Scene Of The Paint Ball Massacre

Prayers For You

I have become aware that many of you who follow this blog are hurting. I am aware of this from reading some of your blogs. Pain and suffering, hardship and difficulty are all around us.

I only want you to know that I KNOW Jesus loves you and cares for your trials. I know that many of you do not even believe He exists. But if you are searching for Him ... just pray, "Jesus, if you are really there, help me to find you and know that it is really you". Keep praying this from your heart every time you can think of it and keep your eyes open for signs of Him.

I hope you find Jesus. He loves YOU and died to pay for your sins. He is familiar with our suffering. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!

You can hear "Worthy is the Lamb" here. The scenes are graphic and they are from the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" 2004, so this may not be easy to watch or appropriate for some people. It is very difficult for me to watch what my Savior experienced in this clip. But it reminds me that I call upon Jesus who knows suffering and He carries me when I am near my wits end.

May you find Christ and experience His grace and mercy today. May you discover His goodness and be sheltered under His wings.

Praying for many of you.
NikonSniper Steve

The Old Barn Door

Changing Guns in 2011

In 2011, I will be selling my Nikon D90's to upgrade to the new Nikon D7000 cameras. I will not need to buy lenses so I will be buying bodies only and selling D90's with the unused kit lenses that came with the cameras.

If you go to the Nikon D7000 camera press release you will see many features showing exactly what the D7000 can achieve. Most often, I don’t even understand half the features they talk about. I got dropped a lot as a baby so I need a little extra help. So I have listed the key features and advantages FOR ME! If you are younger than me … some of the ones I mention may be totally useless for you. I know a man with Parkinson’s. He remains a great photographer because he knows how to use his equipment in order to be able to keep on shooting. Knowing your camera features and capabilities will help you produce better results and that can keep photography interesting for you!
So, here are the immediate advantages for me in upgrading to the Nikon D7000. You can get these features in other cameras. I am not by any means thumping Nikon as the only option. I am just deeply invested in their lenses and I am now a Nikon life-r. I respect all manufacturers!

Here are the key Nikon D7000 features for me:

1. High Resolution 16.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor for large prints and tight cropping.I’ll try to use plain and simple language here. Having extra pixels means I can crop a photo and still have more pixels at the end of the job. It’s almost like having artificial zoom lenses that great out power what I can afford. I always buy pixels. For me, the more pixels, the better. I am using Nikon D90’s at the moment and they have 12.2 MP. Jumping to 16.2 gives you a greater cropping capability to move in tighter. It’s like every 100mm lens will now let you crop to the equivalent of having a130mm lens.

2. High Speed 6 frames per second continuous shooting up to 100 shots captures the most fleeting action.What can I say about 6 frames a second. The D90 shoots at 4.5 which isn’t horrible. In a four second burst this feature adds the possibility of an extra 6 shots to nail the one you wanted. This is a big plus in so many ways especially as I age. I am not the steady hand I once was so I like anything that increases my chances.

3. Twin SD Card Slots compatibility gives you options to keep on shooting or separate your NEF (RAW), JPEG and movie files.Capacity is big for me as you might be able to tell by now. The fact that you can put 2 cards in the D7000 just doubles on affordable memory. For example, … Have you ever noticed that you can buy two 8 GB cards cheaper than one 16GB card? Well, this is a quick way for me to double my capacity in less expensive ways.

4. Two User Definable Settings (U1, U2) right on the Mode Selector Dial let you store most camera settings so you can go back to them at anytime without the need for further adjustments or menu settings.This might be a little easier to understand if you were having to shoot very time constrained situations. Photography is the main reason I see sunsets. Do you ever feel like you haven’t seen enough sunsets in your life? Maybe not if you live on the West Coast. Sunsets are fun to shoot but there can be so much going on as you switch from one mode to another or change color temperatures. This feature just allows you to make a lot of adjustments by switching one button and in some situations added seconds matter.

