Hi there! I’m a 23-year-old wildlife enthusiast & Naturalist from Western Maryland. My passion for capturing the beauty of nature led me to create this space dedicated to my photography adventures. Join me as I explore the wild landscapes and incredible creatures of our planet, all through the lens of my trusty Nikon D500.
Let’s embark on this journey together!
Follow Brave Otter Biology on Instagram for daily doses of nature’s beauty. I share real-time updates, captivating photos, and insightful descriptions of the incredible creatures I encounter on my adventures.
Here’s a few shots from Olivia and I’s recent adventure in Ireland!
This is Doonagore Castle on the west coast near Doolin.
The legendary Cliffs of Moher
One of our favorite stops was Muckross Abbey in Killarney National Park
The iconic hill of colorful houses in Cobh!
Inside of St. Coleman’s Cathedral
Top-down 48 | The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
I believe I had 3 of these things during my childhood as pets, and I distinctly remember chasing them through my room panicking as I tried to get them back in their vivarium. I also recall accidentally causing one to detach its tail and completely freaking out. Good times.
• Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
• September 12th, 2025 | Pender County, NC
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Proud to present the latest addition to the infographic line featuring the Red Salamander! A road cruisin, and creek crawlin classic. It’s also a fitting species to celebrate the greatest Country in the World sporting America’s signature color🇺🇸
Sometimes, you snag that shot that leaves you speechless. This is one that I couldn’t wait to share after being up in Northern Ohio with the guys. Just before we were all wrapped up for the day, we looked over at the stunning sunset and seemed to all have the same idea for a photo. The Eastern Foxsnake is one of the coolest snakes you can find, and has everything going for them - Big, docile, sweet-looking, and clearly photogenic!
• Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus)
• May 24th, 2026 | Erie County, OH
- Nikon D500 + Sigma 15mm Fisheye
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Top-down 47 | The Butler’s Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri)
This was a sweet little bonus while up in the northern end of Ohio looking for Fox Snakes. I’ve seen this species posted many times up along Lake Erie, so it was awesome to finally get in on the action.
• Butler’s garter snake (Thamnophis butleri)
• May 24th, 2026 | Erie County, OH
- Nikon D500 | 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
After a couple very successful hours of finding Eastern Massasaugas, we shifted our focus on finding another state-endangered reptile that also inhabits meadows and prairie habitats. This is my lifer Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix), and a nice looking adult for that matter. Good stuff!
• Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)
• May 24th, 2026 | Marion County, OH
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Top-down 46 | The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)
Last week, I drove up to Ohio to meet up with the boys for some snake action. Within 10 minutes of getting out of the car, my main target was found. The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a small rattlesnake species that thrives in unsuspecting fields and prairies that are poorly drained. They utilize crayfish burrows for access below the surface and hunt the shrews and voles that occupy the same habitat.
Many thanks to the guys for having me out and showing me around their home territory! I’m thrilled to cross this fantastic snake off the list!
• Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)
• May 24th, 2026 | Wyandot County, OH
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Top-down 45 | The Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
Man do I love the colors in this one. After finally finding an adult while out road cruising, I snapped some long overdue shots of this thing, and here’s the top-down from the session.
• Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
• April 2nd, 2026 | Tucker County, WV
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Your favorite salamander just got mogged.
• Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)
• June 20th, 2025 | Garrett County, MD
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
I’m proud to present the first official Brave Otter Biology + Allegheny Boys infographic featuring a sample of the Biodiversity you can find in the Central Appalachian Mountains!
This Poster will debut and be available for purchase on May 23rd at the Artspring Showcase in Thomas, WV. If you miss it there, you’ll be able to find it exclusively on our Allegheny Boys Website!
Top-down 44 | The Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus)
One of the most common Dusky Salamanders my region has to offer, and yet arguably the best one of the genus. The range of colors you can find these things in makes it a super fun one to look for. This guy was a great example of how vibrant these salamanders can get.
I finally got around to putting together this design for one of North America’s most premier salamanders. Pauley’s Salamander (also known by its lackluster, more used common name, the Yellow-spotted Woodland Salamander) is an attractive, slender, and elusive member of the wehrlei complex with an interesting taste in habitat. I’ve had the privilege to see many of these guys over the years, and it’s one of those special species that really makes you take a step back and appreciate what you’ve just found.
I’ve had a ton of requests from salamander heads for this specific infographic, so I’m excited to finally make it available! If you want to purchase a poster, visit the link in my bio!
At last, an adult Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber). It’s been a while since I had last seen one, and finally being able to get one behind the lens is epic. Weird how the most common species can become so elusive when you start targeting them.
• Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
• April 2nd, 2026 | Tucker County, WV
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
No, you’re not dreaming. You’re looking at an official Brave Otter Biology infographic featuring none other than Eurycea “The Goat” longicauda. This one was long overdue, and I’m proud to put such a fantastic creature in the spotlight.
Now YOU can own this poster and show off your herp ball knowledge to all your nerd friends! Check out the link in my bio to pick one up today.
After getting our fair share of Bat Cave Yonahlossee Salamanders, we scored on this bonus Smooth Earthsnake while heading out. Not a rare, or necessarily exciting reptile to come across, but one I’d yet to photograph.
• Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae)
• May 19th, 2025 | Rutherford County, NC
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
An absolute UNIT of a Crevice Salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee “longicrus”) from North Carolina during Frank and I’s epic Blue Ridge Bonanza last spring.
• Crevice Salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee “longicrus”)
• May 19th, 2025 | Rutherford County, NC
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Take me back to the Tellico
• Tellico Salamander (Plethodon aureolus)
• May 16th, 2025 | Monroe County, TN
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Now that the Salamanders are officially back, I’m featuring a new addition to the infographic series. The Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) perfectly represents early season movement, as many Ambystomatids are currently utilizing the warm rains to migrate towards vernal pools. The Jefferson Salamander is one of the first species to do so here in the Central Appalachians. Truly an awesome animal, and a great representation of this robust genus.
My posters are available to purchase through the google form in my bio! This one will be in stock soon!
Four-toed Salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum) are one of the most unique amphibians representing the biodiversity of the eastern United States. In about a month or two, the females will begin to make their way towards banks of ponds and bogs to deposit eggs in beds of moss like Sphagnum.
• Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
• April 1st, 2025 | Garrett County, MD
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
Top-down 43 | The Yonahlossee Salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee)
Seeing this iconic Appalachian Salamander last year for the first time was an eye-opening experience. Being fascinated by salamanders at an early age, I constantly saw pictures of this species in field guides and wondered if i’d ever find one for myself one day. Fast forward several years, and nothing could have prepared me for the crazy size and brilliant brick red coloration on these things.
• Yonahlossee Salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee)
• May 13th, 2025 | Unicoi County, TN
- Nikon D500 + 40mm Macro
- Cygnustech Diffuser w/ Flashpoint Speedlight
