We would like to thank the photographers whose images you see on our website and publications.
Jim Clark
Since 1976 Jim Clark has explored the natural world through his camera. He is the author and photographer of six books and was the major contributing photographer for the book Coal Country. Jim and his son Carson authored and photographed two books together, The Adventures of Buddy the Beaver: Buddy Explores his Pond andThe Adventures of Buddy Beaver: Mystery of the Missing Friends.
Jim has been the nature photography instructor at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station since 2010. A former contributing editor for Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Jim joined Virginia Wildlife Magazine in 2017 as a guest columnist to write about nature photography. To learn more about Jim and his love affair with nature and photography, visit www.jimclarknature.com or visit him on Facebook.
Gerco Hoogeweg, PhD
Gerco works as a GIS Data steward for an agricultural solutions company, where he focuses on the interactions between agriculture and endangered species. He has been a member of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy since 2010 and is the chair of the JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary Committee. Gerco is an avid birder and enjoys photographing birds, butterflies and other wildlife. As a member of the Raven Loonatics Birdathon team, he enjoys finding as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period in Loudoun County. He also participates in breeding bird Atlases, Christmas Bird Counts and leads trips for LWC and other organizations. In addition, Gerco teaches the ornithology class for the Banshee Reeks chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists.
Liam McGranaghan
Liam McGranaghan is a former high school environmental science teacher for Loudoun County Public schools. Throughout his career, he has shown a strong passion and understanding for the natural world. He enjoys birds, reptiles, amphibians and wildflowers. Liam is an avid outdoorsman and nature photographer and raptor bander for the US Geological Services. He has taught classes for the Graduate School USA on birds of prey and herpetology. Liam leads nature walks for a variety of organizations and events, including Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Shenandoah Audubon and the Smithsonian and the West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage. He has written several articles on native plants and animals and published a best-selling book on falconry.
Laura McGranaghan
Laura works as an office manager and bookkeeper for a landscaping firm in Northern Virginia. She has been a member of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for the past 14 years, four of those as a Board member, serving as the chair for the Program and Field Trips Committee. She was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award in 2010. She has an avid interest in natural history and is an accomplished birder and Lepidoptera enthusiast. Her nature photographs have appeared extensively in Loudoun Wildlife’s Habitat Herald newsletter and have also appeared in several magazines, including a cover for the Virginia Wildlife magazine in 2018.
Diane Nastase
Diane attended her first Loudoun Wildlife Birding Banshee bird walk with her daughter during Spring break of 2016. She was hooked. With her youngest off to college, she started attending more LWC bird walks as often as possible. Photography was a way to help identify new bird sightings and photography became another new hobby. Diane and her husband like to travel and enjoy birdwatching in other countries. Her bird photos can be found on Instagram.
Donna Quinn
Donna became an active member in Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy during a life transition from busy mother to empty nester. Feeling a bit lost, she decided to join a Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy walk at Banshee Reeks and found an outlet for her passion for nature as well as new friends. From 2010–2016 Donna was managing editor of Loudoun Wildlife’s Habitat Herald newsletter, a role which combined her passions for the natural world, literature and photography. In 2011 she was selected Volunteer of the Year. Donna likes to say while she is not an expert in any one subject, she remains a lifelong student of Mother Nature. Donna’s articles and photographs can be found in the Habitat Herald.
Michael Sciortino
Michael is an avid hiker and loves to photograph the birds of Loudoun County. He became interested in Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy through the monthly bird walks held around the county. Michael has been a resident of Loudoun County since 1997 and has lived in South Riding the entire time. In that time, he has witnessed vast change in the Dulles South area. Michael has over 20 years experience in multiple areas of finance. He currently oversees financial operations at a federal agency in Falls Church. His experience also includes serving in the U.S. Navy submarine force in the early 1980s.