5. Virtual Horizon Graphic Indicator shows whether the camera is level and in Live View mode, lets you place a grid over the scene you’re about to shoot — an invaluable tool for shooting landscapes and architecture.I love landscapes. I am planning to shoot as many as possible before I catch the big Tuna Boat to the sky. My recent trip to Oregon revealed that my camera hasn’t been as square in my hand as I thought. I reviewed shots in a hotel one night thinking that I am really losing it. It was obvious everything was tilted counterclockwise so this feature may become more use to me than I have ever anticipated.

6. Breathtaking Full 1080p HD Movies with Full Time Autofocus and external stereo microphone jack to record cinematic-quality movies up to 20 minutes all enhanced by NIKKOR interchangeable lens quality and versatility.1080p HD Video on board. Now I don’t need to remember to pack a video camera. The D90 had a decent 720p HD video package but it did not have Full Time Autofocus feature so you had to constantly focus and that is another thing that isn’t as easy for me as when I was younger. I waited forever to watch HD video improve and after my kids quit playing sports … I didn’t think I had much use for it any more. Well, now after ignoring video … video has come back to me in the D7000. I might experiment to see if I can use video to teach some things on NikonSniper.

7. Flash Synchronization at 1/250 sec.The D90 on board flash only allows shooting at 1/200 sec. I have the Nikon SB600 and SB800 flash units that are unlimited but more often than not a shot presents itself when it would be impossible to go and get one of the bigger flash units. I would have to carry one in my back pocket or keep it on the camera. Not always so easy … so every little bit counts in flash sync speed with the on board kit.

Hope you find this helpful.
NikonSniper Steve

A Clear Violation Of The Rental Agreement

The Great Pumpkin Porch

Jazzin' It Up Again

This weeks "Jazzin' Up yer Saturday" features the great horn of Miles Davis. This track is called "So What" on perhaps the number one selling jazz record of all time, called "Kind of Blue". This track was recorded in 1959 and you could say it launched Miles Davis to became bigger than ever as a result. It was all just a little over 50 years ago. I love listening to "So What" during a rainstorm. I have no idea why. Hope you enjoy!
May your Saturday listening be Kind Of Blue.
NikonSniper Steve

Some Tickled Pinks

A Country Driveway

Fall WInds Have Stripped The Trees

Still Smiling

Mending Fences On The Moon

Freedom Heads To The Polls

Election Day 2010
Is anybody else sick of their political candidate choices? Are ya sick of attack ads? I am not talking about one party being better than the other! I wish there was a way we could fire every blasted one of them. Why should they be allowed to bankrupt the future of your children and grandchildren and skate off with their personal life benefits? Exercise your freedom today! Kick someone out!
NikonSniper Steve

Bug Spray

Gettin' Skooled Up Again

If you have been following NikonSniper for some time, you will know that I have recently been trying to highlight photographers that I enjoy and believe are worthy of a greater following. There are hundreds and hundreds of you that impress me with your skill and photographic vision.
This month, drop in and say hello to Dagmar from the Netherlands. See Dagmar's work in Barefoot From Heaven. Scroll back into older posts so that you get a broader feel for what she does with her camera.
When I look at your blogs, sometimes, I ask myself ... Which of these photos would I like to brag was mine? Often it is very obvious to me. Sometimes picking my "winner photo" from a blog is much harder. If I can't easily pick which photo of yours I would like to brag was mine ... I keep looking deeper into previous posts. This usually means there are a ton of really good ones.
I soon discover ... I am once again being taken to photographic SKOOL. Thanks Dagmar!

