Welcome to the Wildlifer Journal (A Promise Kept)

In a million years, I would not have imagined I would be writing a “blog”. I may have even asked how to spell it when the idea was first suggested. When I realized it is a golden opportunity to share more of my Wildlifer adventures with you, or anyone who stumbles on the “blog”, I decided to jump in with both feet.

So here goes. Dear Diary…

Just kidding. Maybe we won’t get quite that personal for the first entry. Let’s dip our toes in this “blog” water first, shall we?

The Wonderful Way It All Began

Readers of a certain age (let’s call them “experienced”) will fondly remember Sunday night television. We had two channels to choose from, and it was that rare night when parents and kids could reliably agree on what, if anything, was worth watching. The Wonderful World of Disney was appointment viewing for the whole family, frequently featuring nature shows with intriguing and delightful animals. From my favourite viewing spot, underneath the coffee table, I soaked it up every Sunday night, and began to dream of my own wonderful world.

In this world, I was the one behind the camera. I was living wild, among these marvelous creatures, and they were sharing their lives with me. In turn, I was sharing this incredible experience with another kid, under another coffee table. I couldn’t imagine anything more noble, satisfying and profound. These people on Disney were doing it. Why couldn’t I?

From those flights of childhood fancy, a lifelong passion took over. Some day, I would be that photographer. A real, honest-to-God, wildlife photographer.

As lifelong passions go, I could have done worse. I love nature. I feel connected to nature. I am happiest when I am in nature. It wasn’t much of a sacrifice to spend a lot of time doing something I loved, even if I never got to share it with anyone else.

Growing up in British Columbia gave me so many glorious opportunities to indulge my passion, and practice my craft. My territory was abundant, ranging from the mountains to the sea, filled with an endless variety of wildlife. I lived, and learned, and kept the passion burning.

Inspiration by Rose

Rose’s Hummingbird

It was my life’s other great passion, my dearest, departed Rose, who insisted I complete my dream. She understood, maybe more than I did, how important this was to me. Her love and support meant everything. I promised Rose that I would follow my dream and ‘up my game’. And I’m doing just that.

I mean, I’m even writing a “blog”. Still not sure exactly what that is, or should be. We’ll figure it out together.

I continue to invest in vehicles and wilderness gear that allow me to travel to the wildest corners of my world. I travel in my 2021 Jeep Gladiator, rigged out with a roof top tent, lifted for the backcountry and equipped with a very useful winch (that will be another blog post!!).  The Jeep gets me into places I normally couldn’t go … and, sometimes, probably shouldn’t go.

With all the camping gear, I can stay out in the bush as long as I need to get that perfect shot! And honestly, this truck is too much fun! Originally, I named it the Wildlifer, because it was my connection, my secret passage, to the wild places I wanted to be. Over time, the name slowly started getting transferred to me, via osmosis. Today, we’re inseparable, and interchangeable. I like to think we’re both imbued with the Wildlifer spirit.

The Wildlifer Duality (A Man and His Jeep)

I’m also continually upgrading my cameras, lenses and photography gear.  I stick with Nikon because of the reliability, quality and great reputation.  It delivers every time. The digital technology allows me to take, edit and archive so many more fantastic photos.

From Disney to Digital

Another astounding technological advancement lets me share these photos with the whole world. The internet may have its issues, but it has connected us in remarkable ways. I am able to post my photos, and tell my stories, on my website, Instagram and Facebook. The potential audience is … everyone. If you are a younger reader, this isn’t even remarkable. To those of us raised in a two-channel universe, it’s almost beyond comprehension.

Of course, there are also good, old-fashioned, tried-and-true methods to communicate with each other, such as meeting — and speaking — in person. This is still my favourite. I travel to artisan fairs and trade shows, with a huge display of my favourite photographs, and a headful of stories about each and every one. There is no better way to see and feel the reaction, when a person is genuinely captivated by a picture and its story.

The sharing is the key thing. Just as there was always a story in the Disney show, there is a story behind my pictures as well. As much as I loved those images on the tv screen, I was equally fascinated by the stories that brought them to life.

Eric pulls up a stump, and tells us how a Disney-inspired dream became reality. See more great stories on the Wildlifer YouTube Channel!

This Journey is Dedicated to Rose

The Wildlifer Journal finally brings me full circle. I am bringing my nature experiences, a lifetime of images and stories, to a new audience. I am also bringing that childlike sense of wonder, open and thoughtful and dreamy, nurtured beneath a coffee table many decades ago. I have always believed that every one of us still has that kid somewhere inside them. I know I do. If I have a specific audience in mind, a certain person I hope to reach with a message of caring and wonder for nature, it is that child. That’s where this Wildlifer was born, and the hope that I might inspire a new generation of Wildlifers gives meaning to this whole fantastic journey.

Just as meaningful, to me, is the promise kept. I have Disney to thank for sparking a dream. I have Rose to thank for motivating me to make that dream come true.

Thank you, Rose. I will always love you.

And I have you to thank for letting me speak to your inner kid, your own Wildlifer spirit.

With Rose’s patience, affirmation, and encouragement, I have been able to turn that kid loose, find my happy place, and live the dream I carried inside me. Whatever dreams your inner child is whispering in your ear, I urge you to listen. You’ll never regret it.