A Look Inside My Life
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Hello to my family, friends, and followers. I thought it would be nice this week to share a little bit about me — beyond the lens. Many of you know me through my wildlife photography, my blog posts, and my adventures chasing eagles, osprey, fox kits, and ducklings. But today, I want to invite you into my everyday world.
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Life in the Hudson Valley
I live in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York, where we are lucky enough to experience all four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Each season has something special to offer. I appreciate them all — although I won’t lie, I wouldn’t mind if winter were just a little shorter.
I’m not a huge fan of extreme temperatures. If it’s scorching hot or the temps are in the single digits, you likely won’t find me out shooting. That doesn’t mean I’ve never done it — because I absolutely have — but these days, I’m more selective. Sometimes staying home with a warm drink (or in the AC!) is the better choice.
My Favorite Seasons
Spring and fall are by far my favorite seasons for photography.
Spring feels like hope. The temperatures warm, the colors begin to pop, and everything comes alive again. Wildlife reconnects, mating begins, and soon there are babies everywhere. And I love the babies. They are innocent, curious, and just beginning to learn what they need to survive and thrive.
Fall is a close second. I adore the changing leaves, the break from humidity, and the cozy rhythm of the season. Fall festivals, hot air balloon festivals, car shows, races — it’s such a vibrant time of year. The light feels different. Softer. Warmer.
Fifty and Nifty
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This year, I turned 50. That was hard to say out loud at first. Time truly flies. Turning 50 was a realization that I’m not young anymore — and on some days, my body certainly confirms that. But I also feel incredibly grateful to have reached this milestone relatively healthy. Yes, I’m a little overweight. Yes, I deal with high blood pressure. But I’m not facing any major health battles — and for that, I am thankful. So here I am — fifty and nifty — embracing this stage of life and hoping to find even more time to travel, explore, and photograph the world around me. |
My Fur Babies (My Heart)
If you know me, you know my life revolves around animals — not just the wild ones.
Right now, I have two beautiful cats and one cute (and slightly crazy) dog who fill my home with laughter, chaos, and unconditional love.
But they are not my first fur babies.
As an adult, before this crew, I had one cat and four other dogs who each left paw prints on my heart in their own unforgettable way.
My cat, Gabby, was a rescue my mom found outside my parents’ home. He was barely alive when she discovered him. I took him in, rushed him to the vet, and gave him the love and care he desperately needed. What began as a fragile rescue turned into a long, healthy life filled with comfort, safety, and affection. He was proof that sometimes the weakest beginnings can lead to the most beautiful journeys.
My first dog as an adult was Jasmine. She was born in Italy during my time in the Navy. When my tour ended, I brought her home to the United States with me. She wasn’t just my dog — she was my best friend and my companion through all the major chapters of my life. Jasmine was a lucky dog, a well-traveled dog. She not only got to go for car rides, but she also rode on a train, flew on a plane, and enjoyed boat rides along the Hudson River. She was always happy to go out places, as long as she was by my side.
Then there was Bear, my chow-mix. I took him in from family when they had a baby and could no longer keep him. Bear had the sweetest soul and reminded me how often animals just need someone willing to step in and say, “I’ll take you.” He fit right in with all the other dogs and loved going for walks in the park.
And then came my boyz — Bailey and Bandit, my chihuahuas. They were my heart (my everything). Most people think of chihuahua's as yippy yappy ankle biters. But, my guys were so far from that. They were the sweetest and they loved going places and meeting people Bandit passed at 15. Bailey followed at 16 — just 5½ weeks later. My heart was shattered.
Losing them so close together was devastating. The house felt empty in a way I wasn’t prepared for. The silence was loud. The routines were gone. The energy shifted overnight.
But if loving them taught me anything, it’s that the pain of loss is simply the price of loving deeply. And I would choose loving them — every single time.
Minnie — My Southern Belle
About six months later, I finally felt ready to open my heart again — but I wasn’t ready for another dog just yet.
