Jay Whipple & Pics by Poppy

"I seek the place where nature speaks to me in all its beauty and inspires me to capture images that invoke emotion"
Jay Whipple

Writing about myself has never been my strong point, but here goes. I am in my 50's and happily married with 5 daughters from our blended family. I became interested in photography just a few short years ago, much later in life than many but my passion is strong. I started out experimenting with scenic mountain shots, landscapes, flowers and anything nature as being outside is where I am happiest. Through many quick outings with my wife, I became drawn to photographing wildlife. Once I started that venture, I became hooked on photographing birds, mainly shorebirds, raptors and wading birds. My wife and I visit local area parks, refuges and any wetlands area we can find. She stays comfortable behind her binoculars, spotting and scoping as I dial in on these beautiful animals and try to capture all that I can. I'm still early in this hobby and because working full-time and taking care of my family take precedence over my passion, my outings come anytime we can squeeze them in.

Latest from my blog

Who We Are... Where We Go...

Feb 01, 2024
Who is PicsByPoppy? Poppy, who I am affectionately called by my granddaughter Shanna, is me, Jay Whipple. I am in my 50's and happily married with ...

A Pod of White Pelicans

Jan 04, 2024
On the last day of our first trip to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, my wife and I were at the last pool on the refuge driving trail just ...

Fun with Foxes, Bombay Hook NWR

Sep 02, 2023
The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge's popularity begins to peak with visitors and photographers during the late summer. It's a time for ...

Through the Grasses, Bombay Hook NWR

Nov 01, 2022
If you have read any of my other blogs, you will know that one of my wife's and my favorite local wildlife refuges is Bombay Hook NWR. We try and ...

A Wish Come True... Northern Harrier

Oct 09, 2022
Bombay Hook in the Fall Twice a year, my wife and I make it a must to get up to Bombay Hook NWR. In the Spring, when nature is in bloom and ...

5 Years In...

Oct 20, 2019
Since my photography journey began about 5 years ago, I have been astonished by how much I have learned and how much I have changed in how I capture ...

The Puffin Cruise

Jun 25, 2019
While on our trip to Harpswell Maine, my wife Kathy and I decided to take the opportunity and take a scenic cruise with a company based out of ...

The Dancing Great Blue Heron

May 26, 2019
Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria Virginia A park, a wetland and a wildlife sanctuary - Huntley Meadows Park is one of those great surprises found in ...

A Spring Morning at Bombay Hook NWR

May 18, 2019
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a 16,000-acre refuge located along the eastern coast of Kent County, Delaware on Delaware Bay. Its primary ...

Change Of Plans, Oriental & Wilmington North Carolina

May 09, 2019
Our initial plan for this trip was to spend a few days in Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, but that all changed when the weather ...