Record Your Journey.

A notebook isn’t just for writing—it’s a place to hold onto the moments, the struggles, and the victories that make wildlife photography so rewarding.

Like the day I battled with my dog, Cuache, for the perfect shot of an Eared Grebe at Boulder Lake. Cuache was determined to jump in and swim closer, but he was a good boy and sat patiently on the rock while I focused on my subject.

I absolutely love capturing these little wonders, and the more I observe, the more I learn. Eared Grebes are fascinating. While swimming, they stretch their necks, scanning the water for food—mostly aquatic invertebrates like brine shrimp, flies, and sometimes even small fish. Once they spot something, they dive, creating the most perfect circles in the water.

When they’re swimming, their back feathers puff out, and their golden eye feathers shine, but when they dive, they collapse them to streamline their movement underwater. I didn’t notice the full extent of this until I edited my photos later, and I marveled at how nature fine-tunes even the smallest details.

Spending time with these little birdies—getting to learn and appreciate their behaviors—is such a gift. And don’t worry, no dogs or Eared Grebes were harmed in the process.