Bored Panda
I'm A Disabled Veteran Who Turned Into A Wildlife And Nature Photographer (29 Pics)

I'm A Disabled Veteran Who Turned Into A Wildlife And Nature Photographer (29 Pics)

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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!

#1 Dancing Blue Jays

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.
64points

#2 Red Fox Yawning

Red Fox Yawning
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) yawning after waking from a mid-afternoon nap.
63points

#3 American Mink

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.
56points

#4 Bald Eagle

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.
55points

#5 Red-Bellied Woodpecker In Flight

Red-Bellied Woodpecker In Flight
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) in flight at a local country park in Michigan, USA.
55points

#6 Honey Bee

Honey Bee
Macro of a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) feeding on flower nectar.
53points

#7 Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) perched on a fence at a local country park.
50points

#8 Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) storing food in the trunk of a dead tree.
50points

#9 Sunrise At Grand Marais Beach

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.
45points

#10 Red-Tailed Hawk In Flight

Red-Tailed Hawk In Flight
Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) in flight. This photo was taken at a local country park in Michigan.
42points

#11 Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Blue Dasher Dragonfly
Blue Dasher Dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) perched on a flower awaiting its unsuspecting prey.
36points

#12 Milky Way Over Union Bay, Michigan

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.
36points

#13 American Red Squirrel

American Red Squirrel
North American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) feeding on sunflower seeds.
33points

#14 Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) perched on a branch during a snowstorm.
32points

#15 Mackinaw Bridge

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.
32points

#16 Black Bear

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).
30points

#17 Aurora Borealis Over Northport, Michigan

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.
29points

#18 Lower Falls At Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise, Michigan

Lower Falls At Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise, Michigan
29points

#19 European Woolcarder Bee

European Woolcarder Bee
Meet the European Woolcarder Bee (Anthidium manicatum).
28points

#20 Syrphid Fly

Syrphid Fly
Syrphid Fly perched on a leaf.
27points
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