I've been all over the United States but regret to admit that I did not own a camera until 2000. I'm having a blast photographing everything I can now, and I can't wait to get back on the road and do some real traveling.

I have a large portfolio of film images, and a growing portfolio of digital images. The images presented here are images made during my favorite times in the field. If you require a photograph that you don't see here, please contact me at gloriahopkins@gmail.com

My New Book

NATURAL DESIGN:
Image Design for Nature Photographers

NATURAL DESIGN is unique among all nature photography books because of the "Composition Maps."

These are photographs that have been marked-up in Photoshop to illustrate the features of the design. Photographer's love them and because they are visual illustrations and not verbal explanations, the concepts they illustrate are learned and comprehended immediately.

They've helped hundreds have a better understanding of the basics of image design, how they apply to nature photography and how we can use them to make unique and memorable photographs.

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FAVORITE TRIPS

Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico, winter 2000

I froze the entire trip. I was using those warming packets, hot coffee, I wrapped my whole face with my scarf and had at least two pairs of socks and gloves on. I leaned against cars, people and anything else I could find to keep warm. I even had to borrow a jacket from someone I didn't know.

One morning it was -10 degrees outside or some crazy thing and the sun was half an hour from rising -- I was absolutely miserable. But once those famous Bosque colors crept into the sky and those thousands of big white birds exploded from the ground I couldn't even think much less be aware of discomfort.

The noise was thunderous and with that many birds it was as if the whole sky was one, big moving mass of birds. Heaven!

It was mind-boggling beauty and probably the closest thing to Heaven I'll see until I get there. Bosque in winter is a definite must-see for any bird lover.

Many thousands of Sandhill Cranes also reside at Bosque

FAVORITE MOMENTS

I have many passions but two things I cannot do are sing and dance. Not even to save my own life. And I never do them in public ... ever. Well, one time I did:

I remember dancing with Sandhill Cranes near a little lake in Central Florida. The cranes will dance if you do, so I danced, and they did too, and a friend got some neat shots. Those birds are crazy, kicking their legs out sideways and splaying their wings ... it was a great dance!

LOVER'S KEY
MT. MYERS BEACH, FL

This little plover was photographed in 2000 during one of my first bird photography trips. It's a a humorous article and a lot of fun to write and remember

The Plover

FAVORITE GEAR

For all around photography my favorite is the 400mm f/5.6. My favorite camera of all time is the Nikon F-100.

CAMERAS USED

Canon EOS Rebel
Canon EOS20D
Canon EOS10D
Canon EOS3
Shen Hao 4x5 field camera
Nikon F-100
Nikon N60

LENSES USED

Canon 600mm f/4.0 IS
Canon 500mm f/4.0 IS
Canon 300mm f/4.0 IS
Canon 100-400mm f/4.0 IS
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6
Canon 28-70mm f/2.8
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
Tamron 200-400mm f/5.6