My dears, a few brief thoughts from my world:

**UPDATES AND NEWS**

I've been absent on my personal page for a few days, but it feels more like weeks. Too many changes ahead for me, of which I will mention some upcoming trips this summer that may interest you:
- A road trip to Canada (this is a necessary trip, but of course I will be doing some photography too). Along the way I hope to visit Detroit, Niagara, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
- A week in Iceland (dream come true :D)!!
- A road trip through Austria, Italy, and Switzerland (the Alps + some favorite cities). 
- Road trip through the Rockies, planning to visit Rocky Mountains National Park, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff, and Jasper.
- Possibly a longer trip on the West Coast of the US from September (still deciding on this).

This will be the most traveling I'll have done in years, but it may be only the beginning. Think you'd like to get updates from me? **Hit the Follow button!** I think you won't be disappointed. :) 
I hope to write more travel blogs/vlogs in addition to posting photography, but it all depends on time.. never enough of it! :)

**LOOKING FOR CAMERA GEAR SUGGESTIONS**

I need to upgrade my camera gear and I am quite torn between the Sony Ar7ii or Ar7iii, Nikon D810 or D850, or some Canon full-frame (6D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 5DSR). I have done some research these days and I confess that I am, indeed, grieved for the lack of great Canon camera options. I switched from Nikon to Canon a couple years ago and haven't looked back (yet!). They are both great brands, but I LOVE THE CANON COLORS. I switched to Canon for this reason before I knew there is, in fact, such thing as "Canon Colors," and so far nothing else has come close for my personal preference. This alone is enough reason for me to stick with the brand, though I am very tempted by Sony (which seems to produce some fine colors too), and I am open to be persuaded to return to Nikon. Any thoughts/suggestions from your personal experience? 

First thing on my list is a Mavic though, so **DO follow me for updates because we'll be having great fun with the drone!!**

**NATURE PHOTO CONTEST UPDATE**

Regarding the Nature Photo Contest, I love looking through the entries each day (or every other day when it gets too busy)! I hope to schedule some time soon to catch up with sending the prizes - aiming to get that done this week. Thanks for all your contributions to this contest! I still hope to find some sponsors but it has sooo busy I've barely had time for the minimum. Meanwhile, **does anyone know how contestants/followers can set up auto-votes?** I really need to look into Steemauto soon too. (If you're not familiar with this, check out @naturecontest.)

For now, here is a favorite shot from a friend's wedding I photographed a few days ago. 

<center>[![IMG_8749-9 ACA.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP8ujYurGUNrGsJhm4MrNHdknwwSqGGq9yP4tJHbjPjca/IMG_8749-9%20ACA.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP8ujYurGUNrGsJhm4MrNHdknwwSqGGq9yP4tJHbjPjca/IMG_8749-9%20ACA.jpg)*© 2018 ACA Photography/@shadalene. All rights reserved.*</center>