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Grand Adventure with Wife

Last night after much haggling (90 seconds worth), I convinced the wife to go to Rock Creek Lake to shoot some fall foliage and a waterfall she'd never seen before. Photographing water is tough - showing the movement requires a tripod - and is something I've enjoyed lately. Waterfalls are my new thing...wish we had more in the area! Here are a few takes.

My Prized Art

I own several pieces of fine art photographs that I consider one of my most precious possessions. Not because of their value but because I can look at the images on a good day and smile or on a bad day I can fall into the locations and feel like I'm part of the scene.

They are shown in reverse order of which I acquired them.

Each photo was made by renowned nature photographer Thomas Mangelsen (www.imagesofnature.com). His work has inspired me to get into nature and show off it's beauty.

The top image I haven't received yet - it's a gift for Christmas that I accidentally found out about. And it is the most special image of all because it's what got me interested in Wyoming, which I think most of my readers know that I am obsessed with.

The image below it, called Changing Lanes, was purchased this October while in Jackson, Wyoming. I've had my eye on it for quite some time and finally picked it up!

Under it, Time for Reflection, is actually a photograph from Jackson, Wyoming that I got at the beginning of the year. I LOVE snow and this image evokes peacefulness.

Wife picked out the panoramic shot of the aspens, titled Time of Falling Leaves. It was a gift from several family members for Christmas last year.

Tree of Life, the image of the tree with the sun setting behind it, is an image from Africa, a place every wildlife lover wants to go see. I'm no different!

Gentle Giant was picked out because Megan and I are both Gorillas - both graduating from Pittsburg State University!!!

And the final image, His Majesty, was a gift from boss and friend Gary Palmer. It was my first print and was given to me for Christmas because he knew how obsessed I am with bald eagles.

The Jones Wedding

Congrats! Beautiful bride and a beautiful wedding. And a beautiful day.

I met Jessica through her older sister Jaime, who has become a great friend. I'd been looking forward to this wedding for quite some time since I knew it would be an absolute blast. It lived up to the hype...we arrived at 11 a.m. and didn't leave until after midnight we had so much fun!

Family Photo Shoot

Had the great pleasure of photographing Ron and Susan Eldridge and their two daughters and their respective families this past Saturday. We had a great time and got a lot of good photos of the little ones!

Away from the Game

I enjoy shooting images away from the action almost as much as I do photographing the game itself. Here are a few cheerleaders and one of a referee applying eye drops to his eyes after, wait for it...wait for it......, an extremely bad call. Coincidence? I think not....

Here are a few of my favorite images from the past Chiefs v. Titans game. Also including a few images that were used in the cnnsi.com Fans of the Week.

Friday Night Lights Part 2

First night of district play got under way Friday night. I shot the first half of the Uniontown v. Pleasanton matchup, with Pleasanton winning 12-0 with a little help from the refs, and then the Fort Scott v. Iola matchup, with Iola beating Fort Scott by A LOT for the first time in the history of the world.

Jackson Here I Come

I need to go back!!!!! Wife just sent me a photo of Vermont - her current residence for the next 5 days - and the leaves are covering the state with a great splash of color. Reminded me of Wyoming. I MUST GO BACK!!! SOON!

Travelin' Man

A much-deserved thanks goes out to Gary Palmer for all of the great memories he helped provide (elk chasing) and avoid (death by moose) on our recent shindig to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's been almost two weeks since we left those wonderful parts and I miss it tremendously. If the wife would allow it, she and I would pack up and move there.

Anyway, thanks again for accompanying me on this grandiose trip...one I've wanted to do for awhile and would not have been able to take by myself!

Amazing Friday!

A dream of mine for as long as I can remember has been to have a photo published in the greatest sports publication of all time. Sports Illustrated was and probably always will be my favorite magazine because of the great stories and even better images. So...since it's the pinnacle of all magazines I've strived for that for at least the past 6-7 years. Today, I opened my magazine and found not one but TWO images. I'm attaching the half page image that was published. The second image was about the size of a dime...not quite as cool as this one! Just wanted to share that with everyone!

Ever think about being mauled to death by a bull moose?

Why hello Mr. Moose Man. Please don't kill me even though you are less than 20 feet from my feeble body. Thank you.

Sorry Mr. Park Ranger (standing 100 yards behind us) for getting so close to Mr. Moose Man. Evidently it's illegal to be within 25 yards of an animal. We were at 26 yards.

Oh my! Didn't know you were standing there when we crested the top of the hill. We'll be going back the way we came!!!

Oh.....Wyoming!

The top image was one of those shot in the dark (no pun intended) attempts. The color you see in the sky was NOT visible to the naked eye. A 30 second exposure, however, brought forth the color. This is my favorite image from the trip.

Hello Mr. Bear. My name is Mr. Coyote and I would like to eat that rather large piece of meat you have there.

The aspens, as I have said previously, were absolutely stunning. Lots of golden colors highlighted the horizon. Can't wait to go back.

My name is Mr. Huge Elk and I like to bugle ALL FREAKING NIGHT LONG so that nearby campers might be freaked out everytime they wake up in the wee hours of the nearly freezing nights.