Hidden In Plain Sight

The life of a wildlife photographer while being a very enjoyable hobby/business, has taught me many things about being in the wild. Learning about getting in position, stalking, and that staying low and slow is better than cruising. Once you realize just how vital gaining an intimate knowledge of not only the area is, but your subject as well, it all starts to come together.

"The gift of patience and being able to shake off a bad day isn't always easy, but it's helpful "

But I must admit being a little stubborn when you're wet and cold, can afford great photos. There have been many bitterly cold and rainy days in the rivers and mountains of Virginia, namely Syria, Rapidan, and along the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The weeks spent at the James Madison Montpelier in Orange County Virginia has afforded me a place to learn and make mistakes. But with that being said, there have been a lot of photos that I have been blessed to have successfully brought home. With the camera gear in hand I have walked out the back door of my house headed to many different places. I've been many places in Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, and that's only the start. There's no doubt I've probably taken thousands of photos, and edited and weeded out at least that many.

I was walking through the local dam in Rapidan, VA it became very clear to me that one of the local Great Blue Herons was nearby. Even though I didn't see it yet it's significant presence was unmistakable, until I saw it fly from its perch. And even though it didn't provide me with a very good photo, I still saw it's magnificent wings beating against the cold breeze. Flying over the mighty dam with water beating against the river floor, it soared over the brim and hid in the brush. As long as I could take it, I kept looking for it, eventually finding it in plain sight. So with that being said, you are probably wondering as to what I'm getting at; how often do you look for God?

Let me start by outlining the points I was trying to make in the above paragraphs

• Knowledge; Being able to gain Knowledge of Jesus Christ is vital. *Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge".

• Patience; Being able to be Patient with God and those around you; *Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer".

• Culling; Being able to cull and be culled; *Jeremiah 30:17 "For I will restore health to you and heal your wounds, declares the Lord, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares

• Experience; Being able to gain Experience; *Proverbs 1:4-8: "To give subtilty to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion" and "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels".

• Searching; Being able to know to Search for. *Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart"

• Hope; Being able to Hope. *Psalm 33:22 "Lord let your unfailing love surround us, for our hope is in you"

• Faith; Being able to have Faith. *Romans 10:17 "Faith comes from hearing the good news about Jesus Christ"

I hope this blesses you and helps you with your daily lives. Each one of the above verses is important to every one of us.

"Log Jam At The Rapidan, VA Dam.

Ephesians 3:19 "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God"