Truth Be told, I am a physician/patholigist who is passionate about birds and bird carvings. There now that that's out of the way, let me tell you how I arrived at this point. I was a physician first, with an inclination towards working with my hands. I have always believed in having a hobby, and fly fishing was where I happened to find myself (including tying my own fishing flies) when I began noticing the beautiful birds flitting about the rivers and streams where I fished. Obviously I needed an excuse for catching so few fish, and the birds were a wonderful excuse! I was much more delighted with seeing the antics of the Belted Kigfishers, American Dippers and the Ospreys then in catching a stocked trout. I sought out fish carving classes with limited success. However bird cravings instruction was easy to find, and as I gained skill in working with wood and painting with acrylics, the birds began to come forth. I dont think there is a vird artist or sculptor out theretoday who does not owe a debt of gratitude to all those who came before. And I am not exception. I have studied with some of the very best carvers including Floyd Scholtz, Larry Barth, Rosalyn Daisey, and the Late Bob Gage. I learned much from these masters. I've always been stimulated by the birds the are local and easily observed. When I moved from Connecticut to new Mexico, the Creative jucies really began to flow. I strived to bring out the character of the species with as much realisn as I can muster. Towards this end I absolutely haunt the Museums of Southwest Biology(an indredible resource for study skins) and try to study living birds at Wildlife center,(like the wonderful one in Espanola) The Threatened Mexican Spotted Owl is my current obsession, and it is an obession. My wish list for the future creations include Ravens, Poadrunners, Cactus Wrens, Hummingbirds and the tiny Elf Owls. I've now been doing this for 25 years and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.