A B O U T
THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING ...
In 1873, naturalist and preservationist, John Muir wrote in a letter to his sister: “The mountains are calling and I must go"(1). While these well known and compelling words appeal to outdoor lovers everywhere, the full quote "...and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly” exemplifies a deep appreciation for what our natural reserves and wilderness areas can teach us.
In my time exploring the Canadian Rockies and beyond, the mountains have taught me that nature and wildlife photography is as much about watching, waiting, interpreting, understanding, and appreciating landscapes and habitats as it is about the thrill of a great encounter. It's about recognizing and communicating the value, importance, and delicate balance to be found within unspoilt places, as much as it is an artistic endeavour.
When we reconnect with nature, we are compelled to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and pay closer attention to our surroundings. We give ourselves time and space away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and gain a greater sense of perspective.
INTO THE WILD ...
The mountains were always calling. Growing up in the United Kingdom, I was grateful for opportunities to escape the city and explore some of my home country's areas of outstanding natural beauty. Those places will always hold a special place in my heart, yet if I was to experience true, unspoilt wilderness first hand, I would need to travel.
Today, I enjoy a fulfilling career and spend much of my free time exploring the mountains, foothills, wetlands, and prairies of Alberta and beyond. I draw my inspiration from the rugged Canadian wilderness and from my travels further afield. I endeavour to master the craft of nature and wildlife photography, while capturing truly authentic encounters that communicate the beauty and importance of wild creatures and wild places.
TREADING LIGHTLY ...
When exploring, there's nothing I love more than seeking out unspoilt landscapes and wildlife behaving naturally in its native habitat. It is so important that while enjoying the wilderness we minimize our impact upon it. Anyone who has spent time living in or close to our national parks will frequently hear and read stories of how our failings to tread this path lightly often end in tragedy for wildlife, and sometimes people too.
In the spirit of protecting what we love, I follow principles of responsible wildlife watching, observing from a respectable distance, striving to avoid impacting the behaviour of animals I encounter, and taking steps to preserve the habitats on which they co-depend.
Learn more about how we can Keep the "Wild" in Wildlife with Parks Canada(2).
1. Wurtz, M. (2018). What Muir Really Meant by ‘the Mountains Are Calling’. Adventure Journal.
2. Parks Canada (2017). Keep the "Wild" in Wildlife. Government of Canada.