Sunday, January 2, 2011

2010-A year of Growth

2010 was a year of growth for me with photography.  Even though I have been doing wildlife photography as a hobby for over 32 years, I found 2010 to be one of the years of most significant learning.  I struggled through 2009 with issues with a very expensive long telephoto lens.  It took quite some time in 2009 and early 2010 to find that the issues I was having were not the result of poor long lens technique, but due to a lens that was incapable of resolving fine detail at distances over 60 feet or so away.  Through the help of fellow friend photographers Mark Picard, Herb Houghton and Gary Steele and the application of my own problem solving skills I was able to finally identify the lens as the issue and was able to move on.  Once I had new equipment to work with I was able to once again experiment, learn and grow in my photography skills. I am so thankful that my interest in wildlife photography was rekindled in 2007 through meeting a new friend-Mark Picard.  It has changed my life.  I have refocused on family and spending time in the outdoors enjoying God's wonder.

Reading friend Coy Hill's blog and his review of his best pictures of 2010 stimulated me to do a similar thing.  While reviewing my images from 2010, I found it was difficult to pick "the best".  I also found that while some were not the greatest or sharpest images, they brought a smile to my face through the memory of the moment when the picture was taken.  I decided to share some of the images here and also share a link to a slideshow of the most memorable for me in 2010.

I have tried for years to get a great loon picture and this year I was blessed with the opportunity to get a female loon with her twins out for a ride:


I once again got to watch moose go about their business of feeding, courting and playing:




I have found the resurgence of the bald Eagle to be intriguing and I enjoy spending hours observing them and learning their behaviors:




Out maneuvering Black Bears to get good shots has been challenging and fun:

Awaking early in the morning and walking among the Elk of Pa continues to be enjoyable and informative:

Enjoying the color change in the fall has been calming:




Doing all this with my wife of 40 years has been the best!




Until Next Time

Jim Borden



4 comments:

joco said...

Hiya,
I keep on coming back to this post.
So perfect and such phantastic photography. How wonderful to share such a hobby at such a high level of competence.

Unknown said...

Jim,
As a fellow photographer who found you through the Camera Critters Meme, I have to say I'm very impressed with your 2010 favorites. I especially love the moose shots - The cow in the pond is priceless! Thanks for sharing...I look forward to following your work in the future!
John

Anonymous said...

A beautiful series of photos, Jim! I think the loons will always be my favorite, that's a classic!

cofisher said...

I am speechless. These are absolutely the most beautiful outdoor photographs I have ever seen. I'll be following closely.