My name is Jake Balmuth, and my interest in photography started about 15 years ago with a simple Kodak point-and-shoot camera that a friend gave me.  I was interested in photographing birds, so I took my camera to bird walks every 1st Saturday of the month at the Acton Nature Center and took pictures of the birds I saw there.  At that time, I had only one problem:  I couldn't hold the camera steady.  One of the other photographers had a monopod, and I thought that was a great idea, so I made one out of PVC pipe. 

     My interest in photographing birds has continued with a few changes:  upgrading my camera and monopod for example, and I have taken up birding, through my camera of course.  I enjoy taking photos at State and National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and nature centers, as well as my family's 21-acre piece of land and other natural areas that provide the perfect habitat for birds.

     In addition to having my work juried into shows, I received Honorable Mention in the 2014 Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Nature Photo Contest, Honorable Mention at The 2016 Granbury Camera Club Photography Show & Sale, and First Prize in the Youth Division of the photography competition of the Association Nature et Patrimoine du Val d'Aire in Geneva, Switzerland. 

     Photography is not the only activity I enjoy:  I enjoy playing solo violin and chamber music, astronomy, chemistry, French, drawing, and painting.