The moral of the story first: Always have an arsenal of camera gear in your passenger seat and your press pass around your neck. I was stopped for doing 55 in a 35 after this officer shot me with radar. Also, I was not wearing a seatbelt. After he properly scolded me, he handed me a warning. He was a real sport when I asked him to hold up the radar gun so I could get it in the photo. Kudos to the good cops out there. 

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Nothing better than a beach fire on an empty beach. Too hot for these Dog 'Days' but just right for nights when the wind brings a gentle chill to your bones. Grab a beer, dig up some mussels and clams, and forgot about hundred-degree days.

If you are in Washington DC, don't forget to visit the National Museum of American History. Check out the 3rd floor for the "Price of Freedom" exhibit. You will see this baby there. You can see more photos  at: www.aurbie.com/about-aurence.html

Landing at National Mall.  Aurence is shown in tan jacket. He painted the artwork shown on door after she landed in our backyard. The famous White Dog, along with several other icons that appear in all of Aurence's works, can be seen on the door. For full story click on above link.

 Dogs are easy. Cats, not so much. They belong to a secret club, it seems. When you see a photo op they almost certainly reorganize their bodies by the time you get back with the camera.

The best advice I can give is to always keep a camera handy and make sure you have a good light before snapping. A cat is going to be sleepy-eyed when it wakes up, and there is usually a stretch and/or yawn that follows. If you are shooting with a camera phone you may get some movement unless you have great light. 

The best time to capture your beauty is shortly before he winks out, or is engaged in watching something that interest him enough to be bright-eyed but sleepy enough to not want to get up to investigate.

Look for bright eyes, relaxed poise, and good light. Catch a cat when he is in deep thought.

In this photo, Skipper is getting ready for his afternoon nap but the birds have peaked his interest. He is distracted long enough to give a quick glance towards the camera. Notice that he has a lovely light falling on his face, which is what prompted me to grab my camera. I took this with a telephoto lens.

There was no great light on Khaleesi but her pose were perfect, and there was just enough light to bring out her blue Siamese eyes. Like Skipper, she was also contemplating a nap. She was in such deep thought she paid the camera no attention. I submitted this photo to the 2018 Workman's 365 Day Calendar. She won first place which make her the January 1 calendar cat.

I was organizing some photos and this one cooled me off. 2015 was the hottest on record until 2016 came along. It looks like 2017 is going to beat 2016. If you are sweltering like we are in the South, I hope this cools you off.