"We live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you." 2 Corinthians 4:12 New Living Translation
 
Wednesday, 11:16 AM - Nature does not always live up to the romantic notions we have of a calming, peaceful walk in the woods, along pristine trails, besides pure waterfalls. Within the wild, we are often confronted with the harsh reality of survival and death. Though we spend much unconscious effort pushing the reality of death out of our view and consciousness, the certainty of death ever surrounds us.
 
On a hot, muggy Wednesday afternoon I walked to the gravel road that circles the upper pond. Wiping sweat and spider webs from my face as I walked among the dry, dead leaves and pine needles crunching underneath my feet I noticed a morbid scene: the remains of a Blue Jay. It was just a pile of feathers; no bones; no body; no blood. The scene brought up many questions, but only two facts could be ascertained: it was a BlueJay, and it was no longer alive.
 
The scene seemed to raise more questions than it answered. What got it? How did it get it? Was it a fledgling or an adult? Where was the body? Was it plucked and then eaten? Why didn’t it consume the feathers? How could a bird with the capability of flight get caught? Was it caught by another bird, like a hawk? The questions could flow unending.
 
Death often raises questions, especially when it is that of a younger person we feel it was too early to lose. Why did she have to die? Why did God take them? What happens after death? Where do we go when we die? Why happens to our body? Does our mind live on? What can I do to live longer? Even the Christians of Paul’s day had questions in the face of death: “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’”[i]
 
While considering this photo of the Jay’s remnants and being faced with a journaling ‘dead end’, on a random urging, I put my journal away and flipped to a random entry in the book More than Words. That random entry happened to be “death”. It read, “The death of the body, of course, occurs when physical life leaves it. The Old Testament recognizes the fact that we all die. But the death of Jesus Christ brought about an enormous change in the way Christians think about death. The New Testament teaches us that Christ Himself experienced death and in so doing destroyed its power: He rose from the dead.” Though death can raise many questions, the death and resurrection of Christ are great and certain facts.
 
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”[ii]
 
Though it seems contradictory and is truly a paradox, it is nevertheless true: life comes from death; and nature teaches us as much. It may seem cruel, but some other animal goes on living, nourished by the death of this Jay. It is cruel, but by Jesus’ death comes our life. And not only eternal life, but a more fulfilled life in the present. Although we must still be prepared to meet God, the Christian does not need to be afraid and walk his entire life in anxiety, questioning death. As Paul again wrote, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [iii]

​During the hot and humid summer months here in Georgia, the air conditioner in our office has been working overtime but manages to keep things quite chilly indoors. Each morning, the window on the front door of the building is fogged and dripping with condensation. ​The same happens to my camera lens as soon as I walk outside. It can be an irritatingly long wait for the lens to clear.

This morning, I sat on the edge of the pond waiting for the condensation to clear from my lens to grab a shot of a nearby egret. But instead of impatiently wiping the lens, which usually doesn’t work, I used the fog as a filter to open a new world upon the wildflowers.  

Although I’ve never taken the time to try, I’ve read articles about creative lens filter techniques. From spraying water droplets on the lens, to taping yard or fishing line in front of it, anything can serve as a filter. You could even try smearing some oily ointment on the lens… but I recommend putting on a cheap UV filter first! You can even breathe on your lens to get the same foggy effect created by my rapid move from air conditioning to humid air.
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Be creative. If it doesn’t work, who cares! The filters are free and the delete button works magic! ​

Tuesday, 9:17 AM - I am constantly looking for wildlife to photograph. My camera accompanies me everywhere: on hikes, walks, and even at the ready in the passenger seat of my vehicle each day. But how often, because I am always looking for wildlife, do I fail to see other wonders of creation around me?  

Animals are unpredictable; I never know when I’ll capture (or miss) a great shot. But the majority of the time, nothing is encountered when I’m out looking for wildlife. Like the deer hunter who trudged into the woods at 4 AM only to come home without ever firing a shot, the wildlife photographer can also feel frustration spending hours in the field without a single photograph to show for it.

This morning was no different as far as the wildlife was concerned: I didn’t find anything I was looking for. But, something was different this morning. I didn’t find that for which I was looking; but I saw. I saw different subjects; equally beautiful subjects.

