Photo Expedition and the Rattlesnake

The Badlands Wildlife Expedition put on by Wyman Meinzer allows people to come into Wyman's backyard, which includes several surrounding ranches, and photograph some of the most beautiful country in West Texas. They experience true untamed wildlife - bobcats, coyotes, and rattlesnakes - and learn how to call in the predators. It is an absolutely incredible experience, one I encourage anyone who has the time to go on. It is open to photographers and non-photographers alike. Wyman will not only teach you about photography and present you with incredible opportunities, but he will allow you to see beauties of life many often pass by without realization or notice.

A few members of the expedition were a bit wary when it came to photographing the rattlesnake, but Wyman's constant and patient encouragement, allowed the fear to slip away and some amazing photographs to be made. It was such a thrilling opportunity to witness this. On the Junction adventure, I had my first opportunity to be face-to-face with a rattlesnake and now I feel like an old pro at it. It is an understanding between photographer and snake. No quick movements. Relax. Breathe. Be patient. Standing on the side and watching Wyman work with and encourage and advise these groups of people as they approached the snake with their preconceived ideas and hesitations was absolutely thrilling. I don't think there was a moment I was not smiling.

This post is a combination of the first two expeditions put on by Wyman and the people who helped make them so memorable.

Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering

This past weekend I went to the Fort Worth Stockyards for the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Trade show. Santa Fe on the Brazos had it's own booth to sell store items and promote Wyman's new book - Under One Fence: The Waggoner Ranch Legacy.

Sylinda and I had an amazing time meeting new people, dancing and having some pretty delicious meals. We stayed in the Stockyards Hotel, which was only a minute walk from the rodeo, the dance and the barn where the trade show was held.

During the low-traffic time, I had my camera out and took photos of the people who would walk by. Some, I had incredible conversations with, and some never even noticed I even had my camera out. Here are just a few that I adore from this weekend.

Wonderful World of Etsy

I just bought a ring on Etsy from Vintage and Glam Jewlery and I absolutely LOVE it. :) I was looking for a ring that was flat and wouldn't knock into anything and also let me show off a bit of personality. Sure enough, Etsy had it. The artist who designed this ring was also fabulous to talk to and to show my appreciation, I took a few photos and came up with this! Sent it to her with some very positive feedback. I love that about the website, it allows you to put up "Appreciation Photos" of the gift you purchased to the seller.

I uploaded a post to my 365 Project but since then have decided to take a few more appreciation photos. Here I'm dedicating a post to my new favorite piece of jewelery. I absolutely LOVE this ring.

My Beautiful Mother

This is my beautiful mother. Kathy Alison Wallace Church. She has been so much more to a mother to me, she is my best friend and I feel so lucky to have such a strong and intelligent role model in my life.

This weekend she came up to visit me in Benjamin, TX. We were lazy mostly, sipping our coffee out on the veranda watching the cats strut by and the wolves chew on a pig. Monday afternoon, we had some clouds overhead and so she and I walked around and I took pictures of her. She asked for only one good photo out of one hundred images. Well, I definitely have a favorite of them all, but there are others I consider the best too. Here are the rest of my favorites.

I love you, mama!

Wyman's Roadrunner Friend

This afternoon Sylinda, Wyman and I loaded up into the truck, grabbed a pizza and some drinks and headed out to he ranch Wyman grew up on. There was a roadrunner family who had made their nest in one of the pieces of machinery and the Daddy was quite comfortable with letting Wyman get close to him - so close Wyman could tickle his tummy if he moved easy enough.

It was a wonderful opportunity to take part in. I chose to expose for the nest and the roadrunner, so I left the rest of the image to chance in exposure. Luckily for me they didn't turn out too bad. I'm happy with how this storyline of images turned out.

Here is Daddy Roadrunner sitting on his five chicks.


Wyman slowly approaching the nest with a grasshopper he shot with a BB Gun.


Wyman showing Daddy Roadrunner the grasshopper and offering it to him.


Daddy Roadrunner gobbling up the grasshopper Wyman handed to him.

Hot Rhythm Nights at Sons of Herman Hall

Every Thursday night in Dallas at the Sons of Hermann Hall you can find a good group of people who like to call themselves swing dancers having fun on the dance floor. One of the Bal Bugs asked me to photograph the dance to help advertise the weekly dances. As a swing dancer, it gave me an edge because I was able to predict where the swing outs would be, the direction of travel and turns. I also knew a good handful of the dancers and occasionally put my camera down to share a song with a lead or two. I really enjoyed my evening at Sons. They had a beginning Balboa lesson and afterward a dance that lasted until people felt like leaving. I got out of there around midnight but some nights you can expect the party to continue well into the next morning.

If you love Balboa and are in the Dallas area, you can find their Facebook group HERE or search Bal Bugs.
You can find their Facebook group for the dances HERE.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the lesson and the dance.

Couple Portraits: Kim & Pete

As I said in my Sneak Peek at Kim&Pete, these two are so much fun to be around. Now what was supposed to be a fun adventure in the park riding bikes ended up becoming a fun adventure at Joyland. I honestly had a blast. It was my last night in Lubbock and what better way to spend it than doing what I love?

I teased you with a sneak peak. Here's the read deal - my favorites from the shoot. Enjoy!