With a smile like that you know he knows something that you don’t know. You know what that is? Today’s Mitchster.com’s Second Anniversary. Who better to celebrate such a momentous occasion with than a duck?

Yep, two years ago today I started blogging photos of Minneapolis. As fun as it is to share my work, I’m looking to shake it up. Any ideas? What would you like to see more of?

p.s. I really did take this just yesterday; the coincidence just hit me this morning that I would be celebrating my anniversary with my mascot!

Deep in the furrows of the tragically unmowed fields of the side lawn, Sheldon took refuge from the marauding hordes of Uptown. Though the thistle thickets threw the theives thoughts asunder, the wary photographer stole a shot of Sheldon’s secret spot.

The closest I’ve ever gotten to  eagle. It’s ok, he was on a leash, at the Minnesota Raptor Center release event. By using a long lens and large aperture, I was able to focus on the eye and throw the beak out of focus.

Mister Whiskers was out trimming the lawn in the morning. Mr. W is my North-yard rabbit, Rocky is my South-yard rabbit: he likes to stand still and pretend you can’t see him.

I’ve used these guys to practice my wildlife tracking technique I learned from Jim Brandenburg. The trick is to pretend that you are an herbavore as well, walk a meandering path, looking at the ground. Stop and pick things up. Take your time. If you stare right at the rabbit, it will think you a predator and run, but if it figures that you are grazing, then he’ll accept you as a fellow vegitarian.

The fans cheered in raucous approval,
awaiting the next serving of pablum.
more turtles, more turtles…
Then a chant rose from the masses.
more turtles, more turtles…
Soon the ‘dear leader’ new he had lost control.
more turtles, more turtles…
He had to act fast.
more turtles, more turtles…
Like all dictators, he was a wise opportunist
more turtles, more turtles…
He told the crowd he knew what was best for them.
more turtles, more turtles…
He knew what they really needed, they really wanted,
more turtles, more turtles…
And as always, he provided:
More Turtles!

What can you do with a 500mm lens? I found this guy standing on the foot path around Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie and just had to take his picture. I hope he’s as happy with it as I am.

New Website!

I finished another website this week, it’s called The Wonder of Oil Painting. Mark Saenger is an art teacher and artist who has studied with a bunch of other great painters including the venerable Bob Ross. Remember the friendly Mister Rogers-like painter on PBS with the afro who painted happy trees? Yep, him. Mark’s site has video samples of his new over 6 hour instructional DVD set that teaches oil painting using the wet-on-wet technique. Mark’s a real great guy, friendly and approachable, he can make even the most timid painter relaxed and comfortable with this challenging art form. Pop over to his site and check out the video cuts from his DVDs and you’ll see. While we were trying out different video sharing sites, within a couple of days his video had over 3000 views on Metacafe.com and we didn’t even promote it!

Mark found me through the work I did for Joe Paquet. I built a site for him a few years ago and have recently redesigned it to fit his evolving style and ever-expanding content. I know I sound like a designer selling his wares when I say this, but a site should be redesigned or at least reworked every two to three years to stay fresh and take advantage on new technologies and techniques. I specialize on creating sites that naturally rank high on Google – search for “Mitch USA” sometime and you’ll see what I mean.

Joe is becoming quite the celebrity in the art world; I’ve added a few articles to his website that appeared in the Villager and the California Art club.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

A little duckling stands atop a giant lilly pad at the Como Conservatory garden.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

Yup, that’s a pine tree. Not what you’d expect on a leisurely Saturday stroll through a park in Minnesota. This happy little snake was about three feet up the tree sunning himself.

Professional Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow shares daily photos of the city he loves. Exploring Minneapolis through Photography while teaching composition and techniques.

This lil’ guy was savoring the grass around Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie, MN. He reminded me of a video I saw a while back that’s fun to share. You could call it an eco-friendly letter opener.

Minneapolis Photographer Mitch Rossow presents daily photos of Minneapolis. Cityscapes, People & Perspectives: Mitch explains composition and techniques.

Saturday Moment of Zen

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!