Wildlife Photos - (Part 4 of the "North, to Alaska!" Series)

Thought I'd bore you all to tears with some of the wildlife pix I've taken this week.  If you're gonna cry, I suggest Puffs brand tissues.  You can even splurge and get the scented ones.

Thar she blows!!

They are so beautiful!

The moose are calving and the babies are so beautiful.  I've not yet caught a good picture of the babies, but I will.  Until then, meet Miss Thang.

This moose cow actually crossed the river by swimming right behind our boat!

I think she's neat looking...(she thinks she's absolutely beautiful. She told me. But then again, she thought I was from TMZ.)

Bald eaglets talking trash to the seagull.   The vagrancies of youth remain the same throughout all species!  Aren't they beautiful?  They will turn the black and white of the Bald Eagle in 4-5. 

Now, take a breath, and brace yourself for the wildest, most dangerous species of all?  VACATIONERS!  Paired with Ron and Denise Maddox, owners of Eagle Head Cabins, and Rod Edwards & Anna Koritansky, co-workers and friends of ThatJanieGirl and ThatManILove?  Scary, scary stuff.  Especially when they've been partaking of grilled tenderloin and salmon.  And vino.


Not me, though.  I was the designated photographer.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!  Okay, well, I did try a glass of the Alaskan wine.  Good stuff, Maynard Rod.  Good stuff.  

It's never boring around here!

King (Salmon) Me!! (Part 3 of the "North, To Alaska!" Series)

A day late, many fish later, here I am.

My intent was to post daily, but, people, I’m tired!  We’ve been getting up WAY too early for vacation days, and meeting our guides at 5:30 a.m., 6 a.m., and even 4:30 a.m.

Oh, yes, we have. 

Thank the good Lord for my oilfield career that has trained me for early rising!  All I wanna know is where's my freakin' Geritol??

Here are pictures from our Kasiloff River fishing trip.  Have I told y’all it’s cold up here? It's cold as a....ah, never mind.  Trust me, gentle readers.  It's cold.

We fished with Ed O’Connor, who is the savvy proprietor of Advantage Angling in Soldotna, Alaska, and a Kenai Peninsula expert fisherman.  I think we’re gonna call him "Ed, the Fish Whisperer".  He surely knows his stuff!

Ed is professional, friendly, funny, and always remembers your name!  Give him a call or drop him an email if you’re planning a trip.  You can reach him through his website, Advantage Angling.

So, who brought in the first King Salmon of the day?  My Facebook friends were betting on me, and they won.

Weighing 25 lbs?

Oh, yeah - That Janie Girl!  My Facebook friends won that bet, but they also bet I would have the largest fish of the day.  And I was rocking it most of the day, but, then...

ThatManILove brought in a 32 pounder himself!!  Twerp!! So, he won our bet that day, yes, he did!  I can't believe he had the nerve to show me up!  Really, I was very excited for him.  What a successful day Casa de  la Vida Loca enjoyed!!  Great company, excellent guide, lots of wildlife.  You've gotta try it yourself!

We had a delightful trip on the Kasiloff. Tomorrow, to the Kenai River for float and wade fishing with our friends, who helped up set up this entire trip.  (Glad they did, I would have been clueless.)

Ed O'Connoll, getting ready to filet the fish.

Now get yourself to Alaska - you will love, love, love it up here!!  Beautiful scenery, cool weather, baby moose running around all over, bears, beautiful eagles....you know the drill - just get here!

Holy Halibut, People!! (Part 2 of the "North, To Alaska!" Series

Wow.

I pulled a honking monster out of the sea.  (I had to have help - I’ll admit it.)

ThatManILove can hold his - I couldn't even pick mine up.

This is a halibut, my friends.  All 55 pounds of him.  I won the catch of the day.  We fished Cook’s Inlet, and had the best time with our guides, Captain Levi Keogh and his brother, Deckhand Hunter Keogh of Key-O's Fishing Guide Service.  

Levi Keogh (l), Hunter Keogh (r)

If you’re ever looking for fishing guides in Alaska, I’d pick these two(or for that matter, anyone from their family).  Excellent young men, in a family owned business based in Ninilchik, Alaska. Their mom, Merry, is just lovely and you can tell she's an astute businesswoman.   Their dad, Lynn,  will be taking us fishing on the Kenai River later this week.  (I'm sure the boys have warned him that we're coming, poor guy!) I've not yet met their sister, Ashley, but she enjoys an excellent reputation as a Kenai fishing guide, herself. 

