cjuel's photostream  

The travel bug bit me when I was still in my teens–a long time ago. If it involves being on the sea and wildlife, then I am especially brimming with happiness. Travel almost anywhere, however, I find intriguing.
I hope before I die I can return to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. And, then I want to go back to the Arctic, I love New Zealand and Mongolia, Chile and Patagonia, the California coast, the red rock canyons of the southwestern United States, and then there’s…
I am keenly aware of the expense of travel, and that each trip puts off retirement a while longer. Somehow, though, if I live to be a very old woman, I think it is that beach of King penguins in South Georgia, that sunset in the Gobi desert, that iceberg off the Greenland coast–those and other images like them, will be the ones filling my mind with the wonder and appreciation for having lived on this earth.
Along with an early love of travel, wildlife, and nature, I fell for the camera. I love being behind the lens. Fortunately I have a large yard and garden; and those flowers are pretty compelling subjects too.
I am relatively new to Flickr and its groups. I have to admit that at first I was stunned by some of the nice comments–and felt compelled to personally send an e-mail to anyone sending a note–I was somewhat baffled by the glittery appearance of symbols, and amazed and delighted by the contact with people from around the world. I do realize the peril of the addictive nature of Flickr: It’s like putting coins in a slot machine; those unexpected gold coins can take on a life of their own. I have been known to get into a late night frenzy…maybe I’ll put up just one more before going to bed or check out what’s new in that group… A few weeks in, though, I’m back to the reason I started: the chance to view lots of great photos. I do so appreciate when someone cares to actually comment on one of my photos. I’ve been fortunate to be juried into several photography shows–but I know I am just an amateur–and that’s okay. I love learning. I appreciate constructive criticism and suggestions, such as, “this would be so much better if you straightened the horizon.” So, please, comment and make me a better photographer!

I am female and taken by wind swept landscapes, bellowing elephant seals, zinnias, reading books (new favorite: Evidence of Things Unseen by Marianne Wiggins), thoughts of the vastness of the universe, iced coffee with milk, and almost any dog.