Meet our Contributors!

Over the years, we’ve been impressed by the passion and talent behind backyard bird photographers across the USA and Canada. That's why we’ve brought together a terrific group of birders from beginners to aficionados to showcase their photos and videos along with our products. Meet the group, visit their pages and follow along on their journeys as they continue to share the rewarding experience of backyard birding. You may see their photos and videos featured on our website and social media pages!

Hollyann Allen | @birdsofacamper

I am a stay-at-home mom to my 3-year-old daughter. We got into backyard birding a little over a year ago when COVID first started. During the earliest parts of the pandemic, my husband was traveling for work and because of the first shutdown, we weren’t able to travel along with him. He was going to be away for 4 months which meant it was just me and my little girl at the house for a while. We were trying to find ways to fill our days since the pandemic kept us from getting out much, so we started taking the first hour of everyday to sit outside and watch the birds. After our fascination grew, we ended up making our first bird feeder out of an old cashew jar and wooden spoon. The very first day we put it out, we got cardinals. From there we were hooked, and we’ve taken our feeders with us to 7 states since as we’ve traveled with my husband’s job. As our passion for birding has grown, so has my passion for photography which led me to start my avian photography page both on my own website and on Instagram, @birdsofacamper.

If you could be a Mourning Dove or a Robin, which would you be and why? I would probably be a robin.
Favorite bird emoji? 🦉
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? Photographing a female kestrel hunting over a local highway. I had never seen a kestrel before at all and they aren’t overly common in my area this time of year. So not only seeing her but also capturing (what I believe are) pretty quality photos was super exciting for me!
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? Either an owl in the wild (I’ve gotten a few pictures at conservation centers) or a kingfisher. I also wouldn’t mind capturing a wood duck. Feeder wise, I’d love to get a pileated woodpecker visitor.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? My Nature’s Way tray feeder is my absolute favorite. The birds prefer it too. 😜 I mix up some peanuts (shelled and unshelled), mealworms, sunflower seeds and a few raspberries for the robins and all of the birds go crazy for it. I have gotten a huge jump in variety of species since getting my tray feeder.
What are your hobbies outside of birding? I enjoy cooking. But other than that I pretty much just spend all my time playing dinosaurs and hot wheels with my little girl!

Maribeth Lowe | @macro_crazy

I have always loved nature and hiking. I also love nature photography. My youngest (adult) son took up birdwatching as a hobby when the pandemic started. I originally tagged along with him as a way to get in more hiking and then just to photograph whatever we saw. After the first trip out and seeing how much fun it was to find and identify the birds, I was completely hooked. It didn't take long before I had several feeders and pole systems set up so I could also attract birds to my yard. I have an eBird account and love doing checklists and trying to find as many species as possible.

If you could be a Downy Woodpecker or a Mockingbird, which would you be and why? Definitely a Downy woodpecker because they are so curious.
Favorite bird emoji? 🐦
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? I was able to capture a rare bird at my feeder -an evening grosbeak.
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? Pileated woodpecker.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? Tray and suet.
What are your hobbies outside of birding? Photography.

Brian Webster | @brianwebsterphotography

I am an amateur photographer and nature lover! I got into backyard birding because of my mother. I remember we always had bird feeders when I was a kid. My mum was a photographer too, so naturally we went on a lot of nature hikes looking for birds.

If you could be a Goldfinch or a Bluebird, which would you be and why? I guess a Goldfinch as I haven't seen any Bluebirds around here.
Favorite bird emoji? There are bird emoji's?
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? Getting some nice shots of Northern Flickers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers in my backyard!
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? I love owls and hope to get some owl pictures. Not likely in my backyard, though.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? I think the most useful feeder is a tray feeder, as you can put anything in it, sunflower seeds, peanuts...
What are your hobbies outside of birding? Photography, fishing, hiking and guitars.

Bob Blankenship

Before I retired I became interested in photography. I attended photography seminars to learn different techniques and began experimenting with all types of landscape photography. After retirement, I started photographing the beautiful scenery in and around Lake Guntersville in Alabama. For a few years now, bald eagles have been nesting in our area and I started photographing them as well as other birds. Our neighbor had an active bluebird house in his backyard so I started photographing them and became interested in putting in my own bluebird house. This spring I ordered a Nature's Way bluebird house and within a week we had bluebirds nesting.

If you could be a House Sparrow or a Tree Swallow, which would you be and why? A Tree Swallow because I could fly faster.
Favorite bird emoji? I don’t have one.
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? Seeing a pair of bluebirds take to the new birdhouse in less than two weeks after it was installed.
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? Bluebirds.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? Not sure.
What are your hobbies outside of birding? Photography.

Jason Hammond |@JayHammondPhotography

I retired from the U.S. Air Force in March 2019. Since retiring I work as a career advisor at an online university.

If you could be a grosbeak or a wren, which would you be and why? They are more colorful.
Favorite bird emoji? (because America)
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? Capturing a photo of a male cardinal. Someone saw it and requested a copy to have framed and hang in their home.
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? What I believe to be a Red Tailed Hawk occasionally flies around my home. I would love to get a photo of him in flight.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? Tube feeders.
What are your hobbies outside of birding? Spending time with my family, camping, hiking, fishing, photography, and University of Alabama Football.

Monte Gleason | @backyard_birding_life

My grandmother loved birds of all kinds, with Cardinals being her favorite. I took to birding naturally and the passion is still with me today. I became a more serious amateur photographer as of the last three years. As many know, birding and photography go well together and I am enjoying both to the fullest.

If you could be a Northern Flicker or a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, which would you be and why? The Northern Flicker, the beautiful different patterns with a splash of color at flight. Definitely one of my favorite sightings.
Favorite bird emoji?
Your most proud birding moment in the last year was ____? I had an Indigo Bunting show up in my backyard one day for photos. I have not seen another before or after that day.
What bird are you most hoping to capture in 2021? Barred Owl, I have yet to see a wild owl in Alabama.
The type of bird feeder you find most useful is ___? The Hopper with suet cages is a very versatile feeder appealing to many species.
What are your hobbies outside of birding? Photography, fishing and cooking on the 36-inch griddle for guests.

Are you interested in becoming a Nature's Way contributor? Send us an email at info@natureswaybirds.com with examples of your photography and links to any websites or social media pages where you share your birding photography, and we may consider you for a future program!