Tag: perseverance

Eclipse Pearls

Photography by Tobias Yoder

Two photographers changed the notion that photography is a solo venture by teaming up for a year-long research gig on how to get the best pics of the next total eclipse. Canadian wildlife and nature photographer Liron Gertsman and Texas bird photographer Tobias Yoder traveled together to Spain. Each had taken spectacular eclipse photos in 2024 and were on a quest to capture the perfect eclipse photo in 2026.  They were not just looking for perfect weather conditions. They also were in search of a great white stork!

It turns out that Spain held the best eclipse opportunity. Spain also lays claim to possessing the largest stork breeding population in Europe. The pairing of this great bird with an eclipse shot was irresistible. With over 50,000 breeding pairs of white storks to choose from in Spain, the intrepid photographers went on a stork-nest hunt.

Oh, there was a third element desired in the perfect shot – either a church bell tower or a castle tower, please! Yoder created an app to help define eclipse possibilities, utilizing his background in software development. The determined photographers split up their tracking map, each searching for appropriate sites. They drove to nest locations, always on the lookout for nests on towers.

A particular church bell tower with a stork nest perched on top was pre-selected as “the one.” Yet, the big unknown (in addition to weather), was whether a given stork would return to its bell-tower nest by 8:30 PM local time. The stork-nest hunters visited their ideal location for 3 evenings before the big day. On two of the evenings, the picture-perfect stork returned to roost before the 8:30 time slot. One evening was a late night out, but Gertsman reasoned that their stork shot would be successful due to effects of an early darkened eclipse sky. Only arriving 30 seconds before eclipse totality that special night, the chosen stork became a collaborator, offering its silhouette in stunning stillness.

Just to make sure their photo adventure would not be a bust, the photographer innovators had set up backup cameras in a location far away. They programmed this second shoot to begin 15 minutes pre-eclipse and keep snapping away approximately every 5 seconds. Fortunately, their secondary location also delivered. It was an awesome photography evening!

For more photos from that lucky night, see https://petapixel.com/2026/08/19/two-photographers-spent-a-year-planning-the-perfect-eclipse-photo-and-success-came-down-to-30-seconds/?ck_subscriber_id=2584255186&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Start%20packing%20to%20avoid%20this%20common%20regret%20-%2023021000

How much of our lives do we overshadow our own curiosity and creativity? We can be inspired by the grit (passion + perseverance) shown by these photographers. Their intention to collaborate paid off with unique results. How might we encourage others to take on peaceful projects that inspire creativity? As “Nickel Creek” Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer-songwriter Sean Watkins suggests, “Only the curious have something to find. “  

Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz

528. When have you captured a photo of a unique slice of nature?

529. What has to happen to you to feel awesome joy?                    

What Makes a Champion?

Pearls of Peace was a “champion” blog multiple times in its every-Monday 5-year run of 500 words. Recognized by Illinois Press Women’s Association (IWPA) and National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), here are some reviewer comments:

“One of the more compelling and emotional statements I have read with an associated entry…the blog is…inquisitive…and with a firm perspective.” It is an honor to have positive acceptance of my musings on disparate topics. My goal is to offer curious connections that might lead readers to pause for mindful moments.

What does firm perspective mean to me? It encompasses my belief in cultivating a growth-and-grit mindset to live one’s life with meaning. It takes both continual learning and considerable grit – passion plus perseverance – to keep working on some goal for any extended amount of time.

Writing a blog is not the same as being a soccer player, but a firm perspective about one’s craft is also necessary for the passionate and persistent soccer players making their way to World Cup championship rounds. I cheered for many different teams, but mostly I cheered for players’ relentless resolve, their stick-to-itiveness in their performances. Being a champion is not just about winning accolades.

Another champion is a boy named Mattie J.T. Stepanek who died at age 13 from a rare genetic neuromuscular disease that also claimed the lives of all 3 of his older siblings. His mother, Dr. Jeni Stepanek, did not know that she possessed an adult-onset form of this genetic condition. Mattie lived with a firm perspective when it might have been otherwise. He embodied a growth-and-grit mindset in his short lifetime. Beginning to read and write at age 3, Mattie wrote poetry to grieve the death of his brother. He named his poetry Heartsongs and eventually published 7 books of poetry and peace essays. Here is his 9-year-old poem, On Being a Champion:  

A champion is a winner, / A hero…  / Someone who never gives up / Even when the going gets rough…Someone who overcomes challenges / Even when it requires creative solutions / A champion is an optimist.  /A hopeful spirit…  / Someone who plays the game, / Even when the game is called life…  / Especially when the game is called life.  / There can be a champion in each of us, / If we live as a winner, / If we live as a member of the team, / If we live with a hopeful spirit, / For life.

Mattie advocated for improved hospice laws for children. He referred to “global neighbors…in the mosaic of humanity.” His call for “pathways and choices” for personal and global peace were messages for world leaders. Mattie’s birthday on July 17th is honored in his hometown (Rockville, Maryland) as Peace Day.

My blog’s 5th birthday is July 21st. Let’s share Mattie’s hopeful passion for peace among global neighbors.

Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz

516. What are you passionate about?

517. Where does your resolve and perseverance take you these days?