around 15 or 16 deer in the fields at the same time.

I slowly and stealthily made my exit so as not to spook the deer. I could not believe my good fortune. I've seen a lot of deer over the years, photographed a few of them, but never have I seen that many deer together at the same time when I had a camera with me. My only gripe is I did not have a fourth battery and I missed the best light of the day.

A red letter day for sure, but the best was still to come. A couple days later I ventured out again. It was another gorgeous day with a light breeze blowing from east to west, not perfect but acceptable. I got there earlier and before long saw five does trotting across the edge of the soybean field toward that other wooded area across from where I was. Right behind them followed that same six point buck. All through the afternoon I caught glimpses of the deer, however they remained some distance away. Eventually, about 30 minutes or so before sundown, eleven deer exited that patch of woods across from me and angled across the Soybean field. I managed a few long range photos, but their line of travel eventually caused them to cross downwind of me and they caught my scent. Again they could not see me, but became quite agitated and eventually trotted across the field. 

I thought my shoot was over, but decided to stay until sundown. A short time later, a small group of does and one little four point buck walked into view way across the other end of the cornfield, well over two hundred yards away. By now the sun was quite low and created some wonderful warm light that spread across the field bathing the distance tree line with a warm glow. It took them a while, but they worked their way toward me and crossed over into the soybean field just after sundown. The light was very gray and dim by now, but I was able to capture some video and a few photos.

About all the light I had left was from the ambient glow cast across the sky. It was so dark by then I could no longer shoot video and a high ISO and slow shutter were required for photos. I started to gather my gear and sneak away hoping not to disturb the deer now feeding in the soybean field, when I noticed some movement across the cornfield. It was so dark I could just make out two deer, one was that little four point, but the other took my breath away. With his head down as he followed the scent of the does, his rack now polished almost white, stood tall and wide. 

I took a series of photos knowing the conditions were not ideal, but this buck was a true trophy class deer and just seeing him was worth the wait. I've seen a number of large bucks over the years, but never when I had a camera with me. This one was as grand of a deer as I have ever captured. Back to back red letter days photographing Kentucky Whitetail Deer.

Country Roads: Remembering When

 Can't say I've ever been lost while driving around on Kentucky's country roads, but I've sure been turned around real good. That's the nature of the country roads that weave and turn and crossover each other around here. Road names change at just about every crossroads and sometimes they regroup a few miles further down and revert back to the original name. Once I figured out this seemingly lack of planning, I became more comfortable exploring and seeking out the almost never ending photographic opportunities that abound within this Americana windfall.

I actually love driving around backroads. Most of the time I tend to drive slowly stopping ever so often to take a closer look at the historical evidence of times past. That's where the most interesting photo ops can be found. Sometimes I look for something specific, most times I just wing it and let the nature of the moment reveal itself. Regardless, what catches my attention the most, are the rustic flavors that can only be found away from the beaten path. I especially like old fence rows and old barns. 

The ones that cause me to slam on the brakes are the ones where a crop of some kind like cornfields and especially wheat fields converge alongside one of those old fences or barns.

Although I drive around most anytime of day, as with other forms of photography the best times to capture an interesting photograph are early and late in the day. During the summer fog will often greet the morning air and linger well into the later hours before noon. Catch it with a cool or warm sunrise and the sky will often turn pink or orange or red accented with blues and pastels. 

On occasion I'll find an interesting subject and make a note of where it is. Stopping for a while I will explore the possibilities identifying where the sun will rise or set or what it might look like on an overcast day or during a rainy day. I've returned to locations multiple times knowing there is a photo op just waiting to develop. Two, three and sometimes four times it takes before I catch it right, like one of my favorite photos of a mid-October morning overlooking the bottoms along Barren River. 

I knew the sun and fog would converge inside that bottom land if I timed it right. It took several attempts for it to do so, but the effort paid off handsomely. 

Driving the country roads is a year round adventure. I drive a 4x4 Jeep for one main reason; so I can traverse snow covered roads, or rough terrain. I've never been stuck driving that old Jeep. (By the way, it has surpassed 300,000 miles with a little help and upgrades from time to time. It just might outlive me.) Snow days are the best for that blanket of white turns a mundane ordinary looking scene into a winter wonderland and a photographers delight.

As with any outdoor photography, light is the key and the contrasts of warmth and cold are best captured at sundown. Even so, sunrise can often provide a similar contrast especially when an artic blast invades and chills the air to the point where nose hairs grow stiff with each breath. That contrast of artic air, hot sun rising, and a landscape attempting to retain its natural warmth often produces some of the very best country road morning scenes.

