Jonathan S. Erikson

Jonathan S. Erikson’s love for nature, and particularly the American West was fostered at a young age. Born in Omaha, NE in 1987 with an adventurous spirit and an inquisitive mind, Jonathan was a child who was constantly on the go exploring the world around him.

In his adolescent years his family would take him on many visits to Omaha’s legendary Henry Doorly Zoo. It was here during the early 90’s where the little explorer could walk through the zoo’s world-class Lied Jungle Building and be transfixed by the vast array of different wild creatures. To this day he still has fond memories of witnessing a polar bear up close in its outdoor pool, along with hearing the thunderous roar of a male lion in the zoo’s cat complex. These experiences are what laid the beginning foundation of Jonathan’s appreciation for all creatures from around the world.

In the mid 90’s Jonathan’s love for the outdoors grew with his participation in Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts. Like his father, uncle, and older brother before him, Jonathan too would earn scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting would provide many opportunities to be outside, explore nature, and venture off on some memorable travels including hiking the backcountry of New Mexico, and canoeing Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Wilderness Area.

When he was not traveling with the scouts, Jonathan would take annual family vacations to western Nebraska, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and countless trips to Montana & Wyoming to visit Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks. One of the first family trips Jonathan remembers is their vacation to Fort Robinson State Park. It was here as a young boy where he began to truly fall in love with the creatures of the west. Seeing pronghorn, bison, and prairie dog towns with his own eyes at such a young age had a profound impact on him.

Jonathan’s foray into photography began as a child with his first camera being an old point-and-shoot Kodak Advantix. While simple in terms of todays digital cameras this was the perfect starting point for a youthful beginner. Years later his father would buy him his first digital camera, starting the process of a life-interest in the photography field.

In 2010 Jonathan graduated from Metro Community College with honors with an associate degree in construction technology.