"Mallards @ Mackey Island"

Every winter I spend quite amount of time photographing landscapes and wildlife. I've grown to have a passion for birds in flight but I also love the challenge the ducks give us here. Don't get me wrong I do wish I could mossy up close and real off dozens of frames but that's not the case here on the Outer Banks. Thanks to telephoto lens, fast cameras, ground blinds, and a lot of work we get as close as we can. This image of two pairs of Mallards was the only shot I was able to pull off, the rest of my attempts came up way short. That's duck hunting with the lens of course!!!

Enjoy

"Mackey Island"

There's an old saying here on the Outer Banks, if you don't like the weather wait 24 hours and let me know how it works out for you. This weekend was no exception as the winter air entered our region with temps in the low 30's for the highs, which if your a wildlife photographer it's time to seek out the birds and ducks. A group of us headed for Mackey Island Wildlife Refuge for just that purpose. Swans, eagles, five or six species of ducks, and hawks gave us a challenge as we endured the cold morning air. Here is an image I captured as a flock of Swans flew overhead along with an airliner soaring southward to a warmer location.

I liken the image to man's continuing pursuit of flight along with natures best, giving way to an interesting photograph.

Enjoy!

"Merry Christmas"

Before the holiday's slip by I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from my family to all of you and your families. Our weather has been very nice but I believe it's going to be changing for the colder here soon by all reports. I 'm beginning to feel that Christmas spirit as I saw these bulbs in Wal-Mart, so I scarfed them up and headed to the beach this evening to capture this image. Just might turn it into a Christmas card!!!!

God bless you all

"Good Morning Lake Mattamuskeet"

Saturday the 21st I took a little R&R and headed west to meet up with some CNPA photographers for a much long and anticipated "Wildlife Photography" session. Arriving a bit early I found myself waking up just in time to get off the above shot, any longer and I would have been bummed out to say the least. A few minutes later I changed to my fisheye lens as the morning sky opened up giving way to some interesting prospectives of sky and landscape.

"Fish Eye View"

Then came the real fun, hunting down a good location to capture this two frame sequence shot of a immature bald eagle. There were actually three eagles including one mature. I was concentrating and trying to get the older bird in focus when the two immature eagles began to fight over a kill(a duck) in the water. As luck would have it I snapped off these two frames, neither bird took the duck after they saw me stand up in the reeds that I had made my cover in earlier. As you can see in the first shot the young eagle is looking straight into my lens.

I have to be honest here, no matter how long I get to live on this earth some of the best moments are when I'm alone hiding as if a spy in a world that humans are not invited into yet being able to witness such beauty and record it for others who let it pass by day after day.

One man's loss is another man's gain.

Enjoy

"First Frame"

"Second Frame"

"Three Dog Night"

Well here we are finally getting a little spark of sun rays and a touch of blue in our skies after countless days of rain. I was shooting a few surfers this evening at sunset when these little guys showed up for a walk on the beach. I've always had a soft spot for pups, so I couldn't resist this opportunity when they pooped up from the beach side of the bulkhead.

Enjoy

"Once Upon A Time"

As most folks are aware just about the entire east coast was effected by the recent north easterner caused by Ida our 9th named storm for the season. Here on the shores of the OBX was a mixture of flooding in Kitty Hawk to a couple of homes falling into the Atlantic Ocean in Nags Head and Highway 12 disappearing along with what was left of the dune lines in Rodanthe. Above is the famous movie house "Nights in Rodanthe" still standing but looking very lonely as the erosion continues to eat up the very valuable real estate that remains. Mother nature wins the battle again as DOT was very busy building a temporary dune road for 4 x 4 passage only, but the war still goes on as man continues to fight the elements. Not all is lost the surf break looks to still be in tact but parking is going to be a major problem in the months ahead.

"Third generation surfer"

PART ONE

"It's all about me"

First things first, this is my Grandson Isaac. I've been clearing thru thousands of photos on my computer and filing them when I decided to post a few of these images of our first grand baby's visit. I have to be honest it has reminded me of years past when my parents would bring out the slide projector for you guest it! "Family Photo Night". AH the horror of such an event as father time clicked away slide after slide our cheeks red from pinching , and our naked bottoms exposed to whoever lasted the evening. Well here I am now with the baton of history clinched between my fingers, the internet my screen, and the world (you) who are watching as I send my photos thru out the world wide web. So sit back and enjoy the show.

