INTRODUCTION Preparing for cold weather landscape photography can be very time consuming but it's essential you have the right gear or you're not going to be happy with the results. Landscape gear wise it's almost the same as any destination. Clothing wise, it's very different. Shaking in the cold is not an ideal scenario for shooting and you won't be thinking about your shot with a clear head. And you really don't want to be spending all your money to these exotic or remote locations and end up catching pneumonia because you didn't prepare. I have several cold weather trips coming up in 2013...

Happy Halloween! My favorite holiday is here and this little Vampire bat seems to love it too! Just hanging out under a UV light and smiling for the camera. Did you know Vampire bats can fly, walk and also run along the ground? Don't worry, you won't spot any jogging around Houston. They are native to South America. Did you know 2012 has been declared the International Year of the Bat by the United Nations? Bats play an important part in our ecosystem. If you'd like to support the conservation effort, you can make a donation on the Bat Conservation International page: https://www.supportbats.org/donate Stay...

This big guy loves the camera! Nero posed like a model every time I brought my lens up. I wish all models were this easy to work with, lol! Nero is one of the star attractions at Houston's Downtown Aquarium along with the other three White Bengal Tigers, Marina, Coral, and Reef. They make their home in the ruins of the Maharaja's Temple. White tigers were first spotted in the wild in central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Their white coat is the result of a recessive gene which also makes them a little larger than regular Bengal tigers. There are a few hundred white tigers in captivity...