Six years ago today my photography mentor Cindy Dyer sat me down and told me that I was going to start a blog. She showed me the basics of WordPress editing and navigation and helped me set up my initial pages. I don’t think that either of us anticipated the degree to which I would grow to love the process of blogging, a process that has allowed me to express myself creatively in both words and images
WordPress data show that I have published 2768 posts and have had approximately 170800 views. Those posts have included 429649 words (about 155 words per posting) and well over 3000 photos.
The importance of my blog, though, cannot be expressed merely in numbers. More significantly the blog has helped me to develop relationships with a lot of different viewers, to share with you the different steps on my meandering journey into photography. Thanks to all of you for helping me along the way and sharing your comments, suggestions, and recommendations. I especially owe a debt of gratitude to Cindy Dyer for motivating me throughout this entire period, for pushing me at times when I was hesitant, and for serving as my muse. Thanks, Cindy.
To celebrate this anniversary, I thought I would reprise a few of my favorite photos. These are not necessarily my most popular images or my “best” images, but they are ones that are particularly memorable to me. I am also including links to the original postings so you can read the accompanying text and additional commentary about the circumstances under which they were captured.
Links to original postings: Visible Song (8 March 2016); Fox on a frozen pond (31 January 2016); and Rescue of an injured Bald Eagle (4 November 2014).
Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement over these past six years. The journey continues onward.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It has been a pleasure to follow you, Mike. I have enjoyed your photography, your explanations and your dedication. You have shared remarkable beauty with us and I appreciate your work.
Think “Visible song” shows your “whew!” After 2768 posts with 429649 words and well over 3000 photos!! I have not followed you for all those years, but do so enjoy your photos and often forward the link to friends. Thanks you, Molly D.
Thanks, Molly. I used to be a marathon runner, so I am used to pacing myself. Mostly I think only about doing a posting almost every day and it has become part of my normal routine.
Happy Six Year Anniversary! I’ve enjoyed getting to see your photos and read about them. Keep up the great work!
It is really enjoyable to follow your journey into photography, whether you focus on birds, insects or other wildlife. I am glad you selected those three images and posts, as the stand out in my memory too as really special. Blogging for all of us is such a great source of encouragement, feedback and rhythm in our week. I hope you keep going for many years.
It’s been an inspiration to follow your photos and blog… These greatest hits photos were also my favorites. Thanks for 6 years of amazing shots, as well as the interesting perspectives. Thanks
Wow! 6 years, congrats!! It has been my pleasure to follow your blog and see your beautiful photos and hear about the picture in your words.
These 3 photos are awesome! Thanks for sharing them! The birds feathers are so pretty and detailed in the picture as it sings, the fox looks like its staring right through me, and love the reflection of the eagle in the water! Keep on snapping that camera . 🙂
Amazing images to celebrate Mike! I’ve only been doing this 18months but take inspiration from photographers such as yourself.
Thanks. It took quite a while for me to consider myself to be a “photographer.” I had previously reserved that term for professionals, those who made a living out of taking pictures. As I grew more familiar with my gear and felt like I knew what I was doing, I reached a point where I realized that I was looking at the world differently, even when I did not have a camera in my hand. That’s when I realized that I am a photographer. I am proud to be an amateur photographer. The root meaning of the word “amateur” is someone who loves what they do. You should be proud of your 18 months blogging. I don’t have any stats, but I suspect that most people give up on blogging within the first few months, certainly well before a year.
Like yourself Mike I decided to share my images, no point in just keeping them on computer files, and if people like the efforts that is so rewarding. As amateurs we can keep on improving and learning new techniques, when we get THAT shot it creates a warm glow.
Congrats on your anniversary, Mike! I’ve very much enjoyed your photos and reading about your journey. It’s clear from your posts that you like what you’re doing and these three images are wonderful representations of your work.