"Who's your baby"

"Mommy's little boy"

"Daddy's little acorn"

"My mommy & daddy"

PART TWO

"Our New Son"

Of course he is adopted not born from my wife, even though he thinks he's getting an inheritance not knowing it's just a "bone". His name is Wrigley named by my son Matthew

for his love of baseballs sadist losing streak the Cubs and the oldest field in the NBL. But that's only a name not an attitude. He's been a lot of fun since we have no children living at home so he fills our days with plenty of entertainment. I would not trade him even for a World Series victory by his name sake, well on second thought????

"Nights of Rodanthe"

I expect this house has been photographed thousands of times by an uncountable number of photographers both novice to pros alike. This house of course was made famous in the movie Nights of Rodanthe staring Richard Gear. A couple of my friends Lou and Marcie of "Coyote" were featured musical artist which is pretty cool also. Not to mention this house sits on top of one of the prime surf peaks of the Outer Banks which means it has been photographed

by every surf photographer also. I shot this photo last night on my way home as the moon was just coming off the horizon, a little PS work to remove power lines and some dodge and burning and Wha-la.

Enjoy

"Fleets In"

Long time since my last post, I've been busy with newspaper work as well as setting

up new wedding clients for 2010. Looks like it's gearing up for a busy year. This image I shot this morning near sunrise as I was waiting for my 9:30 portrait appointment. The fleet has been land locked for a few days now with rough seas so it was nice getting the whole stringer of boats along the west dock line.

Enjoy

"Tranquillity"

Some days on the OBX are just simple and relaxing. Yesterday was one of those days. I took a little trip up to the northern beaches in the afternoon for both work and some solitude. I truly believe that God knows what we need and if we just wait long enough his paintings unfold

before us. This two year old colt was the only wild horse that seemed to be out, maybe she was seeking one of those solitude moments herself. As time passed I shot many frames as she moved northward then as if she understood she walked within two feet of my sitting position and stopped giving me that look as if she were saying "It just doesn't get any better than this"

then she turned and slowly continued her quest up the coastline. I couldn't agree more!!

This image is a good example of using leading lines to highlight your subject. Notice as you view this image how your eye naturally travels from left to right but at the same time stopping at the subject.

Enjoy

Enjoy

OBX PRO Day 2

"OBX local Jesse Hines"

Well day two has come and gone. Local Jesse Hines is the lone survivor from the Outer Banks heading into the final day. Waves still had a little punch not quite as big as day one but still giving the crowds a look at some high level surfing. Of course I have many great frames of some good surfers but I'm showing my support for the home team.

Enjoy

OBX PRO

"OBX PRO"

It's fall, it's less crowds, and it's pro level surfing and juicy waves on the OBX to start off the 2009 OBX PRO in Nags Head. Here are a couple of quick pics from todays sessions. Chest to head high northeast swell and plenty of aerial maneuvers set off the first two rounds setting up

quarter finals for tomorrow.

Enjoy

SHADOW DANCING

"Shadow Dancing"

Late night returning home after this evenings beach wedding shoot, but remembered this shadow shot taken earlier in KDH. Ran into Jesse Hines at the Avalon Pier for a quick session,

him surfing and me shooting that is. You never know what your going to get when he's in the water. Have to say I kind of like this shadow look on the waves face.

Enjoy

Rainy Days

Well "Tropical Storm Danny" came thru even though it's strength lessoned as it entered

OBX water. With slight off shore winds the barrels were numerous and hollow. I believe the stand up barrel is a guy named Ben B. not sure on his last name but he owned S-Turns saturday

afternoon. Above Jesse Hines was working everything he entered. Should be good again in a few days as storm season is here.

Enjoy

"Surf Girl"

"Surf Girl"

My daughter Nicole has been a little upset with me because she has not got enough

blog time. Also the last surf pic of her she was not standing up yet so I caught the flack

for that also. So here is my lovely surf girl showing her smooth style on a shoulder high

backside in Kitty Hawk.

