June: National Forests

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According to Wikipedia, the U.S. has 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands containing 193 million acres. That’s 8.5 percent of the total U.S. land mass. Add to that the 12 percent of U.S. land protected as national wildlife refuges for a total of 20.5 percent. This means we must protect another 9.5 percent in the next 6 years if we are to meet the current “30 percent of land by 2030” conservation goal. I’m for it! I’m deeply grateful for what we have. But the esteemed naturalist and scientist E. O. Wilson says we must protect half of earth…

May: All God’s Children…

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…get to sing in my choir! But fair warning to you snake phobes: Don’t click on this one, unless you want to see a lovely butterfly bad enough to also see a beautiful snake! May 1, 2022 – Once again I am driving slowly through Tensas River NWR, probably scanning the roadsides for birds, deer, wild turkey, maybe a bobcat or a bear–any of the things one can see in Tensas. Suddenly it struck me that I had just driven over something on the road. I hit the brake and checked my rear view mirror. Is that a snake? On,…

April: Winged Things

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And not just birds! Spring begins in March in Louisiana. By April, things are popping out all over. Flowers, of course. But also dragonflies and damselflies. It’s a great time to be outdoors. April 10, 2022 – The great damselfly emergence happened a few feet in front of my lens! Actually, I’m pretty certain it was happening all over Black Bayou Lake, not just in front of my lens. But that doesn’t make it less special to me that I captured four damselflies in different stages of emergence in one shot! For those who might not know, damselflies hatch from…

March: Chicago

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2023 was my 12th anniversary of going to Chicago several times a year. In the beginning, it was all about opera, and opera still determines when I go. But soon the good side of social media helped me find photographer friends and my trips became equally about opera and hanging out with them. It often happens that Lyric Opera of Chicago has a March offering that appeals. March 26, 2022 – The opera was Tosca, a classic and a fabulous performance as usual. The day was spent on a walk-about with Adam, Tom, and Tami, all among my fave people…

February: More Birds

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It’s not surprising. When the deciduous trees are free of leaves is a good time to look for birds. But the truth is, I really didn’t have a lot to choose from because my time spent out shooting has also been reduced by my current commitment to part-time jobs. That’s the part that makes me sad! February 26, 2022 – This one is another treasure from the Tensas River NWR. I’m sure I was driving home on Sunday afternoon from leading worship services at our little Episcopal Church in St. Joseph. La. As is my practice whenever possible, I enter…