Since the day I was born I have always found a deep calm with myself in the prescence of nature. I grew up my entire life in an old pioneer's house along the banks of Yager Creek. It was the gift of growing up in that wonderful valley that fostered my deep connection with the creation. I did very well in high school and left planning to attend UC Santa Cruz. I did so, but after two months dropped out and pursued nature photography instead. I could clearly see after a short stay that the education offered simply was not for me. I feel that nature has much more to teach than we allow it to and I felt the need to return to the feeling that permeated my childhood. I believe it is largely our self-importance that prevents us from accessing the vast knowledge within nature. In the five years I have been photographing nature I have never ceased to be amazed by the infinite diversity that the natural world provides. My purpose and intent in sharing these photographs with the world is that others will be inspired to return to nature as well. As confused and fragmented as the world of people is these days, there is a wholeness and deep calm to be found in the world of nature. It is reassuring in these times to observe the balance and interconnectedness inherent in that which has been created. I hope you will be inspired to some degree by these photos to push yourself back into that world of nature which surrounds you on all sides. Peace, Ethan