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
Slovenia, Nazarje Prov, Village Church
Bangladesh, Netrakona Prov, Cart
Congo Zaire, Riverboat Sunset, 1984 - In 1984, my girlfriend at the time, Gabrielle, and I traveled from Kisangani (formerly Stanleyville) to Kinshasa on the Zaire (Congo) River. The steamboat was a lively place. As we passed from port to port, awaiting barges tied themselves on to the main boat, creating an increasingly large convoy as we neared the capital. I called it the Moving Zoo. People danced on the roofs, there was a market, fights broke out, etc. This photograph was taken from the steamboat railing during a beautiful sunset.
Vietnam, Dong Thap Prov, Woman
Taiwan, Chiayi County (TW-CYQ) Prov, Geese Farm
Slovenia, Kamnik Prov, New Architecture
Cambodia, Mondol Kiri Prov, Girl With Basket
Nepal, Chitwan, Rhino I Approached on Foot, 1984 - Gabrielle, Ed and I were in a machan in Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal near the border with India. Chitwan is famed for its large population of Indian One-Horned Rhinocerous. I told Gabrielle and Ed I was going down on the ground to get a close-up of the rhino. When I got to the base of the machan, they called down to me not to go near her, as she had a baby. I thought they were just trying to scare me from going, so I crept closer. When I was within about twenty-five feet of her, I saw the baby rhino. As the camera shutter snapped, the rhino reared her head. As rhinocerous are almost blind but with an acute sense of hearing, she listened to assess the danger. I had two choices: stand still or run barefoot. I chose to run. So did the rhino. She was actually running for the safety of the forest but I thought she was running after me. Fortunately she wasn't. She passed me going off in a slightly different direction. Rhinos run faster than humans. I wrote, "I felt, for the first time in my life, afraid for my life, afraid for my life because of a wild beast."
Turkey, Erzurum Province, Mountain
South Sandwich Is, Two Penguins Jumping Up On Iceberg, 2006 - Two chinstrap penguins are in mid-air, while a third swims in the water. The magnificence of their effort can be seen in this photograph, the water droplets trailing from their bodies.