Bonus Photo!

When thinking about shooting landscapes, I'm usually looking up and out, searching for a grand vista that needs my attention.  Driving down the ruddy red road in the last post, I kept looking for a pleasing composition.  When I saw that view, I quickly pulled off the side of the road, where there was a very narrow space between the road and side brush.  I got out of the car to better look at the composition, the light, the line of the road, etc., and when I finally decided it was worth taking a few shots,  I reached back into the car to grab my camera, fumbled around to find my glasses so I could change the lens, blew my nose, etc.  When I finally had it all together, I moved back a few feet and slammed the car door.  Then I suddenly saw a tiny movement out of the corner of my eye, and about 3 feet away from my feet is this little guy who had been patiently staring at me despite the commotion I was making.  I stared back and expected him to scamper away immediately, but he just kept on staring at me.  Of course I had the wrong lens on my camera, so I quickly walked to the back of the car, opened the hatch where my camera bag was, and changed my lens again.  I walked back around to where he was perched, fully expecting him to be gone.  But there he was, waiting for me.  He posed patiently while I took several shots, and when he figured I had what I needed, he finally ran away. 

Reminder for me:  don't be so wrapped up trying to find the big picture that you miss seeing the little picture up close and personal!