Author Archives: Lech

Catkin Season: Bridge into Spring

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The catkin.  A harbinger of spring.  Here are a cluster of male catkins on a hazelnut (Corylus contorta to be sure).  Native hazelnut catkins are known to be especially important for the ruffed grouse who use these as an early spring “power bar”.  More than a snack, these foods catapult the grouse from a season depauperate of food into a season of more abundant food.  The catkins are a light at the end of the tunnel.

Click on picture for a larger image.

Notably, Native Americans were known to use Corylus americana medicinally for hives, biliousness, diarrhea, cramps, hay fever, childbirth, hemorrhages, prenatal strength, and teething, to induce vomiting, and to heal cuts (D. E. Moerman, 1986).  This is truly a plant whose beauty, nourishment and healing help demonstrate how rich of a world it is that we live in.

So what did I do here to “museum finish” this piece… Continue reading →

2011 Wedding shots I love

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Two thousand eleven was truly a wonderful year.  A watershed year where I was blessed with some great partnerships, solo photographic opportunities and room for growth.  I learned and learned and I thank you for that opportunity.

As I look back to the weddings of 2011, each one had amazing set shots.  Bodies were posed and eyes directed to create quality, heartfelt images.  Beyond those set shots were the moments in between.  Capturing those moments is where the true magic happened.  No amount of “try this” could supersede the authenticity of a stolen kiss, a smirk, or a guffaw.  It made all the posing worth it, I think.

  These are the photos that I will forever cherish and say thank you to letting me be a part of your most important day.  I feel extremely honored.

Here are 16 shots I love.  All packaged into one small sized PDF.  Please enjoy.

Sincerely,

Lech

Project 52: Vision Statement

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I’m restarting Don Giannatti’s Project 52 this year. I enjoyed it for all it was worth last year, but failed to fully commit.  We had a baby.  I got into being a dad.  I kind slacked pretty hard on work enjoying my new life… you know.  I’m hoping for a better show this year! Here’s assignment 1:

My Vision for my photography – I am a botanist and restoration ecologist by training and desire. I want other people to get hooked on nature like I am. At minimum, I want them to at least take a second, closer look at our plants, dirt and birds alike. It’s truly amazing how much richer every day is when ecology and nature is on your radar. That said, we need to conserve those places that give us access to these feelings of wonderment and peace. Therefore, my vision is to create engaging and interesting photographs about conserving and stewarding our natural resources. I want to celebrate conservation and make the science of ecology accessible through images.

Pictured above: Silver bush lupine seedling at Point Molate, CA, a place that was threatened by a casino as recently as a few months ago.  The casino proposal was destroyed by public support for “something better, even if Richmond is starving for jobs”.   Now Point Molate needs a plan and vision itself.  Notice all the browns, greys, greens and yellows among the lupine leaves.  As this habitat awakens the green will shine into the warmer summer months.

Censorship is the Opposite of Education – Stop SOPA

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I’m so proud that the site that hosts this blog – wordpress – is blacking out for a day to protest SOPA, aka the censorship bill.  The bill seeks to provide our government with an overwhelming “hand of God” that can create and destroy internet access as they please.  Sure, the bill is targeted at specific piracy problems, but the unintended consequences that could limit free access to information as well as freedom of speech.  Censorship is the opposite of education.  It limits instead of educates.  It allows for a small agency of really powerful people to decide what we can access.  Sure, the intent is to stop only “specific piracy sites”, but we all know how good intent can get misappropriated for bad uses.

Does this censorship battle sound like another place, another time in world history?  Well, actually it’s happening right now.  Right here.

Please take a second – well actually 3 minutes – and educate yourself on the SOPA/PIPA issue here: http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,

Lech

Turning a new leaf, growing a garden in 2012

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Thanks everyone for all the amazing support in 2012.  My wife, Kaya, my dear friends have all been a blessing.  I love you all. 

Here are a few thoughts for 2012.  New leaves, new gardens. 

-Be a role model.  I’ve been lucky and fortunate, and I want to share the fruits of that.  I want to grow a kind,attached community.  This includes: be a great dad, inspire the next generation of land stewards, provide love to my wife and dearest. 

– Define physical structure in my life. Get into a pattern and groove with climbing, running, biking.  Do it regularly. Create a practice. 

– Take the extra time to explain.  Don’t rush through the teaching moments.  Cherish them as they are what I most strive for on any given “scheduled” course. Even if I’m late or stressed, take the time.  Identify and embrace these moments.

– Reach out and connect with new people.  Go beyond talking.  Communicate and reflect.  Return again once some time and perspective have blossomed.  Limit the one-and-done interactions. 

– Take time to find the light.  It’s always worth it. 

– Diffuse anxiety.  Don’t let the emotions of others cloud over my sun.  Be aware of the situation and digest it. Be independent in spirit and will.  Create leadership – create my own weather. As appropriate, be sensitive, but immune. 

– Start a conversation with forgiveness. Find its role in my life.  Most importantly, find ways to access it in the toughest of situations.  Create a path, walk it, maintain it. 

Sincerely,
Lech

*Writen in Pasadena, CA. Rose bowl RV campground.

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Native for the Holidays

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We wanted to wish a warm and generous holiday season to all of our friends and family.  We feel blessed to have shared another year with you.  Thank you for the community that we grow into together.

This year we decided to throw a curveball into the age-old traditional of the Christmas tree.

Frosty, Santa, and the Cherry Tree

We decided to purchase a live tree, and at that, we decided on a beautiful locally-native holly-leaved cherry (Prunus ilicifolia).  This is a native rose that my botanist buddy Chris Thayer believes is fading from our area: the vanishing rose phenomenon.  These comely shrubs are getting pushed out by normal (and maybe abnormal) climate change.  As they cede to other vegetation, so do their wonderful March blossoms and yummy Cabernet colored fall berries.  Here’s our native tribute to Christmas. Go Native Santa!

Pujols: A True St. Louis Tragedy

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Albert, Welcome to Loneliness. Albert in the heart of the Mojave desert. Photo collaboration w/ Karen Blaha (CC)

Dear Albert,

This isn’t going to be a love letter.  It’s really not intended to be hate mail either.  I, as a former St. Louisan, huge baseball fan, and believer in good graces of the universe would like to say that I’m officially heart-broken.  You “LeBroned” us.  Let me explain this formula in case you’ve forgotten about LeBron James, like I have: Continue reading →

Near Miss Photos – The Ultimate Educator

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I was reading a thought-provoking blog post on professional development by photographer Don Giannatti at Lighting Essentials.  Don was taking questions on twitter and he got asked a great question on taking photography to the next level.  It’s something I’ve been thinking of, and frankly I think that many serious photographers are toiling with this question regularly.  Here’s an excerpt from Don’s response on his blog – a “to do” list if you will: Continue reading →