“Bozo” (I don’t too much like the name given to him) was a cute puppy that came into the Walton County Animal Control shelter in Monroe, Georgia on July 15, 2019. He had that perfect-playful-pup attitude that would make a great family dog. Since no owner had come forward for him, and no adoption applications came in within the first few days, it was time to take him outdoors for some photos.

To be safe with the strays, I have to keep them leashed during the photo session since there is no perimeter fence. But “Bozo” wasn’t too sure about being tied up. He would come to the end of the lead and then just lie down. No matter what I did, I couldn’t coax him to stand or sit up for some photos. So we just went with it!
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His sweet and submissive side came through in his “sad puppy dog eyes” photo, but his playfulness couldn’t be seen in the photos. To balance that out, I shot some quick video of him wagging his tail in playfulness to post on the adoption websites as well. 

​Wow! I had no idea that this big blue boy would be so popular. “Renegade” was picked up stray by an animal control officer on July 15, 2019. His owner didn’t come forward to claim him, so I took him outside for some adoption photography. But even before my photos were edited and posted, the shelter already had several adoption applications! He was adopted that very afternoon. 

​We’ve entered that stretch of hot and humid Georgia days. Although the temps are in the 90’s, the heat index pushing toward , and even breaks 100 degrees! Even at 8 AM, the heat and humidity is already high and the bird activity seems to slow a bit. 

This tiny little skink was only just a tad over 1 inch long. He crawled up under the front door of the animal shelter. 

​With rainfall so low, and temperatures so high, the natural forage is drying up and pushing the deer toward the more delectable, better-watered lawns and landscaping.  The decorative English Ivy surrounding my koi pond typically is safe from deer, but even that was absolutely devoured a few evenings ago. This young buck in velvet antlers jumped the four-foot fence into my neighbor’s yard for a bit of grass. 

Man, was this little guy a tough one to get into a new home… but he finally got one! “Wally” was a little Miniature Pinscher and Terrier mixed breed dog that was surrendered to the animal shelter by his owner on June 28, 2019. Although a small breed dog, the chips were stacked against him.

When he first arrived, he was small in size but big in attitude! He was kenneled with his younger brother and Wally felt it was his mission to protect him. While Wendell sat in the back of the kennel, Wally stood his ground at the front of the cage barking wildly at anyone coming by. But once Wendell was adopted and Wally had no one to defend, he began to calm a bit.

The other issue was his hair… or lack of it. Wally wasn’t too well taken care of by his owner and had lost most of his fur from a flea allergy. His crusty gray skin made him a little less attractive to adopters as well. But after a good dose of flea medicine and a bath, Wally began to look a little better.
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But still, nearly two weeks Wally sat in the dog pound without any interest. Even with better photographs, nobody came to his rescue. Finally, after making a video begging for his rescue, Wally was picked up by TLC Pet Rescue on July 15, 2019! He had some help getting out with pledged donations to the rescue from Kay, Jason, Nancy and Anne. 

I was photographing at a mini healing crusade and concert outreach our church was having at an Athens neighborhood. Of course, I was distracted by a Mississippi Kite. The overcast sky from the afternoon thunderstorm didn't produce any good shots, but I noticed something else. What I first dismissed as Barn Swallows caught my eye a second time. They didn't have the forked tails. I emailed the photos to a local biologist/birder and he confirmed what I thought: Cliff Swallows. Poor photos, but a life bird photograph for me! 

As time passes, I look at my old photos compared with recent shots and I have the temptation to think, “Man, I’m good!” It is true that we become proficient by shooting every day. Our skills improve as we learn our equipment. But is all my improvement simply because “I’m so good”? I have to pop my big and say, probably not!

