Based out of Summit County, Colorado, my full time career in aviation has now been replaced with my passionate pursuit of creating images with artistic qualities and suitable for fine art print media. I consider myself a "Nature Photographer" of which I seek landscapes and wildlife in their most natural state with an occasional subject or interloper. The most rewarding photographic events are planned around a hike through wildlife zones and natural settings while being at the ready for a fleeting opportunity. Wildlife pursuit has become my mainstay but I concurrently practice my landscape skills. 99% of my Wildlife shots are hand held with my Olympus OM-1 with the 150-400 Pro Lens and a Sony Alpha-1-II with a 400-800 Lens.

My foundation in photography began with some genetics as my dad was an avid "family event" photographer with a 1950's vintage Leica Camera. I started picking up cameras (in earnest) in my early 20's when I became a Navy Carrier Pilot based on the USS Nimitz. Starting with Olympus compact point and shoot, I evolved in to digital and continued with the Olympus line almost in it's entirety to the OM-1 which is the flagship "pro" model today. In the early 2000's, I supported all of the photography and marketing material needs, including building a website from scratch (It was way harder back then, trust me!) for a High Fashion Boutique in Boulder, Colorado. Later, as a Commercial Airline Pilot and Lockheed Test Pilot, photography was my #1 hobby until transitioning to a full time Professional Nature Photographer in 2020.

I have been spending a lot of time watching and photographing raptors, especially Bald Eagles. They are truly a remarkable Raptor and very worthy of being the USAs National Bird as well as so many other symbols including Pride, Inspiration, and Freedom!! Their National comeback from near extinction is evident in the Colorado high country as well. In addition to random encounters during road trips, I have been following a handful of breeding pairs in Summit and Grand Counties. I have been able to observe and photograph all of the seasons and the DITL (day in the life) of these magnificent animals. People frequently ask me how I find and capture wildlife, and specifically raptors. The answer is that most of my encounters are completely random and opportunistic. Many of the "local" nests are on private property so having a good vantage of nest activity is a challenge. If you are a Bald Eagle lover, please follow me on Instagram @k2kimages01 and visit the website frequently as my passion burns to capture and highlight their behaviors in an artistic manner.

If you are visiting Summit County, Colorado, stop by High Country Artisans (Outlets at Silverthorne), Blue Village, across from the Columbia Store) to see my Colorado Collections as well as the Local Art from 22 other Colorado Artists.

I do my own printing on a professional wide format printer (up to 44 inches wide and no length limit) using only the best archival inks and "Fine Art" Papers including Canvas.

Instagram: @highcountryartisans

Website: https://www.highcountryartisans.org

I also do aerial/drone imaging with professional grade optics and have a FAA Part 107 (commercial) Small UAS License.

On a personal note, I Volunteer for the local "Alpine" chapter of Project Healing Waters, a non profit organization that serves disabled military veterans (of which I am one) with a therapeutic outdoor recreation experience, using fly fishing as the method of healing.

Feel free to reach out and share feedback, ask questions, or inquire about anything.

If you like what you see, please check back again as I am continuously creating new images and updating the site.

Many thanks, Kirk

PS: I am so blessed to live in the Colorado Rocky Mountains while surrounded by Nature's Majestic Beauty and God's Wild Animals!!!