Hi everyone,

It’s been awhile. Life has been really busy of late, but then again, it usually is, isn’t it?

Believe it or not, it’s been almost 5 months since I took my last wildlife photo. It seems unbelievable, realizing that it was a November 10th polar bear that was my last wildlife subject, but it’s the truth.

There are lots of reasons:

• The Omicron wave disrupted life and kept me close to home
• I had to look after my daughter during working hours until she became eligible for daycare
• Our family was sick for several weeks
• A lot of computer work needed to get done
• We only have 1 vehicle
• The bears were sleeping

But there are also excuses too:

• It’s too cold
• At lot of times I could have gone to look for wildlife, but I didn’t

Looking back, it’s clear that I was out of balance. And the truth is, every time I’m in the field looking for wildlife, I feel more present, more grateful, and more connected. I tend to get my best ideas when I am fully immersed in nature and immersed in the moment.

So how do I get this balance back?

✓ Photography Trips: Thankfully, I have several of these trips coming up in the next few months (more on this next week).

✓ Calendar Entries: The best way to ensure you get regular time in the field is to put it in your calendar. It’s a commitment you’re making with yourself.

✓  Have a Goal: I didn’t have a local wildlife photography goal these past 5 months, and that was a mistake. Photography goals can be extremely motivating. Yes, my beloved bears were asleep. But there’s lots of other amazing wildlife all around, including the elk who I would see almost every day, and winter is the best time to look for lynx and wolves.

The demands of work and life will always be there. And for these reasons, you need to prioritize the things in life that make you feel and fulfilled. It’s a commitment that I intend to follow.