Some basic info about me: I’m 62 years old - going on 25, and have spent my entire career in the Defense Industry as a Systems Engineer developing large-scale defense solutions. Initially focusing on IBM mainframe computer systems as a programmer and then moved into defining configurations such as the IBM 360 and 370, as well as developing the data centers to support them. In 1980 I switched from computers to Defense Systems Engineering focusing on the F/A-18, F-15, T-45TS, including a 10 year stint at NASA on the International Space Station.

I consider myself an advanced amateur photographer simply due to the fact that I have over 40 years experience behind the camera but never as a full-time photographer. I bought my first camera (a Kodak Brownie) in 1960 when I was 10 years old and I took pictures of everything that crossed my path. In 1970 I purchased a Minolta Hi-matic E Rangefinder my first year in Germany and before long I got the bug and moved I stepped up to my first SLR buying the Minolta SRT-101 and before I knew it, I had 7 of them and about 6 lenses. I couple years later I decided to move up another notch and bought my first Nikon F. By 1980 I had a complete collection of Nikon F gear that I used for over 30 years. I've also used some medium-format camera's such as the Mamiya Sekor C220, C330, Bronica S2A, Hasselblad 500CM - but as a nature photographer I realized that I didn't like carrying all the weight around. Today, I shot only digital as I finally parted with all of my film cameras.

The equipment I use today:

Cameras and lens
- Nikon D80 with MB-80 Grip & Kirk L-bracket
- Nikon D90 with MB-80 Grip & Kirk L-bracket
- Tokina 11-16mm
- Nikkor 16-85mm
- Tokina 100mm Pro Micro
- Sigma 150-500mm

- Nikon 5700
- Nikon WC-E80 Wide Angle for 5700

Light Meter
- Gossen Lunasix Pro Meter that I've had for over 40 years

Filters
- Polarizer
- Variable ND

Flash
- Nikon SB-400

Tripods
- Manfrotto 190CX Pro 4
- Giottos MH-1000 Ball Head and MH-658 Arca-Swiss Plate
- Leitz Transit Tripod with Fluid Pan Head
- Monopod with Fotopro FPH-52P Head Arca-Swiss Plate

Cases
- Tamrac Messenger
- Everest Canvas Messenger
- LowePro Orion AW
- LowePro Pro Roller X200

Printers/Scanners
- Epson Stylus Photo R2000
- Epson V600 Pro Scanner

Computer & Software
- Dell XPS Desktop
- Dell Inspiron Laptop
- Amazon Kindle Fire
- Amazon Kindle WiFi 3G
- Adobe Photoshop CS6
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & 11
- OnOne Photo Essentials 3
- OnOne Perfect Effects 4
- Nikon View NX
- Nikon Transfer

Misc
- Several different photo vests
- A variety of old military surplus belts & harness
- TomTom GPS Unit