I have just recently returned from Kenya, thankfully before the torrential record breaking rains arrived in full force. On our last night there, the clouds arrived in the evening as did the beginning of this long and extreme rainy season. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected, both human and animal alike. 
Some of the rain showers had fallen on and off in the weeks before our trip started and the lands were green and lush. Tall grasses often hid the lions lounging in the daytime until they lifted their heads briefly to check us out before returning to their slumber, but there were plenty of elephants, rhinos, giraffe and so much more to marvel at and mingle with from the safety of our open-sided vehicles. I'm still reviewing the 5,000 or so photographs that I made and will have new works available soon. As I look over my images, I tend to relive the experience and the day, so it can take longer than you might think! There are a few competitions, exhibits, art shows and conservation projects that I'll be focused on in the next few months, so those will keep me busy.

Perhaps one day we will kneel down and ask the animals for forgiveness.
​                                                                                               Dalai Lama

Thank you to everyone who attended my presentation "ENDANGERED" on Nov 4, 2023 at Peninsula Gallery and to Vivian and Mitchell who made it happen and to Mitchell's daughters and wife for their help. It was a great turnout and I  hope you all enjoyed the evening. As it was the first evening event of it's kind at Peninsula Gallery, any feedback would be welcome. We realize that we neglected to say that all of the work of mine that was on display was for sale and that price tags were not ready to put up for the evening. I also neglected to mention that all of my proceeds for any sales would go to my favorite animal and wildlife charities around the globe, as they always do from any sale of my work. They are: the BC SPCA and Wild ARC  here at home, as well as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya, the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee rescue, the Galapagos Conservancy and more. Please check out these charities and consider a donation to any one that speaks to you. 
"Perhaps one day we will kneel down and ask the animals for forgiveness," Dalai Lama

From Oct 7 through 13, 2023, I will have a mini-exhibit at the Peninsula Gallery in Sidney BC.
Later, please join us on Saturday, November 4 at 6:00pm for an image presentation and casual talk 
 I will speak about my journey to finding my passion for photographing animals and specifically, wildlife in Kenya. With a current focus on Endangered Species, my past work also shows that even man-made things which were thought to last forever, are fleeting and can be destroyed in no time at all. Think of Notre Dame in Paris.
Visits to the Galapagos, Svalbard, Iceland, as well as about 40 other countries, especially, and most recently,  Kenya, gently guided me to discover what is important to me and through my photography I hopes to foster in the
viewer an appreciation for the past and present, and perhaps give pause for reflection toward the future.
Proceeds from the sales of my work are donated to animal and wildlife conservation projects here at
home and around the globe. I have, to date, adopted 12 elephants and a rhino at the Sheldrick
Wildlife Trust in Kenya (and that “family” is still growing), contributed to the many projects at the
Lewa Wildlife  Conservancy Trust in Kenya, the BC SPCA, the Galapagos Conservancy and Jane Goodall’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
A pre-view mini exhibit of some of my work will be on display and for sale at Peninsula Gallery from
October 7 to 13, 2023 as well as on November 4th at the presentation.
Only 25 spaces are available, so sign up early!

I have three new pieces at the Peninsula Gallery in Sidney, BC, all from my recent trip to Kenya. My Limited Editions usually have 3 of each image, but two are limited to ONE only! Please check the Peninsula Gallery at www.pengal.com to see them either under the "New" category or under "Artists" and scroll down to find my name. Below are:
"Can You Hear Me Now?- White Rhino and Oxpeckers - Kenya"  One of Three in the edition.
​"Hartebeest at Sunrise - Kenya"  One of One in the edition.
"I've Got My Eye On You - Rothschild's Giraffe - Kenya" One of One in the edition

In March, I was blessed to be able to return to Kenya after a long wait through Covid restrictions over the past several years. It was like going home and coming up for air in an incredibly beautiful place. Nature as God intended. The landscape was different this time, parched land, dusty soil and, for the most part, beige crispy grasses after 3 1/2 years of drought. The wildlife was as amazing as ever, though most all looked tired, thin and dehydrated. The  people were so kind and welcoming, some of the same staff and guides were there and the food...well it was spectacular. In the last week of the adventure, the rains had begun much to everyone's relief, human and animal alike. It was surprising how quickly dry earth can turn into very thick, clay-like mud and how dramatically fast a dry riverbed can become a raging river. The thunderstorms were intense, the seemingly endless rumbles and explosions of sound reverberated through every fiber of one's being, especially through the canvas walls of the tent at night. But still, it was a strangely soothing sound in an otherwise perfectly silent night..
I've been working my way through my 8,000 images and videos, selecting some for upcoming exhibits and shows and presentations. It's slow going as I tend to relive the experiences as I go along. Can't wait to return!

I am overjoyed that the Sooke Fine Art Show Children’s Choice Award has been awarded for my piece “A Serious Conversation”!
 As a photographer, I’ve made images of a multitude of different subjects, but my deep love for animals has taken me to places where a deeper bond developed. Within a day of arriving in the Galapagos Archipelago the first time I visited in 2013, I decided very quickly that my main focus from then onward would be on Endangered Species and Endangered Spaces. Showing my work to people has been a great thrill, especially when I can tell a story as well, but the audience I hope to inspire most is the young people who may grow up to help conserve nature and wildlife by falling in love with it. Winning this award inspires me to continue with my vision.
 For many years now, the proceeds from all of my sales go toward wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Since this piece was created in Kenya, I will be dividing the prize money between the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, both in Kenya. As today is World Elephant Day, I’ll be adopting one of the newest rescued baby elephant at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nyambeni, to be the eleventh of my adoptions of 10 elephants and 1 rhino at the Trust. My family continues to grow! You can check  the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see her story and others.
Other organizations to which I donate the proceeds of my art sales are the BCSPCA, Wild ARC, The Galapagos Conservancy, Jane Goodall Foundation, and many more.
 
Thanks again from Nyambeni and me!

"A Serious Conversation" has been juried in to the 2022 Sooke Fine Art Show. I watched this graceful cheetah meander through the tall grasses one morning in Kenya. She then slowly chased something for a few seconds, then stopped and lay down. I continued to photograph her for some time including when she stood up to look around, still calm and relaxed. It wasn't until some time later when I reviewed my images more closely that I discovered what I thought to be a shadow, was indeed a hare, sitting upright,  face to face with the cheetah. On further examination of the next photos made of her standing up, I saw the hare sitting underneath her, in the shade by her hind legs and swaying tail as she surveyed the landscape. They simply seemed to be sharing the peaceful early morning sun on the  savannah. I am so grateful to have witnessed and captured such rare and special moments between the two of them. The piece  is 20" x 30", an archival print on dibond and a limited edition of 3.

I am happy to announce that I have three pieces in the Metchosin Art Pod '"Field, Fish and Forest " exhibition. The Gallery is open from 11am to 4pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until July 31, 2022. It is a lovely drive out to the Gallery, so please come by to see all of the works on display.

We have decided to postpone the Kenya Conservancy Safari until 2023 due to the ongoing instability of Covid-19 and it's variants as well as the uncertainty of the world events at this time. Kenya is also in the midst of a massive drought. In lieu of travelling this year, I will be sending funds to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to help in that way. Plans are being made for the Safari in 2023 around the same time and to the same places as in the previous itinerary, so please have a look at what we will offer..
I continue to show my work at Peninsula Gallery in Sidney BC and there is a large selection of my work on their website. I also have my work on display and for sale at various venues around Greater Victoria. As always, a portion of the profits from all sales goes to the BCSPCA and Wild ARC here at home, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya and this year to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Funds as well.
​I wish everyone the very best, wherever you may be.