Introduction

I have long planned to spend a few days out in the woods to do some photography and writing. I love taking pictures, primarily of nature; wildlife, plants, streams, bugs, anything outside really. Writing goes hand in hand with photography. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a picture cannot intimately portray the thoughts and feelings of the photographer.

Recently, I decided to make a real attempt at nature writing. My first attempt was the piece titled “Lost Lake.” As you may know, it was written as a hike from my eyes. I was pleased with the final product. I was ecstatic with the responses I got from others who read it. Since I enjoyed it so much, and got some generous praise, I chose to continue.

My next step was to test the waters… rather, the ice. I had a blind given to me by my Uncle Walt to use. If I were going to take this seriously, I would need to go the distance. The day I did this was a balmy 10 degrees. The wind was so brisk that I felt like I was going to watch my nose crack apart and fall off. I put on some long underwear, wool socks and liners, sweatshirt, Carharts, boots (regular hiking boots, nothing very warm… this is prior to the purchase of my Irish Setters), jacket, gloves, facemask, headband, and hat (I am in serious need of a new hat). Needless to say, I don’t hold warmth very well, so this is not overkill for me. I sat out there for roughly two hours. I had figured I would not last twenty minutes, but I endured. I know that two hours, even in 10 degrees, is not very long. However, I was more interested in seeing if I could stay out in that kind of temperature than I was in seeing if I could really handle being out that long. My goal was an hour so I was happy with the results. Hunger forced me from continuing, not the frostbite.

After the success of my ‘stress test’, I concluded that I was ready to go. This time I was going out with my camera, tripod, notepad, pencil, and a seat that my dad gave me. I was not exactly sure what I would do out there. I was hoping that I would be inspired to write. I was also hoping for some photography subjects. My primary interest was white tailed deer but I didn’t believe that they would actually come close enough for me to get a shot as the blind is new to them and they would probably be scared of it for a day or so.

This is my first full-fledged attempt at, what I am now calling, nature chronicling. I chose this term over ‘nature writing’ because… well, I was doing more than just writing.

I am all set up in the blind with the flaps down, the tripod is positioned, the camera is good to go, my notebook is at the ready, and my pencil is hitting the paper...