Krahnpix was always an odd combination of wildlife photos and my eclectic version of wit. I’m pretty sure I was the biggest fan. I suppose that was a natural outcome of pouring my heart and soul into a project.
Through good times and bad, I passionately chased wildlife, learned a few tricks of the trade and tried to find creative ways to write about my images. I discovered that I probably got better photos than I deserved and not everyone connected with my sense of humour – though it was a thrill when someone did! I liked calling myself a blogger.
Time passed and I kept churning out the posts. But then a few days ago, I entertained the idea of ending this blog. I was surprised to feel more relief than sadness.
Somewhere along the way, my passion for wildlife photos had lost an edge. It became obvious what it would take to get to the next level of wildlife photography. I simply wasn’t willing to get that cold, uncomfortable or bored. The joy had begun leaking out.
When I looked ahead to my ideas for future blogs, none of them seemed to measure up. I had put great effort into creating quality posts and I wouldn’t want to do it any other way. Krahnpix had come to an end and I was simply catching up with reality.
Four years ago I started this blog without a plan and any expectations. Through 300 posts, it was a true adventure. I never imagined that I would come in contact with such wonderful readers and be blessed by thousands of complimentary comments. I also never imagined that 2012 would be the year I got the most blog views followed by a healthy decline every year thereafter. It’s actually quite amusing.
I am currently reading about the benefits of failing and knowing how to end well. I’ve got the theory down but the application is still a work in progress. While at first blush it might seem a bit harsh, this blog has been a good fail. I have learned a lot, had great fun and would do it all over again. Still the time has come to say goodbye and cherish the memories. That’s a good thing.
Farewell Krahnpix. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Krahnpix 
Hey Lyle, I missed this post back in May. I think I was going through a bit of the same things, plus I got a little hooked on Twitter and ignored my reader for a while. Just wanted to add a sorry to see you go. I always appreciated your photos and the Sask connection (my wife is from there). Just because you decide to end something doesn’t mean it was a fail. Good luck with the new blog!
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Now come old boy you have surely recharged the batteries – gieus a post 🙂
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Your good humour remains alive I see. I miss our banter.
I’m working on something else that might see the light of day. If it happens, I’ll post it here.
Keep Scotland in good order!
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Hi Lyle,
I keep missing your fantastic wildlife photos and I know only too well the sacrafices that have to be made in order to succeed building a good blog.
After all I have myself been blogging on a daily basis for 12 years now, and I really know (and understand) your feelings in this area. But – I do miss
your pictures. Really! And perhaps you’ll never be reading this message? (I’ll take that chance) So why do I write it?
There will ceretainly be many other visitors (becausse after 4 years you’re lying as a ‘favorite’ in hundreds of places on the net, And people need to know
the costs of drifting a real readable blog. It’s way to simple to just click a ‘like’ and return home. If we really appreciate a blog (and want it to expand and/or continue)
we need to leave a comment and a real appreciation of the work laid down.
I probably should not even say this on the net, but I’m about where you once was, putting up the same questions and NOT appreciating the answers I’m finding.
But I do understand! Hoping you’re well and that you are still taking pictures when you have the time!
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I am doing well (though clearly not checking the blog often). I so appreciate your comments. I miss the interactions with you and look back with so many fond memories. At the same time I have not had any urge to pick up where I left off. I have some other things I’m working on which might see the light of day. If it does I’ll note it on this blog.
I hope you’re still doing well and taking photos. I appreciate the struggle you’re going through. It’s not an easy. Then again every endeavour has its other side.
Cheers my friend.
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Hi, Lyle –
I was really looking foreward to hear from you, but when everyting remaing kind of quiet, I concluded that you had more or less shut down? 🙂
I think I’m over the fence as health goes, but you know, with that kind of problems it’s a bit foolhjardy to think that everything is OK? So I’m checking things out on a regular basis, and I think that I’m in the green zone, but still checking . . .
