Posts tagged "pictures"

These are excerpts from the book “A Walk on the Beach” by Joan Anderson.  This book always inspires me.  So much wisdom here.

Here is a Joan Erikson’s Unconventional Wisdom.  It will make you think.  It will make you come alive.  It will make you feel grateful for what it is.  Make it a fantastic day, and live each moment to the fullest:

1.  OVERDOSE ON THE SENSES.  “Get out of your body, absorbing all that you come in contact with.”

“The great joy is when something happens seredipitously,” Joan says, “like an unexpected breeze, or finding this boat.  I never feel as though I am living unless I am making contact with the world like we’re doing now.  In my youth, I would walk the streets of New York and smell the neighborhoods, all the aromas of people from other places, or walk across the great bridges with rain-soaked hair and the wind on my skin, or go to museums where I would get so close to a painting that I could smell the oil.  Do you know what I mean, dear?” she asks, extending her hand now over the edge of the boat and letting the water race through her fingers.  “We taught early on to stop sensing the world.  Parents say no to their toddlers all the time, when all their child wants to do is sense the world around him.  Pity, isn’t it!  Overdose on the senses is what I say, all the way through life.”

“…the way to feel a whole range of emotions is to use them.”

“I want to be nature – you know, unblemished, natural, primitive, even, That makes all the difference.”

“We came away from that moment realizing the importance of reflection.  If I recall we spent the rest of the afternoon reflecting on reflection.  It’s a matter of using all that is around you, merging your senses with the world like an animal or child would do to find the clarity you seek.  Once again, the key is to loosen up.  Where curiosity and playful discovery are the focus of activity, there’s little opportunity to fail.”

“See, smell, touch, and taste everything… that’s what enlivens and links us in a sensuous way to the world outside ourselves.  It’s the very food we need for our body and soul.”

2. DANCE BEYOND THE BREAKERS.  “Having direction and going after something – going toward that which gives you purpose is the way – otherwise your life becomes avoiding trouble and there is no strength in that.”

“That’s the beauty of this life.  You leave all the rigid rules behind.”

“Dance is so absolutely glorious.  There’s no end to what you can do with pure energy.”  “…especially with modern dance, which isn’t restricting.  Rather, it’s about breaking boundaries.”

“And down the street and onto the beach.  Why not?” she laughs.  “Dance beyond the breakers, that’s what I say… be willing to go as far as you dare.  Hell, it’s one of the few legitimate ways to be sexy and sensuous,” she says, her naughty twinkle appearing again.  “The motion of the whole thing…and the flexibility it evokes!  The lucky ones are those that grow up near water where everything is in motion – you crave it the rest of your life,” she says, reaching for my water glass and taking a gulp.”

“Dance when you’re broken open, and, Dance if you’ve torn the bandage off, Dance in the middle of the fighting, Dance in your blood, Dance, when you’re perfectly free.”

“There should never be any set way to dance.  It’s about losing yourself and giving your body over to the music.”

“Always remember, my dears,” Joan says by way of a toast, “that no matter how hard you dance, not everyone will clap.” She lifts her glass to both of us. “At the very least, from here on in, you’ll be creating your own rules.  Take your dreams by the hand and let them float.  It’s a gift being your own person.  In any case, it’s pretty deadly not to be.”

3. LEAN ON YOUR STRENGTHS.  “In order not to fail in the end, you have to be dependent on yourself and know that you can handle things.  Most importantly, bring a little humor into despair.  Lightness, imagination, flexibility – these are the things that go into making a new start.”

“Adventure gets you to a feeling level and keeps the mind at bay.  Allow your imagination and feelings to follow whatever image moves you.”

“You must have confidence in your body.  It’s a portable world-a wonder, really.  It will get you through anything if you take care of it.”

“Passion is a force, a direction you are moved to.  It comes when you are open and vulnerable…  Still, passion is only a lofty word if you stay closed and not open.  All the words attached to the stages are so grand.  Only when we turn them into verbs and connect them with action do they make sense.  Always remember, dear, that theory without action has no strength at all.”

“It was she who told me that she didn’t hit bottom awfully easily.  “When I do,” she once admitted, “I try to focus, not on the problem but on my strength.  One way out of doldrums is to do something…take action rather than sit passively.”

