Photography requires patience

TORONADO DECKHAND FATIMA lends a hand with a beauty sculpin boated by Army veteran Rueben Elias.

RARIFIED AIR – Aaron Martens is all smiles after claiming the second of back-to-back WON BASS U.S. Open victories in 2005. He would later go on to win his third U.S. Open title in 2011, something only two other anglers — Mike Folkstead and Clifford Pirch — have ever accomplished.

Lower Ottoway Lake (Inga Aksamit)

Aaron Martens with the final bass of his well-lived life.

Elliot McGucken

Aspen, Hope Valley, 9/19/21, Philip Reedy

Lake Chabot. Photo: Matt Johanson

CHAMPIONSHIP IMAGINATION – Creativity, imagination and an uncanny ability to put the puzzle pieces together on the water were attributes at the forefront of Aaron Marten’s bass fishing success. This was perhaps on display more than ever at the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Lake Havasu event, where he noticed a largemouth eating a baby blackbird and shifted gears to throwing a black frog deep in the tules to imitate the bird. Sure enough it worked, well enough to win the tournament.

Shelf roads in states like Colorado are perfect for 4x4 vehicles.

Mobius Arch frames Mt. Whitney. Photo: Gigi de Jong

Fatbiking Sand Canyon, Bishop, CA

With fish boiling around the boat a quick toss of the hand-tied sardinia pattern got hit and hit hard. The 17-pound forkie ran and tore off line heading for open sea.

New York: Four California cyclists pedaled 52 days to cross the Brooklyn Bridge and reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Blue Heron

Red Lake Creek Cabin. Photo: John Poimiroo

Snow Goose

Shootin' shenanigans. Laurie Morrison and Barry Senescu practice pointers from John Poimiroo.

THE MARTENS FAMILY celebrates Aaron’s taking the trophy for the 2015 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, the third time he earned that coveted title.

All rights Reserved- this image or derivative works, can not be used, reproduced, published, distributed or sold without written permission from the author.

Cyclists travel an ancient forest road that fairies and leprechauns have inhabited for centuries

McCloud Fall, Shasta County, California

Leopard Rocks in Ansel Adams Wilderness (Inga Aksamit)

Young girl with wildflowers in the Eastern Sierra. Photo: Julie Faber

Dawn, Virginia Lakes, 9/19/21, Clayton Peoples

VOLUNTEER GIOVANNI PEREZ spent his day helping, hooking, and handing, but managed to land a nice whitefish and a limit of sculpin.

Onion Valley road. Considered one of the toughest rides in the country. Photo: Gigi de Jong

A fog cover bridge is nearly lost in the evening sky

CAPTAIN RAY LAGMAY, right, worked the Cortes Bank for mossbacks like angler John JT Torres boated on WON-Toronado Charter

Ruins of old charcoal kilns near Lone Pine.

Santa Barbara harbor

Witches Moon

Half Dome, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (Inga Aksamit)

The 35 x 23-inch rainbow caught at Conway Pond in 2013. Photo by Yvonne Gaines.

So many choices. What to do?

Black Tailed Jackrabbit. Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Larry Whiting

PAIR OF SCULPIN displayed by Toronado deckhand, Fatima, for Army vets Carmen Estrada, left and Paul Hernandez, right.

California Newt in Napa County. Photo Heather Bird

Cocktails at Spring Conference in Siskiyou County. Photo: Gigi de Jong

The Upper House (a.k.a. Moonviewing House) sits on the slope of the Moon Viewing Hill as a place of quiet retreat.

This 25-year-old image is still current today

Snow geese overhead

Who's that masked man? Osceola Refetoff.

Cyclists cross the River Cong, passing an ancient Irish monastery's fisherman's hut

A taste of what was to come

Road Cycling in Round Valley near Bishop. Photo: Michael McDermott courtesy Bishop Visitor

Morning fog at the boat landing at Baum Lake. Photo: Tom Martens

SEA ADVENTURE 80 CREW, left-to-right, Chad, Gavin, Captain Rob, Conner, with the day’s catch off Santa Catalina Island.

When the rain stops, it's a good time to go fishing with a fly rod. Photo: Tom Martens

Ducks swimminmg

Unnatural cones dotted the streets of Mariposa

35-inch rainbow from Conway Pond, 2013. Photo by Yvonne Gaines.

Dasha: Dasa Yurkevich celebrates reaching New York and the end of a long journey.

