The Life and Times of the Plume
I Love Your Soul
It’s difficult to believe that it’s only been winter for a couple of days (officially). The times here are finally quiet with a sense of steadiness and lack of rushing, which is how I always think the end of the year should play out.
Quiet. Introspective. Cold. Steady. Restful.
Before all things begin anew.
Most of you now know I spent ten days in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness of Idaho on my elk hunt this year. I want to share the images from that trip with you in this space and if you’d like to read a bit about it, you can proceed to the Danner blog where an essay about the trip is currently published and I have some of my field notes and images in a secondary post over on the Western Rise blog. Additionally, if you are following my Instagram account, I have posted portions of my field notes from the trip in conjunction with a few images from the trip in my feed.
I photographed this hunt in an official capacity for both Danner as well as Seek Outside and it was so much fun to blend work with play with the insanity of a backcountry high hunt. I’m still very happy with my work from this trip (so are those companies) (yay!).
This is one of the most amazing trips Robert and I have ever taken together. I hope you feel the wildness while you sift through these images.
Also, I am aware that many of you do not hunt and probably wonder things about hunting all the time! I encourage you to ask any questions you might have in my comment space! One of the reasons I photograph and share stories about hunting big game and upland is because it’s what I have always done here — lived my life with conviction and shared what I am learning. Also, I feel we live in a political and social atmosphere that is anti-omnivore, anti-firearm and anti-hunting. I share because I want people to know the truth — that there is a way to take life, so that you can live, that is full of beauty, respect, love and holiness. I am interested in clearing up any confusion there may be on the matter by educating folks as best as I can. I am interested in changing hearts and minds on the matter. It will be my pleasure to answer your questions as best as I can as well as bust any myths you may have been fooled into believing. Inform yourself and the make up your own mind on the matter! In the meanwhile, let me answer any questions you may have on how hunting legally works, how to get tags, general rules and regulations…ask away!
As always, huge thanks and love to Robert, for doing such a great job of teaching me how to hunt and how to hunt well (and there’s still so much to learn).
Lastly, please note:
There are a few images of a dead animal in this blog post since I had a successful deer hunt instead of a successful elk hunt — I feel these are beautiful, truthful images which is why I have shared them here. My goal is not to offend your senses. We hunt to eat. If you are intolerant of firearms, omnivores and the practice of harvesting wild, clean meat from wild, clean lands please do not leave me nasty, judgmental comments in my comment section in an attempt to publicly shame me for my life choices. Instead, please feel free to send me a respectful, intelligent email regarding your concerns on the matter:
thenoisyplume@gmail.com
Thank you kindly.
As I left, I changed my mind
turned around, reached for my camera
swept through the doorway
across the gravel
(and the tornado of dove feathers there from the
hawk kill
two days ago)
down to the river where the
sky gently burnished the
whitewater orange in the
rage of light that comes on
so gently
at the end of day.
I’ve locked my keys in the truck twice in the past three days. It’s totally embarrassing. My brains are tired. I’ve been working so much. Every day I have this massive yearning to escape to the woods or a mountain top or the river — to lay down and just breathe a little and relax and not strain my eyes or feel my shoulders and neck tensing as I saw out ten thousand little bits and pieces of metal. I’m overwhelmed by the feeling as soon as I roll out of bed. But still I come to the studio to work. It’s not joyless work, not at all, but I am getting tired and ready for a break. And there is rest coming to me.
A friend told me to not work too hard. I replied, “It’s my hard work that gives value to my successes. I will work as hard as I can.”
Yesterday, while waiting for Robert to save me from being locked out of my truck, I was sitting in a pile of rocks at the post office and feeling so angry with myself for being such an idiot and wasting time that I couldn’t afford to waste — especially since as I was hopping out of the truck I thought to myself, “Do NOT lock your keys in the truck!” And then I did anyway.
I realized it didn’t do anyone any good for me to get all crusty and terrifying about my life situation. I could feel myself beginning to tornado. And just like that, I stopped it. I quit it, cold turkey. When Robbie arrived I think he expected me to be outwardly frustrated with myself and the planet and the chipmunks and the beautiful wind in the trees. Instead he found me pleasant and peaceful and simply OK with the mistake I had made and the time it had cost me.
I caught him off guard with my peace.
Sometimes all you have to do is choose the other thing.
I think it’s probably always as easy as simply choosing the other thing: love, peace, kindness, joy, forgiveness…
Just choose them.
Over and over again.
My friend sent me a small poster that says, “RESISTANCE of the heart against business as usual.” I look at it constantly as I work and am becoming my own little rebel unto myself, making the changes that need making, destroying old habits, learning new rhythms, and being ok. Just being ok.
It’s so beautiful on base right now. Quiet. Golden. We had the mess hall to ourselves last night. We cooked gorgeous ribeye steaks, roasted garden squash, chopped salsa, sipped gin & tonics, played Bob Dylan on the stereo and chit chatted about our plans for the winter. I love this time of year. We’re about to break away from it all and I’m ready to run free.
