Nature Photography by Mark Thogerson

Mark Thogerson is a trained field ecologist who teaches biology at a regional university.  He spends his spare time enjoying the wild lands near his home in Muskegon, Michigan.  This area is quite diverse, having extensive dune complexes along Lake Michigan, beech-maple and oak-pine forests, savannas and dry sand prairies, large rivers, small streams and bogs within easy driving distance.  He explores these habitats by foot, canoe, bicycle, and cross-country skis, depending on the season and terrain, always carrying his camera with him.  He also spends significant time each year canoeing or backpacking in other natural areas throughout the United States.

He rarely sets up blinds, instead depending on the element of surprise for finding wildlife.  The feeling of spontaneity this creates in his photos more than makes up for the small number of wildlife shots.  His quest is to collect excellent diagnostic photographs of every vascular plant in Michigan - a task that has taken him about 11 years so far.  As of early 2009, he has photos of about 900 species.  His interest in insect closeups is closely related - he wants to document pollinators for as many of the flowering plants as possible.

Landscapes, waterfalls and lighthouses are a natural outgrowth of his travels.  Upper Michigan is well known for its waterfalls, and Michigan as a state has more lighthouses than any other.