Dan Burgette

Living in the Greater Yellowstone Area provides many opportunities to enhance the quality of human life. One of the to attractions to this area is the abundant wildlife that is easily observed. The nearby national parks are a large part of such great wildlife viewing.

Dan Burgette was lucky enough to be a backcountry ranger in Grand Teton National Park for nearly three decades. During that time he had many opportunities to observe wildlife. As he did, he started to incorporate his observations in sculpture. These have primarily focused on birds and their habitat.

One of the profound lessons he has learned is that birds are masters of the air currents. And birds move in wonderful ways. Trying to capture the sense of movement in a bird’s flight, or of a moving part of their environment like flowing air or water, is the challenge he addresses. Using the mixed media of wood, metal and stone, he gives the illusion of motion. His hope is that his sculptures will help viewers connect with the natural world as they watch birds fly.

Dan’s success in capturing the illusion of a bird’s speed has resulted in being awarded the title of World Champion bird sculptor.