This weekend and this morning, I went out looking for a good story. I was hoping to find something scenic, some interesting weather, some wildlife, or just something in nature that caught my eye. Sometimes you go out with a plan, and sometimes you just drive around and walk until something happens. That’s exactly what I did.

I drove to a few different locations, just seeing what I could find. The weather was doing all kinds of things — snow, thick fog, wet ground — real New England springtime vibes. I ended up walking into the woods and near a swamp, hoping to spot something cool. I figured if anything was going to be moving around in this weather, it would be something worth seeing.

Snow, Wind, and Whitecaps

On Sunday I went to a lake where I know where some birds are living. It was snowing like crazy and the lake had whitecaps, which you don’t always see unless it’s really windy. I immediately spotted two loons floating out on the lake. Loons didn’t seem to mind the crazy weather. They were not making any noise, just swimming against the wind.

While I was watching the loons, two ducks flew over, cutting through the wind and snow like little fighter jets. I tried to grab a few shots, but between the snow blowing and how fast they were moving, it wasn’t easy. Still, just being there, seeing it happen, made the whole trip worth it.

Walking Quiet in the Swamp

This morning, I headed back out with a fresh start and different weather. It was foggy and damp, so I dressed in all gray to blend in better with the woods and wet ground. I moved slow through the woods and swamp, listening carefully to every little sound. The ground was soft and quiet underfoot, which made it easier to sneak around without making a lot of noise. It really does help to wear natural colors, move quietly, get down low, and sometimes just sit still by a bush and wait. If you’re patient, nature eventually shows itself.

Down there in the swamp, I spotted a fox! It was such a cool moment, but I didn’t get a good photo. That’s the way it goes sometimes. You get to see something amazing but you don’t always get to capture it the way you want to. Still, seeing a fox just moving naturally through the woods made the whole morning for me. Besides the fox, I saw lots of birds darting around, busy doing their springtime things.

And there were spider webs everywhere in the woods — tiny ones stretched between branches and bushes, catching the fog and making everything look a little bit magical.

Lessons from Chasing Birds

I only really started photographing wildlife seriously, especially birds, in January. It’s been a huge learning curve. One thing I’ve learned fast is that crows spook super easy. You think you’re being sneaky, but they see or hear you way before you spot them, and they’re out of there.

Ducks and geese are a little different. A lot of times they’ll just freeze, trying to blend in, hoping you either go away or don’t notice them. You almost have to pretend you don’t see them to keep them calm enough to get a shot. Every bird and animal reacts differently, and part of the fun is figuring out how to move and act to get close enough without stressing them out.

Why I’m Sharing the Failed Shots Too

One thing I want to be real about on here is that getting a great wildlife or nature photo isn’t easy. It’s not like you just walk into the woods and everything lines up perfectly. Weather changes fast. Light disappears. Animals don’t show up where you thought they would. Sometimes you miss the shot. Sometimes the photo is blurry or too dark or just not what you hoped for.

I’m going to start sharing not just my favorite edited photos, but also some of the failed shots. Because honestly, it’s part of the story. It’s not always about getting the “perfect” picture. It’s about being out there, seeing cool things, and learning every single time. And honestly, even the failed shots remind me of the experience, the cold air, the wet ground, the quiet in the swamp, the fox darting through the trees.

You don’t get those moments sitting at home, and you don’t always need the perfect picture to have a perfect experience.

I hope you enjoyed what I captured.

Some photos from this weekend in the snow and sideways wind, some shots from this morning’s walk in the foggy swamp, and a few of my “fails” that didn’t turn out the way I hoped but still tell the story.

Every time I go out, I see something cool, even if it’s not what I thought I was looking for. That’s part of the adventure. I never really know what’s going to happen, and that’s what keeps it fun.

Thanks for coming along with me on these little trips. I’ll have more stories and photos to share soon. Until then, get outside if you can, even if the weather’s a mess — sometimes that’s when the best stuff shows up. Sign up for my monthly newsletter to share my adventures and what I’ve learned.

These photos are not available for sale, but you can find my curated work available for a limited time in the store.