I love to go to Balboa Lake, in the San Fernando Valley to shoot the wildlife, mostly birds. There is a wide variety of amazing birds in this area of Los Angeles County. That said, the people who congregate along the lake paths are so very colorful and beautiful, but you gotta be open to seeing it.

The regulars vary in many ways, from joggers to soccer moms and dads, bikers, grandparents pushing toddlers in strollers, to boaters and fishermen. I see this Vietnam vet all the time, and while I don’t really know the details of his story, every day he finds a way to get some bread and bring it over to the birds to feed them. One day, I finally mustered the courage to talk to him and asked, "Do you mind if I take your picture?" He looked up at me (and a bit cantankerously), he said, "It's a free country." Adding, "At least for now."