Time: February 1995
Location: "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, South Florida

There I am, shooting frame after frame of the fabulous birds residing there, many of which would no doubt grace the covers of several national magazines. It was during a film change that I notice a bearded man taking a picture of - not birds as you might expect - but the LICENSE PLATE on my old pickup! My personalized tag reads F8NBTHR, which is a rather loose interpretation of an old photographic expression, "F8 and be there". At the time, it seemed rather clever but has since proved to be an irritation. I'm forced to explain what it means to everyone that asks. Also the meaning of F8 (while getting that blank look), and further explain why I chose such a stupid thing to put on my license plate in the first place.

"Nice tag", the bearded guy said when I approached him to see what he was up to. Clearly he was a notch or two smarter than the average inquirer. "I often photograph unusual or interesting signs and license plates," he says, "I plan to put them in a book someday. By the way, I'm John Shaw."

OH MY GOD! It really was John Shaw! For those of you who never read or look at photos, John Shaw is one of the most published nature photographers in America if not the entire planet. I have ALL his books. I've spent hours studying his techniques. I drool over his images. HE DA MAN! And here he was, right in front of me, eye to eye, and I hadn't even RECOGNIZED him. By way of snappy conversation, I mumbled, "Take all the shots you want". "Thanks, but I think I got it", he said, and walked away. Gee. I'd blown my chance to have a real conversation with my idol. I'll never get another opportunity like that. What a dolt!

Time: One year later, early spring.
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

There I am, on a remote hiking trail near Greenbrier Cove, photographing a few wildflowers, when I noticed a bearded man walking up the trail.

"Find anything interesting?" he asks. "Well, this Dwarf Iris is kind of pretty," I say. "I found some of that yesterday. There are several other nice species about a mile down the trail," he replies. "Thanks. Say, you look kind of familiar." "I'm John Shaw," he says, extending his hand.

OH NO! I'd done it again!! I hadn't recognized the main man.

He remembered me!

"Well, I need to get going before I lose the light," he said, and walked away.

Darn, darn, darn, another chance blown. I had wanted to chat about his experiences and places he had been. I wanted to talk exposures, f-stops, license tags, anything. But it was not to be.

Time: December 2002
Location: Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico

There I am, making breathtaking images of flying sandhill cranes when I notice a bearded man shooting next to me. Actually, I had noticed his camper on the back of his pickup first. It was the popup variety, very compact, and seemingly lightweight. Having an interest in such a camper for the old pickup, I asked the man about the manufacturer. He explained, quite politely, who built it, what the specifications were, and where it could be purchased.

"Umm, do I know you?" I said.

"I'm John Shaw. I see you still have the same truck".

So now you know the story of how John Shaw and I became close personal friends. I just wish I could recognize him a little quicker!

Editor's Comment: Let us know what you think! Please email the Editor to let us know your thoughts. Our special gratitude goes out to John Shaw for allowing us the use of his photo and for letting Warren provide us with yet another of his fabulously humorous meanderings! John's website is located at: John Shaw Photography. Be sure to stop by and pay a visit - this is one outstanding site!! ~Michael

Warren Williams has been doing photography for over 25 years focusing mainly on Nature and wildlife. His work has been published in several magazines, including Outdoor Photographer, Outdoor Oklahoma, Oklahoma Today, and Persimmon Hill (the magazine of the Cowboy Hall of Fame). Several of his photos have also appeared on calendars by Smith-Southwestern. Warren is an active member on Photo Migrations and would also invite you to visit his website located at: Warren Williams Photography - Images of Wildlife and Nature.