Since before I can remember, I've loved nature, wildlife and art. I think I can trace a lot of this to my grandpa. Like me, he loved the quiet and calm of nature. He enjoyed painting, and I can remember spending hours watching Bob Ross or similar type shows with him. He also had a massive collection of National Geographic Magazines, from about 1960 to 1990 stored in his basement. Whenever he could, he'd find me issues that had feature articles on African wildlife or just sit with me and let me figure out which issues I'd want to bring up from the basement.
I can remember seeing those old "Wildlife as Canon Sees It" Ads in most of the magazines. I loved how they always focused on something different, often an animal I'd never heard of. I specifically remember one of a Harpy Eagle and the image is burned into my memory.
As I got older, I collected more photography books, never dreaming that I could go out and take my own images. It wasn't until my early thirties that I decided to get a decent camera and start spending time out in the wilderness. Living in Edmonton, Alberta, it's not a particularly long drive to the Rocky Mountains (Jasper or Banff National Parks) so I started my photography journey there. I never get enough of Canada's west coast, and try to get there a few times each year as well. After that, it's really only my budget and time that limit where I can go next.
The beautiful thing about art is it's only limited by your own imagination.
I've also got a great little photo assistant - my best buddy Metztli.
