Don Cudney's Weblog

Copper Mountain, Colorado.

2011-03-31T12:41:00.001-07:00

Kelly & I took the day off and traveled up to Copper Mountain for a day of powder and play.

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Images of Don Cudney Sr. in Europe

2011-02-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

Photo credits: Unknown

Fort Walton Beach for New Years

2011-01-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Plunge

Sunrise - Okaloosa Island, Florida - January 3, 2011

New Years Eve 2011

Traveled to Ft Walton Beach, Florida to spend time with my sisters, my niece, my nephew and a few old friends. (add text here)

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Don, Michael & Kelly

Blue Man Group - Denver

2010-12-20T14:52:00.001-08:00

One really cool aspect of my career as a commercial photographer is the "fringe benefits." I photographed General Judd of the Blue Man Group and received two tickets to their final performance in Denver. Kelly and I had too much fun. The finale reminded me of a 1990's Rave Party. Awesome. Check out more pictures of General Judd at http://doncudneyphoto.wordpress.com/

Halloween 2010

2010-11-02T08:27:00.001-07:00

Kicking It With Karen

2010-10-21T12:53:00.001-07:00

Took a few days off to visit and play tourist with my eldest sister Karen. We visited the Rocky Mountain National Park, drank a pint at the Grand Lake Brewery, ate at Beau Jo’s Pizza in Idaho Springs, attended the Denver Broncos Vs. the New York Jets game and filmed The Script live at the Ogden in Denver; let’s not forget breakfast at Pete’s Kitchen after the show! Love you, Sis.

My First Garden

2010-07-10T16:12:00.001-07:00

Hard to believe that I am 43 years old and that I have never grown anything but a small marijuana plant back in high school ;) - (I’ll never run for political office). But I am proud to say, “I have a garden.” Be it a small one. Anyone want a few radishes? I planted a few extra? Did I.

Fourth of July 2010 - Ft. Walton Beach Florida

2010-07-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day 2010 - Bear Creek Lake

2010-05-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

View of Bear Creek Lake from Mount Carbon - Indian Paintbrush
- Canadian Goose - View of Denver from Mount Carbon.

Spent the day fishing (from my 8 foot dingy), hiking (up Mount Carbon, it took 15 minutes) and enjoying my girlfriend, Kelly's company at Bear Creek Lake in Morrison, Colorado.
All images by Kelly Drummey.

My 44th Bday. Snow, Water, Concrete & Cake.

2010-04-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Indoor Skydiving at Sky Venture Colorado

2010-04-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Copper Mountain Sunsation 2010

2010-04-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

Visit to the Downtown Aquarium - Denver

2010-02-14T13:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas & New Years in Florida

2010-01-03T15:24:00.001-08:00

Levi - Kelly - Misc.

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Floyd's Shrimp House
Okaloosa Island Pier
Destin Commons
Hightide Restaurant
Pelican Isle Condominiums

Macy's 83rd Thanksgiving Day Parade

2009-11-29T16:08:00.001-08:00

Choctawhatchee Style Marchers - Macy's 83rd Thanksgiving Day Parade

Sample of 1000+ images created in NYC.

Spiderman Float

New Jersey Train & Ferry Terminal

50th Street Station & Chinatown Storefront

Times Square Photo Stitch

Me in NYC.

4 a.m. Thanksgiving Day 2009 - 8th Avenue & W 34th Street - New York City

Traveled to NYC to photograph the Choctawhatchee Style Marchers performance in the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Too much fun.

Highlights:
-Wicked! at the Gershwin Theatre was awesome...a must in NYC !
-Traffic into the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. I'll never bitch about Denver's traffic again ! In Denver you receive the "finger" in NYC you receive a "handgun wave!"
-Photographing and participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...
an opportunity I could not pass up !

Walking tour of Upper and Lower Manhattan - Statue of Liberty - Times Square - Chinatown - Little Italy - The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall - FAO Swartz - M&M Store - Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center - Mars 2112 - Planet Hollywood at 4 a.m. - Central Park - Madison Avenue - Hudson River Cruise - so much more.