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been able to buy better equipment. And the more modern cameras and lenses are absolutely phenomenal!
    Years ago, I would never have dreamed of the autofocus grabbing so quickly on a dragonfly… but the modern DSLR can do it!
    In the past, who would think you could hand-hold a 600mm telephoto lens and get a sharp image of an insect… but the modern image-stabilizing lenses can do it!
    Only a few years ago, who would think an image at ISO 8000 would be relatively noise free? But the modern DSLR can do it!
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So, I have to knock my pride down a few notches and give credit where credit is due. Maybe the full credit for beautiful shots isn’t my doing. Much of the credit may go to our Amazing Equipment! 

Quick turn around on this trio of cute pups! When the owner came in and surrendered these three from an unwanted (and unprevented) litter, we called a rescue on the list looking for pups. They were out of the shelter before the end of the day! Thanks to Walton Animal Guild! 

​In a lightning fast moment, as fast as the serpent’s strike, my entire life flashed before my eyes along with the fear that my life might soon be ending. The impact of the snake against my skin, and the sharp needle-like jabs told me 100% that I had been bit. As I was about to drop my camera and call for the hospital’s helicopter to air lift me out, I remembered… Oh yeah, it’s just a harmless Eastern Kingsnake!  
 
Snakes always make sensational subjects! From that very first encounter in Eden, snake stories are always dramatic. Some people only need hear the word “snake” to be sent off in a sprint of hysteria. But the truth is, the majority are totally harmless (depending upon where you live, perhaps).

Many people carry biases against certain breeds of dogs. It seems the American Pitbull Terrier always manages to make the news for a bite or an attack. While there are problem dogs within every breed, not every dog within a breed is a problem dog.

"Watts" was a handsome Pitbull dog that came into the animal shelter on June 26, 2019. When his hold expired and no owner came looking for him, it was time to find him a new home. After doing well on an interaction with another dog, it was outside for some glamour shots.

Part of my job as an animal shelter photographer and rescue coordinator is to overcome those prejudices people might have against a particular pet. One look at Watts' cheekbones and wide head and many click off his adoption page. But something as simple as a bandana can help soften an image. And with the Independence Day holiday coming up on July 4th in America, why not a patriotic American Flag Bandana!
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With so many dogs in America's animal shelters, do your patriotic duty and adopt a dog like "Watts" for the Fourth of July!!!!

You would think that after all the years of spay/neuter campaigns from animal welfare groups, the number of unwanted kittens would be next to nothing. You would think that with the abundance of low cost spay/neuter clinics established in nearly every major city, the numbers of “accidental” litters of puppies would be miniscule. But here we are, nearly twenty years into the twenty-first century and still our shelters get flooded with unwanted puppies and kittens.

As a shelter photographer, I love the little puppies and kittens. They are adorable and make great subjects. But as a shelter worker, I hate to see so many come through the doors. We can almost always find adopters or rescues for the puppies, but there simply aren’t enough interested homes for the numbers of kittens that come through.

There is no one simple answer, but many things that can be done to help reduce this pet overpopulation. But the overriding thought is… DON’T LITTER! Just one unspayed dog or cat can have several offspring in one season… and even more throughout it’s life if remaining unaltered. Then if all her offspring aren’t spayed and neutered… well, you get the picture. Our shelters will stay flooded.
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I understand that accidents happen. But accidental kittens and puppies can’t happen if your pet is spayed! Do your part: DON’T LITTER! 

It is nice to travel; but it is also nice to be back home! 

I recently travelled to Tucson, Arizona to attend our Fellowship's annual International Bible Conference. I’m always excited to return to the desert southwest each year; not just for the conference, but for the unique habitat and wildlife. But how do you fit in photography when travelling for another purpose? Find it where you can!
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The Bible Conference began each morning at 8 AM. But the beautiful thing about Tucson is the sun rises at 5 AM! Since I didn’t have time to travel far, I simply wandered the streets near my hotel. Even the little oasis in our hotel courtyard produced some wildlife shots! Each morning, I walked with my camera down several side streets in the industrial area near the Tucson airport. There are several large vacant lots covered in cactus and desert scrub. I couldn't resist a little trespassing to find some photo opportunities!