I’m not a bug or flower photographer. I’ve walked past wildflowers on many occasions without notice. That’s not what I’m looking for. But this time, they caught my attention. Rather than looking, I saw; and some beautiful images were captured.
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So instead of going out looking for something in particular, I’ll go out and see what is there. Let the beauty come to me. Stop looking and see! ​

​The religious leaders of Jesus’ day failed to see their Savior because they were looking for something else. They eagerly anticipated a leader that would bring political independence and freedom from Rome’s oppression. They were looking for a Messiah with a scepter; and therefore they failed to see a servant-messiah ‘meek and lowly in heart’ (a self-description of Jesus, Matthew 11:29).  
 
Looking is active; we usually only find that which we seek. Seeing is passive; we are brought to discover what we would normally miss because of our biased expectations. When we look with preconceived expectations, we fail to see. How many have failed to see Jesus because they were looking for something else? The evidence for our Creator and Savior is everywhere. Can you see it? Or are you looking for something else?  

Monday, 3:15 PM - When days here at the shelter get this stressful (21 dogs impounded in the last 3 days) I can get to the point where I want to snap, or at least get snappy with everybody.  It is not easy to balance out a shelter, avoid euthanasia, coordinate adoptions and rescues, and still take Facebook flack for the dogs that don't make it out alive because nobody was interested.  I survive, relieve my stress, and relax by taking walk breaks up to the ponds and woods behind the shelter.  

​How many photos can I take of plain old ordinary Canada Geese? Well, this bunch that came in for the afternoon on Monday looked so calm and relaxed (as compared to my upset disposition) as they preened and rested that it warranted a photo. Relaxation therapy for a stressed animal shelter director! 

​Walton County, Georgia

Monday, 3:23 PM - The vernal pool that connects the upper pond with the swampy area behind the firing range has gotten quite low because of the lack of rain. (Once again, Georgia is under a drought notice.) The shallow water covered in green scum and slime bubbles, the buzz of cicadas and mosquitos, and  the stifling humidity give the pond a bog-like atmosphere. One little turtle with slime clinging to his shell decided to climb out of the muck and sun himself on a deeply textured brown driftwood log.

Instead of simply taking a pretty picture and confirming what I already know, I decided to do a little research and learn something new about this “green scum”.  Duckweed (Lemna spp.)  is considered one of the smallest flowing plants, although their tiny white flowers are seldom seen. A closer look at the “muck” revealed it isn’t gross or slimy at all; it is a tiny clover-like leaf called a thallus. It is very high in protein and therefore a favorite food of waterfowl, especially surface-feeding ducks such as mallards, teals, and wood ducks (a few of which I’ve photographed in this very pond). There have even been some efforts to “farm” duckweed for human consumption.

​[i] 1 Kings 4:33
[ii] https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-kingfisher-bird-get-its-name
[iii] Matthew 4:19
[iv] Luke 5:4
[v] John 21:6
[vi] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/id
[vii] 2 Corinthians 4:3
[viii] Acts 5:29

​July has felt like an insane month. Most days I have been unable to keep up with the animal intake. As of this morning, 105 dogs and 121 cats have come into the shelter this month alone. Each time I get caught up on evaluations, heartworm testing and postings, more dogs come in. Each time the front door opens, there stands a citizen with more cats or surrendering their “beloved” pets. Each time a kennel is emptied by an adopter or rescue (or sadly, by euthanasia), it just can’t remain empty through the end of the day.
 
This morning, and several other mornings over the past 3 weeks, I came in early to get some “glamor shots” done for a few of the dogs not getting interest. I know once we open the doors to the public and the officers hit the road, more and more animals will come in.  So today I left home before the sun came up and made my 45-minute journey from Athens. I was able to get some good glamor shots of a few dogs.  

​“Sydney” is a somewhat fearful and submissive Anatolian Shepherd mix that was picked up stray out in the country covered in ticks; “Banner” is a super happy puppy that should have been noticed and adopted by now; and poor “Venus”, a beautiful and well behaved Retriever mix who has stolen my heart (I love the older dogs), just isn’t getting rescued, probably because she has heartworms.  But perhaps the new photos will help these three make it out.  Unfortunately, we also just got in a handsome, young German Shepherd Dog and a super-cuter terrier puppy. Yes, they will both get lots of attention from adopters and rescues, but will overshadow “Sydney”, “Banner” and “Venus” for yet another day. 
 
