about me

I’m a photographer and a naturalist living in Massachusetts. This blog is for notes and photographs of what I see on nature walks: plants, birds, flowers, and butterflies, among other things.

My web site, Portraits and Abstracts, is an online portfolio. Since the web site changes slowly, visit Nature Diary to see my latest images. I post about once a week or whenever I get to it. I also post book reviews when I read something worthwhile on nature, photography, plants, or insects.

For those curious about cameras and equipment, I use a Canon DSLR with macro and other lenses, often longer focal lengths from 180mm to 400mm. I also use the Canon MP-E 65 lens for high magnification work. I use a tripod for most images.

Visit my Exhibits page for a list of galleries where you can see prints of my images.

The best introduction to my photographic projects is the following video. I need to change the cover image – the video is not about technique much at all; it’s about why I make images, my photographic motivations:

Thanks to the great people who put the video together for me!

68 thoughts on “about me”

kedarvideo on January 22, 2008 at 3:31 pm said:

I like your pictures and thought you might be also interested in visiting my photo blog with one new picture every day:

http://kedarphotography.wordpress.com/

Kedar, Zurich

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Janet Wilkins on January 28, 2008 at 8:48 am said:

Wow! I’ve been checking out your website too, what gorgeous photographs you take. I’m wickedly envious. I’ll be checking out both your blog and your website from time to time, your photos do wonders for the senses!

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ARTISETERNAL on March 13, 2008 at 2:53 am said:

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your comment – I answered it on my blog; but will add here.
I find your work extraordinary. Highly professional from a technical point of view and the vision is highly artistic. You’re way up there in the photographic league. I loved the insects and flowers.
I’m not a professional photographer. Rather, I use photography as an informational tool in my art work, as a memory jogger of something that inspires me to record or to paint. Sometimes I end up with some pretty good photos, but it’s more by chance than by design. What I am able to do is compose, or frame up, since I have the training in composition and other abstract concepts of image making.
I checked out your photo website. It’s very well organized and I must start thinking about how I can get my art website more user friendly for the commercial end of it.
As you noted from my About page, I’m very happy in the garden and I like to paint and draw. I read extensively if I have the time; and I love discussions about life, the arts, and general philosophy.
If I can figure out how to do it, I’ll add you to my blogroll!
K

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mike on January 2, 2009 at 3:39 pm said:

Hello from New York! You take very nice pictures.

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beproactivenow on January 20, 2009 at 8:22 am said:

Hi there.
I have been working for past couple of days on an article about flowers. Just right now I accidentally came across your wonderful blog. So I thought I tell you:
Keep it up!.

And I’d be honored if you showed your presence every once in a while in my humble blog.
http://beproactivenow.blogspot.com/

Regards,
Mustafa

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Bridget Casas on January 30, 2009 at 2:11 pm said:

Very nice photographs.
http://www.onegoodphotographer.wordpress.com

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edvatza on February 5, 2009 at 7:55 am said:

Good morning Tom. I just came across your blog and from it, your website. Absolutely gorgeous images. I also do nature photography with an emphasis on flowers and birds.
I am particularly impressed with your flower images. Great colors and superb backgrounds. Just wanted to give you a pat on the back and say well done!

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- tomwhelan on February 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words, Ed! Lots of handsome flower abstracts at your blog…I’ll have to stop by for a longer look later.
  
  Tom
  
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Kellie on February 18, 2009 at 4:33 pm said:

Hello, Tom. You’re photography is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and is absolutely enchanting. I’m a senior in college and am currently working on a capstone project on the affect of diapausal physical state on the life cycle of pyrrharctia isabella. I stumbled across your pictures as I was putting my presentation together and I would love to be able to use some of your pictures if that’s okay with you?

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Rambling Rob on March 27, 2009 at 5:13 pm said:

Hi Tom,
Just could not leave without complimenting you on your beautifully observed moments from the natural world. Rob

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jump on May 6, 2009 at 8:56 am said:

Amazing site, I really love your work :))

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- tomwhelan on May 6, 2009 at 9:44 am said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words!
  
  T.
  
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milkayphoto on January 7, 2010 at 10:29 am said:

Tom –

I stumbled upon your blog and you shoot breathtaking images! Just lovely, lovely work. I am inspired!

All the best, Tracy

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- tomwhelan on January 8, 2010 at 12:10 am said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words, Tracy. I stopped by your blog, lots of fine images.
  
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thedailyclick on January 25, 2010 at 8:00 pm said:

Hi Tom! I found you from Tracy’s blog (milkayphoto) and really enjoy your images. Absolutely gorgeous!!

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- tomwhelan on January 25, 2010 at 8:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words!
  
