With our nest empty and corporate America behind me, I spend much of my time and energy on my two passions – wildlife photography and music (singing, guitar, songwriting). Luckily for me, Virginia Beach is an amazing place to live for both. Between the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Tidal Marshes (and being a key migratory stopping place), coastal birds and wildlife abound. And the music community is robust here, with some world-class musicians, live music and open mics everywhere.
Wildlife photography
I was an avid photographer in my younger years and have always loved exploring wildlife in nature. In anticipation our bucket-list trip to Alaska in 2023, I upgraded to a mirrorless camera and began photographing in earnest. There is so much wildlife here in Virginia Beach, I can go out practically every day. But that doesn’t diminish my desire to go to exotic places to see what’s unique in the world.
Music
I was born with an innate desire to be a singer. When I moved to Virginia Beach, I took the opportunity to learn the guitar and start singing in earnest, singing and playing with friends and going to regular open mics. In 2024, I decided to write my first song and have gotten bitten by the bug. There is nothing better than creating something new about something you care deeply about. Sometimes I don’t even want to sing others’ music because I get wrapped up in my creations.