As we celebrate the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, be reminded of the second sentence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Enjoy the day! Eat a brat, drink a beer (or three), and watch a fireworks display, all in the pursuit of happiness of course.

Thanks to my friend, fellow Nikon shooter, and Navy vet Bernie Campoli, one of my Bald Eagle photographs was chosen for the cover of the Fall 2005 edition of the Navy SEAL Museum magazine, "Fire In The Hole". The photograph was taken in Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park in August 2005 using a Nikon D2X and a Nikon 200-400mm VR lens (f/8.0, 1/500 sec., -0.7 EV). A detailed journal of the trip authored by another friend and fellow Nikon shooter, Bernie Weinzimmer, can be found on the NWP – The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum website.