This website illuminates my life and adventures. My longing for freedom has led me to over 2600 of the world’s 3978 provinces, to every country on earth and to the summit of the highest peak on each continent (thank heaven for good weather!). In my travels, I learned to respect the intelligence and ingenuity of people of all races and callings both past and present. Come see the world as I see it: as a peaceful place, full of nature and beauty. With the right spirit and intent, we can make our world a virtual Garden of Eden.
DISTINCTIONS: BBC 2017 Travel Pioneer • Journal Articles • Explorer’s Club Flag Expeditions
World Parks Project • Walk Across South America • Jeff Shea Travel Map
Taiwan, Penghu Prov, Stone House - Can you rely on the stories of others, or do you think it is better to go out and see and decide for yourself?
Latvia, Bauskas Prov, Pilot On The Watch -
Latvia, Liepaja City Province, Apartment Building -
Slovenia, Bled Prov, Clarinetist
Cambodia, Kracheh Prov, Woman
Peru, Jeff Shea Looking At Andes Mountains, 1979 - On my trip to South America in 1979, I saw the Andes for the first time. My impression was that they were jagged and austere. I walked to Macchu Piccu with Debra, an American woman I met in Cuzco. We walked over a pass of 14,000 feet. I was exhausted. I don't think at the time I could have imagined I would one day go over twice that altitude. (Photo 110 format from Jeff Shea Travel Archives)
Flamingos in Flight, 2010
Chile, Antofagasta Province (Región)
To get a photo of the flamingos was not easy. They were far away and easily startled when I tried to get closer to them. My method of photographing animals is to approach them very slowly, not moving left nor right nor up nor down. True especially of birds, animals tend to look from only one eye. If moving slowly directly toward their line of vision, they are unsure if you are an an animal of prey or a fixed object.
Bangladesh, Placing Net, 1984 - In 1984, after walking to the Taj Mahal, I traveled overland back across Bangladesh to the far east of the country to an island called Teknaf. I went out to the beach where fishemen prepared to go out to sea at night. They invited me to join them, so I waded out to the water and hopped on board. In this photograph, they prepare to set their nets, connecting them to buoys with lanterns. I slept under a burlap sack. At dawn they pulled up quite a load of fish!
Visiting Yamchun Fortress in February is like seeing Machu Picchu in the snow. It is spectacular, not far from Ishkoshim.
Azerbaijan, Absheron Rayon, Absheron Man