Yellowstone through my lens and heart - sharing real stories from the field—through photography, books, and creative interpretation
Walking in the wild and sharing stories that teach and inspire. Conservation wildlife photographer in Yellowstone National Park, teaching the ethics of photography and its importance for the survival of the wild animals and lands. Deby uses social media to share stor
y-telling and art images, along with written stories of her experiences, of the wild to educate others on how all parts work together to create a whole, healthy earth. The underdog nature of the wolf, along with the huge controversy, created by haters telling lies, and wolf lovers misunderstanding that the animal's purpose is paramount to their hearts or special interest needs, probably captured her heart. For the past ten years, since October 2012, two months before the famous 06 wolf was killed in Wyoming, Deby has tried to counter lies and hypocrisy about the wolves with truth and images. Truth is not much appreciated in wolf circles, pro or con, but Deby believes that education, truth, and allowing others to experience the animals in person or through the sharing of others, are the only avenues to gaining more acceptance for the wolf's existence. And, so, ten years later, she marches on. Deby does believe that each little piece of the eco-system is a part of the whole and that they were designed to work together. She also believes that man is the earth's worst enemy. And, so she has spent the decade teaching herself about all things wild in the animal kingdom, and watching it work together. If not for grasses, there would be no bugs or rodents and so no birds or predators - coyotes, badgers, weasels, foxes, etc. The prey animals, deer, elk and bison, would have nothing to eat and so would not survive. Then the wolves would have nothing to eat and man would have nothing to hunt. Without predators to keep things in check, the prey animal populations would grow beyond what the eco-system can feed. Of course it all goes deeper than that but this overview gives you an example of why Deby is so passionate for the continued existence of the wild. Ten years ago, Deby came to Yellowstone to spend six months learning about the wolves and capturing some images with her very challenged photography equipment. When she witnessed the hateful killing of the wolves, along with the hypocrisy of a cult like following of the wolves, she decided to stay. Deby was retired from law enforcement after being injured on the job and was not interested in photography as a job, only as a tool to share images with stories. But, because she was here on a wing and a prayer, Deby began working on her photograph skills and upgrading her equipment, while spending hour upon hour just watching the wildlife to learn their behaviors. Deby wanted to be an ethical wildlife photographer who got great images - a combination that is nearly impossible to pull off and not well accepted by others. After teaching others about Yellowstone and wildlife photography through social media posts for the first five years, Deby took the big step to begin doing guided workshops, focusing on ethics and conservation, in the park. But, only on a limited basis so she could still get out, hike, wander and enjoy the riches of Yellowstone, always seeking to reach new areas and learn new things. Who knows how long Deby will stay in the Yellowstone area but she can safely say that the park and animals ignite her passions like nothing before in her life. And, if she can get down a little used trail or across landscape only marked by wildlife, into the quiet, she can escape the human drama, and exist, even if only for minutes, in a truly free world. If you follow along, Deby will take you into a world that you did not know to dream about. On many days, Deby's posts and stories will fill your hearts with imagination and awe and one day you will end up in Yellowstone, experiencing it for yourself. On other days, Deby will tell a story or share an image you do not like - all she can say is that she does not show everything to upset your but to educate you about the realities of the wild and the challenges of spending a lot of time in a national park. So, be open-minded and willing to learn. Nature is wonderful but not always pretty.
