I grew up in the mountains on the Canadian border of Idaho and as a young boy of 8 years. Somehow my mother would allow me to wander off into the deep forest each day where beams of sunlight would find their way through the trees and shine on the forest floor as my natural compass.

Each day I would walk for hours and hours in the forest. My excitement of all things kept my interest each day. For some odd reason I was not afraid of grizzly bears or mountain lions. I knew they existed in great numbers (as my father had told me many stories and sightings), but being only 8 years old what was I to do if confronted? I ventured on.

The top predators surely saw me and could have me at anytime. I could always hear them, but I never saw them. I recently asked my mother; "How could you let me dissapear into the deep forest all alone." She said; "I just knew you would come back."

I soon realized that everything came from that forest. It was like a nursery of life! And at age 8 I noticed how important this forest was to me and all of the life that flourished in it. It became a primal part of me because I realized I was a part of it and could understand it.

Throughout my experience in life as a child and as an adult traveling the world, I find that one of the most important things in life is to inspire the life of a child through any medium necessary. Inspiration can develop a youngster to have the courage and education necessary to make a difference for future generations. I feel that we must see the world and our children in new light and develop a partnership with them both.

I wish to share my experience with you to provoke a deeper connection within you and the Natural world. It is the Natural world that has taught us to survive into such an intelligent species and now we have strayed much too far and have lost our natural language. It is this primality that we must learn again in order to remain alive. The Natural world can only give so much and then she, in turn, needs care as well.

My images are the "Footprints Of Nature" of which I speak. They are for you to connect with and envision that all wild areas can be saved. We can do this through a multitude of mediums; one of which is education and the other is photography.

Join my adventures in photography to see the natural world in a different light. Take a youngster with you on a trail hike, a canoe, a mountain, camping, or anything outdoors. Put a camera in their hands and open their eyes to all that exists. Show them the things most people walk right by each day. But most of all please inspire the life of a child to do well! It worked for me...

Shane P. Davis

I leave you with a few quotes from viewers and friends:

"Your work is stunning. It puts the viewer into the part of the Earth you have chosen in your mind's eye to give us witness to, where we would not have that opportunity. Thank your Mom for me. Somewhere in time you remain eight years old, because the pictures shown here are ones that not only allow the viewer majesty and intimacy, but are taken with a sense of 'knowing one's place' in the world. I find it frustrating to attempt to explain art like this through the English language.."

-Ken Hope www.Afragileworld.com

Shane, Thank you for sharing the beauty around you. It is truly a gift that you see and capture the beauty of a moment,and pass that on to us. It is a gift that inspires and reminds me of what frienship and stewardship means. Blessings to you, and "Thank You", my friend......Missy

?A new breed of Photographer is on the rise, to help save this planet Earth we call home. All of what we hold dear to our existence will be lost forever and only an image will remind us of what was once ?Natural Nature?.

- LisaMarie

It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing your gift!

Kim

"Shane-

Thanks for your amazing work- and a special thanks for inspiring and sharing with all of us : )

All the best-

Lisa"

Beautiful as usual...your site has truly made my week! I revisited it several times thru out the week and get a sense of awe and renewal each time....keep up the fight! - Robert

I am inspired by your spirit of adventure and think it's great that you use it for positive teaching and ways of protecting our environment as you go. Thanks for sharing, and Safe and happy adventures to you! - Anonymous

When I see sites like yours, I am in awe. Life is challenging when one is reasonably good at many things, but not gifted at anything. You are the former, I am the latter, so I thank you for the invite! Your images are beautiful...and proof that the delivery and not the medium is the key. The medium is the message, right? Who said that, anyway?

I have watched men cry at operas...and some of your photos have had a similar effect on me. Thanks for sharing...really.

Cathy

Shane,

In today's world we need people like you to take our children to a new world. You allow them to see the things dreams are made of and now you bring the dreams to life! Thank you eternally!

God Bless,

Anna