I joined NPN in 2003, and was very active until a few years ago when I took a break to care for ill parents. Very happy to be back in 2024!

Most of what I have learned about photography came from over 20 years at NPN , and the great community here so willing to share and support. I’m indebted especially to Hank Pennington, who so patiently answered many personal notes early on, and gave unending encouragement. RIP, Hank.

I was the kid with the Brownie camera. My grandfather, whose best friend was Edwin Land (Polaroid Land camera), gave it to me when I was awe-struck by his new-fangled instant Polaroid images.

I was a Nurse Practitoner for many years at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai and then in Northern California, now happily retired and free to travel the world with my Biology and Environmental Professor Emeritus husband Jim.

I didn’t get really committed to photography until digital came out. Instant feedback and a wonderful “delete” button instead of hundreds of rolls and $$ into the trash. My primary interest is bird photography, but anything related to nature or just “interesting” is a likely target.

I grew up in Ohio on Lake Erie, and spent many days wandering Magee Marsh, as a free-range child from a very early age. I got lost and spent a wonderful night there at age 5, while my frantic family was calling the police. I didn’t understand the problem. I listened joyfully to the owls all night long, and ever since, keep the window open at night to hear the night sounds.

I’ve lived on the west coast since 1978, after Grad school at UCLA, and my husband Jim and I travel very often, with bird photography in mind. I’ll go anywhere and do anything, as long as there is not a coup in progress. Jim is the BEST travel planner, driver, spotter, and id-er . He has never-ending patience while I’m trying to get “the shot.”

We retired to a sleepy little southern Oregon coastal town whose biggest fault is the 2.5 hour drive to the closest airport, and we love it here.

I hope you enjoy my perspective on this wonderful , humbling, and inspiring world!