“I keep telling myself that I can be either powerful like the sea or as weak as the broken shells under out feet.  Of course you know which I’d prefer.”

“One thing I’ve learned is that when you can no longer get in touch with your instinct and intuition, It’s all over.”

“You must imagine your capacities, how much strength you can muster, what you can do even before you set out.  Then you will have the confidence to stretch yourself like never before.”

4. SPONSOR YOURSELF.  “Don’t deny yourself to please others.  You only lose yourself in the promise.”

“Many a woman makes it a goal to know her man without knowing herself, first.  She sees loving him as the solution to her problems, but love soon becomes the center of her problem.  She is thinking rather than feeling her way through the relationship and eventually becomes isolated from the very essence of herself.  That is a tragedy.”

“Well, in any case, I always envisioned marriage as a collaboration,” she continues.  “Mutuality, reciprocity, interdependence are the keys to the game.  If you don’t have them, what’s the point?”

“We must have sensed a deep need to know ourselves better if we were ever to know anyone else.”

“When you are willing to pull back and look at your neglected dreams and foibles, you bring a newfound energy into your partnership.  You learn to respect what makes you an individual and you learn to accept the other person’s quirks as well.  It isn’t easy work.  The big trap most of us fall into is believing that love and joy always go together.  It can’t possibly be so because truth comes with love and many times truth is not so playful because of its honesty.”

“You get love by participating in it.”

5. SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW. “Be generative.  Pass on what you know.  In sharing there is real delight.  People in every stage depend on other people.  Out of connection real growth happens.  If there is no reciprocity, nothing ever works.”

“It’s not about you, dear.  It’s about being generative and giving back.  Can’t you see how people are sick for the truth?  Nothing in our culture encourages us to break out of the mold.”

“Henry James said that a writer must be willing to embarrass himself,” “Everyone wants to hear the voice of someone who has gone through something real.”

“You have something unique to share, my dear.  People are dying for adventure, and if they can’t make themselves get out there, they will content themselves with living vicariously off of others.”

6. PLAY OUT YOUR EXPERIENCES.  “We don’t stop playing because we grow old.  We grow old because we stop playing.  Anyway, the opposite of play is obey!”

“The point is to be less serious,” Joan says, “and more playful.  Children have it right – that is, until someone knocks sense into them and the life out of them.  I always insist that joy is a duty.”

“If only we could spread our wings and be freer with our bodies, we too could lighten up and recharge our souls.”

“Stop relying so much on your mind and get in touch with experience.”

“It’s one thing to hazard out in a safe place and another in unknown territory.  Taking chances and risking routine are two important ingredients for keeping alive.  Besides, a new panorama always offers fresh insight.”

“I make a silent promise to remember always to strive toward more unimaginable experiences.”

“I have been leveled and grounded by intangibles – such things as endurance, patience, will, commitment – a pleasant combination of active and passive ingredients needed for a harmony and balance.  Sitting here and taking stock forces me to remember and cherish what is to be vitally alive – somehow to transcend the mundane, to be broken and remade.”

“In any case, richness of experience is a potential generator of wisdom.”

“Life works best when there is a flow between times of intentional quiet and informed action. ” Action needs a counterpoint and destiny always develops in silence.”

7. REACH FOR SATISFACTION.  “Does what you are doing (in work or play) satisfy you? Does it make you laugh?  Does it make you sing?  If so, latch on to it.”

“You emerge slowly when you truly listen to your heart.  There’s no putting a time frame on soul work.”

“Practice nonsense, Have some joy during all your trudging, and don’t forget to laugh.  Tears no longer become you.”

“I want to remember to reach for the unknown or exotic as well as a measure of joy.  “It’s there for the taking, ” Joan constantly says, “and we must seize it for ourselves.  The opposite of joy is shame and doubt.  There’s hardly any fun in that.”

8. ALWAYS BE WILLING TO EMBRACE CHALLENGES.  “A good life is like a weaving.  Energy is created in the tension.  The struggle, the pull and tug are everything.”

“It’s the hard that makes it great.”

“The only way to pass the test is to take the test. – Native American Regal Black Swan. “Whether I’m giving a speech, walking my talk, or climbing the mountain, it’s all about taking one step and then another.

