Radiance

The very best part of photographing a wedding is sharing in the excitement of the moment. When the couple is so madly in love that the officiant can't keep a straight face the emotion becomes very tangible. I too can feel that thrilling excitement emanating from the union taking place. It's part of why I choose to cover weddings. Who wouldn't enjoy being able to bask in a setting where Love is very evident and warms everyone present?

#bride #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddings #madisonweddingphotos #wisconsinweddingphotographer #wisconsinphotographer #madisonweddingphotographer #wisconsinwedding #madisonwedding #wisconsin #madisonwi #wisconsinlife #midwestliving #midwestmoment #weddingplanning #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wisconsinbride #wisconsinbridemag #lovemadisonweddings

Limestone stalactites

I love that I am once again learning about scientific wonders in a very up-close and personal way. As I follow the various tours into the Cave I can see how my experiences and what I'd learned at the Carnegie will come into play when I give my own tours someday. It's like I spent all those years learning from that place only to be finding myself in this one. It's a place where I may be able to share what I have learned. I will also be learning a lot more. So much more. By the end of the day my brain has a sensation that's almost a silent hum as I try to process what I have seen.

#Speleothems #Stalactite #caveformations #caveofthemounds #jewelbox #nationalnaturallandmark #usdepartmentoftheinterior #nationalparkservice #nps #usdi #nnl #usinterior #NationalPark #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #findyourpark #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin

Ganglion

It was a glorious day. While we slept the weather dropped many inches of snow on the Mounds. Underlining the layers of fluff was a fine sheet of slush that couldn't grip the ground. Crystalline structures clung to the branches like the the refined and form fitting evening gowns of Red Carpet starlets. If you are familiar with my Instagram feed you'll know how thrilled I am with my yellow, spring steal snow shovel. I took it to work with me. Soon after arriving my shovel & I were dispatched. After a night of FOR REAL not sleeping because I was concerned I wasn't going to get enough physical exercise through "Gym Time," I found my bliss. For hours I worked in a stunningly beautiful setting as the sun broke through the clouds. By the time lunch time arrived I knew exactly what I wanted to photograph. Post lunch was a detailed inspection of the caverns. As I write this hours after work my wrist pedometer is showing I've walked nearly thirteen miles. I should be tired and ready for bed but my mind is reviewing nearly all the visual details I took in today. While that is normal for me, now I am focused on one very specific location. I also saw very real life forms underground for the very first time.

#caveofthemounds #whiteoak #nationalnaturallandmark #usdepartmentoftheinterior #nationalparkservice #nps #usdi #nnl #usinterior #NationalPark #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oak #oaksavanna #findyourpark #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin

The Negative Spaces

Any early April blizzard begins to roll in.For me it's a chance to see how the Oaks have arraigned themselves on the hill. The freshly fallen snow merges with the sky. I see a pattern of black, grays and whites. In the negative spaces I can visualize the curving lines of the hill. With in a year or so I should know where/when the sun rises and sets. It feels like when I used to do preliminary sketches before working on projects. After my second day of training there I can see I'll be learning a lot. It just so happens that the other new guy that I'm training with is a professional Arborist. I can't wait to learn more about the native tree species. As we checked the grounds yesterday one last time he began to explain a little about the different types of oaks.

#caveofthemounds #jewelbox #nationalnaturallandmark #usdepartmentoftheinterior #nationalparkservice #nps #usdi #nnl #usinterior #NationalPark #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oak #oaksavanna #findyourpark #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin

Anschließen

While traveling with my wife, daughter and a friend of hers for a few days the significance of my work with the Cave struck me. I've been craving a venue where I can implement my skills as an artist. This opportunity to explore and connect to the soil of this land is so thrilling for me. Just before meeting the staff for the first time the other day I walked it's grounds. It was a pleasure meeting the old oaks on their hill.I'm so looking forward to Monday and commencing with this new adventure!

#caveofthemounds #jewelbox #nationalnaturallandmark #usdepartmentoftheinterior #nationalparkservice #nps #usdi #nnl #usinterior #NationalPark #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oak #oaksavanna #findyourpark #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin

A Living Diorama

10 years, 3 months, 27 days later and I am officially back in the exhibits game. Monday I report in at 9AM to get my Cave of Mounds staff shirt. I just bought blue outdoor pants on my way home from my first meeting with them a few hours ago. On Tuesday of last week I heard about an opportunity there. After careful thought I then presented my portfolio and an idea to the staff. It worked. I'm hired! It's a new beginning for me. I am so thrilled to be working with passionate folks who are obviously so invested in preserving and presenting a National Landmark! I have this giant, LIVING diorama to get to know and work on. On top is an ancient Oak Savannah to save. Underneath is a cavern whose depths I've only seen from the tourists' perspective. I am going to bet that I won't sleep tonight...

The Smell of Hemlocks and Wet Stone

Today I remembering the smell of Hemlocks and wet stones. I remember how the splashes of water felt as they'd leap onto us. It's hard to believe it's been eleven year since we've been this particular spot.

#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