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For decades Ray Rychnovsky has enjoyed photographing scenery and wildlife he encounters on travels to different spots around the world, from Central America to Alaska.
So when the longtime Livermore resident moved to a Pleasanton retirement community with his wife Sheila a little over three years ago, he said he was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of animals in and around his own neighborhood — a family of red foxes, lizards, a coyote and many species of birds, to name a few.
“You would never believe there is so much wildlife here,” Rychnovsky, 82, said during a recent interview.
With an existing passion for photography that developed as a teenager in Iowa, the retired Sandia engineer began taking photos of animals at and near his Stoneridge Creek retirement community. Two or three times a week, Rychnovsky will go outside with his 300 mm lens Canon camera and point it toward the critters he sees.
“Anytime you get a good picture that’s exciting,” Rychnovsky said, adding he also enjoys processing and sorting through his photos after taking them.
Rychnovsky’s photos and expertise have earned him recognition over the years. He has won 17 first-place awards for his photography and estimates he has had thousands of his pictures published. He has also given lectures on wildlife at fishing shows, on cruise ships and at Stoneridge Creek.
Rychnovsky also has penned 600 magazine articles, as well as eight books focused on fishing.
A self-taught photographer, Rychnovsky said belonging to camera clubs has helped him hone his craft because “you learn from each other.”
It’s harder now to find new material for his photos, but he said he’ll still surprise himself when he ventures outdoors.
“(The wildlife) is so varied and really interesting,” he said.
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Ray Rychnovsky has photographed many species of birds, like these Great Blue Herons at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. -
A red fox nuzzles its young at the Stoneridge Creek retirement community in Pleasanton. -
Ray Rychnovsky, a former engineer living at the Stoneridge Creek retirement community, enjoys photographing wildlife around and near his home. (Photo by Julia Reis) -
A female mallard duck prepares to take off. -
A Cormorant flies to its nest.
Such a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Is there a photo club in the Danville/San Ramon area? If so, where? 58Zwo
Photo Forum through Walnut Creek Arts and Recreation (you can google for catalog of classes–its similar to a large camera club but you register for it like a class). Closest regular camera clubs are in Livermore and Pleasant Hill.