Head On George Elliot once said 'It is never too late to be what you might have been'. Whether that relates to being a better parent, doing your job better or even become a better photographer, it's never too late to start. Is there something you "might have been" if circumstances were different? One way to make that happen is to face it "head on". Make the commitment in this new year to make one or two changes that will alter you path towards something you want to be. Maybe you could take a class, learn a new hobby, write that book or lose that weight you've been wanting. It won't happen unless you hit it head on. I found this friend at the Houston Zoo.

F9F-2 Panther Wearing the colors of its old squadron, VF-151, and the Bureau Number 123050, this F9F-2 Panther is one of five showpiece aircraft suspended in the Quarterdeck at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.

The Stream by Graves Mountain Lodge One of the nicest things about the country are the small streams you find. Some flow year-round, while others flow only after a heavy rain somewhere upstream. The glistening water cascading off of rocks, combined with the sounds of the rushing water entices the visitor to stay a while and enjoy the peace of the moment. And enjoy that moment you should, for reality sweeps back all too soon and reminds you, of what just moments ago, you were trying to forget. This little footbridge spans over the stream by Graves Country Lodge in Virginia.

Rocket Science The Saturn V rocket was the most powerful rocket ever built. The first stage had 5 F1 engines. The second stage had 5 J2, while this third stage has one J2. It required only one, because by this time, it was well away from the strong pull of the earth gravity, plus it had far less weight to push, since it had lost two previous stages and all of the fuel they first contained. The phrase "rocket science" has multiple meanings; the science it takes to plan and navigate the path into space, the physics of gravity vs. lift, and the mechanics of creating and building something so complex as to push out the amount of thrust these engines created. And to think this was state of the art for the 1960s. I can't even fathom the complexity of what it takes to build a station in space or create a reusable vehicle like the Space Shuttle. I guess that's why I just take the photos and leave the science to the real heroes, those scientists that create it.

Bare Bones Trees are an interesting subject. Much of the year they are covered in leaves and we see them as a large object or structure. It's not until winter, when the leaves leave (I couldn't resist) that their true structure is revealed. Nothing is left to speculation. You see them for what they really are. If only people were as easy to interpret.

The Frog by the Lake There are few things more relaxing than floating in a calm, shady pool, pond or lake. I'm fortunate to have good friends that have a hidden gem in the middle of town, an oasis of sorts. Their neighborhood has a small lake the homes are built around. Though their home isn't the newest, they have an incredible "lagoon" of sorts, with large overhanging shade trees. It's always a treat to visit, but you add their lake to the mix and it's a day of paradise. This little frog stands watch over the lake, enjoying the beauty of a warm afternoon.

Freddie the Freeloader Walking around the zoo last week, I was attempting to shoot some large exotic bird that wasn't cooperating. Off to the side of the cage, I noticed this little bird that was coming and going as its leisure. It would help itself to the bird feed of his distant cousin, then fly to and sit on the wire fence. He would fly away for a few moments, then quickly return for more feed. At least it looked like the same little bird. Maybe it was his brother, then his uncle, then sister... you get the idea. I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't carrying my North American Aviary Pocket Identification Guide (is there such a book?), so I'm not sure what this little guy (girl) is. Maybe you know? Anyway, he seemed to be having a great time flittering about.

The Green Glider This fall, I went to a hot-air balloon launch, but alas, the wind was too strong and there was no launch. There were hang gliders however and they were fun to watch. These are two sports I think would be really fun to try one day. Thinking I was going to be shooting large balloons up close, I had my handy-dandy wide angle, so glider shots high in the sky were out of the question. The light coming through this glider caught my eye though.

Heading for Harbor Though I don’t get the opportunity to travel much, I always enjoy seeing new places. There’s a certain thrill when you start a trip. What adventures lie ahead? What new sites will you see? No matter how great the travels, there’s always a sense of completion and relief when you arrive safely home. Thankful for being back to the familiar, back to family and friends. Thankful to be back to do it all again one day.

The Hunt The Circle of Life. You are born. You live. You are eaten. Okay, maybe if you’re an impalla being chased by a lion or other hungry carnivore that has to hunt for its dinner. Just such a scene is played out in this statue. The Houston Zoo has a tree lined fountain where you can rest your tired feet and watch the two-legged animals with baby strollers walk by. Their statue in the water feature reminds you of the reality of animal kingdom and that the circle does have an end.

The Diving Bell For many people, ferris wheels are just good therapy. It’s only human nature not to want to suspend yourself high above the ground in an overgrown rocking chair. But in the guise of having fun, we rise to the challenge, if for no other reason than not to look weak in front of our friends or family. It’s odd that a ride that takes you so high should be named after something that takes you so low. Someone had a sense of humor.

Marine One There are those days in history you live through that you just don’t forget. The big ones like when Kennedy was killed, Elvis died or man landed on the moon. Those old enough (sorry) will remember the day Richard Nixon resigned, waving good-bye from the steps of a Marine helicopter, before leaving the White House for the last time. This Sikorsky VH-3A Sea King served in the Executive Flight Detachment of HMX-1 for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford before it was retired. Years later, Sabreliner Inc, the manufacturer, completely restored this piece of history back to pristine condition for the National Naval Aviation Museum.

