In the jungle during one night each month, the moths did not come to lanterns; through the dark reaches of the outer night, so it was said, they flew toward the full moon. Peter Mathiessen, "At Play in the Fields of the Lord"
Welcome to Terra Nova Nature. Terra Nova was a name I gave to a wooded island/peninsula that projected into the largest oxbow lake on the Mississippi River, near my hometown. Surrounded by water or swampland limiting accessibility it was mantled in old growth forest and teemed with wildlife. It was my refuge from the city and I had a deep, intimate bond with this little piece of nature and was inspired by it. Terra Nova is only a memory now, replaced by ugly industrial growth. We have all had our own Terra Novas: memories of vacations to National Parks or wilderness areas, a backyard woodlot or other space where we explored the wonders of nature. So, Terra Nova is a metaphor for our desire for connection to the wild. This website is a visual celebration of the remaining natural spaces, large and small, and its creatures. But images can't convey the experience of nature: the sights, sounds, smells, feelings and spiritual inspiration of being there. I encourage you to fly to the beautiful, real, and ultimately most important part of our would in order to appreciate, love and protect what remains.
About me: I have always loved animals and nature. After earning a B.A. in biology and a doctorate in veterinary medicine I practiced in my hometown and then served in the Air Force veterinary corps for a short period of time. I returned to academia for a post-doctoral degree after which I served as University Veterinarian for Duke University and the University of Kansas. In my career I have had the privilege of being the veterinarian for a rare prosimian primate colony at Duke and a wildlife rehabilitation program while at the University of Kansas. My hobbies include backpacking, canoeing, reading, traveling and nature study. My photography is an extension of these interests.
The photographs on my site are copy-righted but are available for use by the local environmental organizations to which I belong. They may be used by other environmental and wildlife organizations on a not for profit basis with my permission and with credit given. They are also available for sale. Please contact me if you would like to purchase any.