Halloween - Irresistibly Wicked Party

2009-11-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

(Left to Right/Top to Bottom) Me as House x2 - Kelly and I x2
Josh Rael - Steven & Kristin Brooks - Dan & Kim Spuhler
The Seawell Grand Ballroom

Believe it or not! I won 1st place and received $500 in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts costume contest.

Denver Snow Storm

2009-10-28T13:47:00.001-07:00

Roxborough Skatepark - Littleton, Colorado

2009-10-18T17:18:00.001-07:00

Unknown Rider ... I'll catch his name next time!

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Rich & Cherith Flowerday's Wedding in Breck

2009-09-29T11:07:00.001-07:00

Kelly & I - The view from our room - Cherith & Rich

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Camping with The Kids

2009-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Camping with friends ... add text here

Camping on Guanella Pass #2

2009-07-27T11:25:00.001-07:00

Camping with friends ... add text here

Camping on Guanella Pass Colorado

2009-07-13T00:28:00.001-07:00

Camping with friends ... add text here

Kayak Fishing in Florida

2009-07-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

4th of July 2009

2009-07-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Sound of Rain and Thunder

2009-05-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Miami-Pembroke Pines and Cafe Cubanos

2009-04-30T14:32:00.001-07:00

(left to right - top to bottom) Elvis has left the building!, Mariquitas with garlic mojo, It was very windy in Ft. Lauderdale at night, Dennis, Mimi, Jack, Blanca and me at Casablanca Cafe, Flanigan's Seafood menu, my Cortadito at Romeu's, Everglades Holiday Park flyer, Paradise at The Seminole Hard Rock Casino, perhaps the highest point and longest view in Miami, Jack pouring "los addiction."

My job as a commercial photographer requires me to travel quite often and this allows me to visit friends in cities that I would not have visited otherwise because of business or financial obligations. My excursion to South Florida was one such trip. (see the Carnival Cruise post below) My longtime friend and fishing cohort, Jack Dunmyer has lived in the Miami - Ft. Lauderdale area for over 15 years where he and his beautiful wife, Blanca own a large home in the Silver Lakes area of Pembroke Pines. A list of special memories during my 4 day visit: a large Cubano sandwich and a Cafe Cubano at Versailles' in Little Havana, cuban dinners at Las Vegas and Romeu's, the Cordadito's at Sedano's, my two lobster dinner at the Casablanca Cafe, Mariquitas with garlic mojo, Late night pizza at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Columbian breakfast pastries (yes, there is a food theme here), fishing in the Everglades Holiday Park, Jack and Blanca's dog Elvis, Blanca's mother speaking in broken English and me trying to speak or understand Spanish, the Latin culture in every way, shape and form ! The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area is a beautiful area bursting with culture from every corner of the world. If it wasn't for the "sweat fest" every summer and the "$100,000 car thing," I'd move there tomorrow.

Fishing for bass in Everglades Holiday Park. April 25, 2009.
Check out http://doncudneysfishing.blogspot.com/ for
more fishing details and image captions.

Carnival Cruise - April 20 - 24, 2009.

2009-04-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

WOW ... where do I start? What a wonderful vacation and wedding assignment ( I refuse to call my photography ... WORK). My friend and colleague Kristin Engler, affectionately known as KE to many, was married to Steven Brooks, now known as Spanky to many, in Key West, Florida on April 21, 2009. Afterward, the entire wedding party, family and friends (and photographer(s)) spent the next three days sailing around the Caribbean on the Carnival Imagination with a short layover in Cozumel. A list of special memories during my 5 day cruise: realizing I knew a lot more people on the cruise than I originally thought and that all of them were beautiful women, all the great conversations at breakfast, lunch and dinner, Steven and KE's wedding in Key West, karaoke, yes, I said karaoke, the comedy shows, the Newlywed Game, hanging next to the pool with all the girls, dancing with all the girls, meeting and developing new friendships with Steven and KE's family and friends, falling asleep on the bow of the ship under a sea of stars, no pun intended, and last but not least, my 43rd birthday present to myself, a guided bonefishing trip on the island of Cozumel !

