A Restored View

A few years ago I volunteered with another neighbor in clearing out the invasive Buckthorn trees and underbrush. Today I took a hike/run around on the trails. I'd stop at places where I'd built massive fires. The chainsaw guy was literally a machine when it came to clearing these nasty trees down. It was good to see the first place I worked on growing native grasses again. What really amazed me though was this view. I could still find the remnants of my biggest fire. It's now covered with interesting plants. Just downhill from that spot they work has continued without me. Not long ago you could NOT see the lake while standing where I took this photo. The Buckthorn was just too thick. You can still see where some downed branches were cut, and the ashes of the fire that cleared it are just past the tree. Well done guys!

#stewartlake #stewartcountypark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover

Cranes Descent

Cranes Descent. For the first time in a while I went for a photo walk into the park. Wanting to photograph birds I carried my camera and 400mm zoom lens ready. As I stood at the head of the ridge trail that runs just downhill from our home I could hear Sandhill Cranes in the distance. I scanned the sky all around me but tree cover prevented a clear view. As their calls grew louder they began to bounce off the heavy tree line opposite me. I never saw that particular flock. As I made my way down the trail I stopped periodically to scan the skies and to take photos of very high flying formations of geese as they migrate back to Canada. Eventually I found myself in the middle of the open prairie, the sky a nice dome above me. I settle into a very balanced stance and began to just relax, meditate, watch and listen. I heard another flock coming off in the distance. After long moments of waiting and not seeing anything I figured I'd missed this flock as well. Just then I noticed what I thought was a small, silent gaggle of geese circling above me and descending. I literally had to keep my camera directly pointed over my head, framing, adjusting my exposure and tracking them as they circled around and around above me. It was a really good exercise as I tried to aim the heavy camera and to turn it just so in order to compose the scene. When I got home I had a chance to actually see what I photographed. They weren't big geese or swans. It was a flock of Sandhill Cranes! WOOT!

#Grus #canadensis #Grus_canadensis #Grus-canadensis #Sandhill #crane #Sandhill_crane #Sandhill-crane #Sandhillcrane #migration #natureasart #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #exploretocreate #your_best_birds #nuts_about_birds #bestbirdshots #bb_of_ig #bird_brilliance #eye_spy_birds #feather_perfection #birds_adored #thebirdingsquad #nature_worldwide_birds #total_birds #instabird #birdlove

Interception!

The bouquet toss can sometimes make for a fun photo. It's usually one of the trickier shots that I take. You NEVER know where it'll land! Sometimes they throw them super high and it lands way in the back. Sometimes it's thrown off to one side or the other and you can't see where it lands. Sometimes though, it lands just right. That is, if you're NOT the Bride's Maid who really wanted to catch it.

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

When You're Taught By a Legend

3x World BJJ Champion 🏅2x Master World Champion 🏆MMA Record 20-5 🏆Cage Rage Former Champion 🏆Shooto Former Champion @vitorshaolin came to Madison all the way from the East Coast to teach us. I really enjoyed his teaching style. He taught us how to play Single Leg X Guard, something I'd not seen before being just a Blue Belt. Not only did I enjoy learning new techniques from a true master of his craft, but I enjoyed his thoughts on how to train and approach BJJ mentally. I have to admit the best though was getting to talk to him at the group dinner afterwards. if I ever get to New York city I'll be sure to drop in at his school. Oss!

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

Tuchux Charity Tournament

I've finally completed the photos from the Tuchux Charity Tournament held at last year's Pennsic War XLVI. I've been busy with the family, training and conditioning myself. I'm sure the Dogs will understand. The gallery only holds the best shots, so not everyone is included. Sorry. You can find the link via the featured content block on my homepage or via my Facebook.

#Pennsic #Pennsicwar #Pennsicwar46 #Pennsic46 #sca #pennsiciscoming #reenachtment #medieval #medievalreenactment #cooperslakecampground #dropinthebucket #tuchux #redlions #mma #fighters #bearpit #tournament #martialarts #armsarmor #armor #knight #tuchux

In Loving Memory

She chose a gown that'd display her memorial tattoo. As her mother and her MOH helped her into her dress I made sure to capture it clearly. Obviously it was a very important part of her identity and she wanted to display it. As the photographer I knew enough to not only capture it without asking, but also knew to NOT ask about it. There are many times that I've caught the undercurrents of family shared grief over a missing loved one. I don't need to personally know the details and inquiring just isn't appropriate. I'm not their to interject on their wedding day with my own curiosity as to the meaning of things like this. I'm there to simply capture these memories of the day for them.

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

The Golden Hour

Just as we'd finished the series of family portraits and folks were leaving for the reception I noticed how the sun was casting a golden hue through the oak savanna. There was a small patch of restored native prairie right next to where the family session was taking place. Within moments I was set up and capturing one of my favorite portraits. I don't like running filters to make a photo "pop." I'd much rather take advantage of ambient lighting.

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