California Poppies

About Me

I grew up in Northern California and as a kid I traveled a lot on family vacations to National Parks and other beautiful locations. In high school I got into B&W photography. After College I moved to Denver, CO and fell in love with hiking getting really into it and did a little bit of backpacking. I went on many several day adventures to seek out more nature in the Colorado area. Since most of it was on my own I didn't do much backpacking. When with friends I didn't bring my heavy film camera from the 70's, since it would just slow me down even more.

Now I have a really nice 20 MP Digital SLR camera that is pretty light although bulky but I don't have many people to hike with and a leg that is still healing.

20 years ago I was in a severe snowboarding injury and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. Several months after I learned how to walk again but slow to regain hiking. Thats when I got a DSLR camera and got to be creative and not spend the money on film and developing. The second summer afterwards I went on a backpacking trip with some friends that were very accommodating for me helping carry equipment and such. Even missing a ligament I was still able to cross a small creek on a fallen tree. (see pic below). I had my trekking pole but obviously didn't use it crossing on the tree.

With a new digital SLR camera I had quality images and the ability to edit in Photoshop which I learned pretty good. I don't really edit very much just mainly bringing out detail in areas that are lacking pop or attention to detail.

I went on a Photo workshop led by John Fielder a famous nature photographer in Colorado. I told him about my injury so he know my limitations of my memory and going slow because of my knee. At the end I told him that I went to visit the ski patrol where I had my injury and brought my homemade pizza to share with them. I make the dough and do it all from scratch, except making sausage and cheese, etc.

I went to his gallery a week later and said hi when I asked him if he would like to try some of my homemade pizza. (I have nothing to lose). Many months later he came over and I cooked a couple pizza and then asked near the end if he had any openings at his gallery. Whoa! He talked to the director of the gallery as he was the owner and wasn't running day to day operations. So I went in for an interview and got a job.

After working there a couple years he invited me on a couple workshops for free to learn more. Later he asked me if I wanted to go backpacking.

Hmmmm, let me think. :). I said yes and he brought 2 llamas to carry the load since I couldn't carry much and he was getting older (60's). It was a 3 night adventure and I think 25 miles total.

Ten years ago I moved to Massachusetts to be closer to some family and that has been 10 years so far. I haven't been able to go on as many hikes recently as I don't know very many nature photography friends so I have been to many local parks that are just around the city I live in Haverhill, MA.

I had another knee surgery summer of 2023 and that was complicated but went well. So far I have been doing good with that and doing quite a few short hikes without many problems. Just recently however I am noticing that my balance is still off after my surgery so the unsteadiness is from my brain injury. :( I hope I can find many beautiful places that aren't too far up the trails. In the past I have done some hiking and even backing with an adaptive sports organization. 'Waypoint Adventures'

Here I am crossing a creek with some good friends. I had my good camera and a large day backpack with just the basics in it. I had some nice friends.

On a backpacking trip with the llamas my friend John handed me the rope and said he would take a photo. I wasn't leading them on the trip at all but during the trip they acted very calm and just carried on and ate the grass they saw and drank water. No need to bring food for them and we were near creeks and streams. Luckily not too much need for crossing anything major. We were in the Rawah Wilderness in the Northern part of the Front Range of Colorado.