A few weeks ago I had a chance to visit Carrizo Plain National Monument. Despit the fact that I was born and raised less than two hours away from the Carrizo Plain, I'd never once gone out to this arid but fascinating place. Granted, I probably would not have appreciated it any earlier in my life. I've never been a fan of desert and desert-like places -- I've always found them depressing and dull. It could only be now, with a newfound passion for wildlife photography and therefore a keen interest in watching for the inhabitants of the plain, and with a strong interesting in the endangered species that call the area home, that I would really enjoy such a trip.

I went along with my aunt, who is another budding photography enthusiast, and a very talented friend and photographer, Donald Quintana. Don has been to the plain many times and I was so grateful he didn't mind acting as the guide. His ability to spot and identify critters never ceased to amaze me. I doubt I'd have been able to spot half the wildlife we watched, and certainly wouldn't have known what I was looking at so quickly. My aunt and I would have spent half the trip with our noses buried in field books. Not that that doesn't sound like such a bad time.

My aunt's highlight from the trip was seeing a pronghorn for the first time. It really is incredible the things we do not get to enjoy, that were once so common to the area, because we as a species are so good at wiping everything else out. The herd at Carrizo numbers about 30 individuals, and was reintroduced in the 90s in the hopes that they would build up their numbers again in their once native habitat. Tule elk have reintroduced themselves, moving in from a nearby reserve. The tule elk are an encouraging conservation success story, I only hope the pronghorn have a similarly bright future.

My highlight from the trip was all the time spent watching the endangered San Joaquin Antelope Squirrels. These tiny, almost chipmunk-like ground squirrels are ridiculously cute and are so full of personality. And boy are they fast when they decide to move! Keeping them in the view finder while on the run was a great challenge. I watched adults forage for seeds and beetles to eat, and youngsters -- only a week or two out of the burrow -- forage and play.

Sadly, we also witnessed just why leaving your toxic trash on the ground, even when you think you're in the middle of nowhere, is a big no-no. (Don't worry, I snagged the cigarette butt after the little guy half buried it and scampered away.)

Of course, seeing so many of these adorable little critters meant we would not see the endangered San Joaquin kit fox. Where there are squirrels there are not fox, and where there are fox there are not squirrels. So... while I love these squirrels, I hope next time I get to spot some of the beautiful dust-colored foxes.

My one regret is no close encounters with coyotes. Coyotes are probably one of my most favorite animal species on the planet -- so smart, problem-solving, social and adaptable, they are an iconic species for a reason. But that also makes them very wary of humans in locations where they are actively hunted, like Carrizo Plains. I'd love to set up some camera traps outside of camp sites next trip and keep them up for a week or so, just to see what wildlife -- and hopefully coyotes -- are captured on camera.

I came away with about 100 photos I like, which for just a couple days in the place means it was a very successful trip. I can't wait until the next time I get to visit. View a few more from the trip in this Flickr set.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I was starting up The Cooking Project. My goodness has a lot happened since then! I have been cooking up a storm and indulging in so many new and interesting recipes. I've gathered new kitchen tools for cooking as well as different dishes, napkins and props. I've learned so much through experimenting with food styling and looking through cookbooks and blogs with excellent food photography. With over 40 recipes photographed in the last six weeks or so, it has been a whirlwind of activity in my apartment!

The Cooking Project has turned into a full blown frenzy in food photography, styling, cooking, recipe reading, and anything food related. Leave it to me to get wrapped up in a whole new project when so many other things are still on my plate (no pun intended!). But this has been a good lesson for me. In getting so-called-side-tracked in food photography, I began to think about my committment to wildlife photography. If I wasn't planning for trips, studying species as subjects, and looking at wildlife photos and projects all the time because I am busy with something so different, like food photography, then does that mean I am less of a wildlife photographer? Does it mean I am not really as passionate about it as I thought? I started to mull over where my head and heart were at until I realized something important. Why would I stick to just one thing?

