Second Edition

I do a lot of driving on country roads – as opposed to city streets. By country roads I still mean paved highways. These are usually two lane roads, painted lines & no median with a 50 mph speed limit. The ones I’m referring to are not the summer, dusty, packed dirt, back roads.

Why am I making this distinction? Mainly to say that most drivers are rarely observing the 50 mph speed limit unless they become aware of a police radar trap ahead. At night speeding is even worse.

Because so many of us tend to over drive the roads we use, accidents happen. No, I’m not talking about me crashing into you or you crashing into me. I’m talking about the slaughter that goes on out there day after day and night after night. Get up early any day, particularly in summer, drive any country road and you’ll see it. Bodies, mile upon mile, bodies strewn everywhere. Some are mangled grotesquely, all died a horrible death. What am I talking about? You’ve never been on such a road? The tragedy of it is that you have and probably often.

We have a euphemism for it. It’s called “Road Kill”. This euphemism is a way to desensitize us from the true meaning of what’s going on out there. It’s a way to salve our souls and protect us from the reality of what’s really occurring. We support our local conservation areas, unlimited duck preserves, parks and wetlands, don’t we? What more can be expected from us?

How about being responsible and slowing down on the highways? Every time we overdrive the highways we are admitting that we really don’t care about what happens to our wildlife. They have no advocates, no courts, and no laws with which to charge us with criminal conduct for killing them.

Each time an animal dies at our hands, especially at this time of year, we are also likely killing all the young in the den or the nest or other abodes. Predation is a part of the natural order of things and helps to keep nature in balance. Death by vehicles is not part of that equation. I’m sure every family wishes to see their offspring reach maturity. Our wildlife are no exception.

We have an obligation to protect these creatures around us for future generations and to maintain the natural balance of our world. They have no advocates but us. Please drive with care and slow down. Thanks on behalf of all our creatures - large and small.

First Edition

I registered this blog several months ago with the intent of writing regularly to discuss the subject of photography in general, and nature/wildlife photography, more specifically. I suppose my lack of confidence in the power of the blog and previously a lack of time to write one have contributed to this being my first effort.

To a degree, I’ve also been dismissive of blogs since they are often subjective in nature, and many times, provide a platform for older curmudgeons to rant, philosophize or preach.

On reflection, that may not be all bad. My guess is that there is some therapeutic value to sounding off somewhere…even if no one listens…ERS (the Eleanor Rigby Syndrome)?

Lately, I’ve found myself musing about numerous topics – mostly insignificant, non-photography related but perhaps there’s some value to expressing my thoughts for my own eyes to read, even if the rest of the world turns a blind eye & a deaf ear.

For anyone that’s followed me to here, I don’t mean to disappoint but I’m stopping for now. Join me later if you like. My intention is to periodically write more.