My Small Business Needs Tax Cuts Now

112 Point Chandelier

Hello From Tara (UPDATED)

Last night we heard from our daughter Tara. Tara sent us this cellphone photo from Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. At least she is still smiling!
Tara is doing her (AIT) Advanced Individual Training to be a 68 Whiskey Army Combat Field Medic. She is doing a lot of field situation training at the moment. Tara continues to think about possibly continuing her military education toward nursing in the future.
As for now, Tara will graduate from AIT on December 10th and be assigned a station post. She will leave San Antonio on December 11th to come home for 3-4 weeks before going to her post. That will be a sweet homecoming for us all. We are so proud of what she is doing. Tara is tough and she cares for others. Maybe you can tell I am a bit proud of her.
If you knew her, you would love to talk and laugh with her. Her military experience has helped her form quite a different sense of humor. Well, Tara left us on Memorial Day and it will be great to have her home for a while.
Updated at 7:26pm. Tara just called again to tell us that she will be stationed at Camp Casey in South Korea. After Christmas at home, she will leave around January 15th to report in South Korea.
Camp Casey is located in Tongduchon, Korea approximately 40 miles North of Seoul. Camp Casey spanned nearly 3500 acres and was occupied by some 6300 military and 2500 civilians. Its primary mission is to act in concert with the Republic of Korea to deter aggression, and, should deterrence fail, to defend the Republic of Korea.
Not too sure just how often we will see her after that departure. We continue to learn on the fly. So much for being stationed in the USA. Field medics generally don't get stationed in North Dakota.Thanks to those of you who are praying for her!
NikonSniper Steve

Horsewater Gate

Please HELP for Southern Utah & Nevada!

Hey, fellow bloggies! I could really use some help for places to go to shoot landscape photography in Southern Utah and Nevada. I have heard these areas are fantastic so I think I will jump a plane and head over there for a quick trip from December 2 to December 6. I will be flying in and out of Vegas so keep that in mind when helping with ideas. I have heard that Zion National Park is a good place to start. Any specifics would be appreciated. So PLEASE help with any ideas even if it is a bit of a stretch because I won't be wasting time shaving and combing my hair on this trip! Well, I guess that isn't really a pretty picture ... but you get what I mean.

Grass Insulation

Jazzin' Up Your Saturday

This week give a listen to a famous guitar who crossed over into pop rock during his career. In his early days, George Benson played jazz guitar. Give a listen to George Benson playing one of my favorite old classics, "The Shadow Of Your Smile". I also love Herb Alpert's version of this same song.
Here's hoping that the sun shines on your weekend and that the shadow of your smile is seen by all you love. Have a great one!
NikonSniper Steve

Thanks To All Of You

Well, my wife, Susan and I are heading home this morning from a very enjoyable week in Washington and Oregon. Thanks so much to those of you who have come along with us via the NikonSniper blog. Also, thanks your comments and kind words. The photos I collected here will be posted over the next few years as there are far too many good ones to post all at once.
AND Yes, I'm sorry, ... I really am a Yankee fan! I hope that doesn't chase you away from this blog. We lost last night to a very good Texas team so our season is over. Some of you will rejoice in that. But I am still wearing my Yankee hat in the Portland airport this morning. I am getting a few chuckles from Texas fans.
Have a great weekend. And I dare ya to find some time to get alone and read some of your Bible and talk to God. It feels so good to get away for a week. God is always there to help us get away ... right where we live!
God bless. Hope you enjoyed the photos. Will be continuing from Illinois tomorrow.
NikonSniper Steve
OH Yeah ... and this is the cave I crawled out of many years ago.

Waiting For Snow Flakes

And The Winner IS ...

The drawing for the 750 Gig Hard Drive and winner of the NikonSniper 3000 Celebration was held officially at 10/10/10 at 10:10 AM and 10 seconds.
Congratulations to Pat Winter of Indiana.
I want to thank all of you for entering and I want to let you know we will be doing this again in a few months so make sure you enter the NikonSiper 3333 Celebration drawing for an even bigger Hard Drive!
Good Luck, NikonSniper Steve

Photo Finishing Suggestions PLEASE!

Hey folks, ... we need your help!

(Update: WOW, thank you for all these ideas! Please keep them coming for those who want to use this for reference in the future. I REALLY appreciate your willingness to help. How about you pros out there? We could still use more ideas on specialty printing services.)