“Sigmund Freud though that out of one’s vulnerability comes strength.”

“you need to shake your life up in order to find new intentions.”

“No more asking permission, Whose life is it anyhow?…Besides, haven’t you learned by now that no one ever pushes you towards freedom.  You need to take that for yourself.”

Take Action

Have Adventures

Face Your Fears

Seize the Moments

Tolerate Isolation

Overdose on the Senses

Lean on Your Body

Reach Beyond Your Grasp

“Please let your sun – your concentrated energy, your own submerged authentic vital power – shine out from you.”

This is a third day after we lost our Thoroughbred Tango (Congressman).  He was the sweetest horse in the world with the biggest eyes that melted everyone’s hearts.  He was a gentle spirit with the biggest appetite.  He lived to be 25 years old.

Tango had a racing name Congressman and he was a winner in the races.  His grandfather is Mill Reef – a Century Horse, and his father was a Champion, named Diamond Shoal.

We are not sure about what happened after his racing was over, but he was abandoned, and my mom adopted him and nursed him back to health.  We had Tango for 10 years until 3 days ago when we lost him to cancer.

We do have another horse a Dutch warm-blood Princess Adora, who is grieving with us.  She spent most of her time with Tango.  When we buried Tango, Princess was running and calling him.  She stood at exact spot where we buried Tango and tried to dig him out.  Who says animals have no feelings.

Losing Tango was a huge heartbreak.  It still is.  Our bodies were hurting, and our hearts were heavy.  It felt as if a huge stone was on our chest.  No wonder, we carry our beloved horse in our hearts. <3

When we found Tango laying on the side, we did not know how terminal it was.  Therefore, we were fighting with all our might for his life.  He fought, too.  While waiting for a vet, we tried to sit him up at least.  He brought his head up a few times, but then he went down again.  Tango was incredible.  He still had a huge appetite.  He drank some water and had food and some alfa alfa hay.  We tried to keep him as much as comfortable as we could, not giving up.  We persisted, he persisted, too.  Unfortunately, his body did not cooperate.

At the end, he was tired.  After vet came, she informed us that he is in toxic shock because of cancer.  That’s why he can’t get up.  No matter how heart-broken we were, we had to learn to let go of him.  Our love for Tango was most important thing, and we did not want him to suffer anymore.  Persistence, love and letting go were our lessons.

Losing Tango changed me a bit.  It gave me a different perspective in life.  I realized how precious each moment in life is.  We should cherish every minute of it.  Family and friendship, a connection one to one can’t replace anything in the whole world.  Helplessness (while waiting for vet and not be able to help Tango) is the most frustrating and scary feeling and I do not want to go through that again.  To have an open mind to look for different solutions is very important.

We lost Tango and our hearts expanded for more love.  There is a space that opened up for new possibilities, for cherishing life and for what is most important.   And for some things, it is time to let them go…

When we came to the ranch yesterday, we saw the most incredible gigantic heart in the sky.  Perhaps Tango sent his love to us. <3  We love you, Tango.  You always will be in our hearts.

I saw something incredible in the sky and it took my breath away.  There was a beautiful rainbow all around the sun.  Many people were going about their day, not noticing anything unusual right above their heads.  I stood in awe, as I captured the sky wonder.  I noticed this beauty only last year, and since then I see sun halos several times per year.

To shoot a sun halo is pretty complicated because of its gigantic size.  Plus, it is a bit boring if we capture it only on photograph, especially if the rainbow is faint.  So, how to capture this beauty that would fill our minds with wonder?  Here are some ideas:

As in every photo, composition makes up a picture.

This is my very first time when I saw a Sun Halo.

I stopped by palm trees to get some composition.

“Squeezing” a sun to make a rainbow.

Greeting the sun.  It was not easy to make this shot because I was out in the open without a tripod.  So, I put my camera down, and gently leaned it against a taller grass.  I lined it up towards the sun, but not sure 100% what I was shooting.  I came toward the camera, extended my arms and voila! I got this shot.  Experimenting sometimes works.

Bald Eagle and Sun Halo in one day! Magic of nature!

Palm tree and Sun Halo

Catching a sun in my palm.

Making a Sun Dog.

Catching a sun and a bird.

