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
Rwanda, Ruhengeri Provinc Silverback Mountain Gorilla with Young, 1984 - When my girlfriend Gabrielle and I went to find the gorillas, I was not properly prepared. The nettles were agonizingly painful. I was given a second pair of pants to cover my legs. Our guides found a group of gorillas who were only newly accustomed to humans. At one point when I raised my camera to take a photograph of this Silverback, he jumped up the forested slope toward me. I fell on my back. He raised his arms to the sides and screamed, putting the fear of God into me! This was a "display," a gorilla's standard warning.
Slovenia, Celje Prov, The King
UK, Wiltshire Prov, Nomansland
Singapore, Pelican Head, Jurong Bird Park, 2008, IMG_9477 - Light filters through the throat pouch of a pelican.
Slovenia, Metlika Prov, Ants On Flower
Chile, Natural Hot Springs, 1993 - Not much of a photograph, I'll admit. But I have included this for a reason: because this is one of the only truly natural hot springs I have ever seen. Most of them have some sort of man-made structure around them or are tampered with in some way. I had a few days to kill while waiting for my climbing partner, Rick Taylor, to arrive in Santiago, Chile. I went up for a hike in the mountains to altitudes about 5000m. I came across this magnificent hot springs, complete with a resplendent view.
Cambodia, Krong Preah Sihanouk Prov, House
Papua New Guinea, Raft Ashore At Lover's Sumptuary, 1983 - Kelly and I pulled off to the shore for the night during a heavy rainfall. In the morning when we woke, the raft was beached, as the river had receded. I had to wedge it back into the water with a stick. This photograph shows the mosquito net that we put up at night. Mosquitoes were ubiquitous and often managed to get inside our net. We used malaria prophylactics religiously.
Turkey, Artvin Prov, Dam
Visiting Yamchun Fortress in February is like seeing Machu Picchu in the snow. It is spectacular, not far from Ishkoshim.