Back On The Horse

It’s been awhile, sorry about that. As soon as summer came, life got busy and my time to snap photos diminished. Additionally, I’d be lying if the bugs, heat and more difficult nature of taking wildlife pics in the summer didn’t push me away. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, new hobbies are hard.

Their's a snake in my grass.  Fujifilm X-S20 | 600m | f8

Now, I live in a wooded neighborhood, due to this, it’s filled with wildlife. We have deer, turkey, frogs, dozens of birds, snails and of course, snakes. I was mowing my lawn about a week ago and stumbled upon this guy. He started me at first - I am not a huge fan of snakes but he slowly slithered into the lawn off our patio and just…hung out. He was in this position for a good 10 minutes before I grabbed my camera, and stayed here, for another 10 more!

It’s funny how just one moment can can change your trajectory. Over the last month or so, I’ve been thinking about wildlife photography but not doing it. A variety of reasons drove this, like, bugs and heat and everything else I mentioned above, but in addition, I’ve trying to figure things out in my head. The later, not being easy.

This snake, this simple snake, snapped me back into my photography mindset. By him (or her?) allowing me to grab my camera, get on the ground and set up to take its picture, single handedly snapped me out of my photography funk. Following my meeting with Mr.(Mrs.?) Garter, I signed up for a bird walk at the local nature preserve.

Pre-flight... Fujifilm X-S20 | 502mm | f5.6

Gosh, it’s good to be back. It was nice to simply go for a walk at the nature preserve, with my camera, hoping for the best. Now, early fall is not an ideal time to photograph birds but I made due.

With the fall colors quickly approaching and the migration south underway, I am hopeful. Hopeful that my excitement will continue. Hopeful that I will have the opportunity to capture a moment or two.

Thanks for reading, until next time.

-Nathan