Meanwhile in the heart of the Boston Public Garden, Mrs. Mallard becomes The Tartan Army’s newest recruit! Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack join the festivities.
Even Mrs. Mallard and her brood have joined the Scottish takeover of Boston. Honestly, could it be any other way?
In True Scottish Fashion Mrs. Mallard Donned a cone!
But don’t look now — the Tartan Army has a new recruit. Mrs. Mallard heard the bagpipes and said, ‘Aye, I’m in.’
Some mornings the words just pour out of me, and other mornings — like today — they wander off to do their own thing. I sat down wanting to write about a picture of a squirrel. Just a little gray squirrel. Nothing dramatic. But nature has a way of turning simple moments into something special.
A Squirrel in the Morning LightIt was early. The cats had dragged me out of bed, and I was opening the blinds over the sliders to the deck. The sun was just coming up, the air crisp and soft in that way only early morning can be. And that’s when I saw him.
He wasn’t racing along the fence or scrambling up a tree. He was perched perfectly still on top of an old tree stump — one of those storm‑fallen trees that had been trimmed back for safety. It made the perfect pedestal. The rising sun lit him from behind, turning his tail into a glowing halo. Whether you like squirrels or not, you had to appreciate that pristine moment.
He was too far for a phone shot, so I reached for my Nikon. One quick look at the settings and… no battery. Of course. I dug into the camera bag, found my spare, and swapped it in. I haven’t used that camera in a couple of years, but muscle memory kicked right in. I was sure I’d missed the moment — but no. My little friend was still there, still posing. I got one shot off, and then he was gone, down the stump and into the brush. Banner wound around my feet, completely uninterested in the tiny drama unfolding outside.
But that’s nature photography. Woodland creatures don’t care if they look fat or skinny or if they’re smiling. They don’t pose. They don’t wait. They just go on doing their little woodland things. That’s what makes it fun — and challenging.
I’ve had so many moments like that. At the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, I’ve seen turtles, deer, birds… and once, three otters ran right across the path in front of me and dove into the pond. No picture, just a perfect memory. That’s how it goes. In nature, the moment happens fast and often without warning. I rarely catch those surprise encounters — they’re over before my brain even registers them.
Then there are the rare gifts. Like the time I was driving a dirt road in Wyoming and came upon a little bear in a tree, happily eating berries. He didn’t care that he had an audience. I got my shot that day.
And then there are the moments you wait years for. I went on whale watches every year from the mid‑70s on — Massachusetts, Alaska, Hawaii. Decades of trips. But I never saw a whale breach until just a few years ago. First a baby humpback in Hawaii, then an adult off Cape Cod. And once I finally saw one, it was like the universe opened the floodgates. Suddenly I was seeing breaches everywhere — and because I was ready, I finally captured one of my favorite photos.
I have so many stories like that — some with pictures to show for them, some that live only in my memory. But every one of them is a wonderful little interaction with the natural world. And that’s why I keep picking up the camera.
Yesterday was Nature Photography Day, a celebration for anyone who loves the outdoors and the art of capturing it. Whether your passion is wildlife, landscapes, or the quiet little moments in between, it’s a day to honor the beauty of our natural world.
The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) established the day in 2009 to encourage people to enjoy, appreciate, and photograph nature in all its forms.
I began nature photography as my hobby a number of years ago. Here are some of my earlier efforts. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed being out there taking them.
White Tail Deer (South Dakota)
Grand Canyon (Arizona)
Prickly Pear Cactus (Arizona)
Great Blue Heron (Massachusetts)
Painted Desert (Arizona)
Water Lily (Massachusetts)
Queechee Gorge (Vermont)
Moonrise (Florida)
Trumpeter Swan (Massachusetts)
Looking back at these early photos reminds me why I fell in love with nature photography in the first place. Thanks for taking this little trip down memory lane with me.
A symbol of unity, pride, and the triumph of the underdogCinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, when Mexican forces pulled off an underdog victory against the French in 1862. It’s a day that’s grown into a celebration of Mexican culture, pride, and heritage — especially here in the U.S.
A small win that became a big tradition.
Mexican folklórico dancers in bright traditional costumes
Its’ Taco Tuesday too!
A sample of a Thunderbunnylab USA Travel Map
Everything changes. I know that’s not exactly breaking news, but the shifts feel sharper as I get older. When I was young, I was too busy moving forward to notice how nothing stays the same. Now I see the changes more clearly — and I don’t always love them. Call it being set in my ways, but a recent email from Thunderbunny Labs stirred up a mix of nostalgia, regret, and reflection.
Thunderbunny Labs is the company behind my beloved travel map — not a road map, but a framed blank map you fill with your own photos as you explore the country. I bought my USA map in 2021, and you can practically hear my excitement in my original post from May 17, 2021.
My only regret is that I didn’t get farther with it.
Print and Cut
There were two ways to fill the map:
But 2021 was right before COVID, and between the lockdowns and then retiring, I haven’t traveled much since. My map is still only about halfway filled.
Just getting started
And now Thunderbunny is discontinuing their travel maps.
They wrote:
“After much consideration, we are permanently discontinuing production of our photo maps on May 15th, 2026… If you or someone you know wishes to purchase a USA Photo Map, please do so by May 15th.”
Honestly, it makes sense. The pandemic froze travel. Even now, I’m not convinced it has fully bounced back. Every day there’s another story about flight delays, diversions, rising costs, or fuel prices impacted by the war. RV travel isn’t much better with gas prices climbing. And then there were the government funding battles that left TSA agents unpaid or calling out sick. Long lines, long waits — travel just isn’t the carefree adventure it once was.
Thunderbunny isn’t abandoning those of us who already have maps. They reassured us:
“Please know that while map production is coming to a close, our commitment to our existing customers remains as strong as ever. We will maintain our website and photo printing services indefinitely so you can continue to update your existing photo maps as your own adventures unfold.”
I hope they can keep that going. My local Walgreens closed, so I’d have to find another one if I ever get back on the road.
I love how Thunderbunny wrapped up their email — it felt like a curtain call and a thank‑you note all at once:
“What started as a fun way to document our travels ended up taking us on a much different adventure… We grew from a weekend craft project, to a hobbyist Etsy store, to a full‑time business employing dozens of wonderful people… More recently, it has spawned a thriving custom printing business which will be the next destination on our journey.”
I hope I can add a few more states to my map and keep my connection with Thunderbunny Labs going. That map has been a joyful visual record of my travels. But change is inevitable, isn’t it. I suppose I’d better get used to it.
