Randy Richardson grew up in Canada but has lived longer in the USA than in his native land.  His career in engineering and manufacturing management and his travels with wife Susan have taken him to more than 40 countries.  Upon his retirement to Asheville a few years back he’s turned his curiosity back to the natural world and is never happier than when in the woods.   Photography began as a byproduct of his travels and his interest in documenting what he’s seen in the natural world.  Many of these photos stem from trying to document what he’s seen while stumbling along behind Scott Dean during Blue Ridge Naturalist classes.  One of these days he plans to take some photography classes and figure out how to do it right.

Jack Ollis grew up in the mountains of NC.  His interest in photography and hiking began at an early age.  After completing undergraduate studies at Appalachian State University and graduate work at Duke, he taught Chemistry and Physics in high school and Danville Community College in Danville, Virginia. After spending several summers working with a Christian outdoor leadership program, he and his family moved to Asia where they lived in India, Thailand, and Singapore.  Retirement has given him the opportunity to continue to develop his interest in nature photography.  The hiking trails within driving distance of his home in Black Mountain provide a variety of interesting plants, animals and vistas which inspire him to continue exploring new places.  He often hears from others who can no longer hike long distances but enjoy seeing pictures of natural beauty via Facebook (Jack Cathy Ollis) and Instagram (Jack.Ollis).

Photo credit: Keith Krueger

      by Linda Martinson
Blue Ridge Naturalist

I was walking recently with a seven-year-old friend while she collected caterpillars. She placed them on her arms and on the handlebar of her scooter and wondered how many legs they had. I mentioned to her that, hopefully, all of her caterpillars will turn into butterflies. She glanced at me skeptically and said, “I just can’t understand how that happens.”