Under Mother’s Watchful Eye
One of my favorite overall shots that I’m most proud of – a manually-focused, 600mm zoom capture of a mother osprey keeping a watchful eye out to protect her babies. Captured in Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park, Florida. Growing up in South Florida, this was the first National Park I ever visited, and this particular time was my wife’s first time in the park. We saw historic crocodiles duke it out, a manatee rise to say hello, egrets wading in the shallows, snapper cruising for a meal, and alligators basking in the sunset. It was a very memorable day, a day where Mother Nature showed off and reminded us that we are of this planet, not just on it.
Bee Kind
Completely untouched; I loved the way this shot looked straight out of the camera. Taken at a sunflower farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia.
Almost 90% of wild plants and 75% of global crops rely on animal pollination, with bees playing a large role. Unfortunately due to number of human factors, bee populations are rapidly declining. If no action is taken, global food supplies could suffer. The easiest way you can help? Let your yards be! Chemical companies made weeds our enemy and turned it into an over $6 billion vanity industry for themselves, but in reality allowing your yard to grow naturally provides food and shelter for wildlife (including bees), and causes humans no harm.
Right at home
I was fortunate enough to get close up to a too-relaxed-to-care bighorn sheep in the middle of Badlands National Park. The vibes were immaculate, with this male ram comfortable looking over the vista he calls home.
Hello, Deer
While walking through what felt like a rainforest, spotted this going deer enjoying a healthy lunch in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.
Stowaway
When I lived in Seattle, one of my favorite day-trips was to the nearby town of North Bend. Awesome dog park, and often a herd of elk would roam near the park. On this day, I saw a little bird hitching a ride on the center elk. Easy livinā!
We All Start Somewhere
Sorry to my wife if she sees this; she has a lepidopterophobia – the fear of butterflies. Long story. This shot was taken on our first hike in Rome, Georgia, a cute town just a short drive from our Marietta home. The colors were so striking that I wanted to isolate them behind a black and white background. Butterflies are interesting in that these often vibrant, pretty creatures are first not-so-pretty caterpillars. It takes time and effort, but we all start somewhere.
A Stellar Steller’s Jay
A Steller’s Jay, or Blue Jay, at stopped to check us out in Mount Rainier National Park. It had just started to rain, and the forest was completely silent except the sound of a nearby waterfall, and the song of this jay. Beautiful.
Florida Puppies
A baby alligator relaxing in the shallows at Everglades National Park, Florida. The Everglades was once one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, but has been weakened by irresponsible water management and nearby agricultural development. Politics and money, especially around production of sugar cane, has gotten in the way of protecting this beautiful part of Florida.
Friends in High Places
This is not a āwildā shot, but I couldnāt help myself when I saw this red panda taking a nap high in a tree at the Atlanta Zoo. The day was very hot, and I imagine relaxing in the shade felt wonderful.
Blue Eyes In Blue Ridge
This nope-rope is much more afraid of you than you could ever be of it! A blue-eyed rat snake, spotted on a high-elevation hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. The blue eyes are a giveaway that this snake very recently shed its skin, which it will do 2-4 times a year.
Bulls On PArade
Being a bull elk during rut season isn’t easy. This bull had been eying another bull about 100 yards away, and decided that was too close – letting him know with a loud bugle and then a chase. This shot was taken just as the bugle began.
Photography collection and blog 
