About

I am at best a photographer who is passionate about preservation issues. Nature photography has always been for fun but lately I’ve felt the need to give back and support the non-profit preservation organizations who are working to preserve our lands and water.

A Little History

My love of photography began as a teenager when my parents purchased a Yashica 35mm film camera and three lenses through a mailer offer from Texaco.  While they were intimidated by the manual settings and multiple lenses I was just the opposite so they gave the kit to me.  My love of nature pulled me in like gravity and every stick and twig, every bud and fern, the surface of lakes, trees at sunset, everything in nature became my subject.  I shot everything horribly for years…but that didn’t deter me.  When my trusty Yashica finally went to the camera heaven in the sky I switched to a Canon EOS and just kept playing.

For awhile I was a film snob, refusing to lower myself to digital but the Sony Cybershot 5.0 megapixel turned me around.  That tilt lens was the bomb!  I loved it.  Moreover, I learned all about Immediate Gratification.  No more waiting for days for film to be developed only to be disappointed by the quality!  I could do it myself and loved the control.

Today

My Canon body collection consists of the 20D, 40D and 5D Mark II.  Lenses include a sweet Sigma 18-250 small zoom which is great on the 40D but isn’t compatible with the full frame 5DM2.  Sadly.  I love that lens.  Other lenses include my favorite Canon 50mm 1.4, Sigma 70mm Macro, Sigma 100-300 zoom, Canon 18-55 and the amazing Canon 100-400mm EF, a great birding lens.  This is a lot of stuff for a hobbiest but I’m no spring chicken and these items have been collected along the way.  Some of it is shared with my daughter, who shares this passion with me.

Other Passions Besides Photography

I am deeply passionate about conservation and preservation issues.  As a Master Gardener, my focus is on using native plants, practice xeriscaping and am expanding my knowledge on growing vegetables for a community garden.  GMOs and corporate greed not only disgust me but also make me concerned for our planet’s future.  Currently, I’m seeking within my consciousness as to the best way that I can contribute to the Earth.  How to get involved that doesn’t overwhelm me but makes a difference in some small way.  Blogging is another passion.  As a contributor to the blogosphere my goal is to present positivity and beauty into the world.  Reading other blogs from around the world is a daily enjoyment.  Bloggers open my eyes, fill my heart and soul with knowledge, beauty, Spirit and Life.

My Mantra

“God grant me Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”