About
Howdy! I’m Phoebe, a wildlife photographer based in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Growing up only a stone’s throw from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I have been fascinated with wildlife for as long as I can remember. As a child I would spend my days searching for salamanders in streams below my house and camping with my family. Working with animals has always been my dream, but photography was not on my radar until five years ago.
When I began my photography journey with my little Kodak PixPro, I had a difficult time finding wildlife to photograph. Bear and deer suddenly became more elusive, and birds were always moving too fast or were too far up in the trees for me to get a satisfactory shot. The only large animals that were regularly seen and easy to find were the elk that frequented the Oconaluftee area of the National Park. Looking back now, I wonder what I would have done differently had I known that the elk would become an important part of my academic and photography career.
As I spent more time with the herd, I found myself becoming enthralled with their behavior, biology, and conservation. However, my passion for this species was sparked by one individual in particular; an old, massive bull who many called “Big B” or “Big Boy.” This was an animal who commanded respect with a muscular 1,000 pound frame and regal branching antlers that swooped over his back. But, despite his size, he was a benevolent behemoth. This, I think, is what drew me to B and, in turn, the elk herd of the Smokies. I would seek them out every day after school and wake up early on the weekends for the chance to photograph and watch these animals up close. Spending time with them became a hobby that I could never tire of.
Image: Elk bull “Big B,” taken only three weeks before his passing in 2022.
Image: A portrait of myself, dressed in my regular wildlife-finding attire!
I am currently a biology student at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and the elk are a focal point of my undergraduate research. I am honored to be working in collaboration with the National Park Service to better understand our herd and the best route to ensuring their recovery and success in the Appalachians. However, I am a lover of all things wild and I try to use my photography to tell the stories of species and inspire others to conserve our wonderous planet. I am especially interested in large megafauna and the “creepy crawlies,” such as reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Often, those feared and misunderstood creatures are the ones who need the most appreciation. It is my hope that this website can offer a glimpse into a wild, beautiful world that so few get to see so intimately!
What Else Do I Do?
The Reynolds Lab
The Metazoa Podcast
I am a co-host on the Metazoa Podcast, a show about nature by those who love nature! My best friend Jacob and I talk about anything that interests us, from a variety of wildlife related news to the wackiest creatures that inhabit our planet! This is the perfect podcast for anyone interested in the outdoors and/or the natural world. Episodes are (usually) uploaded every other week!
At the University of North Carolina at Asheville, I am a member of the Reynolds Lab which specializes in evolutionary vertebrate genetics to explore the diversity of life. I began my genetic studies with Caribbean boas and have since moved on to spearhead a population genomics project with Smokies elk in collaboration with the National Park Service.
Wildlife Education
I have educated hundreds of national park visitors about elk, natural history, and wildlife ethics. I have also written articles about these same topics. Additionally, I visit local elementary, middle, and high schoolers to talk about a variety of subjects in biology with an emphasis on building engagement and passion for nature. It is my belief that education is a necessary aspect of conservation and science!