Why did the Sandhill Cross the Road?

Sandhill Crane

I Took a Walk Through the Pines This Morning After Turning Compost

I just found this poem as I was processing this photo.

That the self advances and confirms the ten thousand things

is called delusion;

That the ten thousand things advance and confirm the self

is called enlightenment.

- Zen Master Dogen Zenji, 1200 - 1253
Moon in a Dewdrop
Translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi

Murder at the Temple

As went to leave I felt very relaxed having just walked the forest path. Having ended the walk at the Stupa I did a bit of focused thinking, and as I walked away the birds seemed to want me to take photos of them. I notice crows everywhere as they're a very prevalent species and do well living around humans. I'd never seen a more perfectly arraigned murder. I wish I was a musician so I could turn them into notes to see what played.

#Corvidae #crow #Corvus #brachyrhynchos #Corvubrachyrhynchos #birding #bird #birds #dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #stupa #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha

Calm

“If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?” ~Shantideva ཞི་བ་ལྷ།

#dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #stupa #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha

Breathing is Everything

At the seminar by Luiz Claudio Augusto this past weekend Luiz talked about a breathing exercise he does to warm up and get his body ready. It was a pretty straight forward method of breathing out through the nose with force using the abdomen. These breaths would be in multiples of 10 each time, so 10x, 20x, 30x, etc.., with a relaxed and complete deflation between sets. I texted my self the details and then talked about with him afterwards. As I prepared to go do my Monday routine I tried it. I thought it was going to be easy to do! Simple in concept, it really worked my diaphragm in a effective way. Doing it 50x times was revealing. It also cleared out my sinuses completely, and after smoking a chicken on the grill yesterday I was a bit congested! I also got light headed from so much oxygen. I had to stop and share this before going on with my routine. Now I am ready for the weightroom, meditation practice and then BJJ with Thales Blaso. It's going to be an awesome day! "Oss!"

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #bluebeltproblems #bluebelt #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts

Rollerderby Blocker

a blocker who’s girly, not prissy
you won’t see her throwing a hissy
but the pain that’s entailed
with the way you’ll get railed
you won’t forget a spanking by Sissy

Intrepid

A perfectly carefree, early spring Sunday. She's starting to want to go further and further away from us as we walk as a family. She's not rebellious as much as just very intrepid. So far, she'll still wait at the corners. So I still have that.

Luiz Claudio Semminar - 04-22-2017

Today's photo shoot was a seminar by a Rickson Gracie Black Belt named Luiz Claudio. Being that I was just photographing it I really tried to listen to what was being taught. The strategic level of thinking when it comes to managing yourself while fighting is brilliant. I really enjoy the complexity of this martial art. It's not just about "how to choke" or "break limbs." Being able to see this martial art style in it's complete form, and in such a straight forward, simple yet refined precision is truly a thrill for me.

#bjj #bjj4life #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle #jiujitsu #graciejiujitsu #martialarts #grappling #bjjlife #jiujitsulife #fitness #bluebeltproblems #bluebelt #gym #fighttraining #Selfdefense #bjjtraining #martialartslife #fitnessjourney #artesuave #oss #mma #graciejj #bjjmadison #bjjwisconsin #riseup #riseupmartialarts

A Day to Plan

What a great afternoon of walking the grounds of the Temple with my good friend @thalesblaso as we discussed life goals. I also met with @therealkatherinemcguire earlier today to make plans on what we'll work on together. Life is unfolding in some very interesting ways.

#dharma #buddhist #buddhism #learningthedharma #meditation #puja #soulsearching #training #findingmyself #monastery #stupa #meditation #holyplace #holy #peace #namaste #buddha

I Hear Her Footfalls

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In the weeks since I took this photo while hiking with Teri in the Laurel Highlands back home I've on actually seen her for a handful of days. She is the lioness of the family and was one well before I ever knew her. I hear the sodden cadence of her walking behind me on this trail. We're in rhythm with the tannin tinged air as it sings through the forest around us, its cloud muffled song leading our way. It's all just around the bend. Press on.

#laurelsummit #laurelhighlands #wolfrocks #forbesstatepark #highlands #hikinginclouds #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

A Driftless Turkey

Winding my way through the hills of the Driftless I happened upon a number of turkeys. I've been seeing them all over the place in the last few weeks. I've been carrying my camera in whatever car I'm driving just in case I get a nice, clear shot. Today this guy became panicked when he tried to dash off to the right of the road only to hit a fence. As he crossed over to my left I was able to pull lead and snap this just as it hit the embankment.

