Updated 20 NOV 2008: I'm learning that the Bazaar / Show circuit is not going to be an easy venture. I knew that from talking to other photographer's, but now I know for sure. I'm going to continue to attend them and work out the finer details of promoting my photos. Hopefully I'll be able to at least pay for the price of the shows in the beginning and if nothing else I'll be getting my name out there a little more. Eventually I want to get some of my piece's into some Art shows. We'll see.......

On 31 OCT 2008, I was able to place some of my prints in a local Cafe, near the house. I went in for a sandwich one day and began talking to the owners. One thing led to another, I just happened to have my portfolio in the truck with me, I was actually on my way back from a frame shop. .... next thing you know he was asking me to hang some framed photos in his Cafe. If your in the area, take a stop and have a look. Tony's Pea Patch Cafe, 17917 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell, WA

NEW INFO ON THE CALENDAR's FROM CWC:

NEW NEW NEW. CWC The California Wolf Center did use some of my photos in their 2009 calendar. The Calendar is available directly from The California Wolf Center. Call them at 760-765-0030. The Calendar's are $17 a piece plus S & H. Again, call them I do not have them. All proceeds go directly to the Wolf Center. You'll be supporting a good cause, getting a 2009 Calendar and some of my photos all at the same time.

The Calendar's are out. For those of you followiing along with this story. The California Wolf Center was going to use some of my photos in their 2009 Calendar. I received the Calendar in the mail today and they used my photos for FEB, MAR and NOV. :-) Pretty cool.

Future going on's: As you may have noticed I have not gotten any photos from my latest trip posted. I am working on getting ready for my first 'show' the middle of next month. (NOV 15, 2008) The show is really just a small Winter Bazaar, comprised of several home based business's. But the logistics of getting everything I need in order to have prints available is a little overwhelming for me right now. So I decided to just use the photos that I already have for the time being and I'll work on my stuff from this last trip either when I have everything ready or after the bazaar.

My fall trip was just OK, photographically. I spent most of the trip in CO visiting family and friends. That part of it was good. I got to Yellowstone mid-SEPT and stayed for 2 weeks. Wildlife sighting were not the best so I went to the Tetons for a few days. The fall colors were amazing so I tried my hand at some landscape shots. Which I'll hopefully get through and get posted here in the next week or so. Keep an eye out for them. I'm also going to do my first "show" next month. It's just a small "Holiday Bizarre" here in the NW. I'm trying to get everything together that I'll need for that in time. But I'm thinking since it's my first one I'll probably only be about 20% ready for it. But I have to start somewhere.

(8 AUG 08') I've been back from my last Yellowstone trip for about a month and a half now. My third 30 day trip in the last year. In 3 short weeks I'll be heading out again. I'll be going to CO for a couple of weeks and then be in Yellowstone from Mid September until the first or second week in OCT. Primarily going for the Elk rut, but hopefully I'll be able to get some fall color photos as well.

This June was just as good if not better than last year. Wildlife sightings abounded, the Bears seemed to be out in record numbers and of course all the little ones always make for great viewing and photographing. I ran into a lot of people that I met last year and meet a lot of new people as well. It was good to see old friends and make some new ones.

I would still like to squeeze a Glacier National Park trip in somewhere, but it's not looking as likely this year. I may have to do it next year.

I am also working on a plan to do an extended 'cross country' trip. It's in the very early planning stages right now. So early that it's really still just a concept. General plan is to travel to all the places in the US that I haven't been to but would like to visit. IE: Mount Rushmore, Blackhills, Niagra Falls, etc.

What got me to where I am now: I have always had a passion for Wildlife and Photography. I think the love of Wildlife comes from growing up in Colorado. I was born in Denver and grew up in a small town on the western slope. I spent a great deal of time outdoors and I can remember how excited I got every time I saw a deer, elk or any other wild animal. I still do to this day.

I believe the love of photography came a little later. I bought my first camera (35mm) while I was in Germany and can't remember a time that it wasn't with me. Over the years, I mostly took pictures of my kids, family, friends and what ever happened to be around.

I joined the Army when I was 18 and I've been traveling ever since. I recently retired from the Army after 22 years (1 AUG 2007). As a gift to myself, spring of 2007, I took a little vacation to Yellowstone National Park and my two passions were reconnected. It was supposed to be a two week vacation, it turned into six weeks. I returned to the park in Aug, for another two weeks.

After a lot of debating and soul searching, I decided to make an attempt at being a Wildlife photographer full time or go broke trying. But I will enjoy the ride regardless of the outcome. I know it won't be easy, but hopefully my passion for wildlife, nature and my joy of photography will help in this endeavor.

I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Hopefully you'll enjoy them enough to want to hang one or two on your own walls.

If you have any comments, advice or questions, please feel free to let me know, either by leaving a comment in the "Guest Book" or emailing me. (email link in Bio on homepage)

In April (2007) I decided to switch to digital. I figured I would end up saving money in the long run on the cost of developing film alone. It was one of the smartest things that I've done in a while. There were several days of the 60 that I spent photographing in Yellowstone last year that I took over a 1000 photographs. You do the math on film and developing.
My Camera Info:

Body:
Canon 40D (May 2008)
Canon 30D (April 2007)

Lens's:
Tamron 17-50mm, f/2.8 (April 2007)
Canon 70-200mm, f/2.8L IS USM (April 2007)
Canon 400mm, f/5.6L USM (Sept 2007)
Canon 500mm, f4L IS USM (May 2008)

Accessories:
Canon EF 2 2X Extender
Canon EF 2 1.4 Extender
Tamron 1.4X Extender
Gitzo 3530LSV Tripod
Wimberly II Head
Giottos MT 7261
Manfrotto 804RC2

Wish List:
Canon 300mm f/2.8
Winning lottery numbers