January 26th, 2017

I went hiking again at Oscar Scherer State Park.  I cannot seem to get enough of that place.  This time I went with my sister.  I've briefly mentioned before that she is a Ranger at Yellowstone National Park and is, therefore, no stranger to hiking.  What I didn't say is that she is also an amazing photographer.  Like the kind that wins contests.  She has some fancy schmancy photography equipment and this way cool backpack to carry it around in while hiking.  It was a terrific opportunity for me to learn how to take better pictures, even with my little phone camera.

She originally asked to do this hike with me because she saw my pitiful little Eagle's Nest photo on the Blog here and wanted to capture that with her far superior camera. So that was our first hike.  We were very fortunate.  It was a perfect day, sunny but not hot, so great for exercise but also both Mama and Daddy Eagle were attending the nest.  She got some fabulous shots with longer range lenses.  We also  met some another lady photographer who gave us some tips on other great photo-friendly hikes.

My sister is a very patient photographer with terrific instincts.  She, somehow, knows a split second before something amazing happens and is right there with her finger on the trigger, so to speak.  And she sees things that I don't.  At one point, she stopped and was gazing off to the side of the trail.  "What?"   I asked.  She pointed.  I looked, mystified.  "I don't see what you are seeing."  I said.  "Dragonfly"  she said.  I squinted and looked harder then shook my head.  She traced the dragonfly path with her finger in the air.  I never did see the doggone thing. 

Hearing her describe what she sees, how she chooses her targets helped me to see things differently.  And line up my shots better. And hopefully, frame them with more thought.

We had a terrific time and we plan to be doing more of this.  And I will certainly  take advantage of the chance learn more which means, I will get better at this picture taking thing. 

I love learning.  And I would be a fool to pass up this opportunity to both spend time with my sister and to learn stuff,  especially about something I already enjoy doing.  See that's the thing in life. If you are doing it right, you never stop learning.  As a kid, I remember our Dad asking us at the dinner table each night that he was home, "So what did you learn today?"  And woe be unto anyone who didn't have an answer!     What do you suppose I will learn today?

Thanks for the lessons, Ranger Joy!