Here I aligned a glossy paper heart’s hole with a sun to get this magical effect.  This is by far my most favorite capture.

So next time if you see a sun halo, what can you create?

If you wish to learn more about sun halos and how they are formed, you can click this link.

Trust that little voice in your head that says “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…”  And then do it.” ~ Duane Michals, “More Joy of Photography.”

This powerful quote says it all.  In photography, if we trust our inner knowing, we can create magic.  We can capture what we see in most unusual ways.  It gets us creative, it fills us with imagination, and we capture that wonder in our beloved photography.

Here are some photos I captured following my inner wonder:

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot an incredible sunset reflected in theater’s windows?

Here is the magical result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot sunset reflections in a far away building with my zoom lense?

A building becomes alive with a golden beautiful light.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sun with crystals?

The beautiful necklace by Dalia Koss becomes full of crystal magic.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align fishing Great Blue Heron with Super Moon’s pathway?

Even though I was tripping in the dark going down the slope, I had a vision in my heart and went for it.  This picture in my Flickr was overnight sensation, totaling 1000 views per night.  Right now, it has over 2,000 views.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would catch a sunlight in my fingers?

Magic catch.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align the sunset colors with a spider web?Here is a colorful spider web palate

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will integrate my friend Sandy in art?

Sandy becomes a part of statue. Art Deco.

Sandy becomes a part of painting.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture sunset through the window from inside the house?

The door window becomes enchanted.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I align a sunlight with our Princess Adora?

Princess becomes an angel.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will capture Princess through my car’s reflection?

The capture makes an interesting composition.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I will try to capture moon through the blinds?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a crow statue against decorative lamp?

It becomes like fairy tale: a crow against the moon.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if we would take our cameras while parasailing?

The view was spectacular!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot rain drops on my back car’s window lighted by the car behind while waiting by the red light?

Rain drops become hundreds of hearts.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would “train” a dragonfly to stand on my finger while taking a picture with another hand?

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dragonfly the Acrobat!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would align a sunlight on the dragonfly’s wings?

Golden Magical Dragonfly.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would come really close to the Brown Pelican, and snap the photo?

The light was incredible.  Brown Pelican trusted me to come closely.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would capture the wave from the low point?

Getting a close up.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would use a light post for support because I did not have a tripod with me for this night shot?

It is great to improvise!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would take this photo of sand castle against sunset and include a person to show the size?

Here is a dreamy dragon beauty.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would include a sunset and shoot this castle from the ground?

Picture becomes magic.  One woman yelled at me because according to her, I took the best spot.  It was my idea all along and after me, a few people started to follow my low point of taking picture.  Love to inspire people.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would see what is inside this rock?

Here is a result.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if I would shoot a sunset through my car’s mirror?

I was standing by red light.  Love to use these waiting moments for my advantage.

So, what would you see if you would follow your inner knowing, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if…?” Go shoot the magic!

Wish you lots of creativity!

I Love Big Cats:  their beauty, their agility, their determination.  Their eyes captivate me.  They are huge, curious, powerful and regal.  Here are some photos I took at Bush Gardens in Tampa, FL.  Also, I included some fun facts about Big Cats:

The King of the Jungle.

Lionesses are faster than male Lions.

Lionesses are mainly the ones who hunt while male lions guard the territory.

Lion’s roar can be heard at 5 mile distance.

Tigers like water and they are great swimmers.

Unfortunately, tigers are highly endangered because of poaching and habitat loss.

Tigers live twice as long in a captivity than in the wild.

Tigers are the largest of the cat family.

White tigers are a color variation of Bengal Tiger

They have blue eyes and a pink nose.

Tigers are usually lone hunters.

Tiger stripes are unique just like human fingertips.  No two tigers are alike.

Tiger’s roar can be heard one mile away.

Not only Tiger’s fur is striped, but also its skin underneath.

Scientists recognize each tiger by its stripes.

I took the following pictures at Disney World Animal Kingdom.  These were the tricky shots to do because the enclosure was fenced in and pretty far from us.  Therefore, on a windy day, I had to align my camera with the holes in the fence, which was not easy.

At night, tiger can see 6 times better than human.

Unleashing power from within.

Sweet dreams, Tiger.  Notice a little tongue sticking out.  This shot was taken through the window.