Angela from West Virginia Treasures recently requested some help from me in one of her comments to another post.
Angela asked me where I get my photos printed. She has had recent trouble with the WalMarts, Targets and Walgreens photo reproductions and would like to know where some of you would go if you needed a better quality. Do any of you have experience with a higher quality photo company?
You might think I could answer this type of question ... but I hardly ever get photo finishing done as I keep double and triple backups of electronic production only. The walls in my house are full of family pictures and wall real estate becomes precious for those type of photos. One day I will get a huge wall tv only for the purpose of scrolling photos that I have taken over the years.
Can any of you tell us what you have done to get higher quality reproductions? Any recommendations on professional quality productions? Perhaps you know someone that print on more than just photo paper? Names and phone numbers would be very helpful if they are a nation-wide service.
Thanks for your help!
NikonSniper Steve

Back to SK-ool

Folks, you gotta see this incredible collection of photgraphy. I just had another photographic atom bomb dropped on me. There is such incredible talent out there and I learn something from everyone. Check out Daliana or Wind from Romania and see her work. Stop in and say hello on her sight. Check out the pages deep into the blog when you get time. She is so creative and has been one of my favorites for a while now. Congratulations Wind! You just took me to SK-ool!
NikonSniper Steve

The Great Escape

Well, I am looking forward to another photography road trip. Here is the approximate route for our Great Northwestern Escape to Washington and Oregon. I'll be travelling with my wife, Susan this time ... so she will make sure I don't do the really stupid stuff I have attempted in the past. I know this will be a great getaway ... even if it rains!
We hope to bring you the very best in fall colors, mountains, rivers and Pacific coastline via photography. I am hoping we aren't too late for the peak colors. We will spend some days at Mount Rainier and Crater Lake National Parks. I have always loved this part of the country that is thick in beauty. God's creative touch is very unique here. The terrain was quite a surprise to me on my first trip so I expect it will be fun to share that with Susan now making her first trip to this very well kept secret.
So join us if you will on NikonSniper!
All the best.
NikonSniper Steve

I Keep Gettin' SKooled In Photography

Every now and then I stumble across a photographer with clearly outstanding work that doesn't seem to have been discovered enough for the talent they display. See the beautiful work by Beth at SkyWalkerBeth. These photos are from all over the world and she is a very gifted recorder of what she sees.
When you get some time take a look. Take the time to go back into the older posts when you have a rainy day. Here is another photographer that takes me to school when I see her portfolio.
Bravo Beth!
NikonSniper Steve

First We Swim The V ... Then We'll Fly It

Wow! We Hit 3000 Followers!

Wow! Here is a photo of me racing home after the Friday night football game to see if it's really true. Did NikonSniper really hit 3000? That's crazy!

Actually, I have learned a great deal about Internet activity by watching the number of followers for this long. There is about 6 to 8 times the activity on NikonSniper through the winter months. But I was delighted to learn that we hit this milesstone slowly gaining followers through the summer and then a rush at the end.

Those of you who follow this website know that photography isn't the most important thing in my life. However, it is great therapy for me to sit quiet and watch turtles or frogs with my lenses. God's creation has been so much to behold. I missed that for most of my life. I lived in the fast lane of career chasing and living like a human pinball while trying to meet the varied needs of very different 5 kids. When you are in those years it seems like there is no end to the list of "must do now's". I really do enjoy the years that time has allowed since to see and share some of what God has allowed me to capture with a camera. I married the most incredible women/saint, who allows me to be the "willy-nilly-hop-in-the-car and go-whim-chasing" guy that in a moments notice will be standing lost-in-time 10 miles away shooting Sandhill Cranes. I look forward to our trip together next week to Oregon and Washington. The wonder of creation is thick in our Pacific Northwest.

I feel lucky to have this opportunity to share these travels with you on the Internet. I am no blogging genius. I hope to one day get a pro to team with me in the presentation of these photos.

So YES, I am excited that we hit this milestone! I am not even trying to be cool about it. WOW!

Anyway, the drawing for the 750GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive will be held on Sunday and I will announce it on Monday on the blog. Good luck to all of you.

