Welcome to my new updated website. A brief introduction might be in order. More information can be found on the Bio page.

I’ve been a professional newspaper and magazine writer, editor and photographer since 1973, including 21 years as a columnist-reporter-photographer with the Calgary Herald. I’m the author of two books – Paradise Preserved: The Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area, and Heading Out: A Celebration of the Great Outdoors in Calgary and Southern Alberta. I’ve contributed chapters to four other books.

As an independent free-lancer since 2000, I write for and sell photographs to many magazines, including Reader’s Digest, The Conservator, Outdoor Canada (where I am a field editor), explore, West and many others. I am the assignment editor of West, a quarterly magazine published by Western Financial Group Inc., a company based in my hometown of High River, Alberta. As assignment editor, I deal with many freelance writers and photographers across Western Canada, handling their queries and helping many of those queries find their way to the pages of West.

Over the years, I’ve been honoured to receive about 40 regional, national and international awards for my writing and photography. In 1998, I was inducted into Alberta’s prestigious Order of the Bighorn for “Outstanding Contributions to the Conservation of Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Heritage.”

As a life-long outdoors enthusiast, my passion for nature and outdoor activities is reflected in my professional pursuits. Most of my articles and photographs have an outdoor theme. I also have guided many executive fly-fishing getaways, and have helped present workshops using fly-fishing as a focus for corporate team building and leadership. A former outdoors columnist for CBC Radio in Calgary, I’ve served as banquet emcee for conservation organizations and public speaker on nature, the environment, spirituality, photography and writing. I’ve also lectured at the University of Calgary, Mount Royal College and SAIT Polytechnic. This is my third year as a contract instructor at SAIT, teaching journalism courses, including copy editing and feature writing, to first and second year students.

I live in High River, Alberta with my wife, Karen. We were married in 1974. We are blessed with two grown daughters, Chelsea and Sarah, who are following their own passions. I am active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of High River and a member of High River United Church. I served on the town’s now-disbanded Green Space Committee. In addition to fly-fishing, I enjoy hiking, cycling, Nordic skiing, hunting, camping and wildlife watching.

A typical week for me generally involves trying to madly juggle writing and photography assignments, teaching journalism (love that marking – NOT!), working on West magazine, volunteering with the United Church and Rotary Club, and trying to sneak away for some outdoor adventures - all in the name of research, of course.