#wisconsin #wisconsinlife #midwest #travelwi #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #midwestmoment #themidwestival #discoverwisconsin #conquer_wi #mounthoreb #madisonwi #midwestisbest #danecounty #driftlessarea #thedriftlessarea #thedriftless #goplayoutside #greatnorthcollective #wildernessculture #letsgosomewhere #keepitwild #turkey #wildturkey #tom #meleagrisgallopavo #wildlife #wildlifelover #naturelover #wildturkeyreport

Easter Egg Hunt

The bunny did a nice job hiding the eggs in our backyard. She found all but one, which we think a crow may have taken.

Ready For The Rabbit

The kid & I had fun together this morning. We spent time coming up with a little gag. You can now say we're ready for the Easter Bunny. In all seriousness she asked me, "So, if it rains won't he hide the eggs in the house? How will we catch him outside?" That childhood naivety only a little kid can enjoy. Although she is does get the humor of setting this up. I always love her hearty laughter when she takes delight in doing something she thinks is hysterically funny. Oh am I in trouble because she's turning into quite the rascal. I'm also becoming her practice dummy for pranks. Recently she set a "trap" for me. I'd spent the day cleaning the house after returning from vacation. As soon as I done she called me from the other room saying something "broke." As I went to the leave my kitchen I almost stepped on an assortment of pillows and blankets all piled in the way. As I stood there looking down, yelling out, "Hey! I just cleaned up in here!" she sprung her trap. From the vantage point of standing on the chair just to the side of the doorway she threw a little blanket over my head! All I heard was her shout, "SCRAM!" as she and her friend ran upstairs. I won't admit to laughing because she reads my posts! (Help!)

Playing with Light

Sometimes it's just fun to go play around with flashes and capture one of John's pieces. We set the recently completed sculpture of fish outside on one of his work tables. I then set up individual flashes around it, adjusting each one independently in order to highlight various aspects of the shape. I believe we worked for only about an hour, as is usual. It just feels good to simply play around and be creative.

#centergroundstudios #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinart #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #fineart #sculpture #finaeartphotography #contemporaryart #art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #mounthoreb

Sun Blinded

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Sometimes it's nice to just go photograph something, anything, just for the sake of doing so. ​These short, one hour shoots I do with Center Ground Studios really help loosen me up a bit. Today's challenge was to quickly capture the scene in very harsh lighting but still be able to see the details. I couldn't even see my LCD screen so everything was just set up on intuition. Is it perfect? Nope. I see how I could have made it better but that's not the point. It's the same as spending time in the gym, or out on the mats training in martial arts. The repetition helps hone my skill. I'm not getting rich doing it, but it fulfills me. I'm coming to realize I'm terrible at business because my desire to create drives me to do just that, create, whether or not I get paid.

#centergroundstudios​ ​#driftlessregion​ ​#driftless #wisconsin #wisconsinar​​t​ #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin​ ​#fineart #sculpture​ ​#finaeartphotography #contemporaryart​ ​#art #modernart #ig_mood #featuredpalette #artlovers #artlover #installationart #steelsculpture #driftlessarea #thedriftless

Tiny Ninja

Yesterday I had a fun shoot at Infusion Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness. For about an hour I captured images of the tiniest of warriors as she had fun. I wish every photo session were as much straight forward fun.

#martialartslife #muaythai #fightraining #fitnessjourney #fitness #training #wisconsin #wisconsinmartialarts #madisonwisconsin #madisonwi #coaching #trainer #fighttrainer #martialarts #martialart #infusionmma #punching #punch #strike #striking #heavybag #punchingbag #drilling #muaythai #martialarts #gym #gymlife #veronawisconsin #veronawi #standup

Slippery Rock Creek

Just one week or so ago we were playing along the shore of my favorite section of stream in the entire world. I have to admit I'm already missing it. While I've been going here for nearly 40 years there was a very intensive period in my 20's when I was along this section at least once/week, if not more, for two years. No matter the weather, from icy wet rains to super humid summer days I'd fish this section. While a lot of "chubs" were often caught I pulled a fair number of trout and small mouth bass from the water. I know all the best little nooks and crannies where they like to lurk, waiting for food to travel downstream. There are times I miss fishing, but it's the stream itself I truly wish to be near.

