Hire one of Hilton Head Island’s leading birding and wildlife photography experts
Media and Editorial Expertise
Birding • Wildlife Photography • Conservation Storytelling
As a leading birding and wildlife photography expert on Hilton Head Island, Patty Kappmeyer provides paid media interviews, expert commentary, and sponsored features for television, radio, digital, and print outlets. Her work combines extensive field experience with a deep understanding of South Carolina’s Lowcountry ecosystems, delivering authoritative insights and compelling, place-based storytelling.
Who Patty Works With
Media professionals
Editors, producers, and journalists seeking expert insight on birding, conservation, and Lowcountry ecosystems.Tourism, Travel and Destination Birding Coverage
Including travel publications, destination marketing organizations, birding tour operators, lodges, and place-based partners featured through editorial storytelling and photography and independent editorial blog coverage.
Recent examples include:
Colombia Birding Series
Field-based coverage featuring Araucana Lodge and Doña Dora Lodge, highlighting regional birdlife, habitats, and birding experiences through firsthand observation and photography.Central Florida Birding Series
A multi-part series documenting birding locations and guided outings in Central Florida, including experiences led by Lowcountry Safaris guide Eric Horan, with a focus on species diversity, field conditions, and ethical birding practices. Link to blog post.
These posts reflect Patty’s approach to destination birding storytelling—combining field experience, photography, and ecological and cultural context to inform and inspire readers.
Conservation organizations
Supporting education, outreach, and stewardship initiatives through writing, photography, and field expertise.Local organizations and non-profits
Partnering on community projects, educational/ teaching resources, and conservation programs rooted in Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Areas of Expertise
Patty provides original reporting and expert insight on:
Birding and migration trends in the Lowcountry
Responsible and ethical wildlife photography
Conservation strategies and habitat protection
Local case studies and community success stories
Media and Press Inquiries
For paid media interviews, expert commentary, or custom content partnerships, please reach out to discuss your next project. Patty offers authoritative insight, engaging storytelling, and impactful wildlife photography tailored to press, documentaries, tourism features, and editorial content.
Contact her to book a paid engagement or request a quote for interviews, guest articles, or collaborative media opportunities.
Selected Media Features and Collaborations
Patty Kappmeyer’s work has been featured across television, digital media, and print publications, highlighting birding, wildlife photography, conservation, and the natural landscapes of Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Television and Broadcast
WHHI TV
Spring Bird Migration in the Lowcountry. April 2025 and May 2025 segments.
Scripps National News
News: Citizen Science to Drive Upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count, February 2023. Watch interview here.
Community Projects and Local Initiatives
Hilton Head Audubon – Ecobon Newsletter
Editor and contributor since September 2021, supporting conservation education and community engagement through monthly coverage of local birdlife. Link to Ecobon issues.Roseate Spoonbill Disturbance Protection
A community-focused project documenting how careful stewardship and public awareness can help safeguard Roseate Spoonbills from human disturbance. how community action and careful stewardship are helping safeguard Roseate Spoonbills from human disturbances. Read the case studyKids in Parks – Spanish Moss Trail (Beaufort County)
Collaborated with Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail on a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail initiative, providing expert guidance on regionally accurate bird species for a site-specific children’s birding activity brochure. Drawing on firsthand field observation along the trail’s wooded and salt-marsh habitats, she identified appropriate birds for young visitors to observe and helped shape a final brochure that reflects the unique ecology of the Spanish Moss Trail. The project supports conservation education and encourages children and families to engage with local wildlife through accessible, place-based learning.Gullah-Geechee Birds and Nature Educational Brochure
Researched and collaborated on the production of the Gullah Geechee of Mitchelville: Cultural Ties to Birds and Nature booklet, produced by Hilton Head Audubon in partnership with a University of South Carolina - Beaufort writing for non-profits class. This educational resource explores the intersection of Gullah-Geechee cultural heritage and local birdlife, helping residents and visitors understand the ecological and cultural significance of birds in the Lowcountry. The project highlights conservation, community heritage, and place-based learning grounded in regional bird ecology and culture. Link to booklet.
Published Articles
Echoes of the Desert Sky: Capturing Birds in Stillness - Camera in Wild, Winter 2025. Link to article.
Beneath So Kind a Sky: Edith Inglesby’s Summer in the Lowcountry, -The Bluffton Sun, September 2025. Link to article.
Bird-Watching for Beginners — REI Expert Advice (REI.com)
Contributed expert insights to a comprehensive beginner’s guide on birding, including sections on responsible bird-watching and observational techniques aimed at new birders. Link to article.
Features and Interviews
“Learning the craft of photographing wildlife, specifically birds in the marshes and coastlines of South Carolina, has been about practicing patience.
