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Pulling a Whale: True Stories of Opportunity and Serendipity
For photographer and traveler David Barron, the secret may lie in some combination of an open mind, raw luck, an appetite for hands-on learning, and never missing a chance to indulge in friendly banter. But behind all that is a well-honed radar set to tune in to opportunity, wherever it arises―and a willingness to follow that signal as far as it leads.
Pulling a Whale: True Stories of Opportunity and Serendipity follows David on his journeys around the world, from Barrow in northern Alaska to many of the breathtaking wildlife research projects he photographed for Earthwatch to spending time with sea turtles in Baja, sperm whales in Mauritius, or coyotes in Kentucky.
Abundantly depicted with the author’s full-color photos, these inviting stories are imbued with warmth and humor and are full of inspiration for readers of any age who long for a life-changing adventure.
Pulling a Whale: True Stories of Opportunity and Serendipity follows David on his journeys around the world, from Barrow in northern Alaska to many of the breathtaking wildlife research projects he photographed for Earthwatch to spending time with sea turtles in Baja, sperm whales in Mauritius, or coyotes in Kentucky.
Abundantly depicted with the author’s full-color photos, these inviting stories are imbued with warmth and humor and are full of inspiration for readers of any age who long for a life-changing adventure.
337 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2023
6 people want to read
About the author
David Barron
1 book3 followersDavid Barron is a freelance photographer who has worked for private schools, colleges, and nonprofits in the Boston area since 1987. Between shoots, he frequently travels to photograph wildlife and wondrous places. David’s early travels with his sister and parents were instrumental in sparking wanderlust, and his first trip through Asia, taken after he lived in Israel for an extended time, inspired his long-held belief that the world is boundless, full of places to see and opportunities to fulfill. This led David to weave a path through many countries on seven continents, all the while taking photographs that document his journeys. His first book, Pulling a Whale, offers a selection of colorful stories from his travels that illustrate how “opportunity and serendipity” can lead to amazing experiences—stories he hopes will inspire readers to pursue adventures of their own.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2023
On its face this is a book about nature, culture and history. But in its heart it’s a collection of stories about deep friendships, curiosity, serendipity, beauty and how we can fix what’s broken. David is an excellent guide, who takes us into strange and remarkable places as well as unexpected and hilarious situations as he photographs the world. If you’re not sure what to do next with your life read Pulling a Whale.
February 3, 2023
The saying that opportunity only knocks once might be true