So I made it out to Dutch just after a freak blizzard, but the weather blew out and I landed to sunny skies and good weather. So I went out looking for some Balds to photograph. My favorite nest to photograph was out of reach because that snow storm shut down the road to get out there, but this pair was building up their nest and it was great just to hang out and watch them work.

Captured with 1D Mark IIN 600f4 on Lexar digital film

For those of you who don’t already know my grandmother passed away early yesterday morning. When I got the news it felt like my heart was being ripped out and the only emotion I could conjure at that point was anger. I was mad at myself for not being able to talk to her the day before, I was angry because I didn’t know what else I should be at that point.

I’m going to miss her so much and she will live on in my heart for the rest of my days. I know she’s watching over Raven and the rest of us, and I can’t wait for the day that I’ll be able to tell Raven all about her Great Grandma. How wonderful she was, caring, always there when you needed her to be, and always had kind words to say. She taught me to do so many things: play poker, paint, cook, and the list goes on.. My only regret is that she can’t be here to do those same things with Raven, but I promise that I’ll teach Raven everything that Grandma taught me.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to type much longer so I wanted to do this one last thing. For those who knew my grandmother she was very much about her heritage as a Cherokee Indian… many tribes believe that when some one passes the move on to another plain. This exodus is know as the great journey.. so with that I found a Cherokee blessing for greeting travelers:

I will draw thorns from your feet.
We will walk the White Path of Life together.
Like a brother of my own blood,
I will love you.
I will wipe tears from your eyes.
When you are sad,
I will put your aching heart to rest

I love you grandma, and I’ll never forget you..