Raphael lives just south of Seattle and brings a strong background in marine science to his passion for birding. His early career centered on whale, dolphin, and porpoise research and conservation, taking him to six continents. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a Master of Science in Marine Science Technologies, during which he developed a fixed-wing drone for infrared whale-survey applications.
It was during open-ocean wildlife survey work that Raphael’s interest in birds—especially pelagic species—expanded from curiosity into both a hobby and a competitive pursuit. A wildlife photographer and a certified Antarctic field guide, he helped lead an Antarctic Peninsula whale and penguin expedition in 2019 for a wildlife safari company.
Since moving to Seattle in 2020, Raphael has become an active leader within the Washington birding community. In 2021, he completed a King County “big year,” documenting 278 species—the highest total ever recorded in any Washington county. He manages the King County Rare Bird Alert and the King County Birding Chat groups on WhatsApp, helping birders across the region stay connected and share sightings.
Raphael currently serves on the board of the Washington Ornithological Society and works for several companies as a Protected Species Observer, monitoring endangered and protected wildlife. Locally, he has led survey teams for breeding Marbled Murrelets in old-growth forests, and he often spends his free time hiking in the Cascades or seawatching on Puget Sound—his favorite way to experience Washington’s dynamic birdlife.