Some of the tiger facts were taken from news-50-fun-facts-about-tigers.

I love big cats.  Which one is your favorite?

See small cat photography here

Sometimes photography is all about a color, and the most that stands out is a color Red.  It makes a gloomy day more interesting.  It gives an energy and power.  It is a color of passion, love and life.

Red color flowers stand out in the garden.

In fashion, the touch of red brings out sexiness, like these Christian Louboutin heels.  (See shoerazzi.com for more great shoe goodness)

Red brings out fun, summer feel and vacation.  This is my friend Sandy dressed in Dalia Koss necklace

Deep red color top and turquoise makes a great match. Jewelry by Dalia Koss.

Red dress in this photo makes a woman beautiful, and mysterious.

Even red light reflection on the street makes otherwise gloomy rainy night like a painting.

Red accent like this red toy makes already cute picture more powerful.

This one is an interesting moment.  I captured a giant moon right next to the red light through car’s window.  It made the sky surreal.

Red paddle boat makes this scene even more magical by giving a great contrast.

Love is in the air. Red Macaws are grooming each other.

Red sea of flowers

Red dragonfly is a sure stand out in a green background.

Sometimes a red color is a great protection for insects.  It is warning for birds not to eat them.

Red sunset adds a drama to the sky.

This Red horse statue brings out excitement to the city.

Red strawberries add a delicious touch to this yogurt.

Red bromiliad looks like a natural firework.

Red color makes the overcast day so much prettier.  It brings a sense of adventure.

Red brings out a huge contrast into a magical day.

Of course, nothing can beat a red sports car.  This Ferrari makes my heart skip the beat just looking at it.  It has a sense of dangerousness, hotness, and adventure.

The red color adds a fire and passion in our lives.  Where can you find yours?

Color Green photography

All since I can remember, I have a huge love for animals and birds.  In harsh winters, I would hand-make bird feeders and feed wild birds.  Birds knew me and as soon I would show up, I swear they would follow me.

We had pigeon chicks on our balcony.  One time, when chick fell off the balcony, I went outside searching for him.  Sure, I found him and put back in the nest, even though my little hands were scratched from chick’s sharp nails.  That was my very first rescue.

Then, there was my first time when I saw a fawn. My heart melted, as people were bottle-fed him.  I fell in love with deer.  I even had my favorite postcard with fawn on it.

Then I volunteered at Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary, where I was fortunate to hold young foxes, feed baby raccoons, baby opossums, baby squirrels, baby armadillo, fawns, deer.  We even received a baby bobcat once.  Since it was a bird sanctuary, we would receive different kinds of birds from chick to an adult, from songbirds to raptors to water birds.  I would feed them, administer medication and even help out vet.  I learned a lot at the sanctuary, not only about the species, but also their songs and behavior.  I can identify birds by their song in the wild most of the time.  Of course, I did some rescues myself, too, and you will find me bringing a turtle to another side of the road.

Animals and birds are in my heart.  They seem to trust me, and therefore, I am able to come relatively closely to them and capture them on my camera.  To photograph wildlife, I find this helpful:

1.  Take a photo from a longer distance, just in case if animal gets scared and runs away.  At least you’ll have a memory captured.

2.  It is really important to gain trust with animal.  Respect their wildness and their space.

3.  Have lots of love and care in your heart.  Animals are very sensitive to energies.  That’s how they survive.  I believe, they sense their world.  They sense if you are dangerous, or not.

3.  Read their body language.  For example, deer will stump its feet, if it senses a danger.

3.  Stop, do not make any sudden movements.  Freeze in a place, play like you are tree.

4.  Eyes is a huge communicator.  Do not stare at them.  If they sense you, lower your eyes.

5.  Stalk like a cat if you have to.  Inch slowly.  Try not to make sounds.  Animals are very sensitive to sounds, like snapping a branch.

6.  If there is a tree or bush, hide behind it.

7.  Gentle voice sometimes helps, and keeps them curious. (It might help or might not).  Once, while I talked very gently, wild Mom deer with little fawn went by very close to me.  As if, she understood me that I am not dangerous.

