Josh Haas clearly is enthusiastic about his photographic profession and about the world he so artfully captures in his images.

Josh entitled his presentation Enriching Your Hike... One Photo at a Time, and enriched his presentation with a constant flow of images he had taken during his own journeys around the globe. I hesitate to use a descriptive word that is so casually over-used in contemporary culture — but his images were truly awesome.

The majority of his images he displayed were avian (did we mention that he was an active Audubon member?), but he threw in a number of excellent images of bears and other critters and critter-less settings as well.

Did Josh happen upon a camera-shy bruin here, or did he just capture one in meditative contemplation of ... his next salmon repast?

Josh provided numerous useful pointers for both advanced amateur photographers and hopeful point-and-shooters.

He stressed that wildlife is everywhere, and great images are to be had if you take time, keep your eyes open, look everywhere, be open to subjects far (300mm tele) and near (macro), high (in the trees and sky) and low (in the brush and grasses).   Josh and his dad travel to distant climes in quest of images, but he has captured some doozies at home in his back yard — and so can you.

Walk on the trails in quest of images (binoculars are a good tool to keep at hand), but if you are in a hurry, you're going to miss a lot.  Don’t pass up an opportunity to just sit and wait and look and listen for what may come your way.

Get to know the various species you’d like to photograph, so that you can be in the right place, time and circumstances to get the right image. 

Larry Hawkins, president of Chief Noonday Chapter, opens the meeting with a brief introduction to Chief Noonday Chapter, its mission, its officers, and its activities, and invites visitors to consider coming along for the ride.

Take scads of images (they're cheap — one of the joys of digital photography!).  Keep it simple — you don’t need to carry a truckload of gear.  Respect wildlife and other hikers.  And keep it fun.  (And be friendly to local economies as you travel and photograph.)

Josh and his dad, Dave, make up Glances At Nature (check out glancesatnature.com) and have gone on many a photographic jaunt together.  Nevertheless, Josh says that even though they travel together, they work independently at their destinations and have independent photographic interests and styles.

Josh encourages all to look up their Web site to see more examples of their work and check out their show schedule.

Eric Longman, who with Mary Rebert serves on Chief Noonday's Membership Committee, introduced Josh at the beginning of this presentation.  Thanks to Eric for setting up this highly worthwhile experience!

Mick Hawkins   
Webmaster, Chief Noonday Chapter