~~Quail Sighting!~~

During a recent photo walk at the local Desert Botanical Gardens (www.dbg.org), I overheard a couple talking about a pretty bird they had never seen before.

Trying to be helpful, I told them that this is a Gambel's quail and that they are common in Arizona. Some people even eat them. 

They looked at each other, laughing, and said, "We are from New Jersey, and they only birds we see are pigeons!" Well, some people eat those, too!

This is "Chester," the quail that visited me twice a day, every day, for 5-6 years....
He had one leg, and he must have passed to quail heaven....

~~Opening Your Heart~~

Being a good photographer starts with opening your mind and your eyes.  You need to see things/event/people in ways that no one else does.  It requires keen skills of observation...not just looking around...observing.  It require that you are mindful when you are looking around.

However, you can be a good photographer by opening your mind and your eyes, but if you want to be a great photographer, you must also open your heart.  Love your surroundings, even if they are not loveable.  Love your subjects without judgment.  Want the best for your clients.  Love your clients and enjoy observing them opening their minds, eyes and hearts.

A client learning how to “see” differently to become a better photographer

~~Arizona in Spring...AMAZING!~~

Just thawed out from my Alaska adventure....and yes, I would do it again....and got home to Arizona to wildflowers popping in full color!

Manage your expectations and always be ready for a surprise!  I ran into a miner prospecting for Peridot, an ancient gemstone.

...and you cannot beat seeing and getting to photograph wild horses to round out your wildflower adventure!

~~Get that shot!~~

Sometimes nothing can stop a photographer from trying to get "that shot."

I've run across the house at full speed to grab one of the at least three Canons I have lying around. I've spilled my wine tripping over the dog. I've fallen out a window and down a lagoon to get "that shot."

Well, last night I was setting up my tripod in hopes of capturing the rare and illusive "Strawberry Moon." As I walked through the house, I glanced out the window to see what was surely one of the most spectacular events I may ever have the privilege to capture. RUN!! I grabbed the closest SLR and ran out the back and down the steps and into the wash...not looking where my feet were going. I was keeping my eye on the prize! RUN!!

After a punishing day of 117 degree temperatures, Arizona rewarded us with an almost unbelievable sunset show!

Enjoy and feel free to share this rarest of all sunsets!