The End to 2024

Probably my last outing for 2024 and got a half decent shot of a Pileated Woodpecker along the Arkansas River. This year was a large step for me into wildlife photography and setting a goal of photographing and documenting with ebird as many species in Crawford County, AR as possible for me. I've seen animals that many haven't and experienced some amazing things.
I am ending 2024 with 118 different bird species documented and ranked 16 in the county on ebird https://ebird.org/lifelist?time=year&r=US-AR-033. For normally only getting out on weekends and some lunch breaks I feel really good about that number.
Time to plan a new challenge and project.

Bald Eagle along the shore.

When you get the drive to do something and finally have time to stretch your legs towards that, it feels amazing. I got an extra hour in the morning and was able to go out and take advantage of a nice morning. I saw plenty of fall birds coming in and there was a large group of 50 plus Ring-billed Gulls. I could hear something different in the caucauphany of the gulls. Then I see it fly in and land high in a tree 50 yards in front of me. A year old Bald Eagle with a fresh fish in it’s talon. It stayed in place for a few minutes eyeing the buffet of squrriels and birds in the trees before flying off happy with its catch. This made the day for me and helped to reset my mind to get back to it

Huge check in the box

This morning I had a massive win. Since I started getting back into photography one of my personal goals was to get an excellent shot of a Belted Kingfisher. Today I finally achieved that goal and it feels like a weight is lifted, but also makes me realize I can now shift to another elusive target. I did not expect to be able to get within 20 yards of the kingfisher outside of a hide, but today I was given grace and go that close while walking and not concealed.

Male Belted Kingfisher

Shift in focus…

Today I pushed and switched up several things with the site, and links. I have decided to rename to Natural State Wildlife Photography as of 01/24/24 to shift the focus of my photography to wildlife. As of this date I am 24 days into the challenge for Crawford and I am at 34 birds for Crawford County, Arkansas.

The first steps in…

I am currently at 20 species recorded in Crawford County within the first 8 days of the year. Weather has been an issue with the cold freezing rain and the mornings thick with fog. I’m hoping soon I can get more of the cold weather birds documented before they leave until the end of the year.

The Crawford Expedition

On 01/01/2024 I began the Crawford Expedition in order to document as many bird species in Crawford County, Arkansas in a year. Historically the record is 203 species, and I have 12 months to beat it. Crawford County is an amazing area that has many diverse biomes. You have the Arkansas River running West to East on the South border, National Forest and Mountainous regions the further North you travel towards Washington County. There are large lakes, and cold water streams and several wetlands, and a whole lot of opportunity! This will be a fun and big year, and I am excited to start!

Free Time

Recently I have made a huge change in my career out of law enforcement and into security for a private organization. It has flipped my schedule to were I have much more time with my family, but I have to locate time that I can do photography for now. These are a few shots that I got while on lunch at a local park in Fort Smith, AR.

A shore side flower.

A couple of turtles enjoying the mid day sun out of reach.

FAA Certified

It’s Official! I took my FAA Part 107 certification test on July 16th and passed with an 82. This means I can officially offer drone services legally. I have received my temporary license this morning, and I have updated my information to reflect the change. This wasn’t a horrible test but it challenged me to make sure I know what I was doing. Time to get out there and fly!

First Official Session

Got my first official Real Estate Photo Session from a great agent will Keller and Williams Platinum. Mrs. Cindy Hughes contacted me on 06/15/23 and asked me to photograph a home in Alma, AR . I arrived, met the seller, and was able to take 26 photos of the home. After editing the images, and delivering them to Mrs. Hughes I now have my very first professional images attached to a home for sale for buyers to see! This feels like a huge step, and I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Hughes giving me a chance.

Peevehouse

Went out to the Peevehouse boat ramp in Van Buren today, and took the drone out for a spin. The day started off covered in clouds, but it turned out to be an awesome day outside. I attempted to do some long exposure with the drone at the dam, buit the waters weren’t turbulent enough to be very interesting. It’s nice to know the Mini 3 Pro can do some nice long exposure shots with the 2000 ND filter on.

Main St

Today I went on an excursion to Downtown Main St in Van Buren, and took some street photography photos. There were some good angles, but the only thing busy was the traffic. It’s sad, and I wish there was more foot traffic. The only people there to speak to were a couple older ladies who asked what I was photographing, and had a conversation about the historic bank buildings. The splash pad was busy and the kids were enjoying their summer fun and Freedom park is enjoyed by the community.

The Alma Wilderness

Went for a quick excursion around the Alma Lake and took the stock 35 to 50mm lens that came with my Canon R8. I haven’t been happy with the sharpness of the Canon EF 75 to 300mm and I wanted to have a shoot with the RF lense even though I knew it wouldn’t be the best for nature with its lack of reach.

I was able to get a couple nice shots, and it was just enjoyable to go back out on the trail and explore. After a couple hours I think I need to save some funds for the RF 100 to 400mm, or really put money back for the RF 100 to 500mm. There’s something exciting about going out and finding the amazing.

Walk in the park

Today me and my son decided to get outside, and enjoy the park. While walking around the lake, and explaining to my son that not every bug is out to get you, we got a few decent keepers. We also noticed that our lakes yearly Canadian Geese were back in the water.

After a bit I heard my son making sounds and realized that he was pretending to have a camera, too. I think it helped him that I explained that we were being quiet, and walking like ninja’s. If we treated the park like he was playing Pokemon maybe we could capture a few good pictures.

This only lasted until halfway around the lake, before the request for water and food kicked in, and the desire to go home. I think I can make this a thing for him to get out and enjoy, too.

Home

I decided that the first home I would shoot for a real portfolio would be my own. I see this house everyday, and I live in the this house with my wife and two children. With two young children prepping the space was a weekend of work.

One thing that I didn’t realize until I started to frame the images was that even something I am so familiar with, can take a new form and look amazing. It also showed me the flaws that I missed in prepping the area, and that kids can make the most random places a mess. I never would have known that there were hand prints under the bar top where they eat without photographic proof.

This step also helped me to appreciate the amazing space I have with my family more.

Wildlife and Me

Soon after making the decision I wanted to pursue the art of photography, I felt the desire to go into the natural world and look for the amazing things I am presented with. Even when it’s on a quick park around the park that I have spent the majority of my life around.

Wildlife and Nature were a challenge from the start, and there was something presenting themselves to be captured. My lack of skill from the start with the camera was apparent, and my understanding of ISO and shutter speed would take a large leap forward.

Even though I still have a lot to learn I at least know with wildlife there will always be new. New chances, subjects, and opportunities to capture a moment. A moment to share, and to keep that will never occur again in the same way. Like mixing paint on a palette. You’ll get close to the same color, but it will never quite be the same.

The Start

Taking the first step is always the hardest. Especially when you are unsure of yourself in a new beginning. Today marks the step in the direction I want to go though. I have begun to build a portfolio over the past few months, and I am ready to start things by creating a business card, and this site. Both commitments to a bigger goal and to myself.

I first would like to continue to build the portfolio, and communicating with others around me that could have a need for photography. I have a few contacts in mind for real estate, but my first hurdle is reaching out.

I also need to continue to study hard to take the FAA Part 107 the get my certified drone pilot license.