Behind the Lens

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the final image is only part of the journey. Behind every shot is a story of planning, patience, a shift in the light, or a chance encounter that changed everything. I created this blog to take you behind the lens, to share the timing, the quiet, and the planning that goes into my favorite shots. Welcome to the stories behind the lens.

Leaving "Someday" Behind: A First Timer’s Weekend in Yellowstone
Jenna Stirling Jenna Stirling

Leaving "Someday" Behind: A First Timer’s Weekend in Yellowstone

Visiting Yellowstone National Park was always at the very top of my photography bucket list. From the sheer adrenaline of holding a massive 600mm lens while a wild Red Fox posed just yards away, to navigating a high-contrast, post rain cliffside with Bighorn rams, step behind the lens to see what happens when you finally stop making excuses and leave "someday" behind.

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Upcoming Blogs

A Sandhill Crane bird standing on grass with a baby crane chick standing nearby with its wings stretched out, both surrounded by blurred greenery.

June 2026

Sandhill Season: Triumphs & Struggles in the Marsh

A closer look into this year's nesting season, the unique environmental challenges our local cranes faced, and a collection of my favorite moments tracking this year's colts.

Two ospreys and a chick on a nest with a fish, one with wings slightly spread and the other with an open beak, against a blurred green background.

July 2026

The Osprey Chronicles: 8 Weeks at the Nest

Documenting the incredible transformation of a local Osprey family. From fuzzy hatchling to testing their wings, come along with me as I visit this location over the course of several weeks.

An American Alligator sunning on a bank with its head and back visible by green vegetation in the foreground and blue water in the background.

August 2026

Wild Neighbors: The Wild Side of The Villages

Celebrating the vibrant wildlife thriving peacefully right in our backyards. A photo essay dedicated to the stunning birds and animals that share our local spaces and golf course sanctuaries.