Mark & Brandon (A Clouded Leopard)

Mark in the Rainforest of Guatemala

Seeing people appreciate my work and having my work published has been great! In the past few years, I have published four calendars, two fine art prints, made the cover of many magazines, covered several books, worked with National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institute, won both "Photographer of the Year" and "Photograph of the Year", and had more than 1000 pictures published. But it hasn't been easy.

Mark & Stingray in Belize

Mark & Connor ( Male Tiger)

I have had the chance to work first hand with hundreds of carnivores. I have also had the opportunity to travel to Laos and photograph rare and endangered species. I have traveled to Africa with the North Carolina Zoological Society to photograph there as well. And while all this sometimes seems unbelievably exciting...sometimes the excitement became too much...
 

Mark & Baby Wolf

In Africa, riots broke out in Nairobi. We were forced to retreat to the shelter of our hotels until we could be escorted out of the hotel during a break in the action. In Laos, unexploded Vietnam War-era American cluster bombs were a constant threat. In the thirty days that I spent there, eight children were killed by these bombs (thirty years after they were dropped!).

Cluster Bombs (land mines) in Laos

On November 15th, 1998 I was severely attacked by a Cougar while working at a local Animal Preserve. It took me several years to fully recover from the attacks. I was bitten 7 times including two in the back of the neck. Broken bones in the neck and scars both mental & physical can take a lifetime to heal.

All in all, throughout my journeys I have been bitten, chased, charged , swarmed, detained and questioned. I have had equipment stolen, broken, examined and lost. (By the way, if anyone sees a baboon in Tanzania carrying some camera equipment...it's mine). I have taken showers with scorpions, slept with Barking Lizards, and stepped on more snakes than I care to remember... 

Mark & Carmaletta (Baby Tiger)

I am often asked 'which picture is your favorite?'. That is a very hard question because I've taken over 10,000 pictures and each has a unique story behind it. Of all the places that I've seen, Laos was by far the best. The animals were beautiful and the people were exceptional. So, if I had too pick out my favorite, it would have to be from my Laotian adventure.

Mark & Southern White Rhino

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