In particular, this photo caught the eye of my old friend and Droog, John Merck, originator of the eponymous Merck shot, an extreme close-up that extends beyond the frame of the photo. I consider John the first skilled photographer I knew personally. I learned a lot from him and his photos, including the rule “Take lots of photos but show only your best.” I’m still learning the second half of that rule.

This was taken near one of the Tingley Ponds in Albuquerque. I used a zoom lens. I also cropped it tight even for me (nah, this is typical for me, especially on the Web. I don’t usually crop square but it suited this subject. (No, it is not a “box” turtle. It’s a red-eared slider, I believe.) Check out those nails.