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I’m A Disabled Veteran Who Turned Into A Wildlife And Nature Photographer (29 Pics)
I am an expatriate British Armed Forces veteran now living in Michigan in the United States where I have lived for the last 18 years. I am now disabled having suffered two strokes a few years ago, and also have severe arthritis due to many previous injuries.
About five years ago, after suffering two Ischemic Strokes (caused by blood clots in the brain) I started to do nature photography as part of my recovery. I am self-taught having never had the time or money to pursue any formal education in photography, but I seem to have a natural talent for it. I love nature photography and now make my living from selling prints of my work at various art shows.
The following is a sampling of my work. I've included birds, mammals, macros of invertebrates, the night sky and landscape images. Let me know what you think!
If you are interested in finding out more about me and my photography, feel free to visit my website!
More info: capturedwilderness.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
Dancing Blue Jays
Two Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) fighting over feeding territory. This photo was taken during a snowstorm hence the falling snowflakes in the picture.
Red Fox Yawning
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) yawning after waking from a mid-afternoon nap.
American Mink
American Mink (Neovison vison) posing on a downed tree trunk. This little guy decided to come pay me a visit while I was out at a local country park photographing birds.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched in front of a barn wood shelter. This eagle is captive at a wildlife hospital due to a permanent injury to its wing.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker In Flight
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) in flight at a local country park in Michigan, USA.
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) perched on a fence at a local country park.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) storing food in the trunk of a dead tree.
That`s not a woodpecker. Anyone can see that with a tomahawk like that, this one is clearly a punkpecker!
Sunrise At Grand Marais Beach
This shot was taken just after I broke camp while on a photography tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Grand Marais beach is just outside of Munising, home of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Red-Tailed Hawk In Flight
Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) in flight. This photo was taken at a local country park in Michigan.
Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Blue Dasher Dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) perched on a flower awaiting its unsuspecting prey.
Milky Way Over Union Bay, Michigan
This is one of my night sky photos featuring the Milky Way galaxy - this one was taken from the beach at Union Bay, just outside the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
American Red Squirrel
North American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) feeding on sunflower seeds.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) perched on a branch during a snowstorm.
Thank you for the Mac Bridge. I grew up in Michigan - I miss that beautiful state!!
Mackinaw Bridge
Mackinaw Bridge at dawn, taken from the Lower Peninsula side of the Mackinaw Bridge. This shot was taken from just underneath the bridge.
Black Bear
American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) roaming about at a bear ranch (where the bears are free to roam around and are protected from humans).
Aurora Borealis Over Northport, Michigan
Aurora borealis over Northport, Michigan a small town not far from Mackinaw City in the northernmost part on Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
beautiful, I really envy all the people who can see Aurora for real
Lower Falls At Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise, Michigan
As a side note for all those looking at these images... the brown color in the water is caused by the Tannic Acid (Tannin) leaching from the Cedar swamps that the river runs through.
European Woolcarder Bee
Meet the European Woolcarder Bee (Anthidium manicatum).
Mackinaw Bridge At Dawn
Mackinaw Bridge at dawn, taken from the Lower Peninsula side of the Mackinaw Bridge.
Corpse Fly
Not entirely sure of the species of this one but it is a Corpse Fly - these are so named because they lay their eggs in the carcasses of dead animals.
Nasty name, but that is how the eternal circle of life goes around.
Fire Fly
Meet the Fire Fly (Pyropyga minuta) - so called because of their ability to glow by causing a chemical reaction inside their abdomen which works in the same way that the chemicals in a light stick do when combined.
Blue Grass-Carrying Wasp
Meet the Blue Grass-Carrying Wasp (Isodontia philadelphica).
Bond Falls, Michigan
This is Bond Falls, just outside the town of Paulding in Ontonagon County, Michigan - about 30 miles southeast of the Porcupine Mountains State Park.
Bond Falls Again
This is Bond Falls, just outside the town of Paulding in Ontonagon County, Michigan - about 30 miles southeast of the Porcupine Mountains State Park.
European Paper Wasp
The European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) - best not to annoy these as they can be quite aggressive and their stingers pack a punch.
These are so beautiful they make me want to play sick, leave early and drive myself to the nearest Arboretum (in my case the wonderful Morton Arboretum). You are so talented that someone should offer you a book deal. I would definitely purchase a copy for my coffee table.
A book deal you say? Any ideas who I would look to for such a thing?
Load More Replies...These are so beautiful they make me want to play sick, leave early and drive myself to the nearest Arboretum (in my case the wonderful Morton Arboretum). You are so talented that someone should offer you a book deal. I would definitely purchase a copy for my coffee table.
A book deal you say? Any ideas who I would look to for such a thing?
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