Below is just a small sample of the over 2,000 images captured during the cruise!

Port of Miami, Megan, Bree & Becky, a beautiful Caribbean sunset

Carnival Imagination, South Beach, Miami, Carnival Imagination

Introducing Steven & Kristin Brooks - Congratulations Kids !

"Spanky," Kristin in Key West, Bree and I, Sunset at Sea

Dinner dancing, "Ketu" & TC, Becky, Don and Megan

Cozumel bonefishing, Cozumel Sunset, The Girls, Carnival Imagination

Spring Snow Storm #2

2009-04-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

For All My Redneck Friends in Florida
Spring Snow Storm #2

Denver Blizzard of 2009

2009-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Captured this footage with my new HD-DV camera during a recent Spring blizzard in Denver and I never left my living room!

Another Beautiful Day...

2009-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

(Top) Panoramic view of Grand County and The Continental Divide from atop Mary Jane / Winter Park, Colorado. (Bottom) Video clip from the Panoramic Lift / Mary Jane.
Music courtesy of Bob Marley Vs. Funkstar De Luxe - Remix

What can I say, "another beautiful day in paradise."
Spring skiing has arrived and that means ice in the morning and slush in the afternoon. Solution = arrive at 11am and leave by 2pm.
P.S. I promise my videos will become more intriguing as I learn video editing!

Spring in Colorado

2009-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

(Left to Right - Top to Bottom) Don Cudney, Chris Racich & Jim Jones flying high above Loveland Pass, CO.c.1994. Fly fishing Green Mnt. Reservoir, CO.c.2008. image-J.Hayes

Spring, in my opinion, is the best season to live in Colorado!
Snow in the high country (10,000 ft. +) and water (lakes and rivers) in the low country. That means snowboarding in the morning and fishing or __?__ in the afternoon. If only there were an ocean within an hours drive of Colorado. If only...if only.

Weekend Getaway to Summit County

2009-03-09T13:51:00.001-07:00

(Left to Right - Top to Bottom) = "take me to your leader" / a snowy view from the Lake Dillon house / bacon, bacon, bacon / french toast stuffed with blue berries and cream cheese / face-shot / Super Bee lift / looking down on Copper Village and I-70 / "follow me into the trees" / ski rack / Sunday morning sunshine / Super Bee video
*All images and video captured with a Canon G10 point and shoot camera.
**Loud & windy audio contained in video clip = press MUTE on your computer

The only aspect of snowboarding that I dislike is the commute to- and from- the mountain. I became spoiled-rotten when I lived in Vail and had a 5 minute trek to first tracks. For this reason, I anxiously await "ski vacations." There are no commutes, or a short one at most, you ski all day and then you go back to the house or condo to eat, drink and be merry! And if you are lucky there is a hot tub somewhere on the property. This past weekend a few friends and I stayed at a wonderful home on the edge of Lake Dillon in Summit County. Like most ski weekends, we spent the majority of the time eating, drinking and talking shit! Oh, let's not forget the many foosball tournaments! On Saturday, Kelly and I managed to awake, eat a wonderful breakfast and then drive over to Copper Mountain for a day of snowboarding and skiing. During the day, we encountered a mixture of snow and sun, but mostly new snow totaling about 3 inches. On Sunday, we awoke to warm, sunny skies, but since most of us had to be back in Denver by mid-afternoon, we packed-up and drove the 90 minutes back to Denver. (it could have been a 3 hour drive, see earlier post)

A Beautiful Day at Copper Mountain

2009-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

googleimages

airphoto.com

I've already been snowboarding more times this season than all of last season. The conditions and weather have been phenomenal. I have enjoyed days of powder, days of sun and days that are a combination of both. It is funny how a great day of skiing with friends will make a three hour drive home in bumper-to-bumper traffic seem alright!

Powder Mountain Perspective

2009-02-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

Powder Mountain Perspective from Ian Provo on Vimeo.

