Sunsets in Smokey Mountain National Park

One of the things that I love about my job is that I get to spend much of my time in the outdoors. I never cease to be amazed by the sights and the sounds of nature, and I love the magic of her surprises. Sunsets are a case in point. You really never know how they are going to turn out, unless you are willing to stay the course and let them play themselves out completely. Just when you think it is over, more often than not, something magical will happen before your eyes. The magic moment when light and color come together to paint a picture for us. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have a camera in hand to record that special moment in time. How blessed we all are to witness nature's last show of the evening.

Stories Untold

A couple of years ago, while hiking near Yellowstone National Park, I came upon this old truck. Sitting in the middle of nowhere, this truck seemed oddly out of place, and I wondered how and why it had ended up here. There is, of course, a story to explain how and why it is here, but that story remains unanswered for me. I know that someone walked away from this spot and left it behind, maybe thinking he would return for it someday, but here it still sits parked. I can't help but wonder about those that must have used this truck to earn their wages, to haul what unknown loads to a job site. Looking at this photo makes me wonder the truth of this picture. Who owned this truck? Why was it left behind? How many others have walked this path and found it here? Photographs should make you think, and I like what this one does to me.

Keeping Images Simple

Most of the time, I find that simple images, those uncluttered with distraction, are the most effective. Photographs rarely need the "stuff" that we pack into them. Images often speak to us more clearly, when they have breathing room. The older I get, the more I am trying to unclutter my life, and my images. I think it's a good thing.

Working with Lightroom 3

This image of the Coyote on a snowy ledge is a very difficult exposure. With this kind of contrast, it is tough to process for both the light snow and the dark rock of the background. But Lightroom 3 handles it without any trouble.


The photo above was taken two years ago in Yellowstone National Park in early May. It was shot with a Canon 30D and Canon 17 - 85 lense. A fill flash was used to bring out some of the foreground detail. It was post-processed using the new Adobe Lightroom 3.





To say that I am excited by the new version of Adobe Lightroom is certainly an understatement. I love this new program, and I am blown away by the improvements from the previous version. Adobe has been listening to its' users, and they have given us the best processing program on the market. It's simple, and it's powerful. I am now reprocessing my older images, and the results are nothing short of amazing. Images that were once rejected are now back on the table, and many are just plain stunning. Thank you Adobe for listening to real photographers.

Yellowstone in the Spring

Yellowstone National Park is always an amazing destination, but in the Spring it is truly an exciting wilderness adventure. Nowhere in North America can you find a more concentrated and diverse assortment of wildlife, and all within the boundaries of our nation's premier national park.

As a wildlife photographer, I have visited the park on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed. No matter what time of year you visit, the park delivers incredible photo opportunities. But, if you want to see the spectacle of natures renewal, the birth of just about everything, you need to come to the park in early spring. Late April and throughout the month of May the park is alive with newborns. It's one of the most exciting times to see nature at her best. Bring along your binoculars and long lenses, and sit back and enjoy the show. It's like no other on earth.

Rainy Days

Like so many others, I sometimes look out my studio window at the falling rain, and I think about the things that the rain is going to prevent me from doing. I think that is a natural reaction for many of us. But, as I have grown older, I am becoming increasingly aware of the beauty in the world that remains around us, even as the rain falls.

Today was one of those typical Spring mornings, where the showers arrive early and the clouds block the sunshine from hitting the gardens. It was one of those mornings, where the rain was a gentle falling shower that evenly soaked the yard and the flower gardens. Instead of locking myself in for the day, I went to the patio garden, opened the french doors, and sat listening to the rain and watching my birds come to the feeders. I find a peace and tranquility that comes on such days, and beauty as well.

Since I had my camera already set up, I decided to scan the garden and just see what I might find. What I found was a world soaked in raindrops and a beauty that inspired me to do fun things today. I hope you all enjoy the Lilly.

Where Have They Been?

This has been one of those years, where we have not seen many hummingbirds. It is not all that unusual, as they seem to run in cycles. Some years we are overrun with them, and others not so many. This Spring has not been a good year for them here in eastern Tennessee, but it looks like a few have finally started to arrive. They are, of course, very difficult to photograph, but that's the challenge and the fun of trying to capture them.

A few years ago, a nice lady approached my wife and I and offer to send us some seeds of a plant that she sworn would attract hummers. So, shortly after, we received a small packet of seeds, which we planted in the garden. Turns out she was right. Hummingbirds love the honeysuckle trumpet vine, and it has proven to be one of my best photo locations.

Fire in the Hole

I think as an artist, it is imperative that we step out of the box occasionally and look at the world with fresh eyes. Real art, I believe, is always evolving, moving away from one thing and taking a journey to a new and different place. Sometimes those trips can be unsettling, but ultimately I think they take us to a higher place.......a place we needed to see.

It's Not Just the Gulf in Trouble

It's not just the Gulf in trouble with leaking oil. I took this picture here at one of our local marinas, where oil from the boats leaches into the lake everyday. No one seems to be bothered by this, even though the lake is the water source for the city of Chattanooga and the surrounding area. I am saddened by the lack of interest people have in their own backyards. Wake up folks, we are destroying this planet. Our local birds and our fish are being attacked too!