Throughout my childhood my parents taught the pleasure of being in natural surroundings. Many summers were spent at our family cabin in Cold Lake where we hunted, fished, canoed and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. This time in nature led me to a career as a forestry engineer. Working in the logging industry in the summers through my university studies and beyond enabled me to see wildlife, plants, trees and lakes that were very beautiful. I have always enjoyed spending time in the woods quietly seeking out birds and other wildlife. When I had my own family, we spent many summers camping in Ontario Parks where my love of nature and photography grew significantly. Early in my career as a photographer I entered photos in the Ontario Park photo contest. One early morning sunrise shot Six Mile Provincial Park won 2nd place provincially and was published in Harrowsmith Countrylife Magazine.