Here are some of many photos I took of wildlife.  It is great to be one with a nature:

 Eastern Cottontail rabbit

I captured this Nine-Banded Armadillo in the dark.  I had no idea that armadillos can stand up on the back legs.  Did you know they are really good swimmers, too?

Beach bunny.  I took this shot at Siesta Key beach.

Four trouble-maker baby raccoons.

Did you know American Indians call raccoons hand-washers?  They have very sensitive paws and they feel their food with them.  Therefore, if you see a raccoon eat, it looks like they wash their hands constantly.

That’s unusual-looking animal, isn’t it?  It is a Fox Squirrel, and it is so much larger than normal grey squirrel.

I handed this bread to squirrel.  She made a great poser.   As you can see from her nipples, she is having baby squirrels in her nest.

Baby mockingbird meets baby rabbit

My Little Poser

You can feel my excitement when I captured this beautiful deer family all out in the open!  Notice their ears.  One ear is turned to me, and other ear is turned behind them.  They are always on the lookout.

This deer gave a birth to a fawn right in this spot.  I saw a little one, but the grass was way too tall to capture him.  Plus, I kept a distance not to scare them.

A pregnant doe snacks on water plants.  I captured her through the fence.

Two deer in sunset light.

Well, hello there.  Two year old all grown up since I saw him as a little fawn.

A tender moment.  Once again, I shot them through the fence, giving them a distance and privacy.

Blowing blueberries at me.

Now you know why fawn has so many white spots.  It is easier to camouflage among wild flowers.

This fawn is just hours old.  Still had wobbly legs while walking.

A beautiful couple.

Close together.

This fawn is adventurer.  His curiosity always took him away from his mom and sibling.  He is a survivor and very independent.

I got really close to him.  He is smelling the air where I stand.  Deer are still near and dear to my heart.

Watch out!  A new Sheriff in town!

This is a Cattle Egret.  When they are not around cattle and horses, they are seen on top of cars.  I even saw some riding on the top of cars, even on one at speed of 45 miles per hour.

Osprey by her nest.  Ospreys are called fish hawks because they mainly feed on fish.

Can you spot an owl?  Great Horned Owl is perfectly camouflaged.  The only give away is when song birds or crows make a ruckus by screaming and yelling and even attacking the owl.

Beautiful Bald Eagle perched on the fence.  It is not a familiar sight where we are.

Juvenile Wood Stork.  Notice the fuzz still left on his head.  Also, notice how he stands.  He seems comfortable.

Sandhill crane with two chicks.  This scene made my heart melt.   Did you know that Sandhill cranes paint their feathers with stick and mud to better camouflage themselves?  Notice brown patches on adult?  That’s painted.

Please use caution.  Common sense and keeping distance, especially while photographing chicks or baby mammals are required.  Mom birds and Mom animals are very protective of their young.  So, if you sense they are uncomfortable from their body language, keep still or carefully leave.  It is not worth to scare them and putting your being in danger.  Animals are wild and it is their territory.  Got to be respective of them.

See Big Cat Love photography here.

This post is dedicated for cat lovers everywhere.  I know many of my friends have cats.  My previous post was about how to take pictures of pets.  This post will be about how to capture a cat’s personality.

Cats are very interesting creatures.  They are very independent and they usually are masters of the house.  Cats come and go as they please.  But when they come near us, gives us that look and start purring, we can’t help but smile.  Our hearts melt.

Cats may be small, but they have a gigantic personality.  So, how to capture that on camera?  How to take pictures of these elusive beauties?

First, we got to get them used to the camera.  Second, we have to become cats ourselves to be able to sneak up when they do something interesting.  Third, cats love space.  So, it is always better to shoot from a little distance.

Here are some photos I shot of cats at the ranch.  Raj is a sweetheart.  He was left by owners in RV park.  So, he kept waiting and waiting.  People called a cat rescue.  He hated to be in a cat rescue among other cats, so he escaped and came to us.  He adopted us pretty quickly.

Raj loves a loving touch.  This is one of his purring spots.

What do you mean, No.

Raj scouts the area from the porch.

Strong shadow accentuates this shot

Being lazy

What do you mean you did not bring any coffee?

What was that?

Natural scratching post

Boy, I hate Mondays.

On the lookout

Where did that lizard go?

