It wasn’t until my dad asked me to “retire” from teaching to help him take care of my mom that I was finally able to slow down and begin to enjoy the nature around me. I enjoyed playing outside as a child and our annual trips to Yosemite but I didn’t really pay a lot of attention to the things around me. If it wasn’t for the opportunity to help my mom, and a cute little Tufted Titmouse, I don’t know what I would be doing today. That little titmouse led me to discover the joy of watching backyard birds which then led to birding full time after my mom passed.

I used to spend hours observing the birds that came to the feeders in my yard, but soon that wasn’t enough. I ventured out of my comfort zone and began to discover new places which in turn led me to encounter new birds, or lifers as they are called in the birding world. I traveled to local parks, the beach, and to different wildlife refuges across the state to chase the birds!

Barred Owl with grasshopper at Alligator River NWR

Many days the birds were scarce so I turned my camera to anything in nature, particularly the butterflies that came to my parents’ backyard. Even now, I usually carry two cameras with me...my long lens for birds and wildlife and usually a macro lens for closeups of small things like bees, butterflies, flowers. I could be gone all day with my camera. Discovering new things makes me happy and feel closer to her.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on purple coneflower

One year on a trip to the Smokies, I discovered there was other wildlife to photograph besides just birds...a coyote, bears, deer and I fell in love with nature! If someone who enjoys birds is called a birder, can someone who enjoys nature be called a naturer? If so, I am a naturer! I LOVE NATURE! Well, maybe not mosquitoes!

Then I started seeing headlines about the decline in the bird population across the country. (2.9 billion birds lost since 1970!). Then headlines about how the honeybee is in decline as well as other pollinators. Then I started noticing headlines about animals being killed/murdered because they had become a nuisance. And finally, the IUCN declared the Monarch butterfly endangered! These headlines ignited a spark in me, a spark to get out there and experience everything nature has to offer before it’s too late.

When I started on this journey, I had no idea how diverse our natural world was and so I have decided that I want to see and observe as much nature/wildlife as I can while I can. I can’t imagine a world without any of these things but if that day should come, I want to have experienced some time with them. I want to know I saw a Monarch and planted milkweed in the hopes of helping to save the species. I have started to incorporate as many native plants in my yard for all wildlife and have even created my own little Butterfly Highway by providing not only plants that provide nectar for them but also host plants for them to lay their eggs and provide food for their caterpillars.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying the cardinal flower.

I travel when and where I can trying to photograph as much wildlife as I can. Besides traveling to take photos of wildlife I am also active in my community promoting conservation efforts through my work on the board of the local Audubon group, T Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society and Triad Wild, the local chapter of North Carolina Wildlife Federation. I hope my story and my photos inspire you to get out and explore nature and help wildlife out in your own yard.

Snow Geese lift off at Pocosin Lakes NWR

Heather Russell

Secretary, Triad Wild!

How I fell in love with Nature

Woven Works Park Native Pollinator Planting.

Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards

Triad Wild!