First post since surgery and update on Holla Bend swans

For the few of you who know me and those who might have followed the discussion I had with Tim E. a couple of weeks ago regarding the status of the snow geese at HB, thought I'd just give a quick update. July 4th of this year I was discovered to have lung cancer despite the fact that I've never smoked nor was I ever raised in a smoke environment. Hey, nobody's immune, not even Baptist preachers! Long story short, since then I've been through surgery to have the tumor removed and have since been going through chemotherapy. All looks well and now that I'm getting fairly close to 60 I still should have another 30 or 40 years of living to do!!! I guess that's why I chose this particular picture to post -- not particularly spectacular but very representative of where I am right now > seeing the light at the end of a bit of rough road now that I am approaching the last two of my chemotherapy treatments. Hallelujah!! I'm sure many of you have walked this road as well and know what I'm talking about. Anyway, won't be long before I can be out more and back catching the light once again. I took this one at Camp Robinson WDA last week.

As to the swans at HB, I was able to get my wife to drive me over a few days after Tim shared that he had heard the swans hardly left the reserve this year. I suppose that's possible but on the day we were there we could find no evidence that they were in residence. We covered all the areas they had inhabited when they were originally released and didn't see or hear any sign of them. Needless to say though we could only give a rather cursory investigation of the reserve since my health only allows me to go to areas where you can drive. That leaves a LOT of territory to cover at HB and since we were there after the go home time of the park employees we didn't have a chance to stop in and visit. Since we're approaching the time the swans traditionally return to Magness maybe the HB group will be showing themselves more readily as well. My only concern is that HB has a healthy population of Bobcat and Coyote and I'm sure those swans would make a tempting treat! Well, time will tell and hopefully the transplant program will show some sucess in reestablishing the swans at HB.

Have a great day to all!
Dave Hatfield

Dave, great to hear things are progressing well health related and that you're nearing the end of the road in your treatment. My thoughts and prayers for a full recovery are with you. Thanks for the update, it's good to see you posting again. Looking forward to more!

I think you captured an outstanding scene here, David - much better than any swan shot that may have had questionable light. The light here is truly magical, maybe even a gift from above. I've tried for years to capture a shot like this, and I'm still trying...

A year or so before my Dad passed away, he too was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was not the cancer that took him, but pneumonia. As you know, those chemo treatments really weaken your immune system, so I hope you will be extra careful about your exposure to infectious environments and ol' man winter. I'm glad for you that everything has gone so well. Hang in there, and just keep looking at that beautiful photograph!

As a prostate cancer survior and fellow minister I, too, have come to greatly appreciate the incredible, but transitory beauty of God's good Creation. I am pleased to hear that you can now see the light at the end of the road on your chemo. I look forward to seeing many more if your photos in the coming years.

"Creation is the theater of God's glory." John Calvin

David, glad to hear things are looking up. Glad to hear you can get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Great picture and great news. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Ditto. And I just talked with the folks at Holla Bend and they say the swans are not currently on the refuge as Dave noted. The ones at Magness Lake always return within 48 hours of the full moon in November, which this year is on the 13th. No telling when or if the zoo swans will return to Holla Bend. The other zoo swans remain at the mill pond in Boxley where they have been since this summer, now roosting and feeding within 100 feet of the highway. They are getting white and rather large, but they still have their green jewelry...

Wonderful to have you sharing again David. Wonderful rays of light.

Thanks to all for your kind words of support and encouragement. I've always been so impressed with the attitude of the folks who frequent this forum as compared to some others I've been on. Always positive, supportive and helpful without any of the infighting that I see so many get involved in. Though I've met very few of you personally I feel as though I have this extended link of friends. Add to that the enjoyment of some of the best photography you can find anywhere and it just can't be beat!

Hopefully I'll be able to make one of the fall/spring getaways and meet more of you face to face.

Praying you all have a great day!
Dave H.

Dave, great light capture and glad to hear you are recovering from health issues. Best wishes on your future and your photography trips.