#mcconnelsmill #slipperyrockcreek #frewmill #campagawam #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture#outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors#getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover#lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy#outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa#explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature#thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

The Kid

My wife's been away on business having left the very next morning after our vacation (which really sucks but it's our life). This has meant the kid an I have been spending a lot of time together. Although I shot this at the Carnegie Museum of Art while we were in Pittsburgh, it captures what I have to say about being with her. Being her father is the simply the most amazing thing I have ever done. Last night after dinner we spent a good bit of time outside. First we played tennis in the driveway, hitting balls off the closed garage door. She then scootered while I walked and we went to the playground at the schoolyard about 1/4 of mile from here. After that we watched a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, "Manos: The Hands of Fate" while she took a bath and I just relaxed. As I sent her off to school she was shuffling around like the crazed Torgo. She's just such a clown! I'm a very lucky man.

Isn't It Flat Out There?

It felt good to get back to some of my routine after having been gone. A good friend of mine lives about an hour northwest of me. He's a brand new father, doing the daddy daycare since he works at night. His Brown Belt test in BJJ is coming up soon so I have been going to his home training room to act as an "Uke." In other words, a practice dummy.

As I drove home I found myself winding along the ridges of the Driftless. I stopped to take this photo of Blue Mound State Park from the west. I cannot think of a better way to answer the common question I get when back in Pennsylvania, "Isn't it flat out there?"

#midwestisbest #midwestliving #wi #travelwi #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #wisco #onwisconsin #madisonwi #madisonwisconsin #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #driftlessarea #bluemoundstatepark #bluemound #dnr #wi_dnr #widnr #naturalwisconsin #wildernessculture #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoors #nature_perfection

Trail Through the Clouds

With an elevation of around 2,700' (835m) the Laurel Summit rises like a wall running North-South. The clouds bunch along the ridge line, shrouding us in mist. The continuous sound of dripping water from the trees into the many standing, tannin stained pools tattoo out a rhythm. The soft, diffused light emphasizes the vibrant greens of the many mosses that cling to the trees and line the trail. They muffle our steps so we can hear the tiniest of birds as they flitter through the damp forest winds.

#laurelsummit #laurelhighlands #wolfrocks #forbesstatepark #highlands #hikinginclouds #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

Wolf Rocks

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Wolf Rocks in the Laurel Highlands is a locations we'd not been to in over a decade. The last time we hiked here we were just dating ​and the thrill of a new love must have clouded our memory of just how far of a hike it can be. We'd asked a ranger about the shortcut route, but ended up taking the longest way possible to get there. The most interesting thing about our journey together is that there were many times we discussed turning around and going back, but the thought of the possibility that it was "just around the bend" kept us going. The mysterious beauty of hiking through a flooded mountain ridge, breathing in the clouds and wondering where we where seemed to draw us closer. It's funny how such an innocent attempt at a romantic hike can pretty much sum up our marriage. Oh, and when we were ready to leave we easily found the shortcut trail!

#laurelsummit #laurelhighlands #wolfrocks #forbesstatepark #highlands #hikinginclouds #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa #explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature #thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors

Saying Goodbye

As we drove away from my father's after our week long visit home and with at least 11 hours of driving in front of us I asked, "Who wants to see Slippery Rock Creek one last time?" Outvoted by the gals I realized I still held the steeling wheel in my hands, so a short side trip seemed like a good idea to me at least. The warmer water was throwing off hints of fog under the falls at the bridge, carrying with it all the smells of the forest. For nearly 40 years this has been where I'd go to just be "me." So many manifestations of myself have walked the shore, waded in the pools, and breathed in those fern scented smells. My soul is mottled dark green, gray and brown. It sounds of rolling water, drumming of rocks, echoes with cries of birds and smells of leaf litter, ferns and hemlock.

#mcconnelsmill #slipperyrockcreek #frewmill #campagawam #forest #naturalpennsylvania #wildernessculture#outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors#getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover#lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy#outdoors #nature_perfection #scenicpa #travelpa#explorepa #theoutbound #ventureout #in2nature#thegreatoutdoors #naturewalk #getoutdoors