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 →

Lori and Stephen elope in Grand Teton National Park

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Lori and Stephen have a wonderfully storied past of travels to exotic places, indulging in life, and just plain having a good time in each others’ company.  They decided to tie the knot in a small, private ceremony, paying attention to each other, and their vows, more than the celebration of getting married.  They shared many intense glances and enthusiastic laughs throughout our photo session.  Most of all, I loved their sass.  The classic backdrop of the Grand Teton was epic, worthy of their character and love.  The following are a few shots from this session with Fisher Creative in Teton National Park.   Continue reading →

Sunrise, California Route 58

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I was lucky to participate in some fall surveys in the Mojave desert.  It was a brief venture south, but a fruitful one where I got a taste of a seemingly mysterious event in this parched landscape. October is a hot, dry month.  It is a time of brutal tedium, anticipation.  Especially if you bear the heat all summer and are waiting for the nights to finally cool the earth a bit more.

It’s also a month that’s known to celebrate the summer monsoons (or Southwest monsoons).  This year we had some decent rain and enjoyed some late season blooms that contrasted sharply with the otherwise dessicated matrix of creosote.  Here’s a celebration of Pectis paposa, cinchweed. Continue reading →