Behind the lens with Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray

When Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray isn't busy bringing compelling local stories to Calgarians, he's out in the woods, camera in hand.

Gray says photography has always been a hobby and this year, a "refuge" from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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He says there's a "thrill" that comes with hunting down the perfect image.

"To wander and wonder in the woods with all your senses acute, free of devices and social pressures, now that is my idea of an escape," he said.

Gray says he mainly focuses on photographing both wild creatures and wild spaces.

"I have been fortunate to be able to travel to many of our planet's more remote corners, both as a journalist and as a fellow with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society," he said.

"Over the years I've loved finding images of street scenes in Europe and Asia, and glimpses of daily life in the Middle East and Central America."

Despite the extensive travel, he thinks Canada has some of the most amazing treasures.

"I've photographed wild horses on Sable Island off our far east coast, grizzly bears in B.C.'s Khutzeymateen, orcas in the Broughton Archipelago, polar bears on the ice floes of Frobisher Bay," he said.

"And there's so many places I still want to see."

Gray says right now, he's using the Sony A9 body with the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS lens, but he's still learning as he goes.

"Every photographer knows the best camera you own is the one you have ready at the right time. It's amazing what you can capture with a smartphone these days," he said.

Check out some of his favourite shots below! All of the photos selected were taken within a couple of hours drive of Calgary, between February and May this year.