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Carole Bouchard on August 5, 2011 at 8:12 pm said:

Hello Tom ~ just found your work and it is beautiful!!!! I have just begun doing some abstract work with my photos and really love it. Your images are inspiring. I would love to know what camera and macro lens you use for your close-ups, if you don’t mind sharing.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with all of us.

Carole

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- tomwhelan on August 6, 2011 at 1:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks Carol! I just added some equipment notes to the About page. Write if you want more details.
  
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Melissa Scott on March 14, 2012 at 6:43 pm said:

Hi, Tom –

So nice to hear from you, and to see what you’re doing. I particularly love the various shots of ice in (extreme) close-up – really evocative!

M.

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- tomwhelan on March 14, 2012 at 10:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping in, Melissa! I hope to publish an e-book of ice photographs before too long. I’ll stop by your blog again before too long. I hope you had time to see the video in the recent post…
  
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Nic Hopkins on June 23, 2012 at 11:47 am said:

Your photographs are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them!

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- tomwhelan on June 23, 2012 at 1:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping in and for the kind words…
  
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LyndaMichele on July 8, 2012 at 9:49 pm said:

Thank you for the comment on my butterfly 🙂 I’m just getting started, and your photos are an inspiration, truly beautiful!

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- tomwhelan on July 8, 2012 at 10:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks for visiting, LyndaMichele. Butterflies are one of the things that got me into photography. I just added a link to a video interview of me on this page. Tell me what you think of it, if you’ve got time to watch…
  
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Dr. Henry W. Robison on August 13, 2012 at 11:29 pm said:

Your photography is incredible Tom! I love your composition, subjects, and color use! Thanks for sharing with us!

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Anne Jutras on October 12, 2012 at 9:49 pm said:

Hello Tom, I got my answer about the tripod. 😉 You have some incredible images here. Very inspiring!

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- tomwhelan on October 12, 2012 at 10:24 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Anne!
  
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Pingback: Qu’allons faire quand il n’y aura plus de feuille à photographier? « Anne Jutras, Photographe
veraersilia on December 30, 2012 at 1:33 pm said:

I finally discovered this video and I want to thank you.
I recently read this but cannot now remember who said: “it was so beautiful that l had to close my eyes” – and that is how I felt seeing the images on your video… too beautiful to bear! my hand went up instinctively to cover my mouth in OHH. Thank you. vera

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Steve Boer on April 11, 2013 at 10:42 pm said:

Hi, really nice pictures. I notice you put your copyright notice on the bottom. I’d love to hear your thoughts about this practice as I posed in my latest post: http://steveboer.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/watermarking/

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Pingback: My first award, woo-hoo! | friendlyfairytales
bdh63 on May 21, 2013 at 10:34 pm said:

Love your photographs. I’ve nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award, because your blog is well… lovely. 🙂 You will find the nomination here:
http://friendlyfairytales.com/2013/05/22/my-first-award-woo-hoo/
If you want to participate, you should thank the nominator, reveal 7 unknown things about yourself, nominate 10 other bloggers you like, notify them and let them know the rules. Regards!

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Holycowgirl on May 25, 2013 at 11:09 am said:

Thank you for this intimate view of your inner workings and quests. The insects are so
astonishing, especially for their colors and intircate design. Great education.

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Anita Bower on July 9, 2013 at 12:47 pm said:

Wonderful and inspiring video. Your love of nature, beauty and photography shine through. It is fun to follow you as you search for subjects and to see how you take the photos. Thank you!

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fotoprova on July 23, 2013 at 8:01 am said:

Hi

I saw your works and I would like to inform you that it’s just born a new photographic network

http://pentaprism.ning.com/

it would be a pleasure for us if you may join our community.

We want an high quality network. It’s for free, it’s not a commercial site

High quality view! Try it in widescreen

rico

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Dana S. Hugh on September 17, 2013 at 2:53 pm said:

Amazing work, great presentation!

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Juan Carlos Vindas on October 10, 2013 at 10:47 pm said:

Hola Tom.
Your work is truly inspiring! so much color, texture and patterns. Love to see the photographer behind his work!

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Photorasa Mike on November 8, 2013 at 12:48 pm said:

A really wonderful website, really inspiring. I like macro photography too – in fact all sorts of photography – and i really agree you can find this amazing beauty in the world if you pay a bit of attention and look closely. After viewing your site i just want to go in my back garden and snap away! Thanks for sharing your pics and thoughts

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Jocelyne on December 19, 2013 at 10:57 pm said:

An award for you dear Tom 🙂
http://inspiredandpretty.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/an-award/

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- tomwhelan on December 19, 2013 at 11:42 pm said:
  
  I’m honored – thanks so much, Jocelyne!
  