You can now enter the NikonSniper 3333 drawing for a 1TB Hard Drive. Make sure you enter.
This is the only way I can express my thanks to all of you. Sorry that only one of you will be the winner of the NikonSniper 3000 Hard Drive. I wish I could afford to send one to all of you ... but my name isn't Bill Gates.

Again, ... Good Luck and Thank You so much for all your kind words and encouragement.
Stay tuned till Monday!

God bless. NikonSniper Steve

Mass Gospel E-Mailings

Well, … tonight I received yet another interesting gospel message mass e-mailing.

Don’t you just love email sent to you from friends and relatives with titles that are something like this:
Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: Jesus Loves YOU!!!

C’mon … seriously? You think this is a form of communication? Christians that never even say hello to me forward these mails all day long. I notice that most of the people they send them to already believe exactly what they do.

I am in no way angry about receiving these mails however, I just believe there is a better way to communicate that Jesus loves you.

As for people I have known for years that I never see or hear anything from other than their forwarded emails, ... I guess I would rather that they simply wrote: Hey, Steve! Are you still as fat as you used to be? Burp! See ya!

Perhaps they think I am not getting enough junk mail on my own so I need copies of theirs too. Or perhaps, they simply think I am not receiving the real “quality” of junk mail they get.

Well, … If an email tells me that you need to read it to the very end of the last part at the very very bottom of the last page of the 14 page document so that I see that I have to forward this to everybody I know or I am somehow totally ashamed of the gospel and that I must not really believe in Jesus after all cause if I did I would surely know that I have to forward a mail written by someone who I never met to people I probably won’t meet. Ever!

So … here’s how I usually handle it. Delete! End of story. I do exactly what they say I better not do. In fact, I admit I live to do exactly the opposite of what people tell me I have to do in these mails. Man is rebellious … and uh, so am I!

When did telling someone about the good news of the saving gospel message become something that is forwarded from somebody else? Go ye into all the world and forward email?

Folks, let me tell you something. I believe in Christ. I think you should too. In fact, I believe it is the most important decision you could ever make. Sorry, I have no buts to add. Jesus is coming again. I believe the Bible and I believe that we are close to Christ’s return. Maybe not. But either way, I am not ashamed of Christ and I still won’t forward your email.

Again, I am not in any way trying to offend anyone who reads this blog. I am not trying to offend you even if you do not believe in Jesus at all. In fact I have many close friends that don't believe in Him. I cannot convince you that what I just said is fact. Convincing you of this truth is the job of the Holy Spirit. I can only report and tell you what I have discovered in MY life only. Folks, our job is to tell others what our experience has been. They need to search on their own in order to find Christ. There is no special bonus for you when someone believes in Him. Only God can make a seed grow. It has nothing to do with us. Our job is to simply tell our story. Doesn't that take the pressure off?

The real issue I have here is this: Why should you believe me … if all I do is forward a message to you that someone else wrote? Someone writes a cleverly worded little “diddy” and says, “If you love Jesus, you better send this here message I wrote to everyone you know”. Folks, don’t ya think it would be better to copy the Gospel of John into an email and send that instead of a poem you wrote? John knew Jesus and spoke to Him audibly ... and saw the miracles ... and saw the death and resurrection ... and refused to deny that He rose all the way to his persecuted grave! So, I might add … that the poem you wrote (though nice) doesn’t have the power to convince anyone as much as Scripture itself. So please chill on the “you better send this” guilt trips. It isn't productive!

The fact is … those who do not believe in Christ won’t care what you might know … until they know that you do care for them ... regardless of what they believe. Blasting mass emails does not necessarily communicate that you really care in any way. I don’t expect someone I have only vaguely known to be impacted by the story of someone who knows someone who wrote a poem to someone that another someone thought would be good in an email about Jesus.

Folks, I know God can use absolutely anything that someone is willing to do for His kingdom. However, the Bible says (Matthew 28:19, 20) to go and preach of the good news of Christ. Jesus died, rose and lives today offering you payment for your sin. Will you accept His payment? See Acts 4:12 and John 14:6.

