Life has changed. Vacations no longer consist of sitting idly by the pool, or packing a nice, light bag solely meant for me.

There is no:

• Why don’t I spend a bunch of time setting up this super artful photograph?
• Gosh, that was such a great ski line, why don’t we hike up the mountain and do it again?
• Man, I have been surfing for hours. Let’s go and chill on the beach with a beer.
• Hey, let’s grab our kayaks and disappear for a few days down this super dangerous river where there is no cell reception!

You never know how much doing you are going to do when you say, I do, right? Now I have two young boys and life is very different.

When my first son was born a good friend said, “Welcome to manhood.” He couldn’t have been more right. Kids are the real test of will and perseverance. I swear every time I hear the word, “Dad,” another hair pops off my head.

But it is exactly what the freewheeling, fun-soaked, and child-free folks often hear from a subservient procreator like me….

It’s so rewarding.

Life is more challenging, and some days I feel like I’m walking around with my pant pockets turned inside out. But what a thrill to play witness and direction to my two boy’s endless discoveries. Here a just a few precious moments from this new adventure.

Click any image to view the gallery.

DCIM100MEDIA

Quite a few changes to Costa Rica since visiting in 2007.

• No Americans, French, or Germans to speak of.
• All the roads are dirt.
• Good luck finding air conditioning or a mobile phone signal.
• No one is out surfing.
• Realtors and developers have all moved on to Nicaragua.

Actually, only the last bullet is partially true.

Despite the changes I have to say it was nice not being so gripped on treacherous roads, although you still have to get your Costa on. I also have a fond memory of turning in to a decent size city for Costa Rica and being presented with a large bloated dead dog being picked apart by 6 or so vultures – now there is culture kids!

Other creature comforts consisted of not dealing with two young boys with chronic stomach cramps – thank you infrastructure and water treatment! Gas stations and grocery stores are prevalent, and more often than not the ATMs have cash.

So there you have it. It was indeed a great couple of weeks. The wildlife and surfing are still stunning, and the people are still charming. And I always thank my lucky stars for not having to be airlifted to a hospital; or more likely being placed in the back of a pickup truck and bounced down through the jungle as I come in and out of consciousness. Winning!

If you want to see more photos go here – https://www.flickr.com/gp/rpayne/0r341B

I captured the above image in the direct sun of the afternoon by raising the f-stop up along with the shutter speed to cut the glare and sharpen the contrast. It reminds me of my youth when I would spend countless hours in the water idly passing the dog days of summer by with nary a care in the world. My how things change!

Click here to see the full image.

If you have ever traveled between Charleston, South Carolina and Pawley’s Island then you know there are many historic and beautiful places to visit. One more recent addition is the Center for Birds of Prey. More than a zoo, the Center provides educational opportunities through interactive presentations and informative conversations with professional biologists and ornithologists. It is best to time your visit during one of the presentations at the outdoor amphitheater. There you will see owls, kites, hawks and falcons demonstrating their innate capabilities, and sometimes even flying directly over your head.

Despite being a father and a working professional, I still enjoy playing around with photography when I can.

I took a recent course at Piedmont Park focused on lighting. Plenty of factors to consider, much of it requiring more gear than I care to sport around. But if you want to expand your knowledge and live in and around Atlanta, check out Mike Moreland. He brings the models and the gear, and you’ll certainly learn a few tricks. The true art though – in my humble opinion – is directing the model in the context of the scene.

Yes, I got these:

But I actually like this one – no light and off the cuff.

I can’t pretend to know for sure, but for me it encapsulates what I think many black men, especially in Ferguson, feel about the world around them. Want to get a greater appreciation? Hit the new Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta. We’ve come a long way, but there is still work to be done.

Wow, I’m 40. Chased a few dreams, found one or two. But nothing compares to my wife and two boys. Houston will soon be 6, and Heyward is approaching 6 months. They all recently joined me on the trail for a great 10 mile hike. My birthday wish is for more time by the fire as we share a common respect for the world around us and plans for the next adventure.