20-YEAR MARINE VETERAN, Adrianne, enjoyed the fishing and sharing time with folks that shared his experience in military service while fishing the Toronado Veterans Fishing day.

Locating the perfect stream-side picnic spot requires diligence. We are experts.

A trip up or down this old wagon road took all day 150 years ago.

Old tram tracks at Pine Creek Mine. Photo: Gigi de Jong

Mount Diablo: Mount Diablo and other public lands provided relief for many after the pandemic arrived

Overland camping means having lots of "stuff." The author pulls a trailer on some adventures.

Male and female Northern Shoveler

All rights Reserved- this image or derivative works, can not be used, reproduced, published, distributed or sold without written permission from the author.

Mass Ascension. Photo: John Poimiroo. Winner EIC 2020.

Kampot fish market, Southern Cambodia: Candid images of people going about every-day life arouses emotional curiosity, prompting the viewer to mentally feel, smell, and absorb a given environment. Utilizing one of the icebreaker techniques helps put your subjects at ease.

Lyle Lovett at The Mountain Winery Courtesy The Mountain Winery

A night dive in the Red Sea near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, caught this guy hiding in some Acropora coral

The monster’s maw or mother nature’s art?

Buck Island. Photo: Bob Semerau

The vehicle you use to begin overland fishing doesn't need much modification to get started. Photo: Damon Bungard

The author with an "average size" trout from Alpers' Pond in 2006. Photo by Bill Beecher.

Camera Phone Primer and Composing Better Pictures. Photo: John Poimiroo

Get your tickets here!

Trash, like shotgun shells needs to be packed out -- leave the outback better than you found it.

Irish master craftsman Tomas O'Cadhain hammers silver jewelry at the entrance to a 5,000 year old mini Stonehenge

Shades of pink and red; and California live oaks turn a golden amber color mid-October to November

Vermilion Grove, East Shore, Caples Lake, CA-88, 9/19/21, Philip Reedy

Women, local to their towns, often for generations, are Irish hospitality professionals with high standards of service, cleanliness and authentic Irish cooking.

Serious 4x4 trails require modifications to stock vehicles

Snow Geese

Extensive Zen gardens are designed to encourage you to embrace nature’s beauty in quietude.

Snow geese take flight Credit: Mike Nellor

Saratoga Oaks Lodge

Members of the Johanson family summited Mount Diablo together on a cloudy but happy day.

Calm waters and dramatic colors can take your breath away

Red Lake Creek Cabin, Hope Valley, CA-88, 9/19/21, Philip Reedy

The 35 x 23-inch rainbow about to be released at Conway Pond, 2013. Photo by Yvonne Gaines.

Author Matt Johanson and his dog, Sam.

Show Them the Money: OWAC Excellence-in-Craft Winners Receive Cash Awards

Works of chocolate art are almost too beautiful to eat.

Burrowing Owl. Photo: Tammy Kokjohn. Winner California Watchable Wildlife Photo of the Year 2020.

Cycling towards the Cliffs of Moher, there is a sense something great lies ahead.

Morro Bay

Helping inner city and minority youth/ young adults become interested in nature through the immersive experience of bird watching. John Robinson.

Short cut to ... nowhere?

Paintbrush and lakes were abundant on the descent from Red Peak Pass

Siamese twin lambs born circa 1940 now on display at Laws Railroad Museum. Photo: @terdfergus0n

Sunset over the Docks

General meeting and workshops were held in Sonora's historic Opera Hall.

Cyclists ride into the picturesque town of Doolin, a ferry stop on the way to the Aran Islands

Where beloved spirits run free for eternity.

No one makes a more realistic fly than Mr. Blackstone.

Cottages and their ruins are common everywhere you pedal on a cycling tour through Ireland

Mission Bay Park, San Diego. Photo: Gigi de Jong

Cyclists stop along the Bog Road between Clifden and Carna to view the Twelve Bens.

Ever diligent, Risa Wyatt takes notes at Indigeny cidery.

Sunset on White Mountains in winter. Photo: Gigi de Jong

2021 Winner. Feature Image. "The Night is Young" Phil Reedy

And the winner is....

Summer and fall means getting in the hunt offshore for tuna. Finding willing biters makes it well worth the effort.

Slim Princess at Laws Depot. Photo: Gigi de Jong

Lone Buffalo on the Yellowstone Plateau

Photo taken on the traditional territory of the Ohlone. Photo: Robin Agarwal

Duck and shorebird