October
2009
Pixels
& Powder
October 21, 2009: When I
was 27 years old, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and way-too-much
work-related stress. The doctors told me to find a hobby, something
other than photography. My cousin Jeff McGlone had already been on
me to start deer hunting with him on our family farm in Carter County.
That was 1996. I had a lot to learn about deer hunting. First of which,
was to not get out of your stand and take a nap, and then let your
deer-hunting-savvy cousin find you asleep on the ground. I still haven't
lived that one down! But thirteen years and 23 deer later, deer hunting
is now something that I live for from year to year. I'm truly as passionate
about hunting as I am photography. The opening morning of gun season
means as much to me now as Christmas Morning did when I was a little
boy. Deer season magically allows me to reset my clock each year.
I usually go into deer season burned out from the busy photography
season, and I come out of the season ready to go back to my cameras
and continue making a living.
All
three of my kids make deer season in Carter County a true family affair,
but my oldest son Nolan lives it, and breathes it, the same as I do.
This is his gig now! He killed his first deer last year, with an incredible
311 yard shot. So this year is very important for Nolan to establish
himself as a real hunter.
Although
the doctor told me to develop a hobby outside of photography, it was
impossible for me to be involved with something so full of light,
color, and emotion, not photograph the process. Sorry doc, I just
can't do it. Deer hunting is a way for me to get back to the basics
of photography while enjoying the hobby of a lifetime. Since hunting
is my first priority, I usually don't take an SLR camera to the woods,
instead, I only take a point-and-shoot camera that fits into my hunting
jacket. No flash, no motor drive, no bells and whistles, just my eyes,
the light, and a small camera.
I'm
both amazed and ticked off that a new cell tower went up close to
where I hunt, and that I am now hunting in the middle of God's Country
with 3G technology. I was able to take photos with my iPhone and upload
them to Facebook and Twitter. I don't think the doctors envisioned
me doing this back in 1996. What makes me mad about having 3G in the
deer woods is that I live in the 6th largest city in the state of
Kentucky, and can't get 3G here. Oh well!!!!
I
didn't have the opportunity to take a deer that I wanted this past
weekend, but I had an awesome time sharing my passion with the ones
I love during Muzzleloading Season. With that said, the real Opening
Morning is only a month away.
6:30 a.m.
The house where my Dad grew
up, bathed in really warm tungsten light at dusk.
A deer hunters feast.
Deer hunting headquarters on McGlone Creek, in the farmhouse where
my Mom was raised.
We like to call Mom Hop Sing, since she's nice enough to come
over and cook lunch for us. If you've never watched "Bonanza"
you probably won't get that joke.
Dad takes a ride in the back of Jeff's Kawasaki Mule.
Nolan checks the fire in the big smoker that we have on the farm.
Red Neck Cruisin'
By-the-way, this really nice photo was taken with my iPhone.
While Jeff was gone, we got his Mule stuck in the mud. Dad and I lightened
the load and finally let Nolan drive it out.
Photo by Nolan
Jeff's son Mack, eating his brownie on Sunday morning.
Fort Nolan
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