I went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I have seen many beautiful pictures of the wild horse herds on the beach. I needed a photograph of my own. I envisioned the photograph to have the beautiful horses running along the shoreline, manes and tails blowing as they ran. I did not have a preference to whether it was a herd running on the beach or just a few, or maybe just one, but I knew I wanted them running along the shoreline, blue skies and the beautiful blue of the ocean.
I got up long before sunrise, about 4:30am. We drove the jeep up and down looking for my shot. I waited and waited and waited. Not one horse by the shore. Not one horse running. Many horses eating the sea oats on the dunes. Looking ahead, finally, horses on the beach! We drove up closer to the horses. There were three of them, two standing and one lying down in the sand. To my amazement, they were watching the sunrise. I stopped the jeep behind them to see what they were seeing. It was beautiful! The sun was rising and it cast a beautiful yellow, orange, and gold color across the sky, spilling onto the sea and the beach. The sun reflecting on the water, the horses silhouetted by the rising sun. They were mesmerized by the scene in front of them, not noticing me at all. The horses appreciating what was before them, a new day, a beautiful sunrise, and I was too busy looking for what I had wanted to see and not seeing what was transpiring right in front of me. The horses never did run on the beach that morning. I stayed until noon. At first I was disappointed because I did not get my “shot” of the running horses, the shot I envisioned. Then it dawned on me (pun intended). I was given a beautiful scene, a beautiful sunrise, most have ever enjoyed. My photo was stunning, interactive, and captured the beauty of the moment. I need to relax a bit, and not let my desires, or my expectations, get in the way of what I am given. I need to appreciate what is happening around me, not getting distracted with my own preconceived ideas. I was given a uniquely beautiful scene, as well as a special moment in time, with the horses watching nature unfold. I do not need to return for another attempt at the running horses. The scene I captured was better than anything I had envisioned. All is well with my soul. Tips for photographing people, architecture and scenery in India and Nepal. What to pack, how to approach people, what to wear and more from Kelly Walkotten and Peggy Farren on The Understand Photography Show, Episode 85. Travel photography is about the journey to me. I like the people, cultures, and ways of life in places far different then my own life. Peggy Farren has a weekly pod cast show titled "Understand Photography." She invited me on her show to talk about travel photography and my recent trip to India and Nepal. You can watch the interview here. I highly recommend you subscribing to her weekly show on Youtube.
Peggy Farren is an award winning, professional photographer, author, instructor and speaker. She’s been interviewed and featured on TV and in many national and local publications. She is the host of The Understand Photography Show which features prominent travel, fine art and nature photographers. The show broadcasts on Facebook, Youtube and as a Podcast at 4 pm ET every Friday. Understand Photography provides photography lessons and tours to photographers who prefer step by step, easy to understand instructions. Our mission and our motto is: “We Simplify the Technical” Photography is more fun when you know what you are doing. If you prefer simplified training without all the technical jargon, you’ve come to the right place! Students can learn at their own pace, at our photography studio in Naples, Florida, on location or in the privacy of their own home via online classes. Join us Fridays at 4 pm ET for The Understand Photography Show using Facebook LIVE! I had the privilege of observing a fox family for a few days in the early April. The mom made her den near Lake Michigan at the top of a hill, in a heavily populated area. They are an attractive animal with a rusty reddish body, white underpants, chin, and throat, and a long bushy tail with a white tip. They have prominent pointed ears. The backs of ears, lower legs, and feet are black. The distinguishing feature which sets them apart from all other fox species is the white-tipped tail. Their average height is 15-16” tall, 35-41” long and weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. The Red Fox is very sensitive to low-frequency sounds, which sets it apart from most other mammals. The fox listens for underground noises such as digging, gnawing, and the rustling of small animals. When he detects these sounds, he will dig frantically into the ground or snow to capture the animal. He stalks its prey much like a cat, by moving in as close as possible, then running down the prey when it bolts. The Red Fox will continue hunting even if he is full, burying excess food under snow, leaves, or soft dirt. He appears to find his cache by memory and smell, although other animals sometimes find the cache first, before it is retrieved by the Red Fox. An adult fox usually does not retire into a den in the winter but will curl into a ball in the open and wrap its bushy tail around his nose and foot pads. At times he is blanketed by snow while in this position. |
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Kelly WalkottenI am a nature, wildlife and underwater photographer. I love to travel and capture the story. Archives
October 2020
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