As to my honking halibut, well, these Keogh boys have seen bigger than mine, I promise.  Their stories boggled this desert gal's mind.  For a first time fisherwoman, I was well pleased with myself and ThatManILove.  We had so much fun, and a huge part of our fun was watching Levi and Hunter do what they love to do.  These guys are so seamless, they made our work enjoyable.  They're very personable and funny, yet, all business.  When someone was reeling a fish in, they would properly and subtly position everyone on the boat to avoid tangles and possible situations, and you wouldn't even know you'd been moved.  When I got tired, one of them was there to help me bring in Horatio (that's what I named him).  I really don't know how to explain it - but watching Hunter and Levi do what they do is akin to watching an intricate dance -  of the fishing variety!  Levi and Hunter are so synchronized, love people, and all that translates into an excellent adventure for their clients.

Not his biggest catch of the day - but we had fun!

If you're heading to Alaska, and going to partake of the fishing (I was a fishing virgin until this day, seriously!) please give them a call to customize your fishing experience.  You'll be glad you did!

My First Fish Total Catch Picture!!

Enjoy the pictures - and come fish Alaska!!  The people are awesome, and the fish are BIG.
Seriously, honking big.  Just ask Horatio.  Oh, wait.  You can't.  He's being, ummm, processed.  Yeah, that's it.

Us.  5:30 that morning, heading to the Key-O Guide Service,  With 3 hours sleep out of the last 56.  I have that puffy, exhausted look.  Didn't stop me!  ThatJanieGirl's Excellent Adventure!

Y'all know the drill - it's never boring around here!

Finally! We're in Alaska!!

Note:  these posts won’t be real time, but a couple of days delayed.  (I need some rest, people!!)

Finally!  We made it to Alaska.

We got in to our home away from home at Eagles Head Cabins in Sterling, Alaska.

We are exhausted, having had about 3 hours sleep out of 36.

En route to Sterling from Anchorage, I asked ThatManILove to stop at a service station so that I might, well, ummmm....yes, of course, go to the bathroom.

We saw several stations, but alas - there was no one home.

What the heck???

When we finally made it to our cabin, the property owner, Ron Maddox, came out.  It was 10:30 p.m. Alaska time.  He was telling us it was hard for him to stay awake, waiting up for us 'til 10:30 pm, and Steve and I looked at each other and started laughing.  

THAT’s why no service stations were open!  It was 10:30 p.m. and the sun was about  2 p.m. in the sky!

Duh.  I should tell you that we’re smarter than the average bear - just not the ones who live in Alaska!

TMIL told Ron:  “Here’s how it is:  that sun up there is telling my eyes it’s time to put some meat on the grill for supper - but my body’s asking, “What the heck is going on here?  I need sleep!”

Check out the properties where we'll be staying this week:  They are amazing!!

In the morning, we’ll be halibut fishing.  Yet another new experience for Janie!

It’s never boring around here!

All You Need Is Love

Today, as I sat awaiting my flight in the crowded Albuquerque airport, I heard something, and looked up.

It was a lady, probably mid-forties in age, sobbing as she walked towards our gate, talking on the phone.

Oh, Lord.  I knew it was bad, whatever was breaking her heart.  She was absolutely shattered.  I heard her say, “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I looked at ThatManILove, and he shook his head, no.  I guess he knew it wasn’t time yet.

I played with the little baby I’d been entertaining, helping her pregnant mom snatch a break before her next three hour flight. And then, I got up to go to the bathroom, all the while asking, “What, Lord?  What do I do?”

When I came out of the bathroom, and started heading back to our seats, she was walking towards me, quietly weeping, directly in my path.  I walked right up to her, and

as I did so, she stopped, looking at me, a question in her eyes.

“I think you need a hug - would you let me hold you?  Did you lose someone?”

She nodded “Yes”, and held out her arms, and fell into mine.  She started sobbing again.

I prayed over her, that the Father would hold her, wash over her with peace and comfort, and also do the same for her lost one’s family and friends.  She held me for quite a while, weeping.  My face was wet with tears.

“You must be an angel,” she said.  

“No, I just knew you needed a hug.”

She told me she had lost her friend, who was 36 years young.  I asked if she had been ill for a while, and she looked at me.  I wish I could describe the look on her face, but words fail.  She nodded, looked up at me, and quietly uttered, “Yes.”  

There were a million words in that one “Yes”.

I hugged her again, and her flight was called.  She smiled at me, and said, “Thanks so much - you don’t know how much I needed that hug.”

Though I didn’t say it, I know.  

We all do.

I walked back to my chair, tears streaking down my face.  I looked at ThatManILove, and he smiled.  “I knew you’d do what you do.”

As do we all.

So, go.  Find ya somebody to love on...

So Shoot Me!!

It’s been another busy week around Casa de Mi Vida Loca!

I’ve been organizing the API Golf Tournament, and today is day two, which will begin in about, oh, 3 hours.  And of course, I can’t sleep!  So, I thought I’d catch up on writing.

I met the sweetest lady, Diana, today on the course!  Someone had told her that I was into photography.  She wanted to talk to me about my photography.  In speaking with her, I knew immediately that her knowledge far exceeded mine.

She looked at a few of my shots, and though I can’t remember the exact wording, her compliment somewhat echoed another of my critics:  you have a beautiful and unusual eye for capturing your subjects.

