Tom Whetten - Safari Leader and Photography Instructor - photo by Doug Dressler

Being a native of Arizonan makes me a rare and maybe endangered species. I grew up in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains with its legend of The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. My not-so-productive youth was spent chasing lizards, snakes, and other critters all over the state.  Additionally, I spent a great deal of time traveling the back country of the western US learning where and when to photograph nature and photograph wildlife.

I served in Law Enforcement for 32 years, retiring from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 2007.  Working for the Arizona Game & Fish Department www.azgfd.gov gave me the opportunity to travel much of the back country in Arizona especially southeastern Arizona where I was stationed. Additionally I gained great knowledge of nature and wildlife including their habits and how to approach wildlife without them becoming alarmed.

I have been an avid nature photographer and wildlife photographer since 1985. I present  photography workshops and lead photography tours for three nature and birding festivals in Arizona. Wings Over Willcox www.wingsoverwillcox.com is a winter birding festival featuring migratory birds such as eagles and Sandhill cranes; Southwest Wings www.swwings.org is a summer birding festival highlighting neo-tropical migratory birds such as Elegant Trogons and Humming Birds; Verde Valley Birding Festival “Birdy Verdy” www.birdyverde.org is a spring festival highlighting neo-tropical migratory and local birds.

I am a member of several professional organizations including, North American Nature Photography Association “NANPA”; Outdoor Writers of America Association “OWAA”; Photographic Society of America “PSA”; Arizona Game Ranger Association “AGRA”; and the Fraternal Order of Police “FOP”.