Michael K. Hurder (Popi)
Those details about me: I was born in Boston in 1951 to a hard-working blue-collar family. After high school, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and served a tour in Vietnam as a Scout/Patrol Dog Handler with the 1st Cavalry Division. Due to injuries sustained there, I am now a 100% Disabled Veteran. I stay active with VFW Post 7265 in Livermore; CA. I also take part in several MWD-related organizations. These include the Vietnam Dog Handler Association and the Military Working Dog Heritage Museum, among others. Much of my personality reflects that time in the Army. This journey is about my dedication and service.
If you took a minute to read about the MWD program, I guarantee you won’t look back. Click those links up there.
Author at the War Dog Memorial, Riverside, CA – 2020
I’d been wary of visiting War Dog memorials. Until 2020 I stayed away for fear of how it would affect me. I still wasn’t okay with having what I felt inside so visible on the outside. I much preferred anonymity. In 2018 I attended a reunion of K9 handlers from the Vietnam era. It was the beginning of big changes in me and my life. I completed my memoirs only because of this breakthrough.
Woof, Prince!
K9 still leading the way.
A saint found me in 1977 and married me, and that’s why I’m still here. We have three remarkable children, and they have gifted us with four (going on five) extremely remarkable grandchildren, ages three through sixteen. We moved to California in 1987 when a better employment choice presented itself.
Career and Travel
I found my niche after the military and physical recovery in Field Service and the Technical world. My wanderlust was fed adequately with all the work-related travel, some of it international. Towards the end of my career, I spent most of my work time in Ireland. My historical appetite was well fed and a renewed interest in photography was born. Who wouldn’t try to capture the charm and beauty of such a place as Ireland? I was away from the often-overwhelming hustle and bustle of the US. I enjoyed a calm I had not felt since high school.
Once retired, I returned to school. I wanted to further my photography skills. Imaging has always been a lifelong passion, but I have only recently fully embraced it. I believe I’ve been gifted with talent and vision. My mission is to share that vision.
About Popi’s Pics
Photography
Popi’s Pic’s is more than a mere gallery; it’s a photo journey through the enchanted realms of nature and the pulsating rhythms of city life as seen through the eyes of a visual artist – me. I’m Popi, as the grandkids call me. Amid landscapes that whisper the ancient stories of the earth, seascapes that capture the flirtatious dance between the waves and the wildlife that reveals the untamed heart of our planet, each photograph is a testament to moments frozen in time.
The world narrows to a rectangle as I peer through the viewfinder. This frame, when rendered, will grip tightly to reality, or alternatively, it will inspire the imagination. At this point what I see becomes a canvas upon which I can create. No photographer has a perfect method. However, I like to think that what I create is pleasing and tells an interesting story.
Now, if the scene lends itself to being creatively altered…
…well, I’ll push that creativity to the next level with AI. Anything goes at this point – wherever my mind takes me. Also, I’d much prefer to save a throwaway with AI than lose it. I will tell you when I do, though. IE: The image above is of myself testing out Elon’s Mars Buggy, the X-moto. 😋😎😉
Immerse yourself in a visual feast that bridges the gap between the world you know and realms you’ve yet to explore.
Click the image below…
… jump to a musical slideshow – without the sales hype.
Fine Art Photography what is it?
Writing prose
Weaving Dreams into Reality
Not only does Popi’s Pic’s offer a visual spectacle, but it also presents a profound literary adventure into the world of fiction and autobiography. With narratives as compelling as the visuals, the author paints with words, infusing the imagination with characters and stories that linger long after the last page is turned. Delve into the depth of emotion and the height of adventure, where each book promises to be a companion you’ll cherish. Click the link below the cover pic to purchase here at a discount. You can also find them on Amazon.
Understanding the experiences about these brave animals is essential.
For the seekers, the dreamers, and the connoisseurs of life’s hidden beauty, Popi’s Pic’s is an invitation to own a piece of this extraordinary world. Whether you find solace in a serene landscape, thrill in the dynamic sprawl of a cityscape, or seek the thrill of wildlife in its rawest form, here is where your search ends. Explore our collections and find your own connection with the art that speaks to you, without uttering a single word.
Table of Contents
I am a private Nature Photographer. This is my Photo Blog and Photo Shop. I also sell my books here.