I really do enjoy your blog, Mike — and your remarkable photos. Some I remember (like the blackbird above) and some I don’t, but I always stop by to see what new discovery you’ve made. When I started my own photography blog, it was as much the impulse to share as anything, but I suspect you’ve discovered the same thing I have: sharing is one good way to improve our skills. Here’s to many more years of enjoyment and improvement!
Just came across your blog this morning! Congratulations on 6 years and I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work!
Thanks. Welcome aboard. I don’t know where you interests lie, but I have all kinds of shots of insects, birds, and other wildlife, mostly from Northern Virginia, where I live.
I particularly like birds but love this type of photography so I know I’m in for a treat with your blog!
Beautiful photos. Happy blogiversary!!!
Thanks, Jodi.
Each of your chosen images is an absolute stunner, honestly among the best nature photography I have ever seen. Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Yours is one of my favourite blogs not just for the wonderful images but because of the investment you make in interacting with your readers. Thank you for all the words and images and here’s to many more!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Laura. As I mentioned in replying to another viewer, I really like the diversity of the folks who follow my blog. Some are wildlife photographers like me, while others, like you, have characteristics that I admire and strive to emulate. Your creativity and artistic talents never fail to impress and inspire me. I still have a desire to play around some with drawing and painting, an area in which I essentially have no experience, and perhaps this will be the year in which I plunge into it.
I’m glad you enjoy our interactions as much as I do. I hope you do try drawing and painting. I think exploring other creative mediums is very fulfilling and can often strengthen our core creative interest.
I’m one of the beneficiaries of your blog, Mike. Thanks you for these daily glimpses of natural beauty. Even the dragonflies!
Thanks, Nina. I thought of your comment this morning as I prepared to post a photo of a Green Heron from this past weekend. Although my blog features a lot of dragonflies during the summer, I am always willing to photograph other creatures when I encounter them.
Nice Mike! It is fun to see through your “eyes” with your wonderful images! Plus we seem to have many similar interests in our choices of subjects!
Thanks, Reed. Indeed, we both seem to enjoy photographing similar subjects. I am blessed to have a variety of folks following my blog, some of whom are like me and some of whom are quite different. It is really cool to be able to see my own work through the eyes of others when they make comments or observations.
Benjamin and I are late for your Blogaversary celebration, but our sincere congratulations are sent your way! He has just returned from an extended vacation, so we have so much to catch up on. My hope has been to give Benjamin a love and respect for nature, to notice the world around him and appreciate the gifts it has to offer. Your blog is a valuable tool that helps me accomplish my goal. You have provided an enjoyable learning experience for both of us. That you love and value nature shines through your photos and posts. In the words of my Father : “We are well met!” Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Happy blog anniversary and how I’ve enjoyed your images! What an extraordinary image “Visible Song” is!
Thanks, Liz. That particular image may be my all time favorite image that I have shot. It is a really common subject captured in a really unusual situation that most people have never witnessed. Even other wildlife photographers were pretty impressed (and they are a tough crowd).
How very interesting Mike! Thank you for sharing this, its fascinating!
Thank you for all the beautiful wildlife pictures, Mike. Keep on keepin’ on!
Thanks, Robert. I sure do hope that I am able to keep the wildlife images coming for a good long while.
I love your photography! You also contribute so much to the community by visiting blogs and commenting, thank you Mike.
Thanks for your delightful comment, Robert. Blogging has really become a significant part of my daily routine. I know that I benefit from the intellectual and emotional stimulation that I get from interacting with so many amazing people across the world. Though the interaction is mostly on a superficial level, it exposes me to the a diverse set of people and views that would otherwise be a mystery to me. As I have mentioned to you before, I am also an INFP and my blog allows me to share some of my idealism with people in a way that allows me to remain introverted and contemplative. I hope that sort of makes sense. 🙂
It certainly does; a safe place to dip one’s toe in the water 😎
It’s a pleasure to follow your blog, Mike! We started around the same time and your blog was one of the first I started to follow. And still enjoying it a lot 🙂
Thanks, Camilla. I have always appreciated your support and encouragement.