No Passport Required America has always been a melting pot of foreign cultures from around the world. Houston is a great example of that pot on a scale that you can easily see. Yesterday I had a chance to visit several different and unique places of worship. Though their beliefs may vary, their structures, presentations and sights were a treat to capture on camera. It was like traveling overseas, but with the advantage of being home by dinnertime. It would have been nice to have had my passport stamped though.

The Outcast It was crowded at the zoo, so I gave up my spot and had just walked away after taking this photo, when the rhinoceros on the left slowly approached the two eating. The center rhino charged the visitor and prevented him from joining their meal. The lonely outcast was forced to seek a different spot to graze by himself. It just goes to show you not everyone is going to be nice to you and don’t be so quick to give up your front spot at the zoo, no matter how many kids you might be blocking.

New Bad Habit We all have one or two bad habits. I’ve developed a new one recently. While driving, I’ve been known to do an unexpected 180 degree turn. It comes without warning and when you least expect it. I’ll be driving along and pass something I think might make for a good photo. A quick glance or two and if all is clear, screech. It might be a cloud formation, an old house or maybe a cool looking tree. But I have to turn around and go back. I can’t promise it won’t happen if you ride along, so you better buckle-up. This is another image with my iPhone, and yes, I did a 180.

Monkey Memorial Many museums and zoos run largely from gifts and donations. This wall has plaques that contributors pay as a way to thank or remember someone that had contributed to the zoo. The larger the plaque, the higher the contribution.

Why I Like Winter There are things I like about all the seasons of the year. Where I live, you have only two seasons really, winter and summer. Spring and fall sneak by so fast they don't count. One of my favorite things about winter is the sky. Have you noticed how it differs from the rest of the year? Like an artist's canvas, the beautiful brush strokes feather into one anther, creating patterns and feathered swirls that only winter brings. The puffy clouds of summer are cute, but just can't compare to winter.

Buddhist Pagoda Most pagodas in Asia were often located in or near temples. This newer structure is located adjacent to a Buddhist temple in southwest Houston.

Little Falls Living in the city or suburbs does not afford you the chance to visit or see many natural streams or brooks. We do however have lots of bayous. But ours are lined with concrete and are not exactly candidates for a chamber of commerce brochure. This little stream and tiny waterfall complimented the grounds at the Sugar Creek on the Lake and provided for a relaxing atmosphere to sit and enjoy.

Fishing Solo You can tell the real fishermen (or women) from the amateurs. It's Saturday night and everyone's out on the town with their friends, but not this person. They're out there all alone, waiting for that line to tug, indicating that the fight is on. Yes, they could be having fun with their buddies or family, but they chose higher road of what they think their calling is. If you think about it though, it's pretty sad really. All alone and no one to talk to. It's almost as bad as a photographer sitting in front of his computer late into the evening, processing images and updating his blog for the next day. Ooops.

The Greatest Generation Ask anyone that is a member of the Greatest Generation and they will tell you that things were different back then. Life was simpler, but not easier. There were no iPhones, no microwaves and very few televisions. It was an era when people pulled together for the greater good of the country. They sacrificed, worked hard and fought bravely. They set the standard for what it meant to be an American.

On Patrol I ran across this rooster at the Children's Zoo. Though he had free run of the place, he had his "boardwalk" along top a fence that he would pace back and force. Anyone that got too close, he would stop and give you that "you better move on; nothing of interest here" look. He was pretty convincing, because everyone gave him his space. There was this one photographer that wouldn't leave him alone though. He managed to escape before things got nasty.

Sunrise Under the Pier I love and hate sunrises; photographing them that is. I can get up with the early birds to go to work, but if I have a vacation day, I like to sleep in. But do that and I will miss the sunrise. I actually got up early most mornings of my last vacation and shot the sunrise, each morning from a different location. This spot by the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier was one of my favorites. It was loud, since the surf was rough, but quiet at the same time. Though the sound of the waves are always constant, they are relaxing, and you soon forget to listen for anything else. It’s just you, the surf and a rising sun. I’m going to have to get up early more often.

Evening Towers The first photowalk I did locally was last spring in downtown Houston. It started on the top of a parking garage, just before sunset. I got out of the car and looked up and WOW! Quick, grab the tripod. Grab the camera. Go! Needless to say, it was a fun evening. Some of my favorite images came from that evening. I’m not sure if it’s because I was pleased with the images themselves or because it was gave me confidence that I could shoot and process HDR images I would like. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Little Caesar Have you ever looked at your dog or cat and wondered what they were thinking? I wonder what this guy was thinking of? He probably thought the guy with the camera looked as odd as I was thinking the chimpanzee was. Either that or he liked my hat. I’m not a big fan of evolution, but a recent movie gave a possible (albiet improbable) scenario on how one species evolved into a smarter one. Though this isn’t Caesar from “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, it makes you wonder what other animals might be contemplating.

Blue Frog on a Post I'm not a big frog fan, real or otherwise, except for maybe Kermit. My friends have this little guy (or girl?) on a post in their backyard. Their backyard is full of little surprises like this with ornaments in trees, a stone alligator in the grass and other yard art to stir the imagination.