Check out this amazingly, sharp video, captured with a Canon EOS 5D MarkII and a 15mm fisheye lens inside a protective canvas bag. "I would swear this video was captured using a steadycam, but if you look in Neil's goggles it appears the camera is handheld...nice! I can't wait to try this with my equipment."

Mary Jane/ Winter Park

2009-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

skiwinterpark.com

Another great day of snowboarding and skiing with my friends Kelly and Beth at Mary Jane/Winter Park, Colorado. The snowfall accumulation in the Colorado mountains has been phenomenal this year and although there was no new snow on that day, the warm sun provided us with soft and fluffy snow. We spent the majority of the day at Parsenn Bowl off the new Panoramic Lift which whisks you to an elevation of 12,060 feet and 360 degree views of Grand County and the Continental Divide. Beautiful and breath-taking...seriously...breath taking ...huff...huff...cough...cough...breath taking!
Sorry, I didn't have my iPhone or point-&-shoot camera with me.

Knee-deep powder at Loveland Ski Area

2009-01-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Google Images/Copyright-Unknown

Enjoyed a great day of powder-boarding (8+ inches of fresh snow) at Loveland Ski Area with my friends, Kelly and Beth. We spent the majority of the day riding the trees off of Lift #1 and Lift #6 because the winds were a good 25 - 35 mph at the top of Lift #2 and Lift #4. The extremely slow chair lifts at Loveland Ski Area can be a torturous ride on a cold and windy day! Beside the two hour drive from Denver (usually a 45-55 minute commute), the entire day was one of powder-turns, big-drops and great company.

FL & GA for Christmas & New Years Day

2009-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Twice a year I travel to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and Lakeland, Georgia to visit my two sisters and their families for the holiday season. The weather this Christmas/New Year was phenomenal with temperatures averaging 65 - 75 degrees and very little if any rain. Below are a few videos and images created while on holiday.
Happy New Year friends & colleagues !!

Destin Florida Beach Scene - 01/04/09 from Don Cudney on Vimeo.

Destin Florida East Pass - 01/03/09 from Don Cudney on Vimeo.

Levi In The Tub from Don Cudney on Vimeo.

My niece Alexa's boy, Levi, enjoying a bubble bath at home. Lakeland, Georgia.
*First image was created during video capture posted above
.

Really bad haircut with Largemouth Bass / I picked a bale of cotton /
Fried Alligator Tail, Southern Coleslaw, Fried Pickles, Cheese Grits & Sweet Tea.

Andrew "Ozzy" Osborn in the woods outside Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
John Patton at Banks Lake, GA. Danny Demoro, photo assistant.
No deer or alligators were harmed during the production of these images.

My brother-in-law, nephew and I fishing for Redfish (0) and
Bonita (10) off the East Pass jetty. Destin, Florida.

iPhone images - (L to R) - Pikes Peak from 35,000 feet / Levi at lunch /
Sexton's Seafood / East Pass jetty / Destin Florida East Pass / Bass Lake /
reflection in water / snorkel glass still-life on New Years Eve /
Sunrise over Alabama from 35,000 feet

Fond Memories:
-My sister Karen cooking for and cleaning after me!
-Conversations and a few beers with my sister Deena.
-Anything and everything Levi.
-Supper at Ray’s Millpond Café.
-Fishing with my nephew Danny and my brother-in-law, Ozzy.
-Christmas morning with my niece, Allison.
-Destin’s East Pass erupting with Bonita.
-Viewing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Australia at the movie theater.
-Watching the first two seasons of Big Love.
-My sister Karen, in a rather loud voice stating, “the dog dies,”
during a Marley and Me movie trailer.
-Fried shrimp, hushpuppies and oysters-on-the-half-shell at The Hightide.
-Listening to the sound of Florida's hard rain, thunder and lighting.
-Drinking Captain Morgan and Coke from a snorkel glass on New Years Eve.
-Stopping for a coyote on the runway at DFW.
-Visiting with all my family and friends.

