Brief Biography of a Bird Photographer

My love for birds owes much to Marylee Bomboy, whom I met in 1994 and married a year later.  Already an enthusiastic birder, Marylee quickly got me hooked. By my retirement in April 2000, I was fully dedicated to birding–and imagining how wonderful it would be to capture birds on film.

My initial attempts, with a 200 mm lens, were frustrating. In January 2001 I acquired a Canon EOS 3 body and the 300 mm f/4 IS lens–which served as true starting equipment, and immediately served me well.  I soon added 1.4x and 2x extenders, and then a 400 mm lens (the Canon 400mm f/4 DO  IS).  The IS (image stabilization) feature permits hand-holding these lenses under most circumstances, which I take advantage of as often as not.   I took a further step in April 2003 by moving to digital. Most of the images on the main gallery pages are relatively early digital captures–with the EOS 10D and the EOS 1D Mark II. Since around 2005-06 I have upgrade my equipment, and currently (late 2009) my main camera bodies are the EOS 1D Mark III and the EOS 5D.

Marylee and I moved from New York City to Northampton, Massachusetts, in April 2003. We share a love for travel, and we are fortunate to be able to indulge it frequently.  Places provides information on some of our favorite birding spots that offer good chances for photography.

A high point for me: My image of a Painted Bunting appeared on the June 2006 cover of Birder's World magazine, accompanied by a generous comment from the editor.  

Updated December 2009