The first dead animal I ever took a picture of was a porcupine in Washington State where I convinced my mom to stop the car. I don't think I'd ever seen a porcupine up that close before. I was in awe. I don't know where those pictures are...but recently I've been inspired again by a friend/photographer I met in one of my Duke photo classes. He took a photograph of a bird lying in the street. Its round body and colorful feathers direct your eye in a circular motion; an around and around peaceful way like the lapping of the ocean waves or of a rocking back and forth that gave me a sense of calm, a simple death. Death is a sensitive and controversial topic...one that some ignore and constantly deny, while others contemplate and even embrace. Wanting to explore these animals and photograph them intimately comes from a love for animals and a curiosity about death.