Kimberli Bindschatel

Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

There is something magical about ice. All the glaciers I’ve seen have been on my mind this month, with the climate conference in France and winter coming.

I’ve held a piece of glacial ice in my hand. It was so crystal clear, it was like holding a magical, crystal ball. Eons of compression take every air bubble out. Amazing. And the shear mass of the ice wall on one of these things, especially the tidal glaciers, where massive chunks fall off, thundering into the sea. It’s indescribable. I highly recommend you see one for yourself. And soon. Before they are all gone.

Glaciers are a photographer’s dream. The lines, shapes, forms, are a joy to explore visually. I have hundreds of photos, every one dramatically different.

Ice. Amazing.

Two Book Events – This Weekend

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Poppy-3D+Shadow Friday night, December 4, I’ll be at the Nature Connection in Kalamazoo for the Art Hop from 5-9 p.m. Come out and say hello.

Then on Saturday, I’ll be at the Traverse Area District Library (on Woodmere) from 1-4 p.m.

Stop in, pick up some Christmas gifts.

Mountain Goat, Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

By Kimberli Bindschatel

This image is special for me because it was the first one I sold as a wildlife photographer. I’ll never forget how that felt. I hung the image in a local lunch shop and some anonymous soul paid real money for it. Exhilerating!

It took me three days to climb this mountain, in the blistering heat, carrying 80 lbs. of gear and, okay, well, really this guy was about ten feet off the main road about two miles from Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. That’s how it happens sometimes. My husband and I were on a trip out west and we came around a bend to find cars backed up. I figured there was some critter, so I grabbed my camera, flung open the passenger door, leaped out, and left my husband to find a place to park.

I love this pose, showing where his coat had fallen away. Beautiful, majestic creature. He now graces the cover of my newly released book, Wildlife: A Photographic Collection

Field Trip

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Last week, I took a field trip to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center. Yep, three-hour drive and I’m in Canada. Short trip, eh?
Why did I go? Well, the next Poppy McVie novel, Operation Grizzly Camp, will include a ride (or two) in a de Havilland Beaver. I was hoping to sit in the cockpit of one and get inspired. Visitors can board many of the aircraft at the center, but unfortunately, the Beaver isn’t one of them. They are very proud to have serial number 2 and she is a beauty.
I did enjoy the history of bush planes, particularly their role in Canada and fighting forest fires. If you are ever in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, stop in. You won’t be disappointed.
I have had the pleasure of riding in a de Havilland Beaver, but of course, that was many years ago and I wasn’t paying attention to the degree that I could remember details now. But I found some other ways (wringing my hands deviously) So stay tuned. Meanwhile, check it out.

An Artist’s Quandary

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Should I pander or stay true to my vision as an artist? This may sound trite or even, well, uppity, but, honestly, it is a struggle for anyone trying to make a living in any artistic field. I spent many hours pondering it with my photography, with the magazine, and now with my writing. What do I mean, you ask?

Recently, I wrote about removing swear words from my Poppy books. I stick with that decision, they simply aren’t necessary (though I did get an interesting compliment for not holding back, but anyway…) and that one item seems to be an interesting deterrent to many readers. I liked the story and particularly the character with them, but I’m fine with them removed.

But I’m now pondering other advice out there, parameters of genre. (Of course, I’m struggling to place my story within one definitive genre. Now that I say it, maybe that’s the problem. Hm.) For example, my female protagonist in a crime fiction suspense thriller action adventure (whatever you want to label it, I’m still working on it) absolutely, never ever, EVER, is allowed to cry. Really? Never? Okay, I get that no one wants to read about a wimpy woman who bursts into tears when she breaks a fingernail, or gets stuck on the subway, or her boyfriend breaks up with her. So noted. (No need to note. I couldn’t stand her myself.) But one of the main things I wanted to explore with Poppy (**SPOILER ALERT**) was how someone who is so passionate about animals that she’s made saving them her life’s work would react when coming face-to-face with the horror of abuse and neglect. How would she act the part undercover of an uncaring, brutal wildlife trafficker under that pressure? That first time, completely unprepared for the power of her own feelings, what would happen?

Frankly, I like that Poppy is that vulnerable, that passionate that she can’t hold it together. She’s not yet jaded, pessimistic, or numb. All her fire and passion is alive and raging. That’s what I love most about her. And I’m betting my readers will too.

I suppose I’ve answered my own question. Do I comply? H-E-double-hockey-sticks NO.

What do you think?

Ode to Tucker

By Kimberli Bindschatel

So, this past Friday, my husband and I had to put my beloved Tucker to sleep. There are no words. You’d think, as a writer, I’d have some profound message, some detailed description of all I’m feeling, some deep poetry to celebrate his life. But I’ve got nothing. Nothing but sorrow. Nothing but a deep whole in my heart where once there was unadulterated joy.

My Tucker was sweet and gentle and my life will never be the same without him.

There is nothing more precious than the relationship with a friend. Especially if that friend is a dog.

I’ll miss you my best buddy. Rest in peace.

Fairytale words

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Why Are Bad Words Bad?

Hm. Well, so recently I was given the (great) advice to remove the more offensive swear words from my Poppy novels. Apparently, this will broaden my audience potential. Sure, I’m up for that. An occasional F-bomb from Poppy isn’t exactly necessary. (And so I have, removed them that is.) But the entire conversation made me wonder: why are these words so offensive that someone would refuse to read a story that contains one? Especially when readers know the story contains violence and criminals? Of course these people use the F-word.

This harkens back to my post of July 16 where I spoke about violence in this country. Is that it? Are we so conditioned to the violence that we don’t mind it, but swearing is still somehow taboo? Crushing someone’s skull is blasé, pass the ketchup please, but don’t utter a four-letter word?

As a writer, one who strives for realism, it feels to me that avoiding these words makes for fake dialogue. It feels like I’m sugar-coating the real issues, like I’m making some fairytale version of the truth.

What do you think?

Autumn Color, Denali National Park, Alaska

By Kimberli Bindschatel

My fourth trip to Alaska was in September and I got to see the tundra in fall color, a long time dream. It was truly spectacular. Like a red carpet, rolled out to invite Winter.

Brown Bear, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

By Kimberli Bindschatel

This mama bear had her cub safely tucked away behind her, up the hill side. I was in a kayak and didn’t intend to get so close. Waves pushed me closer and closer. I was probably 30 yards from her, slowly back paddling. She kept her eye on me but didn’t seem too alarmed. Good thing because bears are good swimmers.

Harbor Seal, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Alaska on my mind. Been there four times and I can’t wait to go back.

I saw this harbor seal in Reid Inlet near Reid Glacier in Glacier Bay. Shy critters, they tend to pop up, spy for the quickest moment, then slip below the surface again. This guy proved to be no different. The play of the water, the textures, made this particular image stand out to me. One of my favorites!

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