American Bald Eagle with Flag
Well here we are, 2010!
I was thinking the other day of everything that’s happened in the past 10 years. First of all, those 10 years went fast!
In 2000, I was going back to Europe for my second tour in Germany. I spent New Year’s Day at a place called Scooter’s Bar & Grill here in town with friends. I remember the last song they played before the clock struck 12 was “1999″ by Prince. Then they threw the CD onto the dance floor and everyone danced and stomped on it.
In 2001, I was in Germany when the most tragic day in our modern history took place. We were getting ready to get off work when we got the word that the World Trade Centers were hit by terrorists. None of us could believe it. My wife called me from home crying wanting to know what was going on, and I told her to keep watching the TV because at that point she knew more than me. I don’t think I saw any of the news footage until three weeks later.
I was still in Germany in 2002. Life wasn’t the same after 9-11 and we were training harder than ever preparing to go to war.
In 2003, I left Germany to become a recruiter in Pennsylvania. I didn’t get to go with my platoon to Iraq, something that I regret to this day.
2004 was a busy year. My second son, Finn, was born on March 30 in Erie, Pennsylvania. My wife and sons went back to Germany while I was being discharged from the Army. I was diagnosed with Essential Tremor and told by the doctors that I would never get back into my combat job, which was the Cavalry. I was crushed, but knew I didn’t want to sit behind a desk for 12 more years, so I decided to get out. It took 11 months before I was discharged, on November 10. (Leave it to the government to take as long as possible!) But I thought it fitting that I was discharged one day before Veterans Day anyway.
Then, from 2005-2009, chaos. We moved back to Wyoming, stayed with my parents for awhile, moved out, held numerous jobs, went back to school a few times, moved again, and got a degree. I’m now pursuing a degree in Secondary Education. I’d like to teach photography. I also have plans to move again, but this time out of the state and to a warmer climate. Although I used to love the snow, I was a ski instructor and was on the mountain 3-4 days per week, I’m now older and wiser! If I don’t have to be out when it’s 20 below zero, why should I be?
So here we are, in 2010.
I was out driving around trying to find something worth taking a picture of. I was actually on my way home, without ever taking my camera out of the bag, when I drove past the 34th road kill. (Yes, I was counting!) But this time, there was a massive bird making a meal of it. As I drove by I noticed the iconic white head and immediately hit the breaks. It’s not every day that you see a Bald Eagle, especially 3 feet off the road. (Although while driving around today I saw two more!)
I turned the car around and pulled off the side of the road, getting as close as I could without scaring off the most beautiful bird in the world. However, two cars passed me and off the eagle went. I sat there waiting for it to fly back, but it didn’t. I drove off thinking I’d missed a great shot, when I saw it again flying back and perching on the fence. Again, I turned around and stopped right across from it. I quickly aimed the camera and got 3 shots off before it flew off again.
After a little playing in Photoshop, I came up with my first photo of 2010.
I hope you enjoy!!
If you’d like to see a larger image, please visit my Flickr page or DeviantArt page.