About
Ethical work. Education. Conservation.
I have always been a HUGE animal and nature lover. Preferring to spend as much time in the great outdoors as possible. Since my teens, photography went right along with my passion for nature. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that I actually started sharing my wildlife photography publicly after my husband relentlessly encouraged me to do so. Since that time, a couple of comments really have stuck with me. I was told by someone that they could tell by looking at my images that I loved my subjects. This meant a lot to me because I do. I have a desire to create images that inspire and evoke feeling. My hope is that this may lead someone to have a greater appreciation and respect for all living creatures. I was also recently told by someone that they had never really noticed birds before but ever since they started viewing my photographs and reading my stories, they notice birds all the time and said they realized that the birds are everywhere. They also said that now every time they see a bird, they think of me!
I am a lifelong learner. I love taking classes and learning about new subjects and also staying abreast of new research findings. There is always something new to learn. Just make sure that your source of information is a credible one. My favorite subjects include ecology and natural resources, research, conservation, and avian behavior. Additionally, I research everything I photograph. When doing this, I try to find something that is unique to this animal and include that information when posting a photo. One of my favorite things to do is just sit and observe animal and avian behavior. Taking the time to do this can even make you a better photographer because you can better predict what the animal is going to do or not do based on small queues they give you. I never want to stress an animal. They will let you know if you are too close or if you have watched them or pointed your camera at them too long. NO PHOTO is worth putting an animal through undue stress which could cause them to get injured or cause a baby to fall from a nest. The animal’s welfare MUST ALWAYS come first.
Conservation is a very big part of my life. In fact, it is a way of life - how I think AND how I act. We all share a responsibility for ensuring that the biodiversity of life on our planet remains so that our planet is around for many generations to enjoy. Even the smallest actions can make a difference.
I want to give back to the birds and animals that have given so much to me over my 1/2 century of life. I volunteer at the Carolina Raptor Center in their medical center and also capture and transport sick and injured raptors as well as re-nest baby owls & hawks. Serving in these roles has allowed me to release rehabbed owls, hawks, and vultures back out into the wild. There is no greater feeling in the world than watching a rehabbed bird fly off to a second chance at life. Please click here check out a short video of where I was featured on a local news station for my work at the Carolina Raptor Center! Also, check out some featured patient stories on the Carolina Raptor Center Rehab blog. This is a phenomenal organization with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.
PROFESSIONAL & CONSERVATION MEMBERSHIPS AND INVOLVEMENT/AFFILIATIONS
North American Nature Photography Association
Healing Photo Art Contributer
National Audubon Society
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Mecklenburg County Audubon Society
Carolina Birding Association - Newsletter editor
National Wildlife Federation - Certified “Wildlife Habitat” property
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
North Carolina Wildlife Commission
Canon Professional Services
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Raising & Releasing Monarch Butterflies
National Wildlife Federation - Certified “Wildlife Habitat” property
North Carolina Wildlife Federation - “Butterfly Highway” Registry certified property
Licensed Wildlife Rehabber - Captivity License for Wildlife Rehabilitation (22-WR01981)
