Like most guys, I have trouble remembering anniversaries, so it is a good thing that WordPress sent me a reminder that three years ago today I started my blog. I still recall my feelings of doubt and uncertainty when my mentor and muse Cindy Dyer sat me down in front of a computer and told me that I was starting a blog. We had just finished reviewing and editing some shots that I had taken earlier in the day at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Cindy helped me through the mechanics of setting up the blog and shortly thereafter I made my first posting, Blue Dasher dragonfly.
Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I grew to look forward to writing the postings and taking photos to feature. As of right now, I’ve made 1638 postings and had 78743 views—that’s a lot of words and a lot of photos.
I was struck from the outset by the sense of community and mutual support that exists in the blogging world and there is a small group of fellow photographers with whom I feel a particular affinity, including Sue, Gary, Leanne, Ed, Lyle, Emily, Allen, and Chris. The amount of encouragement that I receive from them and countless others is overwhelming. Closer to home, Cindy continues to be a constant source of inspiration and instruction and Walter and I help to push each other as we explore remote areas of our favorite marshland park.
When I started this blog, I didn’t really think of myself as a photographer. I was taking a lot of photos and knew that I was improving, but there was a kind of psychological barrier that kept me from thinking in those terms. Now, I can confidently say that I am a photographer.
My journey into photography has been full of highlights, but two moments from 2014 really stand out. In November, I witnessed the rescue of a bald eagle at my local marsh and my photos and links to my blog posting were featured on the websites of several Washington D.C. media outlets, resulting in a total of 3344 views of my posting Rescue of an injured Bald Eagle. A short time before that incident, I was really honored when I was featured in an Introductions post by noted Australian photographer Leanne Cole.
If you have read this far, you may be wondering about my reference to “cannibals” in the title of this posting. What do cannibals have to do with my blog? Well, if I set aside the abnormally high number of views of my eagle rescue post, for the longest time my most popular post was one with the innocuous title of Fuzzy white caterpillar. There is not a whole lot special about the prose or the photos, but it has had 489 views to date.
Earlier this week the caterpillar was passed in the stats by my post Red-footed Cannibalfly, with 492 views to date—the cannibals have taken over the lead. As a guy, I feel happier that a more macho sounding insect is now leading the field of “normal” posts. As far as I can tell, the post’s popularity is a function of the search engines. The post was not particularly popular when it first appeared and has only 36 likes. Now, though, it even shows up on the first page of Google results if you type in “Red-footed Cannibalfly.”
So what’s ahead? I hope to be able to keep improving my writing and my photography. I have certain aspirational shots in my mind of different subjects or different locations.
Yesterday, when I was taking photos of water lilies with Cindy Dyer, I mentioned that I had always imagined taking a shot a frog on a lily pad, but had never even seen a frog perching on one. A short time later, Cindy excitedly pointed out a partially submerged frog on a lily pad and I managed to snap a couple of shots before he dove into the water. (Check out Cindy’s blog posting to see her beautiful shot of this frog.) Dreams do come true.
Thanks again to all my readers and supporters, whose encouragement has helped motivate and sustain me this past three years. I look forward to sharing my journey with my fellow travelers.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
This was a wonderful and warm overview and I enjoyed it very much, Mike. Your blog continues to entertain and enlighten me, and I congratulate you on your third year. 🙂
Thanks so much, Jet.
I think we should be the one’s thanking you, Mike, for all of the time and effort you have put into writing your blog and taking the photographs to accompany it. I, for one, appreciate the fact that Cindy pushed you to do it! Without her encouragement, I would have never stumbled across either of you or Sue or Walter for that matter. As you know, I have just started my own little blog with WorldPress (Maple Flats Nature Journal) and I know I would have never done that if it hadn’t been for all of you. Your frog is awesome! I’m so happy you finally got it 🙂 .
Thanks, Ginny. You’re just starting out on a journey that will almost certainly have as many twists and turns as the one I have been on for the past three years. It’s certainly nice to hear that I have had an influence on you and it’s gratifying to see you surrounded by some of the same friends that I have made along the way.
Whoops! Meant WordPress, not WorldPress 😦 .
Woohoo! 3 years is a long time… Warm congratulations, Mike, what an achievement!. I totally relate to your comment about support and inspiration from others. Blogging gives you the rhythm to post, write, take photos. And your photos and posts are especially enthralling. I get engrossed in your information about dragon flies and other critters I never took notice of before. Your birds are stunning, I and that story about the Bald Eagle rescue was very moving. It is also nice to follow each other’s progress with a new beast of a lens. So thanks to you Mike for making your morning posts opening a great part of my routine! …and thanks for the mention too! Chris
Thanks for your exceptionally kind words, Chris. I look forward to following your new adventures on the sea and on dry land (and sharing my own, which should be exclusively on dry land, though I do wade in the water sometimes).
Always enjoy your posts, Mike. I think we all feed off each other; learning, refining, and in a sense, harvesting a sense of well being, just to be able to share our passions with others. I recently was featured in a national club magazine (MGB Driver,) with a summary of my 2013 multipart story about a road trip to Califoenia in 1967. 8 pages, 20 images were included, and conjured up a unique warm feeling. It is a special privilage to be a part of the WordPress community. M 🙂
Thanks so much. I love your description in the second sentence about what we do on our blogs–that sentence sums up the process and the motivation really well.
Congrats on 3 years. Time passes quickly when you enjoy what you are doing. I have seen lots of interesting critters from you. Thanks.
Thanks. As you have seen, I am an opportunistic shooter–I’ll try to get a shot of almost anything that I see that I find to be cool or interesting or simply beautiful. The challenge afterwards is to identify what I have shot, though rarely do I manage to do the kind of in-depth research that is one of the hallmarks of your blog
I sure know about putting names on photos. With all those we took on vacation, 8,000+, I have been struggling to remember who is who. 🙂 Thanks for the compliment.
It has been a real pleasure to get to know you and to follow your steady development in passion, technique, and results. I can’t believe it’s been only three years. You’ve inspired me more than a few times to push myself farther than I otherwise would have, and I always look forward to your comments when I post something that I consider to be rather special. Keep up the (seriously!) good work.
I look forward to your posts. Keep on sharing.
Thanks, Victor.
I’m really enjoying your blog and have even gained a greater appreciation for (and knowledge of) the beautiful dragonflies & damselflies out there. Happy 3 year anniversary – thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much. I have become quite fascinated with dragonflies and this season have made a concerted effort to explore more remote areas to find some more unusual species. I have no real background or expertise in this area and am learning (and sharing) as I go along. When winter comes, I’ll be shifting my primary focus to birds.
Congrats on your Anniversary Mike! I thoroughly enjoy your post!
Thanks, Joel. I had a fun time putting the post together.