Biography

My passion for nature photography began with a love for birds; I have been fascinated with them ever since I was a young child. I can remember watching through the window as they came to family feeders and learning to identify them using an old hardback Peterson field guide. As I grew up, I began spending almost all my spare time birding, learning to identify birds not only by their field marks, but also by song, behavior and flight patterns.

I am a member of the American Birding Association, and the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA). My multiple publishing credits, contest placings and clients include such names as: "Birding Magazine"; "Outdoor Photographer Magazine"; "Birder's World"; and a joint venture between Target Corporation and National Geographic.

I am currently the Publisher for a fast-growing and popular online nature photography magazine; NatureScapes.Net, which was created as an online exchange for nature photographers. Our goal is to serve as a resource for those interested in improving their photography and as a place where they can share their thoughts, their images, and their passion with others. The content is updated monthly with articles on biology, habitat, behavior, locations, art and technology as it pertains to our craft.

My photographic vision is to capture the beauty of wildlife and nature, and to share it with others through still images. Although I enjoy creating images of all things found in nature, being a lover of birds I specialize in avian photography. When someone sees a bird, it is usually a fleeting glimpse. Their beauty is often readily obvious, but it is only through still pictures that we can truly study and appreciate all that they are. I strive to capture birds in action in their environment as well as to create artistic, simple, up close and intimate portraits that show the details of their character.

My passion spills over to the desire to teach others. Helping others learn to capture the beauty of birds and other nature subjects through photography is my goal. I own and operate a successful photography workshop and tour business. As I travel the world taking pictures, I enjoy meeting others, teaching, and sharing my passion and expertise with them while making new lifelong friends in the process.

My equipment includes professional SLR camera bodies including the EOS 1VHS film body, the EOS 1D digital body, the EOS 10D digital body, and an assortment of Canon lenses. My everyday lens is the Canon 600 F4L IS. I also use the Canon 400 F5.6L for birds in flight as well as the Canon 100-400IS. I use the Canon 28-135 IS for general photography and close-ups as well as the Canon 17-35 for wide angle work. For use with larger lenses, my favorite tripod is the Gitzo 1548 with a Wimberley head. For use with smaller lenses, I rely on the Bogen 2110 with an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead, which goes back and forth between the tripod and my Kirk window mount when shooting from the car. I also use a ground pod for ground level work. For flash I use the Canon 550EX with a Better Beamer mounted on a Wimberley flash bracket. My favorite films are Fuji Velvia and Provia 100F, both for their rich color palette and fine grain, though the majority of my shooting today is digital capture.