Allegany College Maryland Focuss on Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography, a satisfying hobby that also provides the chance for extra income, will be taught by yours truly, in a new continuing education course that starts April 26 at Allegany College of Maryland. Wildlife Photography is a comprehensive course that teaches the challenging discipline of capturing quality wildlife images. In addition to its technical aspects, the field requires stealth, patience and knowledge of the subject to capture fleeting moments. Instruction ranges from proper gear selection to specialized photo techniques, including image composition, storage and processing, to marketing. The course meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays for six weekly sessions through May 31. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Arpil 19, 2011. For informtion contact ACM's Center for Continuing Education, whose Workforce Development unit is offering the course, at 301-784-5434. Information is also available at www.allegany.edu/ce, the college's website. To register call 301-784-5341.

For the love of bird dogs

Watching well trained bird dogs work their trade with skill and instinct is one life's great pleasures  The dog's enthusiasm for the hunt is so wonderfully obvious that man can only be envious. How wonderous it would be to smell and sense what they do, upon locating the quary and closing into point or flush. How exciting it would be to experience the nerve-tingling sensations that stiffen their gait and lock their entire purpose of life into that moment.

We upland bird hunters are merely observers who watch these true hunters go about their business with amazing skill, complimented by physical senses that far surpass ours. We love the thrill of the hunt, but how much more enchanting would it be to experience it as thoroughly as does the dog. Although we are very much part of the hunt, dogs enjoy greater rights to success or hero-shot photos than do we, the shooters.

Afield, the eyes of a bird dog twinkle with excitement and purpose similar to those of a child on Christmass morning. How poor is the person who has not experienced upland bird hunting with trained dogs.

Award Humbly Accepted!

Photographing the Ruffed Grouse Society's 29th National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt in Grand Rapids, MN is an honor, and to be among some of the most generous-hearted people from across the nation with such a passion for the species and habitat, is awesome. I was surprised when Mike Zagata, President and CEO of the RGS, presented me with a beautiful plaque award "in appreciation for many years of outstanding photography" during last night's banquet. I am very grateful!

Boney crowns

As August transitions into September, whitetail deer antlers transition from concealment within their velvet sheaths to a glorious new crown of bone. The velvet shedding occurrs so rapidly that the event is rarely observed by the general public or hunters and it is even less often photographed. The antler coming out party is commonly a secretive thing that may happen overnight. For this reason, capturing images of the often bloody phenomenon requires dilligence, patience and a bit of luck. The fact that it commonly occurs in dim light or full darkness is additionally frustrating. On occasion one can bag a photo of velvet shedding by placing bait, such as apples, along the forest edge and wait paitiently in a blind as the sun sets.
It is not uncommon for other deer to eat strips of velver hanging from another's antlers and although I've witnessed this on two occasions, low light conditions prevented the camera's sensor from recording it.  This year, we are experiencing evidience of phenemonal antler growth locally as more mature bucks have survived to grow larger bodies and antlers. It should be a great year for hunters and photographers.

Professional Outdoor Media Association conference

Hello All,
We are attending the POMA, Professional Outdoor Media Association, annual conference in LaPorte, Indiana this week. POMA is a high-tech, business-oriented organization that keeps us up to date with the rapidly changing world of mass communication. Via the conference, we enjoy direct exposure to and interaction with outdoor related product manufacturers and leaders of the outdoor communication industry. It is a great honor to be teaching some classes on photography and Photoshop to fellow members. Although we enjoy membership in four other outdoor writers associations, POMA is the one that best keeps us current with the technical and business side of outdoor related communication.

My Image Was Chosen

The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP)
selected my photo of a male bluebird feeding its young
as their "Editor's Choice" for this week.

Covered Bridges in Bedford County Pennsylvania

Check out the new video put out by the Bedford County Visitors Bureau. Here is the link:
Covered Bridges in Bedford County Pennsylvania Click on the video and there just might be someone on there you know, and he happens to have his camera in hand!
What a beautiful county we are lucky to live in! Call 1-800-765-3331 for a Covered Bridges Brochure or just to say Hi to the girls and Dennis Tice for doing an excellent job on the video and promoting our county!