Adventures in Bliss
Adventures in Bliss
"You're Never too Old to Follow Your Bliss."
– me
I had a first career as a psychologist before “The Voice” let me know that it was time to change course. And I should take a camera with me. And share. And help endangered species.
So my second career began at age 50 as a wildlife documentary producer. And I lived my dream. My mission was to “honor the wild things and those who care for them.” My nature photography honors this mission as well.
I’ve recently discovered the title for who I am. I’m a Spiritual Ecologist, and I’ve become more politically active in efforts to protect the earth. And humanity.
I’ve written children’s books (and a couple are incubating now).
I’m ready for what’s next!
First Career -
Psychology
About My Psychology Career
Over the years I worked in many areas of psychology, from university professor to private practice to community mental health to college administration. My last gig was curriculum development and supervising dissertation research.
My vita is here to download if you’re interested: Avianna Jones Resume
Second Career -
Wildlife Documentary Production
“I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open
where you didn’t know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”
– JOSEPH CAMPBELL
The Voice and Career Change
Turns out that Apple was just launching Final Cut Pro, and Sony had launched a broadcast quality video camera, the TRV-900. So I bit the bullet, followed my dream, clicked the “Buy” button online, and formed Swallow Creek Productions in 1999. Turned out a friend from high school, Bill Baker, knew about the video production business, and he joined me for awhile.
I had the gear. Now I needed to learn how to use it.
Find the Best Teachers
And it just so happened that ProMax in Orange County was offering training on all things video related.
Sign me up!
DV Revolutionaries
Swallow Creek Productions
My first project was a documentary on the Swallows of Capistrano. They didn’t nest at Mission San Juan Capistrano anymore, and I discovered where they went: Saddleback College, just 4 miles up the creek.
It was a magical day. These little guys had just returned from their migration from South America and were feeding on insects in flight and dipping their beaks in the creek for a drink. And they were courting and pairing up for the season.
I had found my Bliss. Behind a camera, witnessing the lives of amazing beings on the planet. And sharing it with others.
When I finished shooting that day, I knew that I wanted to name the production company after that magical experience, and I chose the name Swallow Creek Productions.
A good friend’s son, Chris Posthuma, is an amazing graphic designer and created the logo to capture the swooping swallows over the creek. The shape of the swallow was inspired by a Hopi design. I still love it.
My Dream Come True
The full 30 minute version is on the Swallow Creek Productions YouTube channel.
We won lots of awards for this video, including 2 Tellys.
Happy Endings
Actually the HAPPIEST of endings. The status of the Catalina Island Fox has been changed from endangered to threatened. This is due to the implementation of the Environmental Protection Act and the partnership of the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Santa Catalina Island Conservancy and Institute for Wildlife Studies. Fox populations on three other channel islands have been delisted entirely, and the Catalina Island Foxes are hopefully on the way.
It was a dream come true to be part of this effort and in the company of these amazing beings, humans included.
Other Blissful Projects
I followed my Bliss and lived my dream. Dreams DO come true!
The Present -
Spiritual Ecology
“The goal of life is living in agreement with Nature.”
– ZENO
The Voice Speaks Again
When The Voice makes itself known, it’s usually during some mundane activity. I had just returned from a conference and had heard Danny Sheehan speak. He is one of my heroes and works tirelessly as a civil rights attorney and activist. Hearing him speak left me feeling like a lazy, well educated, privileged white woman. I didn’t like it.
Then one day at the dog park, on my way to pick up the pooper scooper, I heard The Voice.
“Spiritual Ecology,” it said.
“What?” I said.
“Spiritual Ecology,” it said again.
It didn’t exactly say, “Look it up, dummy,” but I admit that I was a little confused. I was not familiar with the term.
I looked it up. It was who I am, and who I have been all along. Now there’s a classification for this way of being in the world. I’m a Spiritual Ecologist.
I believe that all things are conscious and sentient, and deserving of our respect, gratitude and protection. All life is connected. And all life is sacred. And EVERYTHING is alive.
And I’m happy to find out that not alone.
What to do now …
What Next?????
I’m getting some ideas for a children’s book to promote a deeper connection to nature. Hopefully, by seeing themselves in nature – and as a part of nature – children will develop more empathy and compassion for our companions on this beautiful planet. And we will be more kind to all living things. That’s the only thing that will save the planet that loves and supports us all. And the only thing that will save us.
“When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”
– CREE PROPHECY
About the Catalina Island Photo
I didn’t take this photo during the Catalina Island Fox project, but a few years later.
The mountain town of Big Bear was concerned about drought conditions that were killing the trees. Bark beetles were invading and the trees could not fend them off. A group of believers in energy medicine brought a Medicine Man to Big Bear to conduct a ceremony to repair the ley lines – conduits of energy that support the Earth.
A Medicine Wheel ceremony was created. With Big Bear at the center, spokes radiating out 150 miles in six directions were designated. At the appointed time, before dawn, the healing ceremonies began at all locations and lasted all day.
Within a week, an unexpected and unpredicted storm brought record amounts of snow to the mountain, filling mountain lakes and stranding unprepared motorists. A miracle, some said.
Soon after the ceremony we took a day to fly over the sites and document them. We made a stop on Catalina Island, and I was able to get an aerial shot of the foxes’ home and wish them well. A magical day.