Watching a sunset

Raj was sure the king of the house until Tiger showed up.  The word travels fast, I guess, especially when mentioning a Free kibble.  Tiger is a wild cat, but hangs out around the house and comes for food every day.

Tiger is thirsty

Ah, it is cooler in the shadow.  Here he casually hangs out under the car.

Tiger sleeps in the bushes.

And then came the kitten. Misha was adopted from cat’s rescue.  He is adorable.  At first, he was really afraid.  It took awhile for him to get used to us.  But, with a little coaxing, food and play, he got over his fears.  He is the smallest of the cats, but has the largest personality.  Right now, he pretty much rules the house.

Misha in hiding

Misha is teasing Raj.

A big kiss.

Misha is doing yoga.

What do you mean no chicken?

Just peaking.  Cats LOVE boxes.

Misha is so cute.  Everything fascinates him.  Here is he hugging a peace of grass.

It is all mine!  All mine and nobody can have it.

Life is GOOD!

Wait, there is a bush I can climb.

Hello.

First time in a tree, Misha sees a large screaming hawk

“You know, you are the best buddy in the whole wide world!”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Life is Awesome after getting rid of fears.  You, too, can rule the world, just like Misha!

Also, I was fortunate to capture Savannah cats.  They were so curious and energetic.  Absolutely, loved their personalities!

How come this reflection follows me?

Investigating a cricket

Who are you?

Boy, I am beautiful!

Playing with reflection.

What was that?

Smile for the camera.

Pandora, the adult Savannah cat

Now go capture your cat’s personality.  You never know.  Your cat might teach you something, too.

See Big Cat Love photography here.

By shooting, of course, I mean photographing.

Our pets bring out the best in us.  They give us comfort.  They give us joy in our hearts.  They are like our children and we love them dearly.  Sure, sometimes they get us mad by chewing something or destroying something, but this is just the way they keep us on our toes.

Our pets do not care how we look.  They give us unconditional love, and know when exactly to cheer us up or comfort us.  When they give us that look, our hearts melt and we can’t help but smile.

As you can tell, I am HUGE animal lover.  I love to take pictures of them.  I love to capture their personality.  As if I become part of them reading their body language.

Nobody knows our pets as well as we do.  So how to capture their essence?  How to capture their personality?  How to freeze that moment of playfulness, that moment of smile?

First of all, we got to get down or up to their level.  We already know what they will do next by reading their body language.  Although, they still can surprise us.  The best way to shoot is when our pet does something surprising.  I must admit, though, some pets are camera-shy.  They freeze when we show up with that thing in our hands, especially if it is a large camera, or run away.  It is unknown to them.  So, my solution is to have pets get used to the camera.  Practice makes it better, and pets might usually get used to their pictures taken.

Here are some photos I took of our pets.  Each one of them has a different personality.

Here is Romeo when he was a cuddly puppy.  Sure, he will make you smile:

The boy and his toy

Sleepy dreams

Romeo’s first time at Siesta Key Beach.  Notice sand on his nose?

Even though he was tiny, it took two of us to catch him.

Sleepy puppy

Am I going to grow as big as she is?

You got to be kidding me?!!!  First time on a leash.  He still plans an ultimate revenge on his leash every time we walk him out.

Romeo in the back of Mom’s Jaguar.  The most saddest day was when he could not fit there anymore.

Sleepy time.  The work must be so exhausting.

Smile!

Romeo LOVES to take shower.

Let the fun times begin!

I just stole my Mom’s bra!

Waiting for dinner

What to do with Junk Mail?

Water+Romeo=Inseparable

At the speed of light

Gosh, that feels good! Let’s do it again!

And there he goes in the water again!

Introducing Smokey, the smartest African Grey Parrot on Earth!

Preening time!

Smokey talks, whistles, dances and shoots.  If somebody comes close to the house, she makes a real gun shooting sound, and they run away.  She and Romeo are the best protectors.  Here Smokey’s tail is lit up by sunlight.

“Good Morning,” Smokey says to Romeo.  They are the best buddies, and they give each other kisses.

What are you looking at?

Smokey LOVES broccoli

Here she dances and whistles to the tune.

I believe I can fly!

Even horses have a different personality.  Introducing Tango and Princess Adora.