— CanvasRebel Magazine [read full article here]
“Have you ever noticed that living in the Lowcountry brings out the “inner birder” of its residents? Thirty years ago, Patty Kappmeyer had no idea that her greatest joy would one day be photographing Hilton Head’s graceful shorebirds or that her photos would decorate website and magazine pages. “I am happiest taking photos, wandering through the marshes and forests, plodding through pluff mud,” says Patty. Browsing through her Facebook pages, Patty’s birds are identified, often accompanied by a story. An Audubon board member and editor for Ecoban newsletter, she also writes a monthly column, “Feathers Through our Lenses.” Whether a new or seasoned birder, Patty’s tales and stunning photographs will deepen your appreciation of Lowcountry birds. - Hilton Head Sun
“What’s most exciting to me about this work is the opportunity to connect people with the beauty of nature and the fascinating world of birds. Whether it’s through my digital guides, personalized tours, or speaking engagements, I love seeing the joy and wonder that birdwatching and photography can bring to people’s lives and at the same, educate them about protecting habitats and conservation.”
- Bold Journey [read full article here]
She is not afraid to go far afield in search of inspiration, sneaking through marshes and pluff mud to capture that perfect image with her camera. “I never know what I’m going to get when I go out there,” she said. “I go against the grain – I’ll go out at high tide during a storm and just get the best shots.”
— Local Life [read full article here]
“I have always found solace in nature. That bond has deepened as I’ve followed my passion to create beautiful art photographing the incredible variety of birdlife in the Lowcountry. I am happiest when I am laying in pluff mud, wandering the marshes or forests seeking out birds.”
— VoyageSavannah [read full article here]
Press Releases
Title: Lowcountry Birds and Nature Offers Birdwatching and Photography Resources Tailored to Visitors, New residents, or Anyone Seeking to Immerse Themselves in the Natural Beauty of Hilton Head Island.
Hilton Head Island, SC - May 6, 2024 - Birding enthusiast and photographer Patty Kappmeyer is delighted to introduce Lowcountrybirdsandnature.com, a dedicated online platform for birding and nature photography on Hilton Head Island. Here, visitors can download her new e-book: "Flight through the Seasons: Discover Birding and Photography in the Lowcountry of Hilton Head Island." This interactive book offers a captivating journey into the world of birding and photography on Hilton Head Island. The book and website have been inspired by the inquiries of visitors, new residents, and budding birders or photographers who frequently seek insider tips on the best birding and nature spots to explore during their stay on Hilton Head Island . With "Flight through the Seasons," hospitality professionals, business owners and local organizations now possess a valuable resource to extend to guests and residents, furnishing them with expert insights and recommendations to enhance their island experience.
The website contains other valuable resources such as free bird identification tools, guided birding and photography walks, and engaging content via her blog, Twitcher’s Patch. Patty is available for speaking engagements, providing local organizations and the hospitality industry with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of local birding and nature hotspots while emphasizing the importance of conservation through education. Whether it's a casual Q&A session or a formal presentation, Patty can tailor the content to suit your specific needs and interests.
For media inquiries, interviews or speaking engagement requests, please contact:
Patty Kappmeyer
lowcoutrybirdsandnature@gmail.com
(914) 589-8859
About Patty:
Member: Board of Directors of Hilton Head Audubon, Carolina Nature Photographers Association
Contributor: Camera in the Wild Magazine, REI's Guide to Bird-Watching for Beginners
Editor: Ecobon, the newsletter of Hilton Head Audubon
Projects: Historic Mitchelville Foundation-USC-Beaufort: Gullah Geechee of Mitchelville: Historical Ties to Birds and Nature
Features: Local Life magazine, Voyages Savannah, Bold Journey, CanvasRebel, Scripps National News Network.
Author: Flight through the Seasons: Discover Birding and Photography in the Lowcountry of Hilton Head Island (April 2024)
About Lowcountrybirdsandnature.com
Book:
For immediate download, purchase the e-book Flight through the Seasons: Discover Birding and Photography in the Lowcountry of Hilton Head Island .
Purchase Flight through the Seasons on Amazon.
Speaking Engagements
I am thrilled to extend my passion for birds and nature on Hilton Head Island by offering engaging and informative speaking engagements. My presentations are enriched with captivating bird stories, stunning visuals, and valuable insights into the diverse ecosystems of the region. Visit the website for topics and testimonials.
Digital Content
I can support your media needs with accurate information and captivating stories aboutbirding, wildlife photography, and conservation efforts on Hilton Head Island. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the local ecosystem, I am available to provide interviews, articles, and expertise on various topics related to birds and nature.
Resources:
Free bird identification resources from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Manomet and the Cornell Lab for Ornithology.
Personalized bird and photography guided walks.
Conservation education that spotlights birds on Hilton Head that are the most vulnerable to human disturbance, climate change and development and how you can help.
Blog
Twitcher’s Patch, the blog title combines the term "twitcher," referring to birders, with "patch," a colloquial term for a birdwatching location. Explore what makes birding and photography on Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry so special.