John Walters
John Walters is a passionate observer of wildlife who explores the natural world through art, photography and video. Born 1964 in Horndean, Hampshire he grew up on nearby Hayling Island. Here surrounded by the internationally important bird reserves, sand dunes and salt marshes he developed a deep interest in the natural world.
He moved to the south-west in 1987 studying Graphic Information Design at Falmouth School of Art. After graduating in 1991 he worked for several years as a graphic designer for the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Since 1999 he has worked as a freelance ecologist, artist and public speaker based in Buckfastleigh on the edge of Dartmoor. He draws and paints wildlife directly from life in the field attempting to capture the life and vitality of his subjects. John is a keen photographer and specialises in taking photographs of insects. His ecological studies have included in-depth studies of the blue ground beetle, heath potter wasp roosting long-tailed tits and the horrid ground weaver spider. A collection of his wildlife videos can be viewed on his YouTube channel.
He has written and illustrated several books and guides including The Wildlife of Dartmoor and most recently Dancing with Bees by Brigit Strawbridge. He has contributed to many television and radio programmes including David Attenborough’s Life in the Undergrowth, Radio 4s Living World, The One Show and Hugh’s Wild West.