The trick to discovering great photo ops while driving down country roads is to be able to identify the potential in a scene even when at the moment you see it, the light may be flat or off and uninteresting. Knowing where the sun will rise, keeping tabs on the weather and potential cloud cover, even the prevailing wind can often lead you toward discovering something truly unique from what is otherwise an ordinary looking opportunity. 

The fall season is often one of the best as the sun has by then dropped lower in the sky and shadows grow longer with each day. Identifying a good location in the off season(s) then returning to it when the conditions are right can produce a satisfying reward visually and photographically. 

Kentucky backroads possess a wonderful Americana feel to them. There are numerous small towns that still retain that old time look and feel to them. The rural scenes seem to stretch across the landscape like a Kincaid painting placing you the art critic inside the real world artistry of the small town, rural American culture. It's a culture that oddly enough is beginning to fade somewhat as cities grow too large for the available housing space and developers buy up land and turn that land into housing additions. I've seen more of this than I care to see. I have photo's I've taken over the years of old barns and locations that are no longer standing or are now filled with homes. 

This old barn was torn down a few years
after this image was taken

It's sad in a way because other than complain, there's not much I as an individual can do about it. Maybe that's why the photographs I've taken over the years just might possess an important nostalgic look to them someday. "I can remember when" are sad words really, because they imply the loss of something important that can no longer be found. Remembering when before its gone just may be as important or maybe even more so, than when its too late.

Beyond The Campfire - What's Instore for this Channel in 2023...(Updated...)

 Well, 2022 is winding down with another 6 or 7 weeks or so to go until the new year begins. The winter season is upon us all of a sudden like. Seems summer just sort of lingered along biding its time, then all of a sudden it turned cold. The fall season for 2022 turned out to be a pretty good and colorful season here in Kentucky. The colors were about as good as they get, but came earlier than expected. 

With the year winding down, I still have some photography pursuits I hope to accomplish before the year is out. Most of those will probably extend over into the new year. So, what's coming up for 2023 for this channel?

I plan on doing more wildlife photography. It's a kind of photography I've done somewhat to a lesser degree than I should, so 2023 will see me getting out more pursuing the local wildlife. Birds of course are always fun to capture, but I want to be able to photograph a wider variety of critters employing stealth to gain closer perspectives and to employ better and exciting photography/videography techniques. Looks to be a challenge, but I'm ready to get out there.

I will be doing a good amount of canoeing on Barren River Lake, mostly during the summer months when the wind moderates. It's a beautiful lake that snakes its way across south central Kentucky. I've managed a few overnight and multi-day canoe camping trips just to check out the possibilities and was excited about what I discovered. Looking forward to making more of these kinds of adventures.

I'm planning on a multi day canoe adventure where I hope to make a circumnavigation of the lake, about 140 miles all the way around. Probably won't paddle that many miles, but will attempt to cover extended stretches, especially in the Peters Creek area. These attempts will include a lot of video footage that will be incorporated into a Beyond The Campfire Video Production series. Been working on a project idea called "From the Water's Edge". It's a long term project where I photograph the scenic beauty of Barren River Lake from inside my canoe. Still working out the logistics for this one, but I'm exited about the possibilities.

Next fall season I will again be making multiday backpacking trips into the Mammoth Cave NP backcountry. This is an under-utilized resource and offers a fantastic backcountry adventure. The limiting factor here will be my bothersome hip. The doctor says I've got some arthritis in there along with some other issues. Hasn't prevented me from getting out, but does slow me down and limits the intensity of what I can do physically, but I'm still going.

The end of 2022 and into January of 2023, I will be making a trip(s) up to Seymour Indiana to chase after those amazing Sandhill Cranes. Will be checking out Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area and other locations in that area where upwards to 40,000 Sandhill winter over. It's a grand site indeed to witness a huge flock of them wing their way across the landscape at daybreak or returning to their roost at sundown.

Shanty Hollow is always a destination and I will again be doing some hiking/photography trips into that area especially during the spring when the waterfall is at its peak flow. Plan on canoeing over there as well to explore some of the wildlife opportunities.

As I mentioned previously, wildlife photography will take on a larger percentage of my photographic attempts. Doing so will also dictate employing techniques that will hopefully place me in close proximity to the wildlife. I will be gathering some road-kill to use as bait in the fields behind where I live. With any luck at all, I may be able to attract birds of prey and vultures, possibly even coyotes or fox. Deer of course are abundant in the area and provide for a ready photographic resource.

So, I'll have a full year ahead of me. Certainly there will be spur-of-the-moment opportunities and setbacks. The plan is to expand and improve on the Adventure Photography video series within the Beyond The Campfire framework. A lot of work for sure, but something I have been working on for several years now. So, I'm excited to get started and to share these adventures as Beyond The Campfire video productions. Come join me and share the videos! Even better, see ya out there!