Foraging & Denning: Paul by JW Johnson

 'Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.'

There are certain photographers who I associate with specific times of the year.  For most, it's connected with the location where they live and work.  Many of course shoot in studios, but so many also take advantage of their outside environment. Some, who live in Florida or Los Angeles, I tend to feature more in the summer.  Because of the weather and geography, so many of their visuals are sensually sun soaked and often shot near swimming pools or on beaches.

Three are some others, I tend to seek out in the fall.  Many of these artist also shoot outside, capturing the visual colors of the Autumn and winter.   Many of these photographers live in Canada, or in the US in the Midwest or along the Northern East Coast.  One of those photographers I associate with the cooler seasons is JW Johnson.

JW lives in the Midwest, which means he gets both hot summers, and cold, snow and rainy winters.  I've featured many of JW's spring and summer shoots, featuring his work in outdoor gardens and on the farm where he often worked.  But I've also featured his Christmas shoots, and so many of his color Autumnal shoots.  With the hibernal season in full swing, I was overdue for another visit to his portfolio. 

Although most animals are thought to be at their most lascivious in the spring, there are exceptions. Some animals, like bats, echidnas and some skunks do mate in the fall.  Male groundhogs actually wake up about a month before the end of hibernation to check out other burrows for potential mates.  Chipmunks and squirrels don't officially hibernate, and often wake up during their long winter naps for quickie, ensuring their offspring are born in the spring.

We all know the other exception is the human animal.  We exhibit some of the same hibernation traits that animals do.  From Hyperphagia, (Increased Eating) to growing thicker hair for a warmer coat.  We forage, den and shelter and have a noticeable decrease in activity.  The one main difference, out increased level of horniness. 

In this series of images, just before the sun sets on Autumn, Paul is basking is the last of the late afternoon's sunlight and heat.  Soon... it will be dark by 5p.m, and he'll be snuggled in for the winter.  Paal's work is seasonal, meaning he sweats under the sunlight for about six months of the year.  From late November through early May however, his time is all his own.

Although he loves to hibernate, his schedule means he's not in a panic about getting all his copulating in before December 21st.  He has all winter, yet sometimes, finding a partner can be more of a challenge when the temperatures dip, and most people are outside.  In the summer, just by working outside with his shirt off,  results in sexual partners being plentiful.  There is no real need to seek, they usually flock to him.  In the winter however, like the lone wolf in the woods, Paul's always on the prowl to forage, looking for paramours to bring back to his den.

JW Johnson Photography

JW Johnson on FH:

JW Johnson on ModelMayhem