Enjoy

Busting Air

"Busting Air"

Tropical Storm Danny bringing in a little juice at S- turns thursday afternoon. Many are

hoping this storm keeps it up as it moves up the coast.

Enjoy

Aug. 27th

"Synder off the foggy lip"

"Unknown trimming Hurricane Bill"

"Nicole in warm water"

Okay here are a few images from this past week. Beginning with Hurricane Bill the swells

were large but not really as clean as other places were getting. Water temps in the low 60's

so wet suits were a must as well as gray skies and fog. Yesterday was small but just what my daughter likes warm water is back.

Enjoy

More Family Photo's

" Proud Mom & Dad"

"Just Hanging Out"

Just had to put a couple more shots of my grandson and his new parents.

Enjoy

Grandson Day 3

"Hey Mom Who's on First"

An American Pass Time

"Little J's at the Game"

Just a couple of hours before his 7th day birthday with his Dad, Mom, & Grandma.

Home team Indians win 5-0 for the celebration.

Enjoy

"A little peanut"

A little peanut for a little guy at his first MLB game. Play ball!!!

"Our Pride of Joy"

"Little J"

Controversy has already begun, starting by me of course. This is my wife and our newest

and first grand-baby. WE ARE OVERJOYED to say the least. Born on Aug 4th. This is my first

of thousands of photos to come. The controversy comes with his name Joel Isaac Wickens, Isaac is what his parents want to call him "but" I have renamed him Little J and for those who oppose, to bad it's already stuck ha ha.!!

Congrats to his wonderful parents Carlie and Brian, you two have made our lives complete.

Message to my other son and daughter (let's get on with it)

Enjoy

"Double Rainbow"

The weather on the Outer Banks has been extremely powerful to say the least for the

last few days. Storm fronts have rolled in just about every evening lighting up the skies

with intense lightening, beautiful cloud formations and rainbows. Saturday was

phenomenal seeing five different rainbows including two double sets this being the last one

before night fall.

Enjoy

"50th Anniversary"

The Outer Banks is not only a great destination for weddings but a super great place to celebrate "The Golden Year", the mega of all wedding celebrations. I can only imagine the joy that the Beck's have looking back on 50 years (three sons, three beautiful daughter in laws, and four grandchildren). This is an inspiration to me as my wife and I celebrate our 29th in a couple of months, also our first grand child in a few days. But enough about me, we should all take a mental note as husbands and wife's and give this couple a round of applause!!! Well done and

congratulations, I wish you many more years to add upon these 50.

Enjoy

"Morning Session"

It's been refreshing to say the least here on the OBX. A ground swell has rolled upon our shores releasing all from work, stress, and general no surf madness back into the ocean like new born sea turtles seeking their home. Shot this image this morning, location (south), if you live here you know where it is! If you don't it's not hard to find.

Enjoy

Lovers

" Sealed with a Kiss"

Shot this image thru the glass door as bride and groom seal the deal again and again. I actually had to stop these two from kissing so much so we could continue on, who would have guessed that to happen? I'm using this image for my slide show start, it just has a unique feel about it.

Enjoy

"Do You Take This Womwan"

I just pulled a couple of shots from yesterday's wedding, slipped this one into black & white.

Okay call me old fashion but I just like B&W photos. Anyway it's the title of this photo that says it all as the minister asks that "now or never" question while the bride studies her grooms face.

Got to love moments like these!

"Tom's Bride"

Wow!! That's all I have to say about this bride. Very stunning, it becomes more and more evident that men "marry up" including myself with my bride of 29 years, (she's watching over my shoulder). Just kidding she's asleep while I'm trying to pull myself from these photo's.

Enjoy

" OH BOY"

Just got home from shooting this wedding this evening and a fine time it was. Now this is an image that caught my wife's eye as soon as I downloaded it from the camera. She loved it!!

There are images that capture moments and then "there are images that capture moments" this being the later. The saying an image tells a thousand words is evident here and the first word I sense is "TROUBLE" with a capital VT (Virginia Tech thru and thru). Way to keep up the Hookie image Tom.

Enjoy

"Wedding Guest"

Here is an image of a guest at last weeks wedding. This was an evening shot about 20 min after sunset, when the natural light is perfect. Bounced a little catch light for her eyes an wa-la

the image pops.

Enjoy