I found myself needing more of a verbal creative outlet, something more than Facebook can give, a place for the ramblings of my continued exploration of photography. I've always tried to tell stories through pictures as well and create complete art pieces capturing a colorful moments in time. Facebook, although a good professional outlet, has left me feeling as if I've not quite given all I can give. Plus, I've enjoyed reading the blogs of others and have found myself wanting to reach out to those with similar interests as myself who may be at a similar stage in their career or life.

Enter the blog. I've discovered I can blog through my wonderful Zenfolio- fantasic!!

Recently, I read The Passionate Photographer by Steve Simon. Totally spoke to me where I am right now in my life and my photography walk. It was completely crazy. It's not a how-to book for new photographers, for me it was about finding your passion, going beyond  the good and how those things fit together. I live for projects. In fact, I tend to virtually give away my services and time to dive into a photographic project.  The problem is that I'm always working on someone else's project. Some how in the last year, I felt I had lost a spark was just producing mediocre images. So, I went on the search for a solution.

Steve Simon hit the nail on the head....I needed time for personal projects- ones I can be passionate about, tell stories about and the kind that really got me started in photography.

I'm reading his book for a second time. This time it's going a little slower, because he has included a 10 step process and now I'm going to work through it and see what happens.

Enter the first steps of finding what I'm passionate about. I needed a short project to get my feet wet. I chose something simple. For the next week I will go to my local refuge, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, every morning at sunrise no matter what the weather and I will define the days project when I arrive. Generally, I look for good weather days to make images in this location. Anyone who has taken my photography class will know I'm a self-proclaimed "Sharpness Nerd". What's the point of going on bad weather days? The light is poor, I can't run with my favorite ISO of 100...the detail is lost....sharpness??? not happening.  Well, it was time to push my limits and turn every opportunity to shoot into a positive one.

The weather was very overcast this morning. Rarely do I have an opportunity to experiment with extreme motion in my nature photography.  As I pulled onto the refuge, I decided today was the day- time to push my limits and get outside my box.

The story I wanted to tell....migration is in full swing, the birds are busy and without these wetlands......it wouldn't be so.

Northern Shovelers are very busy. They are currently full of bright colors in their breeding plumage. Twisting and dabbling under water keep them in constant motion. I wanted to see what that motion looked like slowed down. After experimenting with different shutter speeds, I was amazed at what I found. I've found a new thrill a new way of showing these birds' story.

I sat for awhile in my 4-door blind and watched as the birds filtered back towards me after their initial scare during my arrival. New birds came in and ignored me and the camera I held. I've been wanting a newer camera for awhile, but my rule is that I can't upgrade until I've pushed my current equipment past its limits. I'm drooling over the newer ISO capabilities, but I reminded myself that I needed to continue to eek out more than was expected of the camera in my hands.

I noticed mallards flying in to my location backed by wetland forest giving some contrast to the image.

This was the image that jumped at me when I reviewed the morning's work. I loved it and it is totally outside of my norm. It reminds me of how fast these birds are, they are here and then they're gone. Without the great habitat of our local refuge, the likelihood that we'd see even mallards in significant numbers to get such great photographic opportunities is much smaller. They are busy. They and many other species of birds are constantly moving. They need wetlands to complete their yearly journey and produce more colorful birds that will return along the same path so that another photographer can enjoy making creative shots like this.

I went on and made more shots of various things as the light got better. I can't wait to go back tomorrow and start anew. Where will this week take me? I'm not entirely sure, but I have a bit more spring in my step as I look forward to future projects- both paid and personal.