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  - Jocelyne on December 19, 2013 at 11:46 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome Tom ! 🙂
greyzoned on January 16, 2014 at 1:34 am said:

Hi Tom,
I just nominated your blog for a Sunshine Award. Sunshine Awards go to blog who help bring joy into the world…and I think your stunning photography does just that. To view your nomination and if you’re not familiar with how the Sunshine Award works, check it out here: http://angelsbark.wordpress.com

Congrats! And AWESOME photos.
michele

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robbyefaye on April 16, 2014 at 4:59 pm said:

Awesomely beautiful photographs-just what my weary soul needed today. Thank you!

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- tomwhelan on April 16, 2014 at 6:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks!
  
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emeraldwake on June 10, 2014 at 10:38 am said:

Hello,Great Blog You have,my best regards,EM
http://emeraldwake.wordpress.com/

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- tomwhelan on June 10, 2014 at 1:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks for visiting, and for the kind words!
  
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  - emeraldwake on June 10, 2014 at 1:08 pm said:
    
    pleasure
Colin Smale on July 28, 2014 at 4:14 am said:

I thoroughly enjoyed watching your video. So nice to see a photographer’s thought processes and leave the technical stuff out. Some wonderful images too!

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- tomwhelan on July 30, 2014 at 8:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks! I’m fond of technical talk about photography, but it’s the images that matter, really.
  
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Jana H. on January 31, 2015 at 7:27 am said:

As a big fan of nature macro photographs I really adore your work. It’s so amazing! I’m excited to see more of it.
Greetings from Germany.

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- tomwhelan on January 31, 2015 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping in and for your kind words about my photography – I appreciate it.
  
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mamalisa4 on February 2, 2015 at 2:16 pm said:

Your photograph are breathtaking!! So glad to have stumbled upon your blog!!

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Birder's Journey on April 23, 2015 at 5:41 pm said:

I really enjoyed this video and your engaging conversation about the joy you find in nature. And I am in awe of your exceptional photography work – what a treat to find your blog!

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- tomwhelan on April 23, 2015 at 8:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words!
  
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Oleg Komarickiy on October 4, 2015 at 1:32 am said:

Wonderful video.Thanks!!
Regards
oleg2011
Russia

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melissabluefineart on January 1, 2016 at 1:09 pm said:

I am so happy you stopped by, Tom. Your work reflects the attention you pay to the natural world, a deeper knowledge. It is absolutely gorgeous, and this video is most inspiring.

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- tomwhelan on January 1, 2016 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  And thanks for stopping in here, Melissa!
  
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  - melissabluefineart on January 3, 2016 at 11:43 am said:
    
    Such a pleasure~I’ll be back!
Noel Williams ...www.photopincher.com...www.gospelmuse.com on May 22, 2016 at 9:13 pm said:

Excellent! I am flabbergasted by your video. I never imagined one could extract such beauty from simple things that we often ignore. I will be watching your video many more times.

Thanks so much for sharing. God bless.

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- tomwhelan on May 23, 2016 at 12:01 am said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words!
  
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David on May 24, 2016 at 8:56 pm said:

Sorry I’ve been absent for many months in visiting your blog. My desk and everyday life has been much too busy. The two weeks in Texas with my daughters to begin their 2016 equestrian campaign has given a little more time to be less busy. I enjoyed watching your video, to find what inspires you. I’m very impressed by your walks on frozen trails to find that ice pattern in a half-frozen stream. I do agree with your comment that one does not need to travel far to find a scene in need having its photo taken … I do that a lot.

Continuing best regards,
David

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- tomwhelan on May 24, 2016 at 10:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks for coming back – lovely photos at your blog, I just visited.
  
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thegirlwiththecamera on January 9, 2017 at 5:30 pm said:

Tom, I wanted you to know that I’ve featured you in my latest post. I would appreciate it if you checked it out!
https://memyselfandthecamera.wordpress.com/2017/01/09/10-amazing-photography-bloggers-you-have-to-see/

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Michael Scandling on September 3, 2019 at 11:50 am said:

I discovered you late in the day, following up on the comment you made on the Melissa Blue Fine Art blog. Glad I followed up. Beautiful work. I will be following.

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- tomwhelan on September 3, 2019 at 9:58 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping in, looking forward to reading what you think about my work…
  
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  - Michael Scandling on September 3, 2019 at 10:00 pm said:
    
    So far I really like it. There’s a sense of delicacy that you capture that really appeals to me. I thought your video was great.
  - tomwhelan on September 3, 2019 at 10:11 pm said:
    
    I was very lucky to have very talented people work on the video. It’s getting pretty old now, and doesn’t reflect what I photograph these days.