I believe this is a very different message than what we see in many forwarded so-called gospel mails. I also know that some people are housebound and have little to no way to reach the outside world with the saving message of Jesus. I would just appeal to them not to make the reader somehow ashamed of Christ (Romans 1:16) if they don't forward their email. Can we agree that when something truly good is written ... there is a very good chance the reader or some readers will forward it anyway? I just think that constant email blasts make readers immune to the message of good news.

Jesus changes lives today! I want you to know that Jesus has done that for me. I don’t want to tell you about what He did for someone else because I can’t speak with personal authority on another man’s experience with Christ. I am telling you Jesus did it for ME. I won’t bore you with my junk mail. I only wish I could communicate my sincere heart and concern for you a whole lot better than this website writing. I guess I wish I could sit by a fire with all of you one at a time and tell you how he has changed and is changing my life today. I would want to hear your story too because hundreds of you have also seen Christ change your lives. And some of you are still searching for something real and just need to be heard without judgement or being blasted with instant remedy.

I pray that God will move in all of your hearts to accept His free payment of sin offered through His Son, Jesus. May God reveal to you what I can’t. May God cause you to seek Jesus. If you even wonder if Jesus is really there, earnestly pray this, “Jesus if you are really there, help me to find you.” Keep praying that … and let Him show you.

As for the thing I am supposed to forward to you. DELETE.
God bless you all.
NikonSniper Steve

Standard Issue Wisconsin Mailbox

It's Not Just Any Cab ... It's A Yella' Cab

Camouflaged US Army Soldiers

Clicking Heels Together In Texas

Well, at this writing I find myself sitting in the San Antonio airport with a delayed flight home to Chicago. Schedule delays have always been AND will always be a nasty part of travel. Either way, I am very happy to be heading home after an eventful week in San Antonio, Houston and Austin.
One of the very bright perks of this trip was getting to see our daughter Tara who is at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio working to become a 68 Whiskey Combat Field Medic in the Army. She is doing great in her class and physical training. Grabbed this reluctant photo of her in the city. It is very fascinating to see how much this new world is changing her future. The hours and moments that we shared together here will never be forgotten. I thank God for this bonus of travel to Texas.
Tara was very happy to advance far enough in her training to gain some extra priviledges like ... wearing jeans off the base on her down time. Sounds crazy, huh? The Army is a very disciplined world and she says they almost don't know what to do now when they have unexpected free time. Tara and her friend, PFC Crabbe, sat watching a movie last weekend on television ... and they got to hold the channel changer! We went out to eat to some special places and went to the Riverwalk on the last two weekends. It is cool to see her develop new friendships with people from all over the USA and even some in our military from outside the country.
I also got to have an evening with my brother in San Antonio. We had a great evening out at Austin's Oasis catching up on what getting older is like and had some old laughs. I miss family now everywhere I go. Our family is spread out over Ontario, Illinois, and Texas. If I am here ... I miss there. But there is still no place like home. So here I sit on another flight delay ... clicking my heels together and repeating "There's No Place Like Home".
Those of you who follow NikonSniper are a very special constant now. Your comments on what you see here are very helpful when I am away from home and I appreciate them so much. Photography keeps me out of trouble. It keeps me busy and always looking forward to something unique to photograph and pass the time. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you enjoy these periodic rants along the way.
Here's hoping that you all can experience a bit of joy in feeling the greatness of "being at home". God bless you all you do.
All the best. NikonSniper Steve

Houston, Seriously? That Often?

Wow! Houston, Texas! This is a highway intersection with flood depth gauges. I mean, WOW! It happens so often ... ya have to put the permanent depth gauge on the bridge wall? I figured that maybe you would take the height charts from the doors of the local 7-11's and just use them for the swimming season ... but evidently it's required year round. That isn't rain for sure ... that is an act of God. I figure this has to be hurricane season flood dangers that we in the corn belt know nothing about. If I was in the Gulf of Mexico region during a hurricane I would probably drive as far north as I could ... but the photographer in me would surely cause me to do something stupid. Either way, I am impressed with your gauges. Do any of you bloggies have flood stories to attach to this kind of photo?