Down in the Valley Compared to most landscape photographers, I have traveled very little. I've never had a job that afforded me the opportunity to jet around the country or world. And up until a year ago, I wasn't too concerned about the geography. But now that my camera has been surgically attached to my hand (okay, it just feels like it sometimes) I find the cravings to wander growing the longer I stay home. The trip along Skyline Drive looks westward down into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

A Little Bit of Asia I've mentioned before how Houston is a multi-cultural city. It didn't use to be that way, until the last thirty years or so. Now you have parts of town where English is almost the second language. but with this brings variety and new sights. This is the entrance to a Buddhist Temple and sits in the shadow of a tall pagoda. Before entering, you must remove your shoes. Outside, I saw a lot of loafers and sandles. Me, I brought sneakers, which meant I was always the last one getting mine back on and tied.

Flight Deck No one ever wants to go to war, but in retrospect, World War II was a great time for aviation. Great leaps in naval aviation, the jet fighter and many other advances were made. It's amazing how much technology seems to improve during times of battle. This recreation of the USS Cabot light carrier can be found at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Built using original plans, the USS Cabot (CVL 28) island provides visitors with a perspective on the size of the light carrier. Above and on deck you will find warbirds from that era.

Business Districts The highest my office has ever been is on the second floor. Of course, my window only looked out over the parking lot. Whenever I get a chance to go up in a tall office building, I'm always impressed by the view, both below and above. You can see storms coming from miles away, helicopters flying by and traffic congestion on the roads. It's probably for the best I don't office there. I'd never get any work done. This is a look at the Four Leaf Towers on the left and the Four Oaks Place office buildings in the distance in west Houston.

Cool Place to Rest It's been a fun day, but your legs are tired and you want a cool place to sit and rest. Up ahead, under the large oak trees, you see a long reflection pool with several small fountains. It's an ideal place to relax, catch your breath and people-watch for a spell. When you're all rested, you can return to watching the other animals at the zoo. Here is another view of the statue in the center of the reflection pool at the Houston Zoo.

Giant Eland No two trips to the zoo are ever the same. Maybe that’s why families continue to go back year after year. Recently, I went with certain expectations and of course, nothing worked out as I had hoped. But like many photo trips, other opportunities arose. I had never gaven much notice to these Giant Elands before, but for some reason, they caught my attention this time. Not only are these guys really big, but their horns are even larger and with a twist. They are the world’s largest antelope, weighing up to 1300 pounds and their body temperature adjusts to closer match the outside temperature.

Paint Splotches The wonderful things about sunsets, with clouds at least, is that they are all different. With the right clouds, it can appear like a painters canvas. One day, the sky has the touch of a master artist. The next day it looks like a child's finger painting. You just never know what to expect. This is another iPhone shot 0n the way home from work.

Growing Taller I remember as a child when they built the One Shell Plaza (on the left). I recall being sad for the older Exxon building, since it lost the title of the tallest in Houston. A decade later, the Wells Fargo Bank Plaza was built adjacent to it and is still the second tallest building in the city and in the state with 71 floors. We may not have the tallest buildings in the country, but it's the many styles of architecture that help make the Houston skyline one of the most unique.

Skylab 2 The Command Module that brought the astronauts home is proudly on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

Evening at the Mandir The more photos I shoot, the more I enjoy nighttime photography. It's a bit more challenging and more work, since you must have a tripod, remember that moving objects might blur and other factors that you don't have to worry about during the day. But in the end, it can be very rewarding and well worth your time. If you haven't tried it yet, you should! Then again, it helps if you have a beautiful building with lots of pretty lights. This is another view of the Hindu Mandir in southwest Houston.

The Huey Air support has played a major role in all recent wars, especially in Vietnam. The UH-1E Huey was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military, and more than 16,000 have been produced worldwide. The first combat operation of the UH-1 was in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, with approximately 7,000 UH-1 aircraft used for that war. I thought it proper to process it in black and white, due to the era when it served our country saw little color film.

Plantation Fun A long standing club in the area had its clubhouse burn down a decade ago. This gave them the opportunity to rebuild an even larger clubhouse. With the flavor of a southern plantation, it has all the amenities you would expect.

Best Friends Throughout our lives we encounter many people we call as friends. Today, many people boast about the number of friends on their favorite online social network. But most of us, when pushed, can count only one or two people that we would truly consider our best friend. Such people are real gems. When we consider everything our best friend knows about us and that they like us anyway, it makes them all the more special. Don't take your friendship for granted. Let them know just how special they are.

A Friend of Optimus Prime We all think we own the road, until we see one of these in our rear-view mirror. It’s at this point you better hope this guy is a member of the Autobots and not the Decepticons. Either way, you better pull to the other lane and let this big rig pass.

Hoi Thanh Buddhist Temple Religious worship comes in many forms from many cultures. This Vietnamese Buddhist temple in southwest Houston is very colorful and quite a site to see in person. The simple exterior of the building doesn't prepare you for the ornate worship area where Buddha sits center stage.