The fascination and admiration of Natural History has been with me since the beginning. From the spring fed creeks in the woods behind my childhood stomping grounds, to the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains I explored as a youth, the wonder of nature has always captivated me. My thirst for knowledge about the natural world was quenched by angels. When I was ten, I was put under the wings of two of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. Myriam Moore and her daughter Gene who were members of the Lynchburg Bird Club. They not only welcomed me into their home with generous hospitality, but also shared their extensive knowledge of Ornithology and Botany with me. They sparked in me a desire to learn more about the things that fascinated me, whether it was birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies or wildlife art, the Moores inspired and supported me in whatever interested me. In return, I would share my discoveries with them as we explored the world around us. My first exposure to nature photography was Myriam's dental camera that was used for close-up shots only, like a macro lens. Then an eighth grade photography class at Linkhorne Jr. High School in Lynchburg, Virginia taught me the fundamentals of composition and developing film. Later I purchased a used 35mm SLR camera and an print enlarger from a man I worked for in High School and set up a dark room in my parent's basement. Later I started as a biology major at Virginia Tech, and then switched to art and design by the start of the second semester.

Years went by and my fascination with the great outdoors remained. It was not until late in 2002 when I got my first digital camera that I began to regularly photograph wildlife. I think it was the freedom to take as many pictures as I wanted to, without the time and financial burdens of film, that rekindled my artistic vision though the camera's lens. This has led me on numerous adventures since then, where I have encountered many of God's amazing creatures in many beautiful places.

- Bob Schamerhorn

© 2005-2007 Robert W. Schamerhorn all rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.