Like many guys, I have trouble remembering anniversaries, so it came as a surprise a few days ago when WordPress reminded me that it was the fifth anniversary of the launching of my blog. Five years old probably qualifies as middle age or maybe even old age for a blog.
I remember well how my photography mentor Cindy Dyer sat me down and virtually insisted that I start a blog to showcase and share the results of my growing interest in photography. I’ve captured thousands and thousand of images since that time and made close to 2400 postings on this blog. My confidence, awareness, and skills as a photographer have grown significantly. More importantly, though, this blog has helped me to gain a new voice as I have learned to use my words and photographs to express a creative part of myself that has been dormant most of my life.
I am very appreciative of the support, encouragement, and suggestions that so many readers have provided these last five years. Thanks to all of you—you have helped to sustain me during times when my energy and enthusiasm have waned.
My very first posting was an image of a perching dragonfly and was simply titled Blue Dasher dragonfly. If you look at that posting, you can see that my fascination with dragonflies is not a new phenomenon. It is altogether appropriate, therefore, that I “celebrate” with another dragonfly image.
Halloween Pennant dragonflies (Celithemis eponina) generally perch facing away from me. Although it gives me a good view of their spectacular wings, I like it better when I get a frontal view and can look straight into the dragonfly’s eyes. This weekend I found a cooperative subject while exploring Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia, and was able to capture this image.
Like this dragonfly, I am ready to spread my wings and fly, resting briefly before taking off again. It’s a bit of a cliche, but from the blog’s inauguration the sub-title has always been, “My journey through photography.” Where will I go next? I honestly don’t know, but I definitely welcome fellow travelers to accompany me on my continuing journey of exploration.
Perhaps I will set my sights really high and point my camera, to use the famous words of Buzz Lightyear, “to infinity and beyond.” Come fly with me.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I know I haven’t been following for five years, but I started following as soon as I got here and I’m glad I did – happy anniversary, Mike.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Mike! It’s been a pleasure to follow your journey through pictures and words… Blog on!
Happy anniversary, Mike! Your blog was one of the first ones I started following five years ago, I’m glad you’re still around. 🙂 Always a pleasure!
Happy Anniversary! Five years ought to be some sort of blog milestone. I have seen many blogs come and go within short time spans. I am pleased that you have kept your going as your photos are always worth viewing and I have learned a great deal about North American wildlife from reading your posts. Here’s to many more years of blogging!
Congratulations on five years!
Congratulations, Mike! I checked back to that first post, the first of many great shots you’ve taken.
And you intrigue us with your writing, so we’re doubly blessed. Congratulations, Mike !
Congrats on 5 years! I love looking at your dragonfly photos! One of my favorite photo subjects! And fun to see ones from a different part of the country.
Congratulations on your five year anniversary. I always enjoy the photos and information included.
Thanks, Lee. I started to do research to help me identify the subjects that I was shooting and it’s amazing how much I have learned over time.
The same is true with my birds.
Congratulations Mike. It’ll be ten years before you know it!
Thanks. I’ve almost reached the point where I have used up all of the space that WordPress will give me for free. It’s probably time to move to a paid plan with more space and more options.
I’m in the same boat!