My dad took me to a drug store on my 10th. birthday in 1954, and said I could have anything I wanted in the whole store. I was flabbergasted, I made a bee line for the camera department and picked out a $14.00 camera which was a small fortune in those day's.

I've been having a blast and absolutely dazzled by God's creation ever since. I'm amazed at the vast variety of birds, animals and vegetation he has created for our wonderment and amusement ever since. Now if I could just fine the wherewithal to relocate to Alaska, Yellow Stone, the United Kingdom, Florida and how about New Guinea or anywhere else I can think of to find colorful and exotic birds and wildlife to photograph. :^D

I lived in Paradise, California most of my adult life so many of my photos reflex that area of the world for the most part. Till it all went up in smoke November 8, 2018. My wife and I lost everything we had accumulated over the course of 60 plus years of marriage, as did nearly everybody else in that little Sierra Nevada Mountain community. Luckily I had a couple of camera'a in our pick-up truck that managed to escape the flames. While everything we'd known for nearly 60 years all went up in smoke. My very grateful wife and myself with the help of God Almighty escaped the flames that took the lives of so many others.

Starting all over again in Chico, California. To bad I waited so long to renew our insurance policy. But what was the hurry? There's never been a fire in Paradise, so I procrastinated a bit too long.

It truly was a Paradise for us and our children for many years, we were truly blessed to have lived in such a wonderful community with so many wonderful people.

We watched as over 100 of my relatives gradually moved to town over the years to join us in our experience. The fire has ended all of that though, we all for the most part escaped the flames and are now living all over the country. We've lost connection with the vast majority of them. But I'm sure there all doing okay, because the same God and father that is taking care of my wife and I is watching over them as well. We've much to be thankful for.

I thank my flickr friends for taking the time to view my photo's and for favoring some, as well as purchasing some from time to time which helps to keep gas in the pick-up and encouraging me to continue my quest to capture the awesome beauty of God's creation. I'm grateful I can still do something to contribute, and perhaps encourage others as well.

God bless all my flickr friends. I Love you all, keep on TRUSTING AND RELYING ON JESUS, THE ONE WHO DID IT ALL FOR US!

My photo's are copyright protected and are also for sale. If interested in purchasing any of my works you can communicate with me here. Thank You for following.

Don Bantum

P. O. Box 351

Chico, California 95967

Email don@bantum.net