'14

The Year in Review - 2014

Common Loon Pair & Chick

'14 View Video Here

Enjoy!

New Blog Thoughts

Since I have not posted in a while I am starting over again. It will be mostly about outdoor photography and all things related.

Most recently I was in Las Vegas for the Shot Show and came upon a Couch's Kingbird. It had recently arrived there and was the first recorded sighting ever in the state. This is a bird from south Texas and the eastern side of central america. Beautiful specie and fortunate sighting for me.

Couch's Kingbird

Also, I got to spend some time in the dunes just Northeast of Vegas. The late light was sculpting everything in sight, a photographers dream.

Dunes at Dusk

Frenchman Mountain

There is a lot to do there outside of casinos and indoor entertainment.

Happy shooting.

Shrinking Roseate Spoonbill Population Spurs Action

Roger Tory Peterson called it "one of the most breathtaking of the world's weirdest birds." A century ago plumage hunters drove the Roseate Spoonbill to the edge of oblivion. Now, after decades of painstaking recovery efforts, the bird may again be headed for trouble. As poor water management and development afflict southern Florida, scientists are rushing to reverse recent population declines. Read More

North Country Workshop

eric.gfgc@xplornet.com

Gem of Summer

Finally, back on track.

Yesterday I headed out to shoot an orchid that has eluded me for years ( see "Should've Been Here Yesterday".) Yes, I got it thanks to a helpful friend. But more importantly, I put one more image On A Roll, the first image since September 2012 and the 20th image since starting in December of 2011. I have also expanded this roll to include the entire state instead of only Madison County.

In the heat and humidity of Mississippi in July I found a gem. It was all worth it.

Crested Coral Root Orchid (Hexalectris spicata)

20)  Crested Coral Root --- Gem of Summer  

         Choctaw County, MS

July 8, 2013 - 2:10 pm

Partly Cloudy, 90 degrees

60mm, 1/25@f10, Tripod

Independence Day

White Christmas

You never know what might be lurking in the woods. Got this shot on Tuesday. Searched for five weeks to finally get this shot.

White Eastern Wild Turkey

Back Up Plan

Recently we were in Las Vegas for the Shot Show, one of the largest outdoor shows in the world. We had planned a trip to the Grand Canyon by helicopter. Marlo had never been there and she wanted to see it. Since I was not there to shoot, I only took a small back up camera with me, the Nikon P7000. It is a great little point-and-shoot that I carry with me at all times.

Below is a shot I got of two ravens near the rim. For a point and shoot, not bad.

Ravens at the West Rim

Photography Workshop

Join me April 6, 2013 for a photography workshop guaranteed to sharpen you photographic skills.

Download PDF here: photography workshop PDF

CNN

Watch tonight on CNN as founders Stephen Kirkpatrick and Steve Maloney discuss Muddy Water Camo. They will be describing how the dream and 
vision became a reality.

Tonight, Monday February 18, 2013  

 6-7 pm central time

muddywatercamo.com

Watch as Muddy Water Camo goes into the SHARK TANK!

Natural Moments of 2012

Below find a selection of favorite shots from 2012. Some were taken On A Roll and others on outings where I did not see an On A Roll candidate or already had an image of a similar subject. Whatever the case, these are a few natural moments that spoke to me. 

Enjoy!

Sunset Reflections

Purple Gallinule Pair

Seed & Dew on Daisy Fleabane

Limbs & Snags on Foggy Morning

Water Moccasin

Spider inside Pitcher Plant

Immature Peregrine Falcons

Threadfin Shad School





Butterfly & Golden-silk Spider

Great Egret & Water Hyacinths

Young Toad & Mushroom

Cloud Burst

Sanderlings at Dusk

River Cooter in Cypress Swamp

Great Blue Heron Preening

White-tailed Deer Rubbing Tree

Alligator Resting

Spiders Shed Skin & Dew

White-fronted Geese in Flight

Stormy Sunrise

Regifting

An article in today's Clarion Ledger provided scientific proof of something many of us have already known for years.

Titled "Study: Spending Time in Nature Helps Creativity," the article recapped the results of a scientific study by psychologists at the University of Utah and University of Kansas. The study showed that people who spent time in nature, disconnected from all of their electronic devices, scored 50 percent higher on creativity tests. The article went on to explain that the negative effects of "being in front of a computer all day, every day can be offset by spending time in nature."

If too much time spent on your computer, in front of the TV, or staring at your iPad has left you feeling a little drained and weary, give yourself an extra gift this holiday season. Spend some time outdoors.

I hope the photos below will remind you what's out there waiting if you'll take the time to enjoy it.  

Merry Christmas.

Gray Squirrel

Green-winged Teal

Sunrise and Decoys

White-tailed Deer

Mallard Landing

Ring-necked Ducks Passing

White-tailed Deer

Wood Duck in Flight

Wood Ducks at Sunrise

Goosed

Last week I was in Stuttgart, AR for the 77th World Championship Duck Calling contest. Even though most of my time was spent with Muddy Water Camo promotion, I just had to get out and shoot since so many geese were arriving early. Here are a select few.

Enjoy!

Odd Man Out

I received a call yesterday from a man who asked if I would be interested in photographing a piebald deer. He explained that he’d seen it a few times on his game cam and invited me to come to his place and see if the deer showed up. I often get calls from people who want me to come capture a “special” shot or animal on their property. Most of the time the only thing I find is a goose – as in, “wild goose chase.” But this time, I had a good feeling, the weather was perfect, and a piebald deer is rare, so I decided to head out. 

We met yesterday and scoped out the area. I found a great place to set up a ground blind, settled in, and began the wait. At 4:20, a large doe walked out. Then, right behind her, came two 2012 offspring, including the striking piebald. Both young deer were bucks. I’m already excited about next year, when I might get to photograph a piebald with antlers.

Twin Bucks (four months old)

Two Families Together

Doe and Two Fawns (on right)
Doe and Two Yearlings (on left)

Flags Up

Outta Here