Our culture places so much value on finding that one thing you do best and then working hard to excel at it. There is weight given to "focus", "commitment", "drive", and a narrow passion for something -- on having one style, or one expertise that brands you. But what about the value that comes from knowing a little bit about a lot, of being proficient at many things? Much can be gained from being single-minded about something, and I appreciate and admire folks who dedicate their lives to certain pursuits or a single subject, but I also have decided it's perfectly okay for me not to be one of them.

This is true for me in photography and every aspect of life. I don't want to have just one style or subject in photography. I don't want to have just one topic I write about. I certainly don't want to have just one skill I focus on perfecting. While some may call it being scattered, or distractable, or showing a lack of commitment, I've decided all my many bouncing interests just make my life, well, more interesting! If that means I do not earn the recognition or even respect that one who focuses whole-heartedly on a subject is likely to gain, that's alright by me -- it is more important to me to fully enjoy photography even if that means bouncing wildly from grizzly bears to rescue dogs to food to who knows what.

Right now, I am having so much fun learning about tricks for composition, styling, plating, lighting, and other aspects of a good food photo, and this could very well translate into success in other areas such as macro or landscape photography. And more importantly, falling into food photography has given me a new zest for cooking, for creating something delicious from healthy ingredients, for feeding my family only the best, for being creative in flavors as much as in styling, for everything that goes into food from field to table. What wonderful gifts this project has given me! That is something to celebrate.

(Me, taking a moment out of being the handler in order to be the excited 'mom')

A few weeks ago, my very favorite pet photographers, Photo Lab Pet Photography, put out a casting call for dogs for a couple of local companies. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to submit my boy Niner. Not only would it be a chance to work with two photographers whose style and dedication to dogs I deeply admire, but it would also be a chance to see how my dog does in front of others' cameras. He's so used to me, knowing commands like "focus!" (look at the camera) and to hold his pose until I lower the camera -- but would he do this for others? I really wanted to see, and also to find out more about what it's like at a photo shoot with dogs as the models.

After submitting him for both casting call and waiting with eager anticipation, we heard back. He was selected for not just one but both!

The first company my dog modeled for (along with several other ridiculously cute dogs!) is P.L.A.Y, a San Francisco-based company that makes dog toys and beds. I'm especially excited he was picked to pose for P.L.A.Y. because the company is environmentally minded. They use recycled plastic bottles in some of their materials, and provide duvets so that you can use any filling you want. DIY dog bets are a great idea.

The photoshoot was so much fun! It was held in a gorgeous home near Santa Cruz, and there were many great products from P.L.A.Y. like ocean-themed toys and stylish dog beds. Working with Nat and Bill is amazing. Niner can be uptight around new people but he warmed up to these two just fine, showing that they really know their way around dogs of all personality types. All the practicing we did with Niner holding toys in his mouth while doing tricks, his obedience commands, and holding poses for a long time paid off with a smooth shoot. He even got a break in the middle to play and let loose so everyone had a good time. It was a blast and my energetic boy definitely worked -- as soon as we got back in the car he fell right asleep!

Here are two souveniers from the day -- a polaroid, and an Instagram taken by the photographers. They're going straight into the scrap book.

Niner is also modeling for a company called K9 Scrub Club. It looks like it will be a lot of fun -- this company is full of personality. I'm excited to work with Bill and Nat again! They are really top notch in personality and photographic talent. Watch Tails from the Lab, the blog of Photo Lab, for when the final images including all the fantastic doggy models are released.

The last two dogs I have photographed for HeARTs Speak have come from a rescue dear to my heart: Herd It Through The Grapevine. This is the rescue through which I found my own special mutt, Niner. So it is a pleasure to get to meet more dogs being helped by this rescue.

