Reflections on the A to Z Challenge

Reflections

I spent the month of April consumed by the A to Z Challenge. After thirty days of photo processing, researching, writing and commenting, I'm tired. Don't get me wrong, it was fun and I learned so much from the experience. I also met a lot of talented, creative people and have become truly inspired by several of the sites I discovered. I want to thank some of the participants who supported me the most:

Courtney Turner
Maui Jungalow A blog about rural and upcountry Maui, not the tourist bureau's version. Bugs, geckos, roads, gardening, housing and current issues.

Rinelle Grey
Otherworldly Romances Different worlds, different rules, different lives, but love remains the same. Author of sci-fi and fantasy romances.

John Wiswell
The Bathroom Monologues Something you don't see every day. Updated daily. Author of things inspiring, funny or disturbing. Sometimes all three.

Barbara Chicaderock
CHICADEROCK From a tiny village in Galicia, NW Spain. Hunts stories. Loves rocks, words and dew drops on cabbage leaves.

Jean Yates
Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! Writer / Jewelry Designer / Private Jewelry Investigator.

Susan Scott
Garden of Eden Blog Author of 'In Praise of Lilith, Eve & the Serpent in the Garden of Eden & Other Stories'.

My theme was animal photography and one of the most difficult parts of the challenge was finding pictures that coincided with letters of the alphabet. Somehow, I managed to scrape together enough images to meet the criteria. They weren't necessarily my 26 favorite photos and some were definitely better than others but I chose what I had to in order to make the plan work.

I'm hoping to get back to the drawing board, literally, and resume our investigations of the Evergreen area. Attempting to post once a week should seem easier compared to that every day stuff. Below are some of my favorite images that didn't make the A to Z cut. Well, have to run. We're looking into reports of dinosaur tracks being discovered near the town of Morrison, Colorado.

Mule Deer

Red Fox

Rocky Mountain Goat

Hippopotamus

Elk

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Great White Egret

Comments

  1. John WiswellMay 4, 2013 at 8:00 AM

    I think you did very well, and I enjoyed when you fudged for U-day. All of your entries were educational and concise.

    Also, that Great White Egret is striking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 12:22 PM

      Thanks John. Had to use some imagination for "U". It was fun trying to get into your world and understand what was going on, even though it often hurt my head. I'm fairly new to the blogosphere but I've really taken to it so hopefully the ideas keep coming. See you on twitter.

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 4, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    It's amazing how doable a normal blog posting schedule seems after the crazyness that was A to Z!

    Dinosaur tracks sounds exciting, keep us posted!

    Rinelle Grey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 12:17 PM

      I know, we worked and worked so relentlessly for the past month and just like that it's over. Now what? Hopefully we can stay inspired and keep working. Good luck with your novels. Here in Colorado, we like our dinosaurs.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 7, 2013 at 4:49 AM

      My daughter LOVES dinosaurs, so I know all about our Australian ones too.

      Delete
  3. Jean Katherine BaldridgeMay 4, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    Dear Dan, as I said once, I believe you and I have a lot in common. Your way of living is one I respect so deeply I cannot even express it. Thank you for mentioning me. Have a wonderful day!
    xox jean

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 12:11 PM

      Thanks again Jean. I wanted to make sure you knew how much I appreciated your following along throughout the challenge. It meant a lot. I will be checking in and I'm grateful for your friendship.

      Delete
  4. Arlee BirdMay 4, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    You approached the Challenge in a wonderful and unique way. Thank you for joining us in April and for sharing your Reflections here.

    Lee
    An A to Z Co-Host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 12:05 PM

      Thank you and your welcome. It was a great experience. For me it was more difficult than I thought but I learned a great deal.

      Delete
  5. JaniceMay 4, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    Nice finding you through the reflections posts! I love the photos and focus on animals! I just finished mine too it's all about agriculture. You can see it at http://janiceperson.com/agriculture/ag-awareness/blogging-challenge-atoz-a-to-z/ if you are interested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 11:39 AM

      Thanks, I had fun getting through the challenge. I grew up on a farm in Western Nebraska so I'm curious to see your site. I will check it out.

      Delete
  6. Courtney - Maui JungalowMay 4, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    Congrats on finishing! Enjoy the after glow. Thanks for the mention, and I'm enjoying the extra photos. We also have the Great White Egret in Hawaii, so it was interesting to see you mention it in Colorado.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 11:08 AM

      Thanks Courtney, you're the one who got me into this and you showed up every day so I wanted to make sure and let you know how much I appreciated that. The egret photo is one of my favorites, I actually snapped that one when we were in Florida.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 3:41 AM

    Loved the pictures , they are awesome/


    Congratulations on the completion of the Challenge and the great Reflection Post.

    Yvonne.
    A TO Z AMBASSADOR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 10:54 AM

      Thank you, I had a good time. It was a great experience and I met lots of nice people. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  8. Susan ScottMay 5, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Dan, thanks so much for the mention! It was truly a pleasure to meet you! Thank you for all you lovely photographs. Hope we get pics of the dinosaur tracks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 10:53 AM

      No problem, I wanted to make sure you knew how much I appreciated the interest you showed throughout the challenge. I know how difficult it was to keep up with everything. We like our dinosaurs here.

      Delete
  9. Kate OMaraMay 5, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Congratulations on finishing A to Z! Visiting, Following & Inviting you to my blog. http://whenkateblogs.blogspot.com/ Looking forward to 2014

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 10:49 AM

      Thanks, it was a nice accomplishment. I will definitely check your site out.

      Delete
  10. SandyMay 6, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    Awesome pictures, I'm trying to get the momentum of the challenge going but work has kicked into a higher gear so it's difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 6, 2013 at 10:47 AM

      Thanks, I know what you're saying. There's kind of a letdown after the pressure of posting everyday. I'm sure once you get caught up with work and get reset you'll be reenergized to start writing again.

      Delete
  11. EvalinaMariaMay 7, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    Mission accomplished, congratulations! Your photos are stunning, thank you for sharing.
    Evalina, This and that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 7, 2013 at 9:39 AM

      Thank you, it feels good to have made it. I will stop by your site.

      Delete

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