"To Move Or Not To Move...That Is The Question"

2008-12-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Every time I travel to a photography market larger than Denver (I just returned from a two day shoot in Chicago) I starting thinking about making the move to a different city. Right out of college, I had big plans that required moving to Los Angeles or New York and competing with Annie Leibowitz and Richard Avedon, but I thought better of that idea and settled into the Denver metro area. Thankfully, I get to travel on business and pleasure as often as I do. Besides, my real dream is to move to Hawaii, Australia or Brazil and surf until I drown or get eaten by a great white shark.....seriously!
Google Images/Copyright-Unknown

"Children of Winter"

2008-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't surfed in over two years and I went snowboarding only three times last year. Operating your own business requires a lot of time and money. As a teenager, I set a few, not so important, goals. I wanted to surf the North Shore of Oah'u, Hawaii, fish the Sea of Cortez and heli-ski in Alaska. 2 out of 3 is not bad and Alaska is next on the Bucket List! Go see Children of Winter. The film reminded me of why I moved to Colorado in the first place. Silverton Mountain, Crested Butte, Steamboat, etc.. Let it snow, let it snow...let it snow!

Montezuma Bowl - Arapahoe Basin Video

Loveland Pass - 04/08 Video

"But I Voted"

2008-11-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this video and I thought it was very clever.

"Happy Halloween"

2008-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Maddog's annual Birthday/Halloween party was a blast...as usual.
Live music was performed by Velvet Elvis and The Aquasonics.
Great food, tasty beer and expensive tequila. Happy Halloween!
Left to Right -Jonnie, Maui, Maddog and Me (Joe Dirt)
"Man, I am going to miss Polaroids!"

"I Voted Today"

2008-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Now I can bitch and complain about whoever is elected!

Made In China poster by Perrin Norrander.
"Don't Vote..things are fine just the way they are."

"RESTROOM NEEDS CLEANING"

2008-10-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Is this a warning or a reminder? I was standing in line at the Wal*Mart customer service desk when I happen to glance-up and read this unusual sign, RESTROOM NEEDS CLEANING. I understand why the sign exists, but why is located on the ceiling above the customers heads instead of behind the counter or inside the managers office? Is it there to warn customers of impending danger? Or was it subliminally suggesting I buy cleaning supplies? My restroom could use a cleaning.

"...this is going to change everything!"

2008-10-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

I would imagine that anyone with a television has viewed the new iPhone commercials with the voice-over that states "and that's when you realize, this is going to change everything." I was born in 1966 and "survived" the days of corded phones, analog television and typewriters. For the past twenty years, I have wondered when the hell engineers were going to invent the Star Trek Communicator. You know...that gadget that pretty much did everything for the crew of the Enterprise. From what I understand, the Star Trek Communicator was the inspiration behind the iPod and the iPhone. Although hundreds of the iPhone/iPod applications are simply worthless, many are freaking out-of-this-world. The application SHAZAM has the ability to listen to a song, recognize the artist then download the music and the YouTube video onto your iPod or your iPhone in a matter of seconds. I use this application pretty much everyday. When I was 18 years old these gadgets weren't even perceived. Apple has tapped into a cultural phenomenon with the iPod and the iPhone and they along with TBWA/Chiat/Day are definitely "changing everything."

"Sky Diving Cabo San Lucas"

2008-09-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAr11FmEJZg

Check-out this awesome sky diving video by my good friends, Greg Foster and Astrid Illmer who live and work as sky diving instructors in Cabo San Lucas, MX.

I love my iPhone...ouch!

2008-09-24T14:47:00.001-07:00

Yes, I bought and broke an iPhone this September.
Special note: if you drop a $600 mini-computer/cellphone it is going to cost you at least $250 to fix...protective case or not. People are actually selling their broken iPhone on ebay rather than paying to have them fixed. Insurance? Apple Care is intended for computers...NOT cell phones. How many people carry their laptops around in their hands or pull them out of their pocket 100s of times a day.
Come-on Apple....wake-up!