Mabel is a true mutt, a Heinz 57 through and through. If there were a purebred mutt, it'd be her. There is just no telling what is in her. Her wide chest and square-ish head hints at a little bit of pit bull, some longer wirey fur along her back hints at some terrier, but there is just no telling what all is in her breed-wise. But what is in her that is abuntandly obvious is a sweetness with people that shows she will make someone an excellent best friend.

It is this sweetness that saved her. She was in a shelter and running out of time. On the day that she was scheduled to be euthenized, a shelter worker who had fallen in love with her begged HITTGV to take her and give her a chance at finding a home -- which the rescue of course did. She now is fostered by a dog walker and is enjoying daily runs while she waits for a forever home.

Another great mutt is Pumpkin, a red heeler and (probably) corgie mix. She is the most quiet, most cuddly, most mellow heeler mix I've ever met. It's hard to believe there's red heeler even in there. Pumpkin is already getting interest from potential forever families, but the one hitch is her get-along. She needs knee surgery. The rescue is working on raising the $1,700 needed for the surgery and it is a reminder that rescuing dogs is about a lot more than just pulling from shelters and placing in homes. It is also about caring for the dogs as if they are your own while they're in foster homes, which includes potentially unloading a lot of money on them. Pumpkin is a great reminder of why donating to local rescues is such a generous act -- it is money that goes straight to the dogs!

You can see more photos of these and other dogs available through rescues on my Flickr set of HeARTs Speak dogs.

The North American Nature Photographers Association (NANPA) has realeased this year's Expressions publication, which features the winning images of their 2013 Showcase. The photo above, taken over the summer at Katmai National Park, made it as a Tier III winner.

Last year I started photographing wildlife, and entered my first three photography competitions, mostly just for the experience of what it takes to select and prepare images. I was passed over in one (Nature's Best... so not surprised there!), a finalist in another, and was actually chosen in this one. It was a huge surprise and thrill to get the notification email from NANPA. Apparently they were innundated by bear photo submissions this year, so I am extra honored to have been chosen as one of the top 250 photos of a couple thousand submitted. Looking through the Expressions publication and seeing the level of photography featured, I'm extra, extra, extra honored to be among these photographers. The images in here are phenomenal.

A hearty congratulations to two friends, Rebecca Jackrel and Donald Quintana, who also had winning images, and in whom I constantly find inspiration and guidance. 

Awhile back, I started in on a little food photography as part of a project for work called The Green Wine Guide. I had loads of fun and learned a ton, but changed my focus to dogs and wildlife and let food photography go by the wayside... until this last weekend. I decided it was high time to spruce up the photos on another popular recipe series at work called Weekday Vegetarian. I also thought it'd be fun to get back into cooking as I had become more and more of a slacker over the last couple years. So, welcome to The Cooking Project.

I'm taking the wonderful and tasty vegetarian recipes made by Kelly Rossiter on TreeHugger.com, cooking them up and photographing the process and the final dish. I'm then republishing the recipe under our shared byline with notes about what it was like to make these meals for myself. Kelly's goal has always been to show people how easy it is to eat healthfully and locally, and I'm hoping that this project gives some extra oomph to the point through the photos. Plus, we'll be eating a lot better around here!

So, if you like food photography and delicious seasonal recipes, bookmark The Cooking Project! You can also see just the photos on this Flickr set.

I still have several projects on my plate, including volunteer work photographing portraits of foster dogs for their adoption profiles, a new conservation project about our relationship with coyotes and their success at living alongside humans, and I'm even looking into making postcards and gift cards of one highly photographed dog! But food photography is too much fun to leave behind (and cooking too valuable a skill to skip), and I'm incredibly excited about this new endeavor!

This weekend I had a great time messing around with fill flash for action shots on a sunny day.

Sometimes you have to be practical and exercise your dog at times other than the golden hour. Painful, without a doubt, but a necessity. The last time we took our dog out to this location at this same hour of the morning, I had a really hard time with the harsh shadows. This time, I brough a flash along with the frisbee and played around different settings just to see what I'd get, trying for different effects as well as lightening up the shadows on the dog himself from the bright, 11:00 am sun. I loved experimenting with flash without paying attention to rules! And I walked away with a few photos I liked, and a tired dog as a bonus for the effort. Here are a few from the morning.

