It has been said that there is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness. I have admittedly become a bit obsessed with this amateur naturalist thing. Nature observer might be more accurate. The idea of identifying and categorizing fits my fancy.

I'm not a professional photographer by any means. Cameras just happen to be a great tool for capturing moments of time and place in nature. This started for me with a desire to gather reference photos for future artistic explorations in drawing, painting or digital montage where I can apply my illustrative and design sensibilities.

I feel a special affinity to these natural areas as if an extension of my own back yard. Literally, just a few yards from my fence is the main entrance to Edenbrook Conservation Area. I'm proud to be among the ranks of the 18 percent of Minnesotans who participate in viewing, identifying or photographing Minnesota flora and fauna.

A graphic designer by trade, my creative energy has always been deeply rooted in nature. A kinetic thinker, I return from my walks creatively refreshed and often armed with solutions to my most pressing creative (and life) challenges.