Happy Birthday To A Great Guy, Terrific Friend And Fine Photographer

Fujifilm X-T1, 18-55mm lens

My buddy, Bill, is 79 years of age today.  I made this image yesterday as we went out for the whole day looking for bald eagles and other birds to photograph.

Notice the big smile on his face. Notice the big Nikon D810 with the battery grip which holds a really big and heavy Nikon EL EN 18 battery.  Notice the Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma, as it is sometimes called) on it.  This must all weigh 8 or 8 lbs. even without a bag and accessories.  Notice the bounce in his step.  This is a man who is young at heart and can keep up with the best of us.  No small, mirrorless cameras for him.  He says he can still handle the "big boys!"  One-handed, evidently!

Happy Birthday, buddy.  

Bill has been a photographer for over 50 years.  He has taught hundreds of individuals general and forensic photography over those years.  He has had two full careers as well as serving in the U.S. Navy.  He had served the public for almost 60 years before he retired last July at 78 years of age.  He has a private pilot's license, a boat, can talk intelligently about particle physics, still remembers his Morse Code from his Navy days, and can speak about any other subject out there.  He is a renaissance man in many ways.  There is no stopping him!  Did I mention he was hit by a semi tractor-trailer truck while riding a motorcycle about 35 years ago?  Still, going.  Mr. Energizer bunny! Did I forget to mention always a positive attitude and full of jokes and laughter?

Best of all, his mind is clear, he is in good physical condition and he is a true friend.  If Bill is your friend and if there is anything you need, Bill is there for you.  And I mean anything you need, he is there without question.  You don't find many people like Bill anymore.  I am very fortunate to have Bill as my friend.  I just couldn't ask for a better one.  As much as he has done in his life, I'm the one blessed to have his friendship.

I just hope I'm doing as well as he is when I reach that age.  Maybe even half as well!  I don't know the secret to Bill's longevity, but I'm going to keep hanging around him and, hopefully, some of that will rub off.  After all, I will one day need to wish him happy birthday on his 100th as I know he plans on being out shooting photos until then.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.


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