On a whim when walking past a balloon shop during a walk with my dog, I thought it would be fun to do a Valentine photo shoot. We stopped in and bought a shiny red heart balloon and walked up to one of the best views of San Francisco near our apartment. It was windy so I'm glad my dog didn't mind standing around while a balloon violently bounced around him, tugging on his neck. In fact, he seemed to barely notice. Though the balloon did -- it was nearly empty of helium by the time we were done thanks to dozens of tiny perforations made by bouncing on the rocky ground. At least it lasted long enough to get some shots. I had a wonderful time playing around with processing and fonts, and came up with a handful of Valentine wishes to send to friends and family. Enjoy, with love!

On the last day of 2012 and the first day of 2013, I was out wandering around with a rented 500mm lens, trying to make the most of it during my last few days of the rental. I tell you, it sure is hard knowing that such a beautiful piece of glass has to be returned soon. But renting it helped ensure that I was out among wildlife and not inside nursing holiday hangovers -- and being outside is much preferred! All in all it was a great way to end the old year and start the new one. I have high hopes for 2013, and plenty of goals. I want to explore more of California's natural spaces, make progress on my project on wild canids, bring greater attention to endangered species and the way conservation photography can help them, and much more. But, perhaps most importantly, I also want to remember to take deep breaths, sit quietly, and simply enjoy watching wildlife pass by in front of me.

Breeding season has started for the northern elephant seals, and the beach near San Simeon is filling up with females and their newborn pups, youngsters, and big males with their famous snouts. I made a point of visiting these amazing creatures during the holiday break. Though there was a lot of rain, there was still a lot of action on the beach and I was excited to get to view big males battling in the surf, and even withness the birth of a pup!

Around November, the elephant seals begin to arrive for the breeding season. First females arrive and give birth to new pups. Shortly after the females start arriving, then the males arrive -- usually the younger males first with the larger bulls following soon after.

As the beach fills up with these massive seals, pups are in danger of being crushed. Mothers have to be alert, and I watched many mothers shout or bite at clumbsy neighbors that rolled onto their pups tails or flippers. Pups also have to keep out of the way of the large males as they charge across the beach at one another while claiming turf.

Bulls stake their claim on a section of the beach and all the females in that area, forming their harem. While fighting among the younger males is more for practice than anything else (they don't stand a chance against the mature males), the fights between large males can be intense and blood is drawn quickly.

The purpose of the male's elongated nose is two fold. The most noticeable use is that of roaring...loudly! Wikipedia states it succinctly: "The bull's proboscis is used in producing extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season. More importantly, however, the nose acts as a sort of rebreather, filled with cavities designed to reabsorb moisture from the animals' exhalations. This is important during the mating season when the seals do not leave the beach to feed, so must conserve body moisture as they have no incoming source of water."

Giving birth is a relatively quick ordeal. you can tell when a female is in labor because a gull or two will be waiting nearby. They dine on the afterbirth and so stick close to females giving birth. This female seemed particularly agitated and with the gull near, I kept an eye on her. Sure enough, in a short amount of time I saw the flippers of the pup start to emerge.

In only a matter of about 15 minutes or so, she had birthed her pup.

Gulls clean up the afterbirth in a feeding frenzy, much to the mother's annoyance as she didn't want them anywhere near her newborn. However, their role is vital in keeping the beach clean.

Mother and infant got to know each other during its first few minutes on the outside. She was immediately protective of it, which is good considering a young male came around just minutes after she had given birth with what seemed like amorous intentions. She stayed between him and her pup.

Fending off the younger males can be troublesome. This is one of the benefits of being on the beach with a large strong male -- he can keep these aggrivating youngsters at bay.

More images of the elephant seals of San Simeon can be found in this Flickr set.