My website blog and one-on-one interviews now available in podcast! Subscribe to these solution-and-success-oriented stories focused on topics that are the foundation of all my photography work -- careers in wildlife rehabilitation, management and protection, land conservation, faith and environmental stewardship, and great places or opportunities to photograph wildlife and nature. Hear about my latest travels, tips, insights, and inspirations, and listen to accomplished voices and friends.
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News from the Blog: On the Road for Conservation
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In this inaugural podcast you'll learn about me and one of my recent trips to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton PA where I participated in a 4-day raptor trapping and banding course. Bird banding is an important tool in wildlife research and conservation.By Carolyn Copper
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I’m excited to have as my guest Dr. Morgan Drabik-Hamshare, a research wildlife biologist with the National Wildlife Research Center in Sandusky Ohio; a component of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This podcast is another in my series to expand awareness of wildlife professionals, careers in wildlife protection and management, a…
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In just over three years, the Virginia Wildlife Facebook group amassed over 46,000 members, and it’s still growing. What got my attention about this group is the help it provides in educating the public about wildlife, demystifying wildlife, and providing prompt reliable assistance with wildlife emergencies. Managed by volunteers with diverse skill…
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Why We Need An Alliance For Responsible Nature Photography
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Whether you own a camera or not; whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, or you just like to take photos when you’re out with your cell phone; my latest podcast is relevant to you. I’m talking with two of the co-founders of Nature First -- well known photographers from Colorado – Erik Stensland and Scott Bacon. Nature First was launc…
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In a City Defined By People and Politics, He Makes Headlines Because of Birds
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In my latest podcast, I’m talking with Dan Rauch. Dan is a Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist at Washington, DC’s Department of Energy and Environment. If you love, or even like wildlife, then you should love a wildlife biologist too. Dan does a lot of interesting and important work on behalf of the citizens of the District of Columbia – which I’m on…
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Birds of Prey -- The Best Prescription Never Written
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Today, I’m talking with Donna Cole. Donna is an award-winning multimedia and investigative journalist; bird of prey rescuer; mom, breast cancer survivor, and a U.S. Navy veteran. In the spring and summer of 2018, Donna broke the story about carbofuran, a federally banned pesticide, illegally used and resulting in the death of 13 bald eagles in the …
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Sustaining Generational Respect for Wild Places
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Today, I’m talking with Isaac James Baker, who I got to know through Instagram. The more he posted, the more I wanted to know. Isaac has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, and editor. He has a Master’s Degree in fiction writing, he reviews wines for an award-winning wine blog, and is an author for The Good Men Project. Among things w…
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Get to Know a Naturalist and Discover All Kinds of Nature
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I’ve lived in Washington DC for 30 years, but I’m from Sandusky, Ohio and I know a lot about that area. Sandusky is located along the Lake Erie coast, in Erie County Ohio, making it home to many migrating birds in spring and fall. For me, that means good bird photography. In fact, there’s a few areas in Sandusky that are considered by the experts a…
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Talons Crossed: The Incredible Work of Rescuing Raptors
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I first heard the phrase “talons crossed”, on an Instagram post from Nancy McDonald -- a raptor rescuer located in Maryland – who is sometimes called the “Osprey Lady.” Talons crossed – is a take on the expression “fingers crossed” -- something said when praying in our own way for a good outcome. But raptors – hawks – owls – eagles – and ospreys ha…
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It seems birds have always delighted people all over the world. They’re beautiful, powerful, engaging and make a lot of us very curious. Bird-watching or birding – the observing of birds either for fun, science applications, or other professional purposes - is an incredibly popular activity and it’s one of the fastest growing outdoor activities. It…
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I was delighted to be thinking about my career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during my latest podcast where I speak with Katie Butler. While I was there, Katie wore a number of hats at the EPA’s Office of Inspector General, and was a skilled and effective leader. Post-EPA, Katie recently launched a new business -- The GeoLiterac…
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For me, one of the most difficult things about wildlife photography is probably not what you think. It’s not the technical skill, research required, strength, discipline, travel to many and varied places, or exhibiting and selling work that’s hardest. Of course, those things have challenges, and don’t come easy; but what I find most challenging is …
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If A Butterfly Lands on You It's Probably Tasting You -- And Other Interesting Truths
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I’ve never set out to intentionally photograph butterflies, but the places I travel to intentionally photograph other species and landscapes, are often the same places I encounter amazing butterflies. Most of us learned something about butterflies during elementary school. We may even remember a bit about the astonishing lifecycle and transformatio…
