What a Day!!!! My first deer ever!!!!

For several years now I have wanted to go hunting. So last year I asked my friend Roger if he would take me. He said I had to prove to him that I could shoot. I said 'Great. When can we do that?' A couple of days later we went over and I got my lesson on the rifle and the safety. I took aim and fired away I believe 3 rounds the first time. We all got up and went to see the target. I had done very well... only one out of the big circle. I was excited and said I wanted to do it again. The next time I hit in the tiny circle and several in the smaller one out. I was pleased with my deonstration, but couldn't tell waht everybody else thought. We went inside with me feeling accomplished and glad my shooting lessons beginning at the age of five with my dad paid off. Visiting went on and then it was time to go. As I was putting my coat on to go, Roger said, "Well, you exceeded my expectations. I did not even think you would hit the target. If you really want to go hunting, be here at 5 tomorrow morning and we will go." I was so thrilled and replied, "I will be here."

The next morning was early and cold, but I was there. I adorned the necessary orange coat and hats not worrying about the fashion no no, just ready to go. We went and sat in the homemade deer stand wagon. It was cold and my body was nervous. I kept thinking I saw one, but it never was. What we did see was a beautiful red tailed hawk swoop into the grass. Then a rather large coyote walked right by us and then we saw the most fantastic red fox I have ever seen. He had the blackest ears and the most gorgeous tail that was all poofy with a black ring and then a silver tip on the end. The way he moved across the field was so graceful, I was stunned and even forgot in that moment of beauty that I had my camera and I could have shot him, but then he caught our scent, looked at us and lept into the tall grass. The morning went on and we saw nothing. Back to the house for a late but delicious breakfast.

I did go hunting again on the last day of deer season and I sat in the stand for several hours and saw nothing. however, there was a time that my heart began to race and pound when the leaves were rustling and my mind began to say "It is right behind you. You have to be prepared to shoot it...." I would slowly turn around to see nothing, but I definitely heard leaves moving. Twice that happened and my nerves were shot.... I thought that Roger was trying to freak me out, but no! It was a little squirrel. I found out they are very noisy and deer are not. Dusk was falling and I put the safety on and put the gun down. I was going to shoot SOMETHING this year! I picked up my camera and began capturing the sunset on the bluffs for the colors were radiant. I shot for about 8 minutes and as I finished and turned around, there was a small buck just standing there watching me. He flipped his head and in two bounds he had turned around and disappeared into the woods. OH well, I was his entertainment for the day. At least I had finally seen one. The season ended with my freezer empty but me knowing I could go the next year.

this story and images will continue, but this is rush holiday season....

Shannon and Scott

What a fun couple!! Both Shannon and Scott are full of life and smiles along with the element of surprise. In this day and time of love being lost and forgotten it is so nice to see love in abundance. Here are a few of their most beautiful day. Shannon had me laughing the entire day although I did share a few tears now and then. Please view the rest of their images at www.springrenee.com Oh and enjoy the cold weather brrrrrr and what great timing you two had on missing it.

A Great Loss

Being a photographer requires so much of each of us. The long hours, the joyful praise, the nitpicks, labs that run late, the shipper who does or doesn't show up, the albums that come back the wrong size, the cameras that are temperamental and so much more, but our rewards are so much greater. We are invited to share in people's lives, telling their stories of birth and beginnings, true love, age milestones, and the joy of life itself in all forms. I have always looked at my profession as one of great importance for we as photographers capture people's lives with our vision and they touch ours with their joy and spirit. Tonight I saw first hand that touching of people's lives.

Last Wednesday evening a fellow photographer was taken from this life unexpectedly and the outpouring of those he touched was true and full. As Randy and I waited in the line, I spoke with a young woman who had worked for Bruce, knew his kids when they were little, he photographed her wedding and so many other people that she knew. Photographers do not just take pictures, we touch lives. Bruce did that. It was apparent that many loved and appreciated him for who he was. I met Bruce Cannon several years ago and just last spring had a great conversation about a certain local photography company that neither of us care for and we ended the conversation with, "Let's get together sometime.", and tonight I am so regretting not taking the time in this rat race we know as life to have him and his wife over for dinner. I may not have known him like others but there is this common bond between photographers... we share a gift of seeing things in a different light and we know the trials that we all share. When one of us needs help, we are there to help the other, when one goes down we all feel the loss. I have felt the loss since last Weds. morning when I received the call and it hurts. It just doesn't seem fair. Last Wednesday the photography community lost a special soul who touched so many. My heart is full and my thoughts are with each and every one of his loved ones.

Out of the mouth of babes

So today, 3 days after the election things are a little calmer on the radio. However, today I had on talk radio and they were playing an excerpt of Obama's speech from Tuesday night. He was talking about change and what he cared about etc... but the moment I was captured by, was my son. At that moment Caleb was walking through the kitchen making a yogurt mustache and candidly stated like a politician of eight years old, "Yeah, Blah, blah, blah... all I care about is me, me, me, myself." Please understand he was referring to Obama and not speaking of himself. I immediately thought WOW!!! And out of the mouth of babes the truth is spoken.

The Ricardos: A True American Family

"Lucyyyyyy, I'm Home!!!" Yes, Halloween has come and gone, but not without lots of fun and song. We were The Ricardo family this year and I think we pulled it off quite well. I was amazed at how many people did not know who Lucille Ball was. Kinda sad if you ask me, generations that don't know what clean comedy truly is. At first Caleb was unhappy about "Being someone that nobody was going to know." But after the first two houses he changed his tune and 'Babaloo' began. The weather was fantastic and although we had several parties and places to go, we did what we could and had a blast doing it. I have always wanted to pretend to be the great Lucille Ball and this year it meant more.

The Ricardo's were a true American family that lived the American dream. The American Dream.... it seems that so many have lost sight of what America is all about. The system is all askew and we are struggling with how to fix it. As I go on with my daily life and live in the community I notice that so many Americans have their blinders on and have given up on hard work, values, high standards and their dreams. I have never wanted a handout and do not expect anyone to bail me out, if I am in a predicament, I put myself there and must get myself out. With life, freedom and choice, there is responsibility. What has happened to Americans taking responsibility? And at this time in our great country when there is so much at stake, I hope and have been praying that all of us will take the time to not only reflect on what is right and precious to us all, but also what could be lost, not just for those of us now, but for the generations to come. Stop expecting a handout. Instead work hard and believe in yourself, the reward is so much greater. Remember, the past is the past.... hello!!!! Please research the candidates, their true values, their plans, their friends, their enemies, their past, their beliefs. Don't take others words for it and for goodness sake not the medias word. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon.... get it and use it. I still believe in this great country and speak that belief everywhere I go. I am only one person in the ocean but with one grain of sand the ripples that I can make are amazing and a fact. Imagine what will happen when we drop our grain of sand in the ocean. Our forefathers were not perfect and neither is any other human being on this planet, but we have been given a great gift and that is freedom.... protect it and may we put a foot forward for what is right and what this country was founded on. On November 4th, may truth, morals, and American family values roar loudly from sea to shining sea. Change will come... it always does, but change doesn't begin with a new president it must first begin with ourselves.