The male Northern Red Bishop or Orange Bishop is a gorgeous little weaver, native to the sub Sahara Desert, Africa. From Wikipedia: The Northern Red Bishop displays prominently, singing high-pitched squeaks from tall grass, puffing out his feathers or performing a slow hovering display flight. It builds a spherical woven nest in tall grass. As […]
Author: Paul Marto
Paul has been passionate about photography since the early 80's. Nature, wildlife and action shots are his favorites. He loves the challenge that arises from the unpredictability of his subjects when he is trying to capture the perfect wildlife moment. He is a native of California and has spent the last 28 years in Orange County. Mr. Marto grew up in Carmel Valley, so it is no surprise that he gravitated towards wildlife photography. Mountain bike riding, hiking, tennis and playing the electric guitar round out the list of pursuits for this UC San Diego graduate. He has a beautiful wife and two adorable children.
Paul’s work has recently been highlighted by National Geographic, Sea & Sage Audubon Society, The Environmental Nature Center, The O.C. Register, Irvine World News, WildlifePhotographyNews.net, Irvine Valley College and Photo of the Day.com. He is a recent winner in the City of Irvine 40th Anniversary Photo Contest and his works have won numerous on line photo contests as well. Juried into a number of organizations including LagunaArt.com, AmericaFineArt.org, Artists of America, Gallery 104, RAWArtists.org and TurningArt.com. He is active within the Irvine Unified School District and gives presentations on wildlife photography.
"Through my photography, I am trying to bring awareness to the abundant collection of wildlife that cohabit the Orange County area. The more we know about these amazing animals and their requirements, the better prepared we will be to live a peaceful coexistence with them. I strive to present brilliant photographs of these wonderful creatures, large and small, in a way that will both inspire and educate.”
Thought There Was A Prize In Here!
As wildlife photographers, we all strive to capture that perfect moment. Sometimes, the moment is dramatic, sometimes the moment is awe inspiring, sometimes the moment is scary and sometimes the moment is just plain funny. At this time of year when we all have so much going on, I know that things can get a […]
Costas, Annas, Allens and Others
Orange County, California, only gets several varieties of hummingbirds, but I never grow tired of trying to freeze them in time. Here are some of my favorite photos that I have taken over the last few years. I don’t believe in shooting them at feeders so all my shots are taken in the wild. Please […]
Variegated Meadowhawks
A pair of Variegated Meadowhawk dragonflies are seen in flight. The male is up front and the female is in tow. Working together, the male hovers just slightly above the water line, close enough for the female to safely deposit her eggs.
Orange County (California) Birds of Prey
Of all the subjects I photograph, birds of prey are my favorite. These predators are birds that hunt for food primarily via flight, using their keen senses, especially vision. Many different species call Orange County, California their home. With some moderate hiking and a small dose of patience, it is possible to capture most of […]
Lunch Time in Coopersville
In August of 2011, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a family of Coopers Hawks nesting in the trees 5 minutes away from my home in Irvine, California. Over the next six weeks, I witnessed and photographed all kinds of interactions between the mother and her young. However, the feeding process is what captivated […]