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When I first started doing art shows and festivals, I remember being struck by the sense of community and friendship among the artists, entrepreneurs, crafters and creators at these shows. They’re painters, wood and metal artists, fiber artists and designers, ceramic and jewelry artists, photographers like me, and more. Every artist has a story. So…
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What Goes Up Will Come Down – Know the Facts and Laws About Balloon Releases
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Why Are We Still Littering with Balloons? Intentional balloon releases are often done as part of fundraisers, sporting events, weddings, graduations, other ceremonies, birthdays and to recognize the death of a loved one. Some see balloon releases as having religious or spiritual significance. There are businesses that actively promote, and sell, ba…
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North American River Otter - Conservation Success Story
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They’re cute, entertaining, charming, and smart. People flock to see them. Once nearly extinct in North America, thanks to conservation efforts like regulated hunting, water quality and habitat improvements, and reintroduction programs, the North American River Otter is back. I was very excited to have a few wild Otter encounters in 2020 and 2021 a…
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Ducks are in the spotlight today. Ducks are under appreciated and under celebrated. If you search #ducks on Instagram you’ll see as many photos of ducks shot by hunters, duck jewelry, duck decoys, or commonly seen ducks, like mallards, rather than the amazing representation of the variety of stunning duck species out there. Today's podcast reviews …
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Our Responsibility and Opportunity to Work Toward a Better Normal
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With the power of human resilience, innovation, ability to adapt and adjust our course, and apply our extraordinary problem-solving skills we stood up to the challenges of 2020. Continuing to harness that power and strength can get us to a better normal in crucial areas that can no longer wait. In the US, clothing purchases often happen because of …
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Conservation: The New Normal is Take the Road Less Traveled
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We often choose the easiest paths through life because it’s less work, hassle, and it seems like it would free us up from a lot of the uncomfortable stuff of life. We choose to be part of the group, and adhere to the social norms and expectations of families/friends/trending culture/political affiliation/religion/work environment (“the group”), to …
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Speaking Up for Wildlife: Let’s Talk About Wildlife Trafficking
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The true stories of wildlife trafficking are deeply disturbing and depict a corrupt, selfish world of wildlife traffickers that -- in many cases – are linked to other large-scale criminal activity. In a 2016 survey, 80% of Americans said they support wildlife conservation measures, but 80% of Americans aren't aware of the illegal wildlife trade in …
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The April 2020 Supermoon -- the largest of the full Moons in 2020 – inspired me to turn my lens on it; and now, I’m a bit "moonstruck." The full moon has a long aura of mystery and magic about it. Some say it triggers “wanderlust" -- a desire to travel, wander, or roam. Travel and new experiences offer empowerment, education, and opportunity, so I’…
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If you love birds, you have to love dead trees. I photograph raptors and other birds, a lot. I often notice one thing in common across my many bird shots, in the many different locations I’ve photographed them, and that is the birds are in a dead tree or on dead wood. Sounds bad, but it’s not. In fact, it’s a good thing because dead trees are do-go…
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Washington, DC has a young red-shouldered hawk family living in a busy and dense part of the city. By all appearances, this hawk family has successfully acclimated and adapted to city life. I've been sharing first images and progress of the red-shouldered hawk parents, their three young, and information about this species including the risks it fac…
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Old T-Shirts Never Die and More for Earth Day
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Earth day is April 22. It’s inspired a blog and podcast about a couple of things happening around my home, and to share resources on Earth Day and actions we can all take that support good stewardship of our planet. In this episode I talk about a great flower for pollinators that also turns into a striking dried flower you can have in your house fo…
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News From the Blog: Spectacular Wildlife Photography Can Be Done Anywhere, But Stay Educated
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My latest blog post at www.copperrangellc.com covers the not always agreed upon topic of the conditions in which photographers – both professionals and hobbyist – photograph wildlife. Photographers are not all like-minded; some are opposed to photographing captive wildlife and actively work to devalue this type of wildlife photography. Other photog…
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News From the Blog: The Extraordinary Bald Eagle - See What You Know
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We all know there’s something special about bald eagles – the United States’ national symbol. They represent strength and determination; they’re strong and independent; they’re incredible survivors; they’re majestic, bold, and faithful; and they’re unique to North America. This year (2019) I encountered bald eagles on a few of my photography travel…
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