That’s when Minnie came into my life.
She traveled to me from Mississippi. My “gotcha day” with her was on my birthday. I met the rescue volunteers in a hotel parking lot, and I remember standing there watching a van full of dogs and cats being delivered to their forever families.
I cried.
Happy tears. Emotional tears. It was beautiful.
When Vanessa handed Minnie to me, she was just five months old — tiny body, oversized tail, and the sweetest spirit. When I handed her back to finish paperwork, she wrapped her paws around Vanessa in the biggest hug.
Right then, I knew I was getting the sweetest girl in the world.
And she still hugs. Every morning after I shower, she greets me with a big embrace. It’s the strangest, sweetest ritual.
Cooper — The Gentle Giant
Minnie adjusted quickly — but she didn’t like being alone. I’d check my Ring camera and feel guilty.
So two months later, I found Cooper.
He was born in a feral colony in Poughkeepsie. Shy. Timid. A big 15-pound boy who would not have survived outside.
When I picked him up from his foster mom, it was clear he was not a “pick-me-up” kind of cat. I barely had him in my arms before I could feel him preparing to leap. I quickly turned so he landed safely in his crate instead of on the floor.
Bringing him home was a slow process. He hid. Minnie didn’t push him. She introduced herself gently. Brought him toys. Tried to help him feel safe.
When she noticed he wasn’t grooming himself, she pinned him down and groomed him herself.
That’s when I knew — she was something special.
They became best friends.
Mickey — The Final Piece
About a year and a half later came Mickey.
My youngest sister, Desiree, was fostering him and was absolutely convinced he was meant for me. After a week of persistent encouragement, I agreed to meet him.
We met at a restaurant in Lake George with outdoor seating. Mickey sat in his dog stroller through lunch, soaking up attention and behaving perfectly.
I brought him home a week later.
But not straight home — we went to camp first.
He was too young to go out much since he hadn’t completed his shots, so we let the social world come to us. He adjusted beautifully. He completed our little family.
Today, he and Minnie play together daily — and it’s hysterical. The bond between all three of them is something I never expected but am endlessly grateful for.
Camping Life
While I’m based in the Hudson Valley, I’m also a seasonal camper in the Adirondacks.
For 13 years, I camped in Ticonderoga, NY. It was home, my second home. During my time there I had 4 campers. My first camper was a cozy Avenger, my second camper was a Jayco that was slightly bigger, and my 3rd was a Keystone Retreat. That camper got crushed by a tree and was totaled, so I got another Keystone Retreat. I started camping here with Jasmine and my boyz. Jasmine was old and only joined me there for two year. She is buried at that campsite and, in a way, I always felt she was still with me there.
Now I’m in Chestertown, NY, overlooking the Schroon River — and I absolutely love it. Last year was my first year, so I was very busy getting my site set up. Not long after I got set up and started to settle in, a tree crushed my camper and it took me 6 weeks to get a new one. The new one is a Jayco Bungalow and I absolutely love it.
My site is fenced in for Mickey. He sits by the fire with me at night. The cats watch birds and chipmunks from the windows. They even have their own loft bedroom overlooking the living area, where they chill and keep an eye on me down below.
I never imagined taking cats camping — but this is more like a tiny home, and they love it.
Truthfully?
I think all my fur babies prefer camp over home.
Just like their mama.
The Balance of My Life
If I’m not working, I’m either:
• Spending time with my fur babies
• Camping in the Adirondacks
• Or out photographing wildlife, landscapes, car races, balloon festivals, or whatever catches my eye
Photography is my passion — but my life is rooted in love, animals, and nature.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you’ve made it this far — thank you for being part of my journey.
I’d love to hear about you.
Where do you live? Do you have pets? What fills your life with joy?
Let’s make this post interactive — drop a comment below and share a little about yourself.
And as always, thank you for following along on my adventures. 💛
