I hope that this email finds you doing well and recuperating from an over indulgence of Christmas Holiday Cheer and Family Celebrations.

It is just my luck and the story of my life that the East Coast finds itself covered in a beautiful blanket of snow and I am in Phoenix, Az stuck in the beauty and warmth of a mid-western holiday. I know most of you may think I am crazy but growing up in Florida and being a photographer, I just cannot get enough of it.

So I thought that the best I could do was offer a snow shot taken at Falls Mill upper falls in Belvidere, Tn. some winters ago. Wishing you the warmth of the Holiday Season.

Wishing you a very safe and enjoyable New Year!!!!

Best wishes ……….
~dK~

Just a few shopping days left before the glorious celebration of Christmas. What better way to get you in the spirit than “getting out amongst” the masses of individuals crashing through the parking lots and wheeling their carts around the store bumping everything in site. I wish you nothing but safe travels and happy hunting.

One of the fondest memories I have of Christmas in Huntsville, AL. was the Saturn V Rocket decorated with Christmas lights at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USRC). The majestic structure could be seen for miles and what better tribute to those that paved our way in space and to the community that led the nation to the moon. It was something I joyfully looked forward to as a photographer, with pride as NASA employee and with glee as the kid that lives inside of me when Christmas nears. Unfortunately, like allot of things, that tradition found itself with the lights shut off in the 90’s.

It was to my sheer delight and amazement that I saw an image on Face Book taken by a good friend, Walt Lindblom, that gave rise to my Christmas joy. He posted a shot of a Saturn Rocket once again pointed skyward with Christmas Lights.  But this time, not the rocket at the USRC but a Saturn Rocket at the Marshall Space Flight Center where the original visitor center for MSFC once stood. It brought joy to my heart and a frantic trip out to the arsenal to capture the majestic holiday splendor of this magnificent vehicle. It was a site to behold.

Highlighted by a near full moon, one Christmas tradition, to my delight, continues.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
ONCE YOU HAVE TASTED FLIGHT, YOU WILL FOREVER WALK THE EARTH WITH YOUR EYES TURNED SKYWARD, FOR THERE YOU HAVE BEEN AND THERE – YOU WILL ALWAYS LONG TO RETURN
…………………….. Leonardo da Vinci 

Best wishes – Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!!
~dK~

It was blistering cold when I left the Outer Banks last week and then accentuated by the snow flurry I drove through to get back to Sweet Home Blistering Alabama. Of course there is something totally wrong when it is that cold and you are “at the beach”.

I am taking time off from OBX with the season slowly come to an end and will be back spending the majority of my time in Huntsville. So for those that thought you had finally gotten rid of me, think again. I’m BaaaccccK!

The one thing I know I will miss most, photographically, is my afternoon excursions chasing sunsets on the island. It is the one precise moment in the day when I can escape all that I am dealing and make peace with it all. There is nothing I can think of that provides more to one’s reflection on their day then watching the pageantry of the setting sun and the fleeting moments of the kaleidoscopic colors that follow. There is a peace and solitude that accompanies the sun as it disappears into the horizon. Surely you have noticed the tear drop shape as the sun kisses the earth for one last time. It appears to be a “wish of good will” that takes our breath away and says, for that moment, all is right with our world.

How hectic most of our lives are today with all that the holidays demand and how sad that most do not stop to appreciate that one moment Mother Nature provides to us as “free therapy”.  Next time when all seems to be closing in on your day, pull over where ever you might be and take a moment to reflect and appreciate this gift of peace, solitude and splendor. For me, at that exact moment, all my cares seem to slip away.

I send all my best to you, your family and your friends as the Holidays approach. Reach out to someone and show him or her the true meaning of holiday spirit. It is a gift that they will never take back.

Best wishes – Happy Holidays!!!!!
~ dK~

There are those that say Life is a Beach and then you die …. The one part they leave out is you still have to go through Atlanta to get to your final destination. 

I will spare you the total story this week because I will be on travel heading to Huntsville and parts unknown. Of course the parts unknown I really do know. So, if you see a guy that looks like me in Huntsville and he is wearing a Red and White suit with a funny looking hat it’s not me, but a guy in black and white may just likely be ME!!!!

OK, maybe I do have a little statement in that tourism and fishing with beach access provides many benefits to the Outer Banks including employment opportunities, improving awareness of conservation objectives and stimulation of economic activity. Tourism, along with prudent conservation, is a major vehicle for realizing tangible benefits for local communities with wildlife populations occurring on their land. There continues to be the constant struggle of man vs. nature and nowhere is it more prevalent than Cape Hatters National Seashore. The “battle for the beach” is a David vs. Goliath epic being waged by the Audubon Society and the National Park Service and pits them against the residents and tourists of these thriving island fishing communities. If interested become aware and get involved …… there are a few sides to every story:

Outer Banks Preservation Society: http://obpa-nc.org/joomla/
National Park Service – http://www.nps.gov/caha/parknews/nps-notice-of-availability-of-final-environmental-impact-statement.htm

Of course we all know the best preservation policy is … “Take only Photographs, Leave only Footprints” …. Happy Trails!!!

What better gift to give for the holidays than ART? All the photos appearing in the blog are available for private, corporate or stock purchase.

Best wishes – Happy Holidays ……….
~dK~