Inspiration

Photographer of the Month – David Heavner

Birch Sawfly Larvae

Snail

David L. Heavner is a retired environmental analytical chemist who lives in Leicester, NC. He is a native North Carolinian from Conover whose parents instilled in him a life-long interest of the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains through frequent visits to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, he enlisted in the United States Army and served on active military duty for 2 years, 8 months and 29 days (but who’s counting?) with a one year deployment in the Republic of South Korea.

Upon returning to civilian life, he received a Medical Technology (ASCP) certification from the Forsyth Hospital School of Medical Technology in Winston-Salem. Then he returned to Boone and received a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Appalachian State University. After a thirty-two year career in an industrial laboratory setting, he returned to the mountains of North Carolina with his significant other, Debra, and their Redtick Coonhound, Sammy.

In retirement, he spends his days involved in photography, birding, butterflying, mothing, botanizing, native plant gardening, landscaping, watching his favorite professional baseball team (go Braves!) and following his favorite college football team (Go Apps!). He has one class remaining in the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program at the North Carolina Arboretum in order to fulfill the curriculum requirements and is searching for a final project in order to complete that certification.

His photo gallery can be found directly on FLICKR , through his “budding” native plant/nature blog and helpful links “Go Native!” website   or on Facebook “Go Native Blue Ridge”.

Luna Moths

Meadow Fritillary

Blue-tipped Dancer

Orange Robberfly

Orange-fringed Orchid

Turk’s-cap Lily

Spotted Mandarin

Southern Catalpa

Roundleaf Sundew

Yellow Birch

Eastern Screech Owl

Hooded Merganser

White-cheeked Pintail