Looking at nature photography websites provides a way to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving your office chair. Although it falls short of filling the need to get some sunshine, exercise and breathe in fresh air, living vicariously through someone else’s great outdoor pictures can still provide some pretty amazing adventures.

This is especially true when you find photos like those taken by Steve Creek of Lavaca. I learned of his wonderful photography after a trip he made to our neck of the woods and posted on his blog about Eagle Watch Nature Trail. It has since become one of my favorite places to get my “nature fix,” especially on days when I cannot get outside myself.

Recently Steve agreed to let me share his story and passion for outdoor photography and the impact it has had on his life. He explained that his interest in the outdoors started as a youngster, influenced by his father,who taught him about respecting wildlife. Steve spent a lot of time observing nature during his childhood, which prompted him to buy a “cheap film camera” so he could share the amazing things he was seeing with his friends and family. Later, as an adult, his work also required photo skills but, as a detective taking pictures at crime scenes, those photos were in stark contrast to the beauty he captured in nature. Continuing his wildlife photography during this time helped give his life some balance.

As his passion for photography continued, Steve started his blog in 2007 as a way to share his pictures with family. The site has now grown to 800-1000 visitors per day. He credits the blog for improving his skills because it got him out shooting on a daily basis so he could keep the site updated.

“Shooting more will always improve your photography,” he said.

Steve retired from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 and now pursues his passion full time.He challenges himself to create something different that will stand out and be noticed among other wildlife photographers. This requires patiently watching and studying wildlife, something that people often don’t do, he says.

“They might see a bird gathering nesting materials, but they don’t stick around long enough to watch the nest being built. That’s whenthe best photographs are taken.”

When asked about special experiences in the field, Steve mentioned two of many that stand out for him. He was once able to photograph two snakes eating the same catfish. Another time, he stirred up the bird community when he photographed a scissor-tailed flycatcher and a red-winged blackbird both feeding the same young.

One of his most honoring moments came in 2008 when he was contacted by the Smithsonian and asked for permission to use one of his photos in a show they were producing called “Stories from the Vault.” This request inspired him to work even harder to get “the perfect photo.” Because of that exposure, his photos are now being used all over the world in a variety of venues.

Even with all his success, Steve can think of another achievement he would like to attain.

“How awesome it would be to be able to get a great photo of the ivory-billed woodpecker here in Arkansas,” he says of the species listed as critically endangered and possibly extinct.

With Steve’s knack for patience and observation, along with his passion for capturing great sights in nature, that elusive bird might want to get ready to say, “Cheese.” I will be watching for it on his blog.

Readers can log on to see Steve’s amazing nature photographs at stevecreek.com.

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 02/29/2012