I am a veterinarian & wildlife photographer

A man with gray hair and beard lying on the ground, wearing sunglasses on his head and a dark jacket, with a background of green grass and a weathered log.

Relaxing in the Alaskan wilderness

I am a veterinarian, award-winning wildlife photographer, and lifelong advocate for animals.

My images have been recognized by some of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world — Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature's Best, Bird Photographer of the Year, WildArt Photographer of the Year,Journal of Wildlife Photography and North American Nature Photographers Association, among others.

Internationally renowned photographer and conservationist Art Wolfe awarded my underwater “Crocodile” image "Best in Show"at the Carolina Nature Photographers Association.

But the camera is only half the story.

Prior to obtaining my veterinary degree, I was the Supervisor of Animal Care at Sea World of Florida, overseeing the health and welfare of the entire marine mammal and avian collection while also being intimately involved in Sea Worlds’s beached animal rescue program.

I spent decades as a veterinarian — building two animal hospitals and volunteering surgical care to injured raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center for over 20 years.

My background in veterinary medicine and animal care helps me interpret animal behavior which in turn improves my approach to wildlife photography.

I photograph anything that crawls, walks, runs, flies, or swims — from lions drinking at a waterhole at midnight to walruses on Arctic ice, to sea turtles “flying'“ through the water, to hummingbirds darting around beautiful foliage.

No animal is too small. No location is too remote.

Research consistently shows that nature imagery reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and elevates mood. That's not just a tagline for me — it's something that is backed by scientific research. I am passionate about bringing that same effect into homes, veterinary practices, medical offices, and anywhere people need a moment of calm.

All my images are available in a variety of choices from print, canvas, acrylics and metal. If you'd like to discuss a print for your home, office, or healthcare facility — I'd love to hear from you.

Art Wolfe, Internationally renowned photographer & conservationist, awards my “Crocodile” image “Best in Show” at CNPA.

Two men, Rick Beldegreen and Art Wolfe, standing next to a large photo of a crocodile on an easel, with a ribbon that says 'Best of Show' attached to the photo.

Photo courtesy of Carolina Nature Photographer’s Association

Keep in touch with me here

“We don’t own the planet Earth, we belong to it. And we must share it with our wildlife” -Steve Erwin, Australian wildlife conservationist