it maybe a goodbye for a while, or less often

matthewo · Jan 8, 2014

It was fun while it lasted, but I doubt I will have much time for wildlife photography in the future. I still plan to get out as much as I can, but I think it will end up being a lot less.
I want to take weekend trips when I have time, but work, along with other obligations may really put a damper on photography.

so here is a little send off....

1)
king fisher dive

2)
mockingbird pose

3)
cormorant landing

4)
egret landing

5)
hawk take-off

coastalconn · Jan 8, 2014

What happened? I will certainly miss your posts!

Aloicious · Jan 9, 2014

hope everything is okay! keep shooting and posting when you're able to.

Warhorse · Jan 9, 2014

I wish you good luck with wherever life is taking you.

Newtricks · Jan 9, 2014

Good luck to you! great shots.

pjaye · Jan 9, 2014

Good luck with whatever is taking you away.

sm4him · Jan 9, 2014

Beautiful shots, as usual.

I hope that you *don't* disappear from TPF completely, and that you get to do more wildlife photography than you think you'll be able to; I'd hate to not see your work anymore, you are far too talented. You and Kris always inspire me to keep trying to improve my own shots.

robbins.photo · Jan 9, 2014

Matthewo, you will certainly be missed - if there is anything we can do let us know.

oldhippy · Jan 9, 2014

Great shots, remember there's always a blue sky over the clouds. Hang in there. Ed

NancyMoranG · Jan 9, 2014

Keep your chin up, as my mom used to say.
anything we can help with in the Sarasota, Fl - Clearwater area?
good luck with your obligations.
Nancy

baturn · Jan 9, 2014

Your excellent wildlife photos will be missed ,so give us some if and when you can. Best of luck with what ever is taking you away.

lambertpix · Jan 9, 2014

Good luck with your commitments. I hope things work out for the best.

Incidentally, this whole set is great, but the egret photo is absolutely stunning.

matthewo · Jan 9, 2014

Everything is good, I think the hardest part is really behind us, (wife and I) and I think photography has helped me get through a lot of it.

sometimes I like to keep things a little vague just because it is a public forum were anyone can access via google or any search engine. while there have been people on here I have made friends with and I think we would get along good if we ever met in person, I would have no problem sharing more information with most of you on here.

a little background, I was involved in a pretty serious motorcycle accident almost 3 years ago. I had a large spinal fusion surgery, as well as 6 month in a brace and over a year before I felt like I could even think about getting back to a normal life, even now I have noticeable effects still in my daily life from it. I was always interested in photography, and messed with my friend's d90 before my accident, so I figured I would give dslr photography a try. I think it helped a lot with getting back to normal things and getting my back stronger as well walking long distances for photography.

I think one of my first experiences that got me to the wildlife side of photography was watching an egret at a nearby lake. I watched it looking for fish as well as fly around a bit and land in trees. I came away with a photo I was very happy with and I was hooked. it was one of the first times I actually put all of my effort for a few hours into just wildlife photography.

fast forward to now. I have been very lucky to be able to of had these last few years to recover as well as have the free time to do photography without a job. while I do feel sad it has to become less, I don't think it will come to an end. I am sure most all of you find a way to balance wildlife photography and work. Kris you really inspire to beable to provide photos almost everyday and still work. My wife is also expecting, so while we are still early in the pregnancy, life will become busy compared to previously.

my favorite and most productive wildlife photography is usually done when I can plan trips and dedicate whole days for photography in good locations. I do a lot of hour here and there outings locally, which are sometime productive, but sometimes not so great. I hope to still plan those weekend trips to known good locations, and spend a lot of time less often then I have been.

I guess I will probably just be posting less often....

Thanks for all your support here, this forum is truly a great place. I have tried to tell other photographers about this forum, but I don't think they understand that its more then just posting photos online. its a great place to share, learn, be inspired, share tips, discuss topics, and even meet new people with like interests. while I have not met anyone locally here, I have met people who turned out to be a good friends locally from other forums.

Tiller · Jan 9, 2014

Well I am sorry you will be busier, but a new baby is exciting!

I've never been super interested in wildlife photography, but I know we were pretty close to each other in location. If you ever need anything in the Charleston/Columbia location, I will be glad to help if I can.

My fiancé and I took a trip to Congaree National Park last weekend. You should plan a trip there if you haven't yet. They have a great selection of woodpeckers that might be cool