She told me that she had purchased a Canpn 60D, and forced herself to shoot in manual 24/7.  She absolutely will not shoot in automatic. 

Want to impress ThatJanieGirl?  Shoot entirely in manual, you’ll forever be my hero. My goal in life? To be a light chaser. 

And Diana turned me on to the neatest sites. I’m so excited!  These sites have online photography courses.  I’ve perused these sites this morning, and I promise you, it’s all I can do not to go sign up RIGHT NOW.  But I will wait - until I finish this tournament, do all the banking, do my expenses, make my flight, go take care of business, come home and pack, and go fishing on the Kenai with ThatManILove, and return home.  Then, and only then, will I start my first class, which will be “Understanding Exposure” by Bryant Peterson and Chris Hurtt.  I’m pumped, pumped, I say, people!!

Here are the links:

Perfect Picture School of Photography  

Better Photo

Diana, it was my pleasure to meet you - and thank you for showing me another avenue into better photography!  

I also have a one-on-one live class scheduled with Charlotte Dameron of 2 Angels Photography and I can't wait to take that one - she is SO talented and she shoots a Canon 5D Mark II just like mine.

And now you know just another thing that makes my world go 'round.  But you probably knew that, oh gentle reader. Because you see the evidence weekly, right?

Speaking of evidence, here's some pix from my latest ladybug release.  (I sound like a professional releaser of ladybugs, don't I? I'm not.  At all. I should change that wording to "my first ladybug release" - because it was.)

I invited little Ava to join me.  She had fun - but only after she realized those black filmy things weren't stingers, but wings.  

Happy trails, y'all!  I'm off to the golf course!

Has Anyone Seen My Weekend? I Can't Find It...

Monday was a busy day.

I promised to do little Gavin’s 1st birthday photos, and we had so much fun.  Gavin’s parents and grandparents are so sweet, I love being around them.  And that always makes pictures so much easier!

And then, a friend from Houston came by to visit.   It’s always good to see ChristiLynn.

At the same time, our little friend Andi was working with ThatManILove at the kitchen table, doing land work.

And one of our engineering interns was hanging with us, well at least until 5 p.m., when he got his first call out to go to work in the oilfield.

Then our friend Jenaya came over, and she and ThatManILove grilled a London Broil and veggies.  And then the little sweetheart made homemade ice cream, oh yes, she did.

Me? I worked on pictures & laundry most of the day. And then, I cleaned up the kitchen.  (That's my job when others do the cooking, and I'm glad to do it!)

I need another three day weekend - one where I’m not busy 24/7.

Please?  Because the one I was just supposed to have?  Flat out disappeared. 

Daytripping...Across Miles and Miles of Texas

Sunday found us in the vehicle at 7:45 a.m. heading 4 hours away to our son’s wedding shower in Spicewood, Texas.

Did I tell you we were tired?  And that ThatManILove someone had decided that it was going to be a roundtrip day? (And then tried to tell me it was my idea?)

We were tired.

Mainly because we got up early on Saturday and ran errands, went to the movie*, ran more errands, and then went to some friends’ house for supper.  And of course, we stayed too late.  WAAAAY too late.

So late, the hostess went to bed.  And left the host to deal with us hooligans.  Well, to tell the truth, I wasn’t a hooligan.  But we were all jammin’ on the piano, with ThatManILove playing the git-fiddle and singing.  It was fun.

And then, we decided that no way were we going to leave the kitchen in that kind of shape for the host and hostess to see in the morning.  So, we all got busy cleaning.  I think we got home at 12:30 a.m., and were up again at 5:30 a.m.

And now, we are home.  After day-tripping it to Spicewood, like we weren’t elderly and didn’t have a care in the world.

And now?  I’m in my pajamas.  ThatManILove is grilling ribs.

And the interns are fueling up the vehicles and grocery shopping, in preparation for their first day of actual work in the oilpatch tomorrow.

It’s never boring around here!

*Hangover II.  Do not take your kids.  It was over the top graphic...I wish I'd not gone.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Work They Go!

Do you remember your first job?

Do you remember being excited about your first day of work?  I do.

Our resident engineering students, Tunde and Ted, start their first “oilfield” jobs on Monday.  (Yup, Monday.  The oilfield is 24/7, remember?)

And they are both so excited.  The last few days have been filled with drug tests, physicals, touring the yard, coveralls, steel toe boots.  (Have you ever tried to find steel toe boots in size 15?  Fun stuff!)  

Today, we’ll all hit the store to stock them up for lunches - they’ll both be working in the field - one on a frac crew, one on a cementing crew.  Then, midsummer, they’ll switch to the other discipline.

It’s going to be fun watching these two learn - they are like sponges.  I have four more engineering students that are looking for internships, so if you have anything, let me know.

We are blessed.   You will be, too.

Education in progress - it’s something to see.