P.S. I will NEVER...I repeat NEVER go back to an Apple Store.
I have visited an Apple Store maybe 7 times and every time has been a nightmare. 30 employees....28 of which know nothing and can DO nothing...
"You'll have to wait for a tech, sir. Have you signed-in?"
What? Is this a !@#$% restaurant? I need a reservation? Good-bye.
I walked into a AT&T store, straight-up-to the counter and they fixed the iPhone in 30 minutes flat.....APPLE STORE....you suck!

Hurricane Ike - Okaloosa Island

2008-09-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hurricanes in Florida are similar to major snow storms in Colorado, but instead of snow blowers and 30 lb. bags of ice melt the commodity is chain saws and 5000 watt gas generators. Thankfully, the Redneck Riviera was spared once again.

Video by Ozzy Osborn

Hurricane Gustav - Okaloosa Island

2008-09-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Okaloosa Island Pier

Okaloosa Island Pier

The Boardwalk

All images and video by Andrew "OZZY" Osborn.

My brother-in-law sent me these images and video of Hurricane Gustav coming ashore at Okaloosa Island, Florida some 200 miles east of the hurricane eye. The east-side of a hurricane typically carries the strongest winds and causes the highest tidal surges so forget New Orleans.....let's worry about those people in Mississippi, Alabama and NW Florida.....locations that are not protected by huge amounts of marsh land and government-built levees.

Camping & Fishing at Green Mnt. Reservoir

2008-08-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

greenmountainreservoir.com

Went camping and fishing with Jason Hayes, Michael Martin and friends at Green Mountain Reservoir. There are incredible views of the Gore Range at Green Mountain, in fact, the 40 acres of land that I wish to purchase is only a few minutes from the reservoir. We fly-fished for brown, rainbow and cutt-throat trout. I caught 14 assorted trout during 3 hours of fishing in the reservoir and 2 rainbows and 2 browns (each at least 16 inches) from the Blue River later that afternoon. Too much fun! All fish were released.

GREEN MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR is located in north central Colorado in the Lower Blue River Valley. Approximately 70 miles west of Denver and 20 miles north of I-70. Built in 1943 as part of the Big Thompson Plan. Its primary purpose is to replace water that is being diverted to the front range. The spin-off effects is what attracts many visitors each year. WATER SPORTS and MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES.

Ft. Walton Beach for the 4th of July

2008-07-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Levi's first 4th of July

Kayak fishing off Okaloosa Island

Landing a King Mackerel by Kayak

(L-R) Jack Crevelle, Amberjack, Nurse Shark, Largemouth Bass

This is how Levi rolls!

I spent the first 9 days of July in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on a much needed vacation visiting friends and relatives. I spent most of my time fishing from my kayak in the Gulf of Mexico and hanging out with my sisters. Other activities included going to the movies (Hancock), eating authentic fried gulf shrimp, hushpuppies and coleslaw while drinking sweet tea (The Crab Trap). We played miniature golf (Goofy Golf) and of course no trip to FWB is complete without a trip to Wal Mart. On the evening of the 4th, my family and I watched fireworks down by the water-front with some 3,000 other residents and tourists. On the 5th, a large group of us went bottom fishing for Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack on a boat called the Destin Princess. Each time I visit the Ft. Walton Beach/Destin area, I find it just a little harder to leave.
*All fish were released unharmed

Recent Colorado Sunsets

2008-06-19T17:51:00.001-07:00

(Top to Bottom) Looking west from Aurora Reservoir during mountain wildfires, Bear Creek Lake sunset, Quincy Reservoir colorful sunset. *All images have been captured with a water-proof point and shoot compact digital camera and have not been retouched.

Props to my buddies !!

2008-05-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Greg Foster base jumping at Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands, Utah. Greg works as an skydiving instructor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and is one extreme son-of-a-bitch. Love you, brother!

Doug Hebert carving it up at K 92 Secret Spot, Baja, Mexico.
Inventor of the Pickle Wax Remover, recent University of Hawaii architecture graduate and world traveler, Doug Hebert and his beautiful wife Virginia are truely some of my best friends. Mahalo, Ohana !

