It's funny how long it can take a person to hear their calling. As a young boy growing up in the Bronx, it was hard to find clues that wildlife photography would be my passion. But they were there. My exposure to wildlife during those years was mostly limited to Scout camp and visits to a friend's family cottage in Monroe, New York. I remember always being fascinated by frogs and lizards, and just about anything else we could catch, but there was not enough exposure to begin a lifelong interest, or at least that is what I thought.

Years later I became interested in photography, and as a young adult purchased my first film SLR camera. For years I wandered aimlessly through the world of photography, learning some basic skills, but not settling on any general area of interest. Travel photos, to city landscapes, to flowers, but nothing got the juices flowing.

Then one day in 2009 I learned of a rookery of great blue herons on the James River in downtown Richmond, VA. I hit the river with my first Rebel camera and an old 100-300mm lens, and there I found my calling. It has been a fantastic road I have traveled since that day, one that has connected me with undeveloped childhood interests, brought some of the greatest thrills of my life, and introduced me to new friends that I am certain will be there for life.

I hope you enjoy the images on these pages, which represent the first leg of my journey in the world of wildlife photography. The road ahead is full of techniques and skills that I have obviously yet to learn, and adventures of which I am still unaware. Thank you to those who have helped me find this path, I am sure you know who you are.