How could I not be inspired by this place?

I remember when I wrote in my journal a few years ago, while rafting and fishing the Green River of Utah with Robert, that I dreamed of living right on a big river in the interior West someday.  I dreamed of waking up and falling asleep to the roar of it.  That day is finally here and I cannot tell you how deeply I am cherishing every moment — every morning, every afternoon, every evening, every change in light, every clear sky, every cloud, every moonset, every sunrise.

It has turned cold.  Finally.  Last night, at nearly midnight, I asked Robert to walk down the driveway with me to the main road, a distance of a half mile or so, just to hear the water raging against the night, to see the mist billowing, to feel my face sting in the cold and to sense the stars chiming on the ends of their anchors.  It’s my favorite time of year now.

I always say that my job as a photographer is to simply discover, reveal and exploit the beauty of a place, person or object.  I’m doing that here, now.  It’s good work.

In the studio, everything has feathers or is feathers.  I’ve gone bird crazy.  I’m simply making what I’m seeing (sometimes design is as simple as that).  I live on a big river in the high desert and this place is brimming and bubbling with every kind of bird you can imagine (almost) and the waterfowl are just beginning to really emerge including the swans.  Swans!!!

I love the swans.