PORTLAND, Maine — Six years ago, Karl Ramsdell bought his own camera and took his very first photograph of a snowy owl in Scarborough.
"I just started taking thousands of pictures of it every day," Ramsdell said. "I was obsessed with it."
Since then, Ramsdell has spent most of his days exploring Maine's coast and beyond. He said he can spend hours sitting on his paddleboard or staking out an area waiting for nature to strike. His favorite animals to photograph are seals and plovers.
"I try to photograph animals that really move me," Ramsdell said. "I try to get them in peaceful poses, I really love taking pictures of seals asleep or any animals asleep."
Karl started sharing his photos on social media after being encouraged by friends. He's gained a following of more than 50,000 on Instagram alone. His photos have been featured in magazines and Karl says he rarely takes a day off.
"Sometimes I go weeks and I don't get a single photo, you know, but I keep going out every day just hoping I'll get something," Ramsdell said. "What I do is really physical. It takes everything I have but someday I'm not gonna be able to do that and then I can go through all those photos and kind of relive and see all those animals again."
His prints are sold at an art gallery in Old Orchard Beach and can also be purchased online. Check out his website to learn more.