Director
When I was four years old I caught gophers (Richardson Ground Squirrels) with a string. Either the gopher broke the string, or I let go after being dragged around the yard for several minutes. That is my first recollection of interacting (negatively, from the gopher’s point of view) with wildlife. My second was at age 14, when I tried to photograph young great horned owls in their nest, and got knocked out of the tree by their irate parent.
When I was a teenager I visited a veterinarian, being interested in pursuing that direction of vocation. He thoroughly discouraged me from that occupation, stating I would only be dealing with sick or dying animals.
Discouraged, I changed course, studying instrumentation engineering technology. First working in the industrial field, I later joined SIAST in Moose Jaw, and taught there for 26 years. After retiring for two months, I became restless, and went back to work in Fort McMurray, then taught two years at SAIT in Calgary.
Being close to the mountains rekindled my interest in wildlife photography. The past two years of retirement have given me time to photograph wildlife. Of course, when you spend many hours in the field observing animals, you learn the individuality of each animal, particularly mammals. This evolved to wanting to preserve them and their habitat. We sell my photographs throughout the province. The pleasure I receive talking to clients about wildlife and photography far exceeds any monetary gain.
My wife Norma and I joined Nature Moose Jaw, where Jan Shadick was a guest speaker. Once we learned of WRSOS, we wanted to help. We are part of the “hotline” volunteers, and try to raise funds and awareness in our area. Next on the agenda is to become a pick-up and rescue volunteer. I will be able to look our friends right in the eye and say “don’t worry—I’ve had my rabies shot!”.