I’ve never been close to an animal like Zip. I’m mostly stuck inside in this bitter cold, but Zip has joined Maria’s entourage—Fate, Zinnia, Bud, the sheep, etc. She misses nothing and has excellent instincts about when to take a picture in the wind or the woods.

She knows when a bug will fly, a flower will grow, or a mushroom will pop up from the dirt. Instinct is a photographer’s gift and the gift of a true nature lover, not an iPhone’s. She has it.

These are not the usual cat photos. They say a lot.

In one,  Zip the King sits on his throne; in the other, Zip the rascal and troublemaker stands on the open door of the coop, glowing at the hens and making sure they aren’t eating something he wants.

Knowing this, Maria got on the coop’s other side and caught him right at it.

He is incorrigible and has a sense of humor. He cannot be nagged or contained. He is crafty and can be funny. He is loving without caring about what his humans tell him to do. Thank God he is free.

When the weather warms, he and I can continue our adventures. I know Maria will capture the moment—she always does.

Maria is not a saint, as I often portray her. That would be boring.

She has a temper and the mysterious mood of an artist. But she is a fantastic person who creates fiber art and gardens, makes wool into yarn, makes videos and blogs, shares knowledge and explanations about nature, and so on. She also happens to have a heart of gold. And she is wary of men, as most good women are.

When we started working together, she had never used a computer, sold or made a quilt or potholder, taken amazing photos, made terrific videos, talked to donkeys, sang to sheep, or written openly or thoughtfully about her life.

She takes beautiful photos now; I often wish I had taken them myself. However, I am thrilled to look at them, and she is gracious (most of the time) enough to lend them to me for my blog. We are both fiercely competitive, but we have also worked it out. We ride in different lanes.

She takes beautiful pictures every day. Thankfully, she’s not interested in flower art, but I know I wouldn’t be taking those photos without her.

Zip caught in the act. He often eats the hen’s breakfast if we’re not watching.

Oh, and yes, she’s a writer, too.  Her writing is thoughtful and honest. Her nature art is striking. Her beautiful fiber art is sold all over the country and, sometimes, the world.

She is, first and foremost, an artist, but it can sometimes be hard to keep track of her other gifts. Now, she is a serious photographer. She took these wonderful two photos of Zip yesterday and today.

She has a gift for animal photos and never fears taking on a new and creative challenge. Like Zip, she is all over the place and rarely stays still.

There were moments when I got jealous, but they have faded. It would be ridiculous now. I’m very proud of my partner, best friend, and lover. I’m old enough to be surpassed (at times) comfortably.

As these two pictures show, she has the gift of capturing life. Thanks for it, sweetie.