About chuck
bird portrait photographer
Growing up on the Rainbow River in Florida, kids were allowed to run free until mom’s dinner bell rang. I explored every inch of the river, limited only by the leeches I could harvest and sell to buy gas for my boat. Here, my love of birds and photography bloomed, winning my first photography award at 17.
As an adult, I obtained a PhD in Biology and pursued a career as a US Forest Service Wildlife Biologist. I developed techniques to expand the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker's population throughout the Southeast, turning my childhood interests into a career that allowed me to enjoy almost every working day in the woods.
In my second career, as an elected Commissioner for Wakulla County, FL, I worked to protect the million acres of surrounding public lands to give our children the best chance possible to enjoy North Florida’s natural beauty. With more time to travel, I refined my point of view- “Listening to Birds” as they call me to their special habitats, and photograph them through the lens of a portrait artist.
Following a second retirement, my wife and I embarked on a 2025 “Big Year” birding competition, traveling the US and Canada, during which I captured portraits of many of the 787 species we reported that year. We were proud to place just behind the first-place Big Year birding couple.