Playing with the idea of buying a drone! My biggest problem these days is age. Closing in on 80 much fastet than I ever imagined, but if I can handle a drone, things will be much easier on me and I may still publish fantastic panorama shots and if not – I guess things might be over before you know it!
Cheers!
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Not sure I like this over the fence talk! You’ve always struck me as someone who chased life to the full. It’s a good thing to do.
I really like that drone idea. I have been quite intrigued by their development. I think that would be a lot of fun.
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I do, Lyle, but 80 is 80! There’s no denials. I just can’t do, nor keep up with what I was doing at 60 – nor 70 for that matter. Which is why I’m contemplating a drone to do the job I can no longer do myself. But I do see a lot of possibillities opening up to me if I can learn to handle such an instrument!
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Yes every age does seem to have its limitations.
There could be a learning curve in figuring out how to fly them but I imagine great satisfaction in figuring it out.
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The problem being that nobody wants to learn, and the ‘teachers’ die off before they have had a chance to convey their experiences.
But let me tell you here and now:
At 80 your income has fallen to approxiamately 50% of what you once used to get.
You breath heavier, you can’t seem to do more than a fraction of what you used to do, you don’t eat as much (nor drink), but astonishingly the days seem shorter and shorter even if you have nothing much to do.
(That’s becaus you are working everyhing slower than before aand need all the time you can get 🙂
And you’re making new discoveries every day!
(Because you’ve forgotten most of those you had from before! 🙂 )
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I haven’t been on the internets much this summer so just finding out, and although I’m sad, if you are ready to move on, then I can accept this. I, by the way, do get your humor, I thot you’d like to know that. I will miss seeing your awesome photos but maybe you will start a new blog to entertain us with?
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I am pleased to hear you get my humour and it makes sense since I get yours. Without Internet most of the summer I suspect you were in some amazing places and had great fun photographing them. Your summer photos were fantastic. Strangely I haven’t picked up a camera since I ended the blog.
I have been working on another idea for a creative outlet. We will see if anything comes of it.
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I’m very sorry that I missed your farewell when you posted it. I had many other things on way-front burners. I have very much enjoyed getting to know you, and your work has been an inspiration. I know that your creative impulses will surely lead you on to even more wonderful developments, and I wish you full success and satisfaction as you pursue them. With a warm hug.
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I check back here occasionally and was pleased to read your wonderful comments. It was a great run and I thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges we had. Who knows what lies ahead? All the best wherever you journey takes you.
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Hi Lyle – this one is for you. Please come back once you have had a chance to recharge your batteries. Blogging is indeed hard, but you are so talented and your work is often extraordinary. I also took a long break from both reading and posting and so page views from me were low but that was never a reflection on how valued your work is. It was just a reflection on my own life circumstances. Anyway, you are missed and this one is for you: https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/beautiful-great-blue-heron-konmari-your-blogging-life/
Best, Babsje
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I really appreciate your words here and on your blog. My rest from blogging and photography continues – we shall see where it all leads. I wish you all the best in blogging and life.
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I have been away from the blogging world myself for months and am saddened to see that you are also stepping away. I have truly enjoyed your photos and comments and chatting with you from time to time. I know the energy and time and ‘expense’ of keeping up a blog – I truly do. I have not felt the drive to write or take photos or post or read other blogs or – you will know all about that – for a very long time. And still I am sad to see you step away. I do understand it. You will have to let us all know what new adventure springs up to capture your creative energies so that we can cheer you on in new ways! Take care, Lyle…
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I really appreciate those comments. When it’s possible to share humour and serious conversations with the same person, it reaches another level in my books. And you made me laugh many times. Scott Adams thinks only about one-third of people have a sense of humour and I think that’s about right.
It seems to me that people who gravitate toward creativity are generally lousy plodders. They prefer an ebb and flow or different seasons – and so it is with blogging. I think that’s OK. I do wonder if you will tap into that poetry geyser again.
Your travelling along my blogging journey was one more reason I look back with fond memories. All the the best!
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