2014 is coming to a rapid close – there’s only a few hours left in this amazing year.  For me, 2014 brought many changes to my life.  This blog is the greatest evidence of the changes.

The changes actually began in early December 2013, when my doctor gave me a not so gentle lecture about the evils of making bad choice in my diet and the virtues of changing my lifestyle.  As a result, I lost 43 pounds in 6 months.  I’ve managed to keep them off, too, in spite of so many wonderful treats this holiday season.

At the end of January, the company that I worked for lost their contract and laid everyone off.  I found work as a Project Manager – the drive was a mere 67 miles one way.  After a few months of the long drive and figuring out what the company was about, I walked away and began looking for a job again.

In April, my son and daughter-in-law met my brother-in-law and a few thousand Mustang enthusiasts in Las Vegas to celebrate the 50th Birthday of the Ford Mustang.  I drove my ’66 hardtop and my son (very happily, I will say) drove my 2008 Bullitt Mustang to the show.  What a wonderful time we had.

Over the course of the Spring, I made contact with friends from elementary, junior high, and high school – many of whom I hadn’t heard from for over 43 years.  I was happy to see many of them at the 40 year reunion in July.  The best part is that we have maintained contact since, and I look forward to continued sharing with all my new ‘old’ friends.  On my way home from the reunion, I drove through parts of Wyoming I hadn’t seen in a while.  I truly enjoyed being in Wyoming with friends and family.

The job market hadn’t improved much over the Summer, so I made another major change in my life and started my photography business.  The PHOTOROGR Project was born!  I have enjoyed building the business these past 5 months, and truly appreciate the love and support from my family and friends as I did so.  Your encouragement is wonderful and helps me to stay motivated.  That so many of you have purchased my pictures is very nice, too.

Of course, one cannot begin a journey like this without support from one’s best friend, and I am so fortunate to be married to my best friend.  Throughout this year of change, she has helped me maintain my sanity and stay focused (pun maybe intended).  And then there’s my Mother, my very first customer, who loves following my adventures.  A really BIG thanks to my photo buddies who tell me where the eagles are and share photo tips, and to the professionals at my favorite photo store, Gordon’s Photo Service, who never tire of my stupid questions and who make my images look even better.  Thanks to Craig, Katie, Gordon, Lisa, and Jim – you guys are awesome!

2015 will bring many changes as well – mostly as I continue my journey and strive to make better images.  I am upgrading camera and lenses, pursuing various learning opportunities, and will be trying to learn new editing software.  And I thought this photography business was just jumping in the Expedition and finding subjects for pictures.

With this post, I am starting a new tradition.  I have selected 5 of my  images from this year to represent this part of my journey, and I will share 5 images every year.  These images may not be my best from the year, but they are important to me in some way.  5 is an arbitrary number, and it’s extremely difficult to live within my self-imposed limitation.  This process, however, is another part of the journey.

With the stage set, here are the 5 images that I’ve selected to represent The PHOTOROGR Project for 2014!

This is my 1966 Mustang at the Big Mamas Car show, last May. I parked with My friend Rich, whose 1964 Olds 442 can be seen on the right side of the image. Rich took the picture that I use for my profile! This image is significant for a couple of reasons – first, the Mustang’s 50th Birthday and second, trying to take better pictures of cars was a major factor in my interest in photography!

I made this image in February, on a cold winter morning. While taking Susan to work, I came on several Bald Eagles with a Golden Eagle hunting from a utility pole, just south of our home. This is one of the many images I made that day – one of the first really good Eagle pictures I ever made.

We are fortunate to have several bands of Wild Horses so close to our home. One evening last June, my lovely bride asked me to take her to see the horses and then out to dinner. We found three bands near the water tanks. While taking pictures, one of the bands came down the hill and straight toward me. These four horses were part of that band. The little guy on the right is the main focus of one of my best selling pictures, taken after this image was made.

I was sneaking up on a Hawk one day in early December when I scared a bunch of Finches. This little guy landed on a branch not too far away and posed for me. Some days, I’m more lucky than good (where have I heard that before?)!

Rich and I made a trip to Bodie CA last summer. We were enjoying the scenery and I was trying a few new techniques, with limited success, when Rich pointed out the reflections in the glass and commented that they would make good pictures. This picture helps me remember to keep my eyes open for those pictures that I’m not necessarily looking for.

Happy New Year – thanks for being a part of mine!

Enjoy – PHOTOROGR

I promise not to do this very often, but I’m going to step away from my photographic journey for a moment to reflect on the day.  Veteran’s Day is very special to me, and it has become more special in recent years.

