Home is the southern coast of North Carolina. As a kid, I spent every possible moment surfing, sailing, fishing and enjoying every part of coastal life. I developed a fascination with the lives of wildlife early on and came to know them well. Terns and skimmers nested on remote beaches, the cooler months brought ducks to the marshes and shorebirds to the beaches, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and speckled trout each had their seasons of abundance, and each had my attention. I pursued them with passion and yearned to learn more about them.
This intrigue led to degrees in Biology and Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Fresh out of graduate school I landed a job with the National Audubon Society as the first manager of the newly created North Carolina Coastal Islands Sanctuary program. My career with Audubon grew from building a successful coastal sanctuary program to leading statewide conservation initiatives, and later leading Audubon's Atlantic Flyway coast strategy focused on advancing national and international conservation initiatives. After a successful career of nearly 32 years full-time following 3 years part-time with Audubon, my home state was calling. I left Audubon to accept a position as Executive Director of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. We protected many important properties during my tenure, but I am most proud to have led the acquisition of Hutaff Island, one of the last and best natural barrier islands on North Carolina's coast. I recently retired and continue to enjoy coastal life.
Honors and awards for conservation achievements:
- North Carolina’s Governor’s Conservation Award as Wildlife Conservationist of the Year
- Partners in Flight’s National Award for Stewardship
- National Audubon Society’s Charles H. Callison Award, the organization’s highest honor for staff achievement
- National Audubon Society's President's Award for Individual Achievement
- Garden and Gun magazine: included as one of ten environmental champions Saving the Wild South
- US Army Corps of Engineers Certificate of Appreciation for collaboration and partnership
My photographs have appeared in books, magazines, educational materials, websites and online publications such as American Angler, Audubon, Birds of the Carolinas, Birdscapes, Coastwatch, Eastern Surf Magazine, Gray's Sporting Journal, Haven, Longboard Magazine, National Audubon Society website, North Carolina Birding Trail Guide, North Carolina Sportsman, North Carolina Wildlife Viewing Guide, Our State (North Carolina), Project Puffin: How we Brought Puffins Back to Egg Rock, Saltwater Fly Fishing, Shallow Water Angler, South Carolina Sportsman, The Disney Conservation Fund: Carrying Forward the Conservation Legacy, Tide and Time: A History of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, UNCW Magazine, Waterbird Conservation for the Americas, Wildlife in North Carolina and Wrightsville Beach Magazine.
Through it all I have stayed connected to my roots and the rhythms of the coast. I get excited when the terns and skimmers come back to nest, hearing the whistling of ducks’ wings in the winter, and the moment a handsome redfish takes a fly crafted by my own hands. Whether pursuing fish, surfing, sailing or boating, any time spent in the proximity of water refreshes me.
A camera is never far out of my reach. I created this website to showcase images I’ve taken over the years and to share stories of my subjects. Thank you for stopping by!