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Greetings,
This is what I’ve been up to:
 Last year we decided that we wanted to sell our next-door lot. But that’s where my office sits. So, since there wasn’t sufficient room in our yard for that office, we had to build a new, smaller office. That’s been slowly coming about over this last year with a lot of help from my brother (actually, I was the helper) and my son (again, I was the helper).
 To be fair, and to toot my own horn, I ran the electrical and hooked up the receptacles, switches, and lights. I also installed a Pergo floor, did all the trim and painting work (indoor and outdoor), built the porch and stairs, and possibly some other impressive things.
And I’ve finally moved into the new office. At long last. And I’m writing this newsletter from the comforts of the new office. My first full day of work in it!
So all of that has kept me incredibly busy (and a bit stressed) over the last year, but it’s done. Mostly. Still some minor things…
In addition to that, we’re getting ready to welcome our new puppy in just a little over a week! There is a non-zero chance that the next newsletter will be 100% puppy. We plan on naming her Sydney. And she will be the cutest thing ever.
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Bosque/White Sands workshop open to registration
Cliff Zenor and I have posted our Bosque del Apache / White Sands National Park photo workshop.
The dates are December 7-11, 2024. We’ll start at Bosque then move to White Sands. There’s also an optional add-on, returning to Bosque Dec. 11-13.
You can get all the details here.
This workshop is an excellent opportunity to hone both your wildlife and landscape photography skills. Or, if your primarily a landscape or wildlife photographer, it's a great opportunity to stretch yourself and learn something new!
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My friend Cliff
 Those of you who have been with Cliff Zenor before, know what a great teacher and person he is.
When I started working for Great American Photography Workshops way back in 2001, on the first trip on which I was one of the named leaders, I was paired with Cliff.
Cliff had been successfully leading workshops and tours for a number of years at that point and he was incredibly supportive, kind, and generous to this newbie who he'd never met before. I will always be grateful for that. We became good friends and have kept in touch with each other over the phone and through email ever since.
And a few years ago we started doing workshops together again. It was a real pleasure to reconnect in the field rather than just over the phone.
Cliff has informed me that our December Bosque/White Sands workshop will be his last. He’s retiring from teaching, but not from photography. He’ll still be out there capturing the natural world and writing about it. And I still plan on connecting with him in the field whenever we can.
You can read his announcement on his blog.
And the Bosque/White Sands workshop will be a great opportunity for a Cliff Zenor retirement party! You should come.
Thanks for everything Cliff!
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Explore Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is on many a nature photographer’s bucket list, and for good reason: Pristine wild beaches, giant trees in old rainforests, streams lined with mossy rocks, awesome hiking and backpacking, stunning views. Banana slugs.
And I still have space available in my Olympic National Park photo workshop this May 12-17. This trip is limited to seven, and during this workshop we’ll visit Sol Duc Falls and forest, the Hoh Rainforest, Rialto, Ruby, and Second Beaches along with Lake Crescent and some Quinault area waterfalls.
We’ll also take time for classroom critique and demo sessions. For more information and to sign up, visit my Olympic National Park page.
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Washington’s Palouse region
While the market is still good for canola (bright yellow flowers), and the farmers in the Palouse keep growing it, anyone who already has been to the Palouse or has been wanting to go, should do so. From my experience of photographing the Palouse for a couple of decades, I can say that these are good times in the Palouse! Canola has never been easier to find.
But canola isn’t all. There are great views of rolling hills, barns, old rusty trucks, abandoned homes, a fence made of old wheels, and so much more.
Whether it’s on your own or even with another workshop/tour group, you don’t want to miss out.
Of course, I’d love it if you decided to go with me! And guess what? I still have room in my June 17-22 Palouse workshop!
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Auroras of the Northwest Territories
The aurora is another of those bucket list items for outdoor and nature photographers. And Yellowknife, the capitol of Canada’s Northwest Territories, is one of the best places to go to see and photograph this phenomenon. On average, you’ll be able to see auroras in the Yellowknife area two out of three nights. And you don’t even need to freeze your toes off to do it! I’ve been photographing the aurora in Yellowknife since 2014 and have never been skunked.
September in Yellowknife is a great time to go. Nighttime temperatures are reasonable, rarely dropping down to freezing. Daytime conditions are comfortable, and fall color is beginning to show.
And I’ve got space available in my August 31-September 7th tour. During the tour, we’ll have six nights to see and photograph auroras. That means we should see them at least four of those nights, aurora activity and clouds permitting. That gives you lots of time to get used to working at night and to perfect your aurora photographing skills.
This tour includes transportation during the tour, meals, snacks and water in the van, instruction and, of course, ample teasing.
Learn more and sign up here.
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Lofoten Islands tours tentatively sold out
I’ve just tentatively filled my second Lofoten Islands photo tour early next year (Yay!)
If you’ve been thinking about attending, be sure to send me an email and I’ll put you on the waiting list.
More info on the tour here.
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Sneak peak
I had intended to get this newsletter out a few days ago, but other distractions got in the way. So here it is, Sunday morning and I'm finally finishing.
But you know what? Silver linings. Because yesterday, Tracy and I went to the breeders to meet our new puppy. We'll be bringing her home in a week but yesterday's visit means.....you guessed it. Pictures!!
Here's one with little Sydney sleeping in Tracy's lap.
 And we got to meet all the other puppies too! Part of visiting was making sure we wore clean clothes so as not to bring in anything that might make puppies sick. The breeder had booties for us to wear over our shoes. But she didn't have size 14. My size. So I took off my shoes and wore the booties over my socks. That worked fine. Until the puppies wanted to play Tug-o-war with my toes.
Not to worry, no toes were harmed and everyone had a doggone good time (sorry).
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