Pastel Hills

Canyon de Chelly Cliff Dwellings

Northern Illinois Bayou Porch

Opera House Bell Tower

California Tee Shot

Praying For You Daily

We think about you constantly.
We pray for your strength, courage and wisdom every day.
Tara ... never forget the words of David found in 2nd Samuel 22:2-4.
He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior
from violent men you save me.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies."
Love you always!
Mom & Dad

Old Town Fountain

Woodstock Station Arrival

Seated For Graduation Ceremony

Graduation Day

Flying Over To Your Neighbor's Place

Jazzin' With Gene

Happy Jazz Saturday! This week give a listen to a piano player that always makes ya feel good. Don't run away too early. Let this song build on ya and let the incredible Gene Harris blow the doors off with his version of the great jazz standard, "Summertime". Ray Brown introduces Gene. I wish I could have met these jazz greats. Ray is perhaps the most recorded bass player in the jazz history due to his long standing career with Canadian great piano artist, Oscar Peterson. Hope you all have an awesome weekend.
NikonSniper Steve

Packed For Fort Sam Houston

Tara received word late last night that she will ship out at 1AM to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Words can not describe the gammit of emotions captured by my camera lenses. Some of the photos will be shared here on NikonSniper. Some of the very best moments were only captured by our eyes and ears. They are memories of great pride in our daughter and in the men and women that serve us all. These moments will be cherished by us forever.
Tara will now enter another chapter of her military life. Advanced Individual Training or AIT begins this week. We understand this will be roughly 19 weeks. Tara's world gets a little bigger every day. We covet your continued prayers for her life and safety. Thank you so much for all the kind thoughts and words you have shared with us as we enter the Army family life in new ways.
God bless all of you who minister to us in these ways. Tara has had no internet access during basic training and so she is getting to read all of your comments on several posts made since Memorial Day for the very first time this weekend. You are priceless! Thanks.
NikonSniper Steve

Basic Training? We Can Do It TWO TIMES!

Military Hellos And Goodbyes

I Just Got SKooled In Photography Again!

Based on the response to various posts over this summer, I would say that I have discovered that Bloggies really want ya to say stuff. I guess I'd rather just post the photos and walk away but so many comments thank me for the writing. I really don't know why writing stuff seems so difficult for me because, if you knew me ... you would know that I can go on and on about life's minutiae. I have full command of my ability to misspell the King's English.

I’d just rather think that a picture is worth just short of a thousand words ... which means that I have now written my version of War and Peace on this blog. As for the photos, I know I continue to search for new and better ways to shoot things ... but sometimes I hit mental blocks and want to throw my camera against the wall because it all feels the same. The idea of travel to new places always seems to motivate me to charge the batteries and get me ready to shoot again.

Tonight, I have to share a recent find with you. One of my new followers really skooled me in photography. Check out the photos from the Jackal. Do yourself a favor and page back into the older posts at the bottom of the pages. This is a really gifted photographer! I sit and look at these and have a great appreciation for the patience required to shoot like this. Enjoy! Many of you inspire me in this very same way. I enjoy a new look at the world through your eyes.

So, if you find yourself in a photographic rut ... look at what others are doing ... and keep on shootin’!

NikonSniper Steve

Our Army Basic Training Graduate

The summer just keeps on chugging along. WELL, I had to get the lawn cut today between the rain. There was no getting around it ... it absolutely had to be done.

Our lawnboy son, Kyle has returned to Northern Illinois University for his senior year in Engineering. Yes, it does seem kinda early to be heading back to school ... however, Kyle is one of many dorm floor sheriffs (so to speak) ... so every year he heads back a few weeks before the regular students arrive. They review past problems and continue to train them on how to stop a riot with paper and pencil. As a Dad, I guess I am glad he learned how to stop small wars by the more conventional Irish ways as well. But, his CA job is paying his way through school so I guess it's important to be a diplomat with all. I am just saying ... if a biting incident occurs ... he has already learned not to pull away ... rather feed the biter more and more and more. Well, you get it!

