I use photography as an excuse to spend many hours being in and interacting with the natural world. Happiness creeps into my psyche when I am able to witness animals doing what they do to survive 24 365 outdoors. I volunteer to lead guided walks at Steigerwald Lake NWR, co-lead the Steigerwald Photography Group, and promote photography with youth by helping to lead and administer our Gorge Refuge Stewards' Youth Photography Contest. My desire is to not only immerse in nature, but also invite others to fall in love with it. That relationship is critical to the health of ecosystems we are an integral part of, and therefore our own existence.