Terry R. Steele – Photonaturalist

With great sadness, I share the news that Terry passed away on July 11, 2024. 

Terry is a fifth generation eastern Oregonian who spent most of his early life in the shadows of the Strawberry Mountains and the nearby high desert. The skills acquired as an outdoorsman have yielded the intimate images of western wildlife for which he has become well known throughout Oregon. He grew up in a world dependent upon natural resources for a living. As that world changed, he became interested in the non-consumptive value of those resources as well. Today, Terry brings insight and realistic understanding of the wild places and creatures he cherishes.

 

Terry is known for his folksy, entertaining, educational and artistic wildlife slide shows. He has been an invited presenter to chapters of The Audubon Society, the High Desert Museum, the Newport Performing Arts Center Celebration, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge John Scharff Festival, Eugene Natural History Society, Oregon Natural Desert Association and numerous community and outdoor groups throughout Oregon.  He has been a featured presenter at “Davinci Days,” celebrated at Oregon State University (sponsored by OSU College of Science, the City of Corvallis, Hewlett Packard and CH2M Hill). He has been the featured speaker for Central Oregon Flyfishers Annual Banquet and the “Birding and Blues Festival” sponsored by USFS and Pacific City, Oregon.

 

High profile animals and scenes of the Northwest are well represented in his portfolio, but Terry Steele is distinguished from other fine photographers by his artistic capture of exotic and less known birds, amphibians, reptiles and other rare mammals. For over fifty years, Terry has witnessed changes in wildlife populations and increasing negative human impact on wildlife. He hopes to inspire people from all walks of life to consider the struggles of creatures to survive as wild places continue to vanish.

 

Comments regarding the slide presentations of Terry R. Steele

 “His intimate knowledge of the region’s wildlife has been developed over a lifetime of close and loving observation, and he has a truly unique gift for transmitting that knowledge, in the field and through his outstanding slide presentations.”                  

David and Diana Lett, Eyrie Vineyards, Dundee, Oregon.

“He had such a rare ability to share his love and understanding of creatures…and the beautiful, professional photos to go with it. I’ve seen many nature shows, and can honestly say that I never enjoyed any more than his (Terry Steele).”      

Sherry C. Nelson, Master Teacher, The Magic Brush, Portal, Arizona

“Terry is unusual in today’s world. He is largely self-educated and has increased his understanding of the world by living in it, … his photographs of animals and landscapes of Oregon and the Great Basin are exceptionally fine… we have grown to like and respect this remarkable man.”

Dr. Robert Bacon, City of Cannon Beach, Oregon

“Terry Steele presents a most realistic, balanced wildlife program. He’s not apologetic about responsible consumptive use of wildlife, nor afraid to raise concerns about the survival of wild populations of animals and the need for protecting their vanishing habitats. That’s admirable. But most of all, he’s one of “the greats” among nature photographers and presenters… a real treat no matter what your bias.” 

review on Terry Steele’s featured presentation for the Oregon State University College of Science Lecture Series.