"Gettin' Down to Business"

The concentration on the closing holes of The Masters couldn't be much more intense than what's reflected on just about any hole when you're watching youngsters participate in The First Tee program. But the focus at this stage of the game is to learn, while having fun. And that's the way it should be as participants become familiar with the basics of golf, starting with rules and etiquette before they fine-tune their shot-making techniques.

"Last Tree Standing"

Normally, I'm excited to share my world with you by posting locations, people or events in living, vivid colors. But as my friend and fellow photographer Steve Immel (steveimmelphotography.com/) so effectively displays in his work, there are definitely certain advantages to black and white that effectively convey the character of a situation better than any combination of colors. In this shot of a forlorn tree atop a desolate ridge covered in scrub brush, there was no other way, perhaps, to get across the desolation of this southern New Mexico landscape. As noted B&W photographer Robert Frank put it so eloquently, "Black and white are the true colors of photography, because they symbolize the alternate aspects of despair and hope to which mankind is forever subjected".

"Late Afternoon at The Caprock"

There are times when people fail to realize the vast beauty available throughout the State of Texas. The Caprock Canyon is but one of many vistas, not to forget the beaches of South Padre Island, or the rolling terrain of The Hill Country, or the lush piney woods of East Texas, all located within the boundaries of a single state.. And if one canyon doesn't fulfill your artistic or photographic ambitions, a mere 80 miles to the north is the famed Palo Duro Canyon, second in size only to The Grand Canyon of Arizona.

"Indian Super Market"

With this, my first posting of the new year 2012, it was only natural to look back over the past year and reminisce on my annual trek through Santa Fe, NM. And certainly one of the most colorful and interesting sights of the trip was a stroll through the downtown square where Native Americans display their handcrafted items ranging from sterling silver Bolo Ties to Turquoise jewelry of every description. If you're ever stymied for a memento of your trip to The Land of Enchantment, make this a primary stop on your agenda. You'll neither be disappointed, nor will you leave empty handed.