I have emailed our Facebook volunteer several times this month that I was ready to quit this job and hike the Appalachian Trail for the rest of my life. But alas, I have a wife and two daughters, so completely checking out of real life isn’t an option.  So I must continue to slug it out here. Thank God for the relief I get through photography, journaling and running. Photography is a passion that brings me into a world of focus and escape.   And one other comforting thought:  winter will come along soon and things will slow down… I hope.  

I’ve been hunting a big snapping turtle to use during upcoming classroom presentations. So this was my lucky day!  ​This morning before work, right in the middle of the gravel road between the ponds behind the shelter was a fairly big one! His carapace was 9.5 inches front to back. I carried him back to my office, which was no small task. Have you ever held up a 5.5 pound snapper while he consistently tried to kick, bite and scratch his way out of your hands? The kids are going to love this one! 
Walton County, Georgia 

​UPDATE AUGUST 15, 2016 – What a hit!  Boy did this feisty guy make an impression on the kids and hammer the point home of how powerful and destructive our untamed tongues can be. 

​Although he remained his grumpy self and didn’t show it outwardly, I’m sure he was quite happy the next morning to be released back into the pond near where he was found. 

I went back up to the small, secluded pond further back from the shelter this morning. This time I approached a bit more cautiously and with my camera settings already adjusted. I was hoping to get a better photo and identify the ducks that I have flushed out twice in the last week.  Sure enough, as I rounded past some trees, they took flight again; but only 2 birds this time.  I remained calm and fired away as they went overhead. Looks like I have an ID:  Wood Ducks! In February 2014 I managed to get a decent shot of a pair of Wood Ducks on this same pond. 
​Walton County, Georgia​

UPDATE 8/4/16 ​Over the next few days I’ve gone up to the pond each morning and occasional afternoons. Although I am quite far away, as soon as I come into these ducks’ view from the far end of the pond, they immediately blast off from the water.  None of the photos have been of any quality, but have allowed me to count their numbers. There are three drakes and at least seven hens. Perhaps they will stick around this winter. 

I’ve been walking up to the wetlands near the sheriff's firing range each morning looking for a big snapping turtle to use in an upcoming class presentation. This morning, as I came past some tall reeds, I was startled by, and in turn I startled, a pair of Green Herons (Butorides virescens). I can’t be sure if these are the exact same birds, but I have spotted Greens before on this pond.

After they flew off, I walked about 30 more feet and startled a Great Blue Heron that took to the sky with repeated, guttural croaks. It was too fast, and my shutter speed too slow, to get a good photo. As I crossed up to the back pond, several ducks took flight as well.  I guess I surprised all of these beautiful birds as they were searching for a quiet morning snack.
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​Walton County, Georgia

​Each year we’ve had a pair or two of Canada Geese raise their young on the pond behind the animal shelter.  However, this year there is only one pair, and they have only one gosling.  I suppose the other eggs became breakfast for a marauding raccoon while still in the nest.  Each morning I try to start the day with a quick walk around the pond. Mom and dad stay quite close to their now nearly grown gosling, but stay within close enough distance for good photography. I bet they have previously been on a pond where they are used to free handouts from humans. 
Walton County, Georgia

​It absolutely amazes me how a tiny bird weighing less than a penny can fly across the Americas each fall and always find its way precisely back to my backyard feeder. As I hadn’t seen “Myrtle” appear in May this year, I was getting worried.  My daughter named her Myrtle last year because she would sit in the Crepe Myrtle tree next to the feeder and aggressively defend it from any other hummingbirds that tried to get a drink.  

This year, they finally showed up in June, and we’ve been treated to aerial battles of up to four hummingbirds at a time! I’ve only a few times seen a bright throated male attempt to brave her defenses for a drink.  According to allaboutbirds.com, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird flaps its wings about 53 times per second! 
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​Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

Each year my wife and I take a trip to Tucson, Arizona for our Fellowship's annual Bible Conference. This year we were able to visit Mt. Lemmon.  Just outside of Tucson, the winding road takes you to the top of this beautiful mountain with a spectacular view over the desert and the city of Tucson. There is a short ski lift that we took to the top. Imagine, skiing in Arizona!  Although it was near 100 degrees in the city, it was a chilly and windy 68 degrees on top of the mountain.