1. I finally got to see my first North American dipper on Monday at Skutz falls. I’ve had my eye out to see one every time I’ve visited a mountain river here in the west since I moved here 6 years ago. Finally I was treated by a little visit from this guy while I was climbing around the fish ladders above the falls (a bit scary I might say with such a fast moving river). The dippers are amazing and unique birds. They’re passerines (perching birds, or sometimes called songbirds) and they’re the only ones of this group that are adapted to be aquatic! They can swim and also walk along the bottom of rivers to forage under rocks and pebbles. They have an extra layer of feathers, an extra large preen gland to oil them and their blood can hold more oxygen so they can stay under water for longer. Amazing things! This guy patiently waited while I climbed along to get closer and then he gave me a little preening show and lazily flashed his super bright white eyelids at me ^_^ I was so excited I did a little bobbing dance when I saw him!
    High Res

    I finally got to see my first North American dipper on Monday at Skutz falls. I’ve had my eye out to see one every time I’ve visited a mountain river here in the west since I moved here 6 years ago. Finally I was treated by a little visit from this guy while I was climbing around the fish ladders above the falls (a bit scary I might say with such a fast moving river). The dippers are amazing and unique birds. They’re passerines (perching birds, or sometimes called songbirds) and they’re the only ones of this group that are adapted to be aquatic! They can swim and also walk along the bottom of rivers to forage under rocks and pebbles. They have an extra layer of feathers, an extra large preen gland to oil them and their blood can hold more oxygen so they can stay under water for longer. Amazing things! This guy patiently waited while I climbed along to get closer and then he gave me a little preening show and lazily flashed his super bright white eyelids at me ^_^ I was so excited I did a little bobbing dance when I saw him!

    May 23, 2013
  2. Curiosity # 1-5. Watercolour, Acrylic, Pencil & Conté. For The Postcard Show at Ayden Gallery on June 7th & 8th. Each piece is available via silent auction over those two days. 4x6 inches was a challenging and interesting size to work with.
    High Res

    Curiosity # 1-5. Watercolour, Acrylic, Pencil & Conté. For The Postcard Show at Ayden Gallery on June 7th & 8th. Each piece is available via silent auction over those two days. 4x6 inches was a challenging and interesting size to work with.

    May 21, 2013
  3. Loosing my mind over this @impossibleproject film. I have no idea how folks like @richburroughs produce such consistent results. I’m now on my 5th pack of the film and the 3rd pack of the ‘colour protection’ film and the colour is still waaaay off 99% of the time. The one of me and arrow is the closest. Aside from the colour issue (hello bright orange scene that was actually mostly deep greens and stone??) as you can see from these there’s serious light issues even on the supposed colour protection packs. Looks like terrible light leaks obscuring the scenes almost entirely. Also really soft images. (No, it’s not my camera - I’ve used many expired Polaroid packs recently with far fewer issues). Have I just been really unlucky and had all the bum packs? What’s going on?? (I’m shooting mostly in great, bright outdoor conditions, on both sunny and overcast days and am even using a cold clip for developing). Argh. I’m almost ready to give up on this but just spent $170ish on packs that are in my fridge right now. While I understand their nature is slightly inconsistent I’d at least like more photos to actually be attractive and close to the right colour and not completely obscured by strange light effects. Any insights? ):
    High Res

    Loosing my mind over this @impossibleproject film. I have no idea how folks like @richburroughs produce such consistent results. I’m now on my 5th pack of the film and the 3rd pack of the ‘colour protection’ film and the colour is still waaaay off 99% of the time. The one of me and arrow is the closest. Aside from the colour issue (hello bright orange scene that was actually mostly deep greens and stone??) as you can see from these there’s serious light issues even on the supposed colour protection packs. Looks like terrible light leaks obscuring the scenes almost entirely. Also really soft images. (No, it’s not my camera - I’ve used many expired Polaroid packs recently with far fewer issues). Have I just been really unlucky and had all the bum packs? What’s going on?? (I’m shooting mostly in great, bright outdoor conditions, on both sunny and overcast days and am even using a cold clip for developing). Argh. I’m almost ready to give up on this but just spent $170ish on packs that are in my fridge right now. While I understand their nature is slightly inconsistent I’d at least like more photos to actually be attractive and close to the right colour and not completely obscured by strange light effects. Any insights? ):

    May 19, 2013
  4. Today I finished a week long introduction to falconry course, I’ll hopefully be able to write about it soon. For now, just one special moment with Arrow the Saker Falcon this morning. I’ll remember this forever. I truly felt like I connected with a couple of the birds this week on some level. Especially the three falcons I handled. I don’t want to go into it too much right now as I’m likely to write an essay and my thoughts are still not collected enough. I feel like this photo really captured some of the connection I experienced with Arrow in particular so I hope I’m able to share that with you here somehow.
    High Res

    Today I finished a week long introduction to falconry course, I’ll hopefully be able to write about it soon. For now, just one special moment with Arrow the Saker Falcon this morning. I’ll remember this forever. I truly felt like I connected with a couple of the birds this week on some level. Especially the three falcons I handled. I don’t want to go into it too much right now as I’m likely to write an essay and my thoughts are still not collected enough. I feel like this photo really captured some of the connection I experienced with Arrow in particular so I hope I’m able to share that with you here somehow.

    May 17, 2013
  5. Time for an adventure! I’ve become very accustomed to traveling and adventuring on my own. In a way there is no greater solitude than going somewhere or _doing_ something alone; often surrounded by families and couple. I feel like I am perhaps part of a secret society of individuals who are truly free to observe and absorb the lives around us. This, to me is purer than the solitude I experience alone in nature. Although I don’t think I’d ever pass that up, either. While I love sharing moments and experiences with those I love and could never give that up, there is something deeper I’ve come to appreciate in experiencing portions of life alone. I am much better able to _be_ the experience while I am afforded this solitude.
    High Res

    Time for an adventure! I’ve become very accustomed to traveling and adventuring on my own. In a way there is no greater solitude than going somewhere or _doing_ something alone; often surrounded by families and couple. I feel like I am perhaps part of a secret society of individuals who are truly free to observe and absorb the lives around us. This, to me is purer than the solitude I experience alone in nature. Although I don’t think I’d ever pass that up, either. While I love sharing moments and experiences with those I love and could never give that up, there is something deeper I’ve come to appreciate in experiencing portions of life alone. I am much better able to _be_ the experience while I am afforded this solitude.

    May 12, 2013