Is wind energy environmentally friendly? Maybe, maybe not …
Hundreds of wind turbines have been built in the Oklahoma panhandle area to help meet the nation's growing demand for renewable energy. Many people believe that wind turbines are environmentally friendly because there is no burning of fossil fuels or nuclear waste as...
My Gunnison Sage-grouse photos as award
In 1995, Dr. Clait Braun and Dr. Jessica Young proposed that the Gunnison Sage-grouse was a distinct species, and along with Drs. Jerry Hupp, Sara Oyler-McCance and Tom Quinn, they published their findings in the scientific journal. The American Ornithological Union...
Last stand of Prairie Chickens in Missouri – Dunn Ranch
After reading an article about prairie chickens at Dunn Ranch from the Missouri Conservationist magazine, I decided to visit the place. It was 2004. (It was 2 years before I started working for the Missouri...
Silent spring
Over ten years ago I had my first encounter with prairie chickens here at Golden Prairie, a small town in southwest Missouri. I still remember the excitement of hearing their booming calls for the first time. It was before sunrise and my eyes had barely adjusted to...
The man who inspired me to do this book
The love and passion that Lowell Pugh has for prairie chickens has inspired me so much. He is one of the reasons that I started documenting these species. I met him in 2001 on a cold March morning in Golden City, Missouri. That was also my first encounter with...
Heath Hen – Trip to Martha’s Vineyard
After two plane connections, two hours of driving, and one hour on a ferry, I finally arrived at Martha’s Vineyard, the place where the Heath Hen was last seen. It was a daunting task – ‘What should I photograph? What images can tell a story of a species that is...
Photographing Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse
April 14 - April 16 It was my first trip to Mullin, Nebraska. I was welcomed by 40 mph winds and blowing snow. I spent the night in a motel room listening to the wind howl. By the following morning, over 20 inches of snow had drifted in front of my motel room. Mitch...
One of the most endangered species, Gunnison Sage-grouse
With all grassland grouse I’ve photographed, Gunnison Sage-grouse are by the far the most difficult to work with. They are unpredictable and constantly wary of intruders. Unlike other grouse, when they are spooked by something, Gunnison Sage-grouse won’t return until...