If I weren't a photojournalist, I can't honestly say I would have attended a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. It's far too easy to sleep in on what would normally be an additional day off, or head off to the family barbecue an hour early. But that's exactly why I love my job: It forces me to experience and appreciate things I might otherwise pass on by. For those who have served our country or lost a loved one in war, no other day is more important.

As I approached a veteran in the crowd at Muskego's ceremony and asked him for his name, he actually thanked me for taking his picture. It caught me off guard for two reasons: First, it's rare for people to thank me for taking their photos. Some actually run away. Second, he shouldn't have been the one doing the thanking — it was HIS day to be recognized.

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/5000, Manual
Joseph Streff (center), a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 488, salutes Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/8000, Manual
Dennis Duran, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171, watches the red, white and blue balloons float into the air Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171 bow their heads in prayer Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1250, Manual
Patryk Schlomann, 12, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 93, out of New Berlin, grabs a balloon Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Names of deceased veterans were attached to the balloons and released at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Thanks to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to meet a bald eagle and owl up close and personal this past weekend. The center presented a program at the Muskego Public Library. The Raptor Center specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation, and study of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons.

I couldn't stop focusing on the birds' beautiful faces. Of all their features, I'd argue the most striking are their eyes. It was interesting to see the owl turn its neck completely around to look who's behind its back. Owls have had it figured out all along! An owl's neck has 14 vertebrae, which is twice as many as humans. This allows the owl to turn its head through a range of 270 degrees.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f3.2, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Muskego residents are serious about their dodgeball.

The second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament was held this weekend at Muskego High School. Approximately 35 teams entered the tourney and pelted balls at one another in front of a packed house. The teams ranged from lunch ladies adorned in hair nets to sports teams decked out in their school uniforms.

I only got hit twice.  

Nikon D2H, 135 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Erika Drenzek, a member of the Muskego High School varsity girls softball team, celebrates a win Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Lee Perry, a cafeteria worker at Muskego High School, dodges a throw Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Two teams compete Friday, March 14, 2008, at Muskego High School during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Go ahead. Tell THESE guys roller skating isn't a sport. I dare you.

When I was a kid, we spent our Saturday afternoons skating in circles to the music of Bryan Adams and Cyndi Lauper. "The Oldies," we called it.

Come to find out, the Oldies now are tunes from Jock Jams and "Come on Ride the Train." Hey ride it ... woo woooo ...

The music may have changed, but the skates definitely are the same.

Here are a few photos from roller skating class at a Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego. This particular school is one of just two schools left in the area to teach roller skating to its students.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f6.3, 1/30, Manual
Dylan Seawright (right), a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out a little frustration while taking a break Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

 
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Cole Janz, a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, keeps his balance Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Andrew Haupenchal (left), a second-grader at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out his excitement Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
A student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, takes a tumble Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

I'm a sucker for wandering backstage.

As photojournalists, we're given the opportunity to see moments audience members oftentimes may miss. A few days back, I was assigned to photograph the rehearsal for a Winter Concert recital, held at the Muskego High School Performing Arts Center. I walked in the front door and sat down with the audience for a few minutes. I found my way to the front row and shot a few different angles of the kids singing on stage. After about a half hour, my frustration was getting to me. I had one or two "decent" shots, but nothing I was proud of. I decided it was time to move on to my next assignment, so I gathered up my gear and slipped out the side door. But as I was leaving, I glanced backstage and saw some great moments happening — the teachers were helping some of the children with their hand motions. They were encouraging the kids to sing louder and pay close attention to the director.

This, in my opinion, is the type of story we're there to tell. Anyone can bring along a point-and-shoot camera and take a picture from the 17th row. But not everyone is afforded the opportunity to see an unassuming teacher simply encouraging her student to do his best.

I wish I knew how to make a nice photo out of a basketball player shooting a free throw. I really do. But, I don't. Free throws rarely lend themselves to appealing photographs. So, during those moments, instead of focusing on the players, I look around. Sometimes, I see photos like this. Othertimes, I don't see a thing.

Her name is Sophie and she's 3 years old. When Sophie gets "big," she wants to be a cheerleader, she says. But for now, she's perfectly happy as the mini-mascot for the Muskego High School cheerleading squad. For the first half of last night's boys varsity basketball game between New Berlin Eisenhower and Muskego, Sophie shook her poms, grinning from ear to ear, all while staying within arm's reach of the girls she looks up to oh-so-much.

As photographers, we're inherently people-watchers. Not a day goes by where I don't see the world through a viewfinder, whether my camera is physically in my hands or not.

This photo was shot with a "long" lens (telephoto zoom) at 200 mm. I was sitting on the opposite end of the basketball court. If I had attempted to take this picture with a wider lens, chances are, I wouldn't have gotten the shot. The further away (and less obvious) the photographer is, the more natural people will be.