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Growing up in Florida, Mark Thomas developed a strong interest in nature at a very early age.
Throughout his high school years he worked at a tropical fish store where he began sharing his
knowledge and love of nature with otherssomething he enjoys doing to this day.

His love of wildlife carried on into his adult life and, while attending pharmacy college at
the University of Florida Gainesville, he began to photograph the subjects in which he had so
long been interested. After graduation, he began working the “graveyard” shift in a pharmacy,
which allowed him to spend his days at one of his favorite spotsEverglades National
Parkhoning his photography skills.

When Mark felt it was time to share his photography with others he began submitting
his images to magazines, calendars and contests and also started exhibiting his work at
small, local art shows. The response was immediate and very encouraging. Three very prominent
environmental organizations, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, and
Sierra Club all published work from Mark's first submissions. He also won 1st
Place in the Florida Wildlife magazine photo contest four years in a row.

In 1992 Mark made the decision to devote his full attention to photography, leaving his
pharmacy career behind. His decision has worked out well as his photos have won many
awards and have appeared in a variety of publications including National Geographic,
National Wildlife, Nature's Best, Audubon, World Wildlife Fund, Reader's Digest, Ranger
Rick and Sierra.

His philosophy on nature photography is refreshingly simple: "Respect the animals,
their habitats, and the rights of the other people who have also come to enjoy them.
Besides simply trying to make a beautiful photograph, it is important to me that each
of my photographs also tells a story. Through my photography I hope to help people
become more aware of our wondrous natural world and how important it is that we preserve it."

These days, Mark travels the world in search of great photos. He has graciously shared
with us several images he made on our tours.



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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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Copyright © 2005, Mark Thomas
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