What I did during the pandemic:

There has been talk among friends and family of my obsession with birds the last 6 months. During the pandemic, here is what it has taught me and what I hope to carry forward. Also, it’s not the birds - they just happen to be a challenging subject to find and capture. It's all about the hunt, the wave, the cast, the line/slope, a chip shot, striving for perfection on the things that are not easy but difficult.

First: My pictures have improved by learning to let go of the automated functions of my camera. The more time spent in the field practicing, setting a goal to improve the quality of my outcomes, along with (key for me) trusting myself to make the manual settings, allowed me to have more success and satisfaction.

Second: Being present, being okay with silence and being still in the moment to capture something hiding in plain sight. The more I stood still and listened to the sounds around me, a crack of a stick, the tat tat on a dead tree, rustle of leaves or chirp helped me uncover new shots. Combine that with being aware of a shadow passing by or an outline different than foliage on a tree helped me visually acquire something new.

Third: Not every day will you get a payoff of the best shot, but the practice of doing, showing up, going off the beaten path, being prepared and knowing your area of operation will deliver the unexpected.

So, when I’m eating Cheez’its and drinking PBRs on the other side of this event and look at the photos of my time in a pandemic, I hope they will reminded me to be still and open my senses to the quiet details/hidden beauty around me, remember to show up, above all be grateful for the moment and be prepared for what is delivered.

If I can hold on to that, this time will have been well spent.