Rock Star Tango.  He is Thoroughbred, retired racing horse and a rescue

Princess loves to run.  She is a Dutch Warm-blood and has a wild spirit.

Princess Adora and Tango after the shower.

Princess loves showers!

She loves showers so much, she goes into the dirt, rolls over, gets dirty and comes to ask for more shower.  Smart Princess!

Princess lets loose!

Best Friends forever!

It is great to capture pets from different perspective, by being creative.  Here stands Underwater Princess.

The hair in the wind!

Princess looks on in a distance

Princess loves the breeze in the air and a cooler weather.

Let’s kick start our day!

Jungle Beauty

Feeding time!  Tango LOVES to eat.

Princess gets wild!

In the splash of shower.

Princess is very curious in nature.  Everything fascinates her.  Did I mentioned she loves to run?  She can’t wait for cooler weather.  Right now she loves to splash in the pond.

So, whenever you would like to shoot your pet, look into their personality.  Capture not only what you see, but also what you feel.

See cat photography here.

Most photography is all about the right timing.  The captures tell a story.  The action frozen in time leaves us to our imagination to see what is happening and what will happen next.

I find fascinating to watch pelicans and their dive-bombing ability to catch fish.  Like I mentioned previously, to be able to capture a moment, I usually get to know my subjects pretty well.  I used to volunteer at Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary.  Not only I handled them, helped to tube-feed them, fed them with fish, and released them back to the wild, but I found out lots of fascinating things about pelicans.

Here are some photos I captured throughout the years on Siesta Key Beach, FL.

Here goes Peter!

Family outing.  Notice the middle one?  Adult Brown Pelicans are teaching a juvenile how to fish.

Big Splash!

Who’s first?

Pelican the Conductor

Extreme Sport-Fishing.  The guy is oblivious what is behind him.

Why pelicans never drown?  Their bones are hollow; therefore, they are very lightweight.

Bubble Bath

Ok, Guys.  Listen up.  Our fishing quota for today is…  Jack, are you listening?

Among Sea of Stars

One fish for you, one fish for me…  Hey, guys, leave some for me!

Cormorant Kidnapper

He strikes again.

Help!!!  Pelicans falling from the sky!!!

On the count of three. Promise?

Double Splash!

S-c-r-e-e-c-h!  Pelican on breaks.

Are we there yet?  Are we there yet?

Did you catch my fish?  Brown Pelicans can hold up to three gallons of water in their pouch.  They usually drain their beaks, and then put their heads up to swallow the fish.  That’s when sneaky seagulls grab the fish.

What do you mean you did not catch fish yet?  Lazy bastard!

Laughing Seagull is taking Brown Pelican hostage.

Synchronized flying

Brown Pelicans need a warm weather to survive.  Their feet and pouches can get a frost bite if the temperatures stays as low as 32 degrees for more than twelve hours.  Also, in cold temperatures, pelicans cannot find the fish, since fish go deeper.  Pelicans only dive a short distance because of their hollow bones.

Confusing the seagull.

Pelicans have been on Earth for around forty million years.

In the breeding season, Brown Pelicans dress themselves.  Their eyes become brighter.  The yellow head becomes of brighter yellow and their beaks become redder, as if they used a lipstick to make themselves prettier.

Pelican Dangers:

If you and your friends go fishing, please do not leave fish bones around and do not throw them back in the water.  Fish bones get stuck in pelicans’ mouths and throats.

Also, please do not leave fishing line around.  Pelicans get tangled up in it.

Sometimes when pelicans dive for a fish, fisherman’s hook gets caught in pelican’s mouth.  It’s painful and pelican get scared.  When that happens, please DO NOT CUT the line.  If that happens, pelicans get tangled up in fishing line, and can’t fly; therefore, can’t feed themselves and die.  If a pelican does get snagged by fishing hook by accident, very carefully reel him in and gently try to remove the hook.  Their beaks are harmless, just stay away from the pointy sharp hook at the end of the beak.  If you can’t remove the hook, please call nearest wildlife sanctuary or US Fish and Wildlife Services.  In Sarasota, Florida that would be Save Our Seabirds.  In Venice, Florida that would be Wildlife Center of Venice.

By saving and protecting them, we can enjoy these fascinating creatures in the wild.