James was raised in southwest Louisiana, where his love for nature began on childhood fishing trips with his father. Birds came later—when a brilliant male Painted Bunting appeared at his backyard feeder in his twenties, he was instantly hooked. Since then, nearly all of his travel has centered around exploring new parts of the country and searching for birds along the way.
Though admittedly biased, James firmly believes the Gulf Coast offers some of the most exciting birding in the country, and nothing brings him more joy than helping someone find their next life bird.
James has a deep passion for conservation along the Gulf Coast. He has dedicated countless hours to coastal bird surveys for the National Audubon Society, spends summers stewarding beach-nesting birds, and devotes winter weekends to marsh surveys targeting Black and Yellow Rails. He participates in as many Christmas Bird Counts as his schedule will allow.
James serves as Vice President of the Louisiana Ornithological Society, where he has led field trips across the Gulf Coast for the past three years. He also leads monthly beginner bird walks for the Gulf Coast Bird Club. His enthusiasm is unmistakable in the field—James loves being out with the birds, and his passion and excitement are contagious.
