To me, Nature is God. Without it, we simply would not exist. Conserving the world’s natural spaces and the creatures that live there is paramount to the survival of humans as a species, and I have therefore dedicated my life to studying environmentalism in order to help people co-exist more successfully and sustainably with the natural world.
All natural materials I use in my creations are either sourced from roadkill, Fish and Game, secondhand sources such as fellow artists and estate sales, or are antique. In this way, I'm ensuring that no animals were needlessly killed for the sake of the artwork I produce. I fully believe that no part of any creature should go to waste if a purpose can be found for it, but I do NOT support trophy hunters or overseas fur farms by buying 'byproducts' like bones, skulls, or claws directly from them. The only exception I make for this rule is for parts from animals legally culled for population control programs approved by Fish and Wildlife.
As a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, I've been involved with many fantastic organizations such as Images4Life and Wild Tiger, as well as the Sierra Club and many smaller, local groups.
I've been published, interviewed, and even featured on Rainn Wilson (Dwight from “The Office”)'s personal networking website, SoulPancake.com.
I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity to visit many of the world’s most amazing wild places, like Komodo Island, Bali, Lombok, Malaysia, and the Cayman Islands, and have even documented entirely new species previously unknown to science.
Other interests include: Wilderness survival, primitive skills, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, boffing, airsoft, snowboarding, meandering around town, and caving.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
happy hollow by *NWunseen
Painted Hills, Oregon - Not far from where I did my wilderness survival training!
(Source: terrestrial-noesis)
The liger is a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a tigress (Panthera tigris). Thus, it has parents with the same genus but of different species. It is distinct from the similar hybrid tiglon. It is the largest of all modern felines.
Ligers enjoy swimming, which is a characteristic of tigers, and are very sociable like lions. Ligers exist only in captivity because the habitats of the parental species do not overlap in the wild.
Unfortunately, Ligers in captivity suffer from all manner of ailments throughout their lives, even before birth. Many grow so large inside the mother that she will require a dangerous C-section in order to get them out alive. Thereafter, as a result of their genetics, ligers grow to monstrous sizes at an alarming rate - much faster than is normal. This causes deformities in their internal organs which leaves many with permanent health problems for the duration of their lives.
As they become older, they continue to grow larger. This is because the growth inhibitor which exists naturally in the genetic code of both tigers and lions is non-existent in ligers, and the beasts can reach weights of over 950 pounds - much larger than any other existing cat in the history of earth (yes, even saber-tooth cats were smaller than this! The only exception would be the extinct North American cave lion, weighing in at an estimated 990 pounds).
Unfortunately for ligers, who lack the same stocky build and thicker bones of their prehistoric predecessors, this enormous size does no favors for them, and in fact, may lead to further health problems as their own internal organs crush one-another, leading to slow and painful deaths. Other issues faced by these hybrids include neurological disorders that lead to head shakes and the mental retardation.
As if this alone were not reason enough to stop breeding ligers and similar hybrids, it’s also a well-established fact that these cats serve no conservation-related value, and exist solely for the purpose of human entertainment. The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has deemed the practice of breeding hybrids such as this as “inhumane” and “irresponsible” while efforts and resources could instead be focused on breeding critically endangered species.
Thankfully, no accredited zoos in the USA breed these cats today, leaving the practice instead to roadside menageries, private backyard breeders, carnivals, and circuses.
PLEASE - DO NOT support places which breed hybrids!
(Source: earth-song)
WILD nesting golden eagles!
I can hardly contain my excitement over this discovery. It’s really not often that you come across eagles, or nests, or least of all eagle nests. But to find an active eagle nest with chicks in it? That’s nearly impossible.
It started out with just one eagle - the big male - who was soaring around by the cliffs. He landed, and I photographed him for some time before he flew away, and I figured that would be the last I’d see of him. But then he came back, shortly followed by a second eagle - a massive female. She carried a trout in her talons, which I figured he was trying to steal from her. But the two weren’t scrapping and their lazy flight made me believe that they were instead a mated pair.
Even so, as I panned with the female in the camera’s viewfinder, I wasn’t expecting to see a colossal nest pop into frame. It was so well hidden on the cliff-side that I’d have never noticed it until she lead me right to its location.
I was thrilled. I smiled wide and let out a little squeak of triumph. Then, as I watched, the two eagles sat in their nest together and tore the trout apart to feed several fuzzy-headed chicks. I couldn’t tell how many there were, but I supposed more than one, because as soon as she was done feeding them that trout, the female set out for more.
Heading back to the cliff-side for more shots in an hour.
My Oregon.
(Source: thebigwant)
A wild leopard in India enters a village in search of food, only to find himself chased and beaten by frightened locals, who attempt to bash the cat with sticks to force it back into the jungle.
The tactic backfires and the enraged leopard goes on a rampage which leaves dozens of people - villagers and authorities alike - severely injured.
The cat was eventually tranquilized and captured, but later died of injuries inflicted by the villagers.
Source: The Daily Mail.
(Source: r-e-l-i-c)
Jaguar warrior, South America.
(Source: culturalcrosspollination)
The Portland Anthem, sung by the Mayor (Kyle MacLachlan).
OH MY FUCK. This is why I live in the most awesome city ever.
(Source: coteybucket)
I want to live in this tree. Yes.
I’d ride the shit out of this.
I still need a pair of tickets to the Burn for Bear and I.
I can see it being kind of awkward, since my Playa name is Bearslayer - and Bear is, well, BEAR. :D
Photography by NaturePunk.
Rock iguana, photographed on the remote island of Little Cayman.
Photography by NaturePunk.
