Writing
As a writer, I “play” words like keys on a piano to compose melodies of language. Well-executed, this rhythmic imagery is complete with inspiring crescendos, dissonant chords and funky bridges.
Like musical notes, words are powerful and dynamic.
They can tantalize or repulse. Strengthen or destroy. They can transport, unite, inform and amuse. They can evoke emotion. Influence thought. Affect action. And, ultimately, they can—and do—shape the way we view the world. By writing, I am able to contribute some thoughts and ideas to the mix.
Writing is not easy, even after you’ve done it for awhile. But it is a splendidly engaging challenge and the end result is worth all the effort. Below, you will find links to a sampling of stories, essays and articles I’ve crafted through the years. Happy reading...
Osa Peninsula Chronicles
Recently, I have written a few guest blogs for Friends of the Osa, a conservation organization in Costa Rica with which I've done some wildlife research. If you like this these kinds of stories, you can read many more animal adventures on my personal blog.
Golfo Dulce: Hotspot for Humpbacks
Night Patrol: Measuring & Tagging Sea Turtles
Morning Patrol: Checking on Nests & Sea Turtle Hatchlings
Tuna Farm Threatens Golf Dulce
Underwater Ballet: Naturalist Escapes Desert for Humpback Whale Research
Humpback whales are one of the largest and most extraordinary creatures on the planet! This is a 3-part series about my time in Maui, Hawaii, swimming with and learning more about these enormous yet gentle cetaceans (that’s the scientific term for whales). If you don’t like the idea of getting up close to a cute baby whale, this story is definitely NOT for you!
ruby, by philosophy®
It was such an honor to be asked by philosophy founder Cristina Carlino to scribe the copy for a bottle of her 3-in-1 shampoo-conditioner-body wash, which was specially created to raise money for elephant conservation. This was one of the coolest writing jobs I've ever had. Click the bottle to read the copy.
Get Real
I don’t always write about animals... or for kids. I was thrilled with the opportunity to pen a monthly column called “Get Real” for Take 5 Entertainment and News Guide. The essays are kooky confessions of humanness, spurred by day-to-day thoughts and dilemmas. A couple of them even reveal me a philosopher.
I have an important point, now what was it again?
Research is all good as in-home hubby study goes on
Camera’s flash leads to enlightening traffic lessons
A new view for the quirks that make us... us
Choosing sides in this ever present Christmas dichotomy
Facing the frightful facts: fighting fears leads to freedom
Time’s a wastin’, better do something good with it
Sweating over exercise plans as bikini season approaches
Cold turkey, hold the sugar; addict swears off sweet stuff
Going out on a limb, life destiny found in the climb
My hair? It’s a gray issue
Fall fashions have hipsters talking shop
Living in my cramped fishbowl
Cold convinces columnist to curtail case load (kind of)
This was a piece I wrote about a friend of mine named Blackie, who passed away. He was a rather unusual friend because he was not of the human persuasion. Rather, he was a Pileated gibbon I met at the zoo. You are probably wondering why his right eye is white. He had a cataract. But wasn’t he a cutie?
ZEST (Zoo Enrichment Signing Technology)
Speaking of amazing apes... you will love Koko! I co-authored an article for The Gorilla Foundation about a new training tool for great apes in captivity. It’s based on Dr. Penny Patterson’s famous work with Koko the gorilla. It’s and it helps zoo keepers teach gorillas, chimps, bonobos and orangutans to use basic sign language. This communication technique can help us provide top-notch care for our primate cousins. Definitely visit www.koko.org to learn more about Koko and see fascinating videos of signing gorillas.
An online article about a wet, living limestone cave system in southeastern Arizona, which is open part of the year for tours. It’s an incredible place!
This is some of my earliest professional writing, a collection of online stories about desert animals that’s appropriate for the whole family. Some are funny, others touching, but they are all loaded with tidbits of information about wildlife in the American Southwest. Plus, there’s a FACTS page for each story and extra goodies, like a list of all the bat species in Arizona. And a drawing of scorpion anatomy—gosh, who wouldn’t like that?
A Silent Thank You
Arachnophobes Anonymous
Snoodleberries
Go Batty
A Beary Busy Year
The Stinging Truth
Five Coyote Draw
When Your Neighbor’s a Rat
Scientific Papers
In recent years I have enjoyed working in conservation science, aiding and overseeing investigations that help us understand the world. Knowledge gained from field research can help decision-makers make better decisions. These two scholarly papers are about wildlife in Costa Rica. They are clearly a different style of writing than my children's books, articles and blogs... but still, writing remains a matter of connecting words and thoughts together in a way that shares a specific message.
First report of Vespar rat, Nyctomys sumicrasti (Rodentia: Muridae) feeding on Palm fruits
Project Report and Summary of Multi-Species Marine Sighting Survey in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, January - February 2010
BTW… I have also written for television, which is a visual media but still reliant on strong scripts to effectively communicate. On my videos page you will find two stories about America’s endangered Black-footed ferret I wrote and produced for National Geographic Channel. In watching, you may want to consider the similarities and differences between that style of writing and the flow of words I’ve crafted for print.