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
PNG, Kelly With Koroba Villagers, 1983 - When Kelly and I arrived in Koroba, after traveling across the Pacific Ocean and up the Highlands Highway almost all the way to its end, we met the delightful wigmen that resided here. In this photo, the local men tease Kelly and a local woman.
Easter Island, Reed Ship and Moai at Anakena Beach, 1997 - In this photograph both the Moai and the reed vessel at Anakena beach in 1997 are visible. Easter Island was a place of mystery and deep feeling. My short experience there was deeply enhanced by my relationship with my Rapa Nuian lover. She was native Rapa Nuian and had a deep spirit.
Java, Madura Girl, circa 1994 - I traveled with my 8x10 to Surabaya. Madura Island was just off the coast of Java, so I took a ferry and a then a car around the island. There was a girl's school. Many young girls poked their heads out of this window or peered through screens, curious about me and my camera. This one young woman posed for me. The inscription on the window is Arabic for Allah.
(8x10 format)
Thailand, Mae Hong Son Province, Karen Girl, 2008, IMG_3648 - This young Karen girl, originally from Myanmar, now lives in the northwest of Thailand. She looks like a princess.
Seram, Kaifin, Flying Fox, 2006 - On my journey to the interior of Seram, I was in a river bed when flying foxes began flying overhead. I put out my new 500 mm lens. This shot was taken with auto-focus from a distance of about 100 meters while this bat was flying. These creatures are coveted as food all over Melanesia.
Slovenia, Velike Lasce Prov, Bee On Flower
Philippines, Bohol Prov, Chocolate Hills_Prov,_Landscape,_2009,_IMG_8515-700x467.jpg)
Azerbaijan, Yevlax (AZ-YEV) Prov, Landscape
Thailand, Nakhon Sawan Prov, Elephant To Work
Papua New Guinea, Huli Sunglasses, 1983 - I don't think it mattered to this man that his sunglasses were missing a lens, just as many Highlanders wore wristwatches that were broken. Their interest was artistic, not practical. The Hulis had fantastic imaginations. I was impressed by the fact that they did not seem to differentiate between items from the forest and items from modern industry. Any item that could enhance their appearance was fair game. For example, this man's wig has both flowers and candy wrappers in it!