About Us (Me)

Bio

I have occupied the past 22 years of my life as a marine wildlife biologist with a primary emphasis researching marine birds and mammals. My work has taken me along the eastern North Pacific, from California to Alaska, as well as on the north Atlantic Ocean around Svalbard and Norway.  Since 1995 my work has focused on the marine habitats of Washington State and British Columbia.

I also enjoy photography and technology, and how they dovetail with my interests in wildlife.  In addition, I have always been the curious type, enjoy learning new things, and try to look at each day as potential for discovery.  That is what originally sparked my interest in filming the life history of cavity nesting birds, particularly those birds that will nest in my backyard.

Why I Created Cavity Nester

I created this web site as an outlet to share a passion I have for wildlife and birds.  I want to present to people a small look into the daily life of nesting birds, with the hopes that it will spark their interest to continue an interest in observing the natural world around them.

As our modern culture becomes more removed from the natural world it is even more imperative to share these passions and interests.  The increasing rate of disconnect we have with nature is alarming.  This is especially true with the youth.

Many people think of nature and wildlife as living in some far off place that can only be viewed by the wealthy, or through the television and Internet.  Even though I am using the Internet to broadcast this, it is in hopes that those watching will see that nature and wildlife are all around them, they just need go outside; most images and videos contained on this web site are from backyards!  My backyard is by no means near any wilderness (you can hear frequent aircraft from the nearby airport).

Wildlife and nature are all around us, from the urban wildlife that inhabit the urban landscape, to more suburban wildlife residing in the outskirts of the cities, countryside, coastlines, and wilderness.  That said, the rate of habitat loss and depletion of many populations of wildlife is alarming, and if not held in check, many of the species and natural spaces we take for granted today will not be their for future generations to enjoy.

Early in my career as a wildlife biologist I was involved with monitoring the populations of some of the marine bird species that inhabit the the marine areas of Washington State.  The degree of population declines for many species is extremely concerning.  I can recall large flocks of Western Grebes, numbering in the 1000's.  Speaking to local residents in some of these areas they would mention to me how 10-20 years prior there were even many more.  Today, most of these flocks number in the 100's at best, and some areas no longer host Western Grebes.

Protecting wildlife and the natural world that supports not only wildlife, but people as well, is a social issue, not a scientific issue.  The science is documenting species decline is there.  Unless people take notice of the natural world around them, take the time to educate the children about the importance of our natural heritage, and take the steps necessary to sustain it, our natural heritage will be even more of a memory, and future generations will look back on this time in awe at the natural abundance we had, while wondering why not more was done to protect it.

My hope for the web site is that it will light a spark within some of those who visit.  A spark that will ignite a  desire to know the natural world, a desire to be involved in observing wildlife and birds, a desire to pass on this knowledge to future generations. 

Contact Me:

I can be reached at info@cavitynester.com