A FIRST FOR ME

As you all know, I photograph other things besides people.














I photograph dogs -













The occasional cat -























And once in a while a horse -



















But this weekend I was talked into photographing something I've never done before, something I've never had the vaguest desire to photograph. I realize that there are people out there who make a fairly good living getting rid of these creatures, but there is also a rather large contingent of people who find them adorable as pets. They come in all colors, and I'm told they're very friendly. I have yet to touch one, but I think if I spent more time around them, that might happen! Anyway, how could anyone resist this face:

This is Summit, one of the rats from the Maine Rat Rescue organization. As with all pets, there are people who don't realize what they're getting into, what kind of care these creatures need, and who become disenchanted very quickly. What to do? They're domesticated animals, so they can't really be turned loose in the wild (although I'm certain this has happened more often than we'd like to think), and ads for rats for sale don't exactly have the phone ringing off the hook. Some rats are given to shelters, and some find a temporary home with the Maine Rat Rescue organization .

It's worth taking a look at their website, and maybe you'll find a pet like Emmett, who just likes to smell the flowers:

UPTA CAMP

I got a chance to play yesterday. I took the day off and went up to a friend's camp. (Why is it that we always go "up" to camp? Don't some people in the northern part of the state ever go "down" to camp?). We all just sat around doing nothing, watching the kids swim, going off for a short ride in a kayak - and eating, of course. Ahhh........it was wonderful; the transition period between the black flies and mosquitoes. Gotta love Maine!

IT'S PROM TIME

It's that time of year again - when those kids you thought were never going to grow up suddenly are grown up! But somehow I don't remember girls looking this good when I was in school ......hmmm... ....I hope they had a good time...........

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And it's a beautiful day, too. I'd like to wish a happy Mother's Day to a very special new mom - welcome, little Lyle and Happy Mother's Day, Karen!

GIVING BACK

One of my photography mentors once told me that my career was not complete without giving back to the community that supported me. In trying to find a cause I could support, I determined that it would have to be something near and dear to my heart, something I would support even if I were not a photographer. For me, families and children are what it's all about. I like to photograph families and watch the interaction, and children are the most fascinating creatures to photograph! Therefore, I will be donating a photo session to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine Bids For Kids auction on Friday, May 16. This fundraising event will be held at Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

If you're local, please try and support this organization, which tries to make a positive difference in the lives of young people so that they can become productive members of our society. If you're not in the Southern Maine area, I urge you to support your local affiliate.