JD smith grinding across Robbie's Ramp in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
This guy is like 50 years old now and still ripping it up with no pads! Crazy bastard. JD and I published a skateboard magazine called Gulf Coast Skate Review back in the 1980's, a time in my life that I will never forget. Skate safe, bratha.

Spring is Here !!

2008-05-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Spring has officially arrived, but as usual, Colorado is in March mode. 70 degrees one day, snowing the next. Crazy weather, but I love the fact that I can snowboard in the morning and go mountain biking, fishing or just lay in the sun during the afternoon. Definitely, one of the best times of year to live on the Colorado front range.

Vail Pass Backcountry Colorado

Loveland Pass Backcountry Colorado

I love mountain biking. Climbing sucks, but hauling-ass downhill rocks! Check out the video my buddy and I put together.....not! One of the most intense mountain biking videos I've ever seen.

I can't wait to go fly fishing for big trout and bass here in Colorado. Smallmouth and Largemouth bass are a blast to catch on a fly-rod..especially sight casting to them. One day I will win a Bass Tournament fishing with a fly rod...mark my words. Of course I haven't casted a fly rod in 5 months. Ouch! The ice is finally melting and the rivers and reservoirs will start allowing boats and other water craft on the water. Guess I better patch the holes in my boat.

Smallmouth Bass

Rainbow Trout

I also can't wait to go saltwater fly fishing. Man, I was missing out all those years. I lived in Florida, right there on a bayou, fished almost everyday, and still never picked up a fly rod. Anyway, I can't wait until the July 4th holiday when I travel back to Florida to catch some tarpon, ladyfish, redfish, and whatever chases my fly.

Fly fishing for bonita off Jack Dunmyer's boat in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fly fishing for Ulua with Diamond Head in the background. Oah'u, Hawai'i.

Fly fishing off the island of Espiritu Santos, La Paz, Baja, Mexico.

If only Colorado had an ocean so I could go surfing!! But then Colorado would be over-populated and crowded like California. Oh well, I can wait for Hawaii and Mexico trips....I think. I better learn to white water kayak this summer. But then again....NOTHING compares to surfing in my opinion....o.k., maybe a steep and deep power day.

Surfing with Doug, Virginia and the North Shore crew. Oah'u, Hawai'i

Snowboarding at Arapahoe Basin/Loveland Pass Colorado

2008-05-27T14:51:00.001-07:00

Great news, Arapahoe Basin has finally opened up Montezuma Bowl which adds about 70% more terrain and definitely makes A-Basin more attractive to me. I always thought A-Basin was a little small. Steep, but small. Now there is plenty of room to carve around without having to hike out of bounds.

Florida/Georgia for Christmas & New Years

2008-05-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

For Christmas and New Years, I normally go back to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida to visit my two sisters and their families for the holiday season. Lucky for me, some seasons many of my close friends from high school and childhood visit to spend time with their families, as well. I have posted a few images from a great New Years Eve party that I attended with friends, Doug and Virgina Hebert, visiting from Hawaii and Eric Hebert visiting from Cincinnati.

(L-R) Myself, Doug Hebert and Virgina Hebert. Doug smoking a cigar. Virginia keeping warm. My brother-in-law, Ozzy Osborn, my sister, Karen Osborn, and myself at another party.

Time-lapse of fireworks. Navarre, Florida. New Years Eve. 2007-2008.

Levi. Lakeland, Georgia. Between Christmas and New Years, my sister Karen, her family and I traveled over to Lakeland, Georgia to visit my sister Deena and her family. My niece, Alexa has a new born baby named Levi and he was just a blast to photograph.

My sister, Karen, my niece, Allison and I were walking out of an afternoon movie when this unusual scene caught my eye. Destin, Florida.

What's PETA Thinking ?

2008-05-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this? Daddy kills animals? Are you serious? I believe in the ethical treatment of animals, but really. Is Peta trying to scare the hell out of kids and make them believe their fathers are murderers?