So anway, today, it was I who had to climb aboard our 26HP tractor to cut the lawn. Some of you are thinking ... "Real men push the mower!" Well, you'd have to see my yard and experience the mosquitos this year. When you start cutting ... you better keep moving.

We have had a ton of rain all summer and that is adding to the problem. Corn around here was 7 feet high by the fourth of July. That's a little psycho! Part of our yard remains under an inch or two of water and the ground is extremely soft.I called my son about cutting today because he cuts all summer and I guess I was looking for advice and he says ... "Just cut through the water Dad, ... the tractor will just blow through it." It never really bothers me to watch him drive through it ... because I know if he gets stuck he can rock that 800 lb. horse out of the mud. I think he didn't get that my main concern wasn't if the tractor could take it ... it was how long would it be stuck there until he got home to dig it out. So I didn't get the whole yard cut today. Just the dryer portions. Getting the lawn cut is important ... because a few of us will take a quick trip to Fort Sill in Oklahoma to see our daughter Tara graduate from Army Basic Combat Training. She will head to Fort Sam Houston within hours of her graduation to begin her 68 Whiskey or 68W Field Medic Training.

Tara was able to get off the military base for a few hours today and she sent us this photo of her in her beret. She left us on Memorial Day and has survived the heat and obstacles laid before her. As you might suspect, her whole family in Woodstock, IL is proud of her and we all look forward to seeing her again.

Some of the things I heard in phone calls and read in letters from Tara this summer will never be forgotten. I guess it seemed strange to hear about her experiences in a gas chamber, throwing grenades, the rifle range, drills and PT at 0400. Tara said in her last letter that they didn't know what to do with themselves when they had a whole hour to kill prior to a meal. She said she could now sleep anywhere and in any position. She described the longest hundred yards of her life while crawling under and over barb wire and logs while being under fire at night. Repelling towers, hand to hand combat, and sneaky games galore. I just couldn't believe this was my daughter. It just sounded wierd ... like ... "Dad, everyone knows ya don't shut off the engine when ya park the tank." It'll never be totally understood that this is my little girl.

Congratulations Tara. We love you and will see you soon!

Love, Mom & Dad and the rest of us!

Family Day! Hooo-AHHH!

Airborne Chicago Taxi

Canyon Lighting

Mom Are We Moving Again This Weekend?

Thick Fog

Mud Skiing Opens August 1st

Was It Something I Said?

Did you ever have one of those days when you received 41 useless emails offering you everything you DON'T want? You know, ... offers that include everthing from identity protection and discount cruises to aluminum siding for your brick house. Obviously, ... It's the summer! Not as many significant emails. Our regular informers and many of you are just looking in on NikonSniper on the fly between swimming pools and patio barbeques. And I don't blame ya! I had messages this week from some of you traveling on vacation. I had an e-mail from someone that said they were trying to get on NikonSniper for 20 minutes in a hotel lobby. Now, that's a compliment! There always seems to be a line for computer access in a hotel lobby. Everyone arrives at the same time to check their email.
Well, I hope there has been a well deserved lull in the action over the past few weeks because you are getting to do things you can't do in bad weather. I hope you are all taking in the summer! I know it's officially summertime when 3/4 of my emails are offers for Viagra. UH, ... Was it something I said? Who puts you on that list? I also think it's funny that the same e-mail address sends these things every 15 minutes ... as if to say, How 'bout now?
Well, I pray all your travels are safe. May you inhale some relaxation ... even if you can only manage to find those moments in the midst of everything else going on in your everyday life. God desperately wants you to hear Him. It's a lot harder to hear Him if we are always running with an iPOD blaring in our ears. We all need to find stillness. I'm praying you find times to relax, read His word and think for a bit!
God bless you all.
NikonSniper Steve