November 11 is the day we thank those who have taken the enlistment oath, put on a uniform, and put their lives on the line for our country.  My father worked in the National Guard as a traditional Guardsman and as a federal technician for 42 years, so we always treated Veteran’s Day as special.  My ancestors have proudly stepped up since before the nation was founded.

It is a day that I reflect on those with whom I personally served, and on family, both known and unknown, who have defended their nation – from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the great wars of the early 20th century and the conflicts and police actions of the later 20th century to today.  Thanks to everyone who has served, and especially to members of my family.  We can document my ancestor’s service dating back to the Revolutionary War, fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War, chasing Pancho Villa in Mexico with Gen ‘Blackjack’ Pershing, and in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

My wife’s parents met while they were in the Navy, her uncles were sailors, and one of her cousins currently serves in the Marine Corps.

My lovely bride, Susan, with her father, Don Hardy, Uncle Ed Hardy, and cousin, LTC Jeff Tlapa, in Washington, D.C., in September 2014. Don and Ed were part of Nevada’s Honor Flight and Susan went along as an escort. Jeff is stationed in our nation’s capitol. Ed and Don both served during World War II, and Don served again during the Korean War.

I enlisted during the Cold War, in 1985, and made great friends during my 25 years of service.  I am proud to have served with these awesome people.

A friend from the 819th RED HORSE Squadron with me, sharing a quick lunch during Contingency Engineering training at Eglin AFB FL, July 1987.

A light moment during field training.

l to r: LtCoL Butch Van Leuven, COL (Ret) Don Del Porto, LtCol (Ret) Craig Wesner, me, LtCol Kevin Knuf: when we were captains together in the Nevada Air National Guard.

Sometimes, we sent our children off to serve.

Captain Amberlee Kurkowski (center), US Army, with her dad, CMSgt (Ret) Tom Kurkowski, and me, just before one of her deployments to Southwest Asia. Tom and I served together for many years, and we talked often about his daughter’s time at West Point and her subsequent service, and my son’s time in the Navy.

As I said, my father served for 42 years, retiring as the first federally appointed Command Sergeant Major in the Wyoming Army National Guard.  My older brother, Bob, served in Vietnam and died in the line of duty as a Deputy Sheriff, trying to save a little girl during a flood.  Dad and I visited my brother’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery last year, and took in a few of the memorials while we were there.

Bobby is interred in Columbarium 1. Top row – second from right.

Dad at the WWII Memorial…

…and at the Korean War Memorial.

And my son, Devon, served in the US Navy for 10 years.

Brother Drew, Mother Susan, and Devon at this graduation from basic training, December 1999.

Now you understand why this day has such special meaning for me.  Please pause on this day to think about everyone who has served, but thank our veterans every day!  God bless America, and God watch over those who put themselves in harm’s way in her defense!

PHOTOROGR

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on my journey the last couple days.  As I write this, the Alabama song ‘The Fans’ is running through my head.  In case you’re not an Alabama fan (the singing group, not the university), the song pays tribute to the people who buy their records and attend their concerts.

Last Sunday, I was out for a drive with my lovely bride and her father when we came on a Hawk in a tree.  I had my camera and tripod, and they indulged me for a few minutes.  The result was a great image, but I wasn’t happy with my execution of the image (see below).  I spent a lot of time beating myself up over it.  It’s tough being your own worst critic, you know.

I put the image on Facebook, sharing with one of the photography groups, with my comments on the composition and execution.  The positive comments and feedback got me out of my funk and inspired me to get back out there.

Yesterday, I loaded up the gear and headed out to meet a friend for a morning of picture taking.  The weather was beautiful – cool temperatures and good sunlight.  Most importantly, the birds cooperated as well.  A Quail sat on a sagebrush, and I caught images him and other Quail on the ground.  A Red Tailed Hawk posed on a branch for a few shots.  Then he took off, resulting in good action shots.  While looking for an Eagle, we saw more Hawks and a herd of Deer in a meadow.  This Hawk (below) was stalking prey, and made several quick turns.  See the Birds page for more images.

I was very happy to find an Eagle.  Our first shots were marginal due to the shade, but she moved around to the sunny side of the tree, and the real shooting began.  This image is one of my favorites, but I’ll always wonder if she was sizing me up or just making personal contact.

As you can see, I had a great shooting day.  These images are dedicated to everyone who sees and follows my blog, or sees my images elsewhere.  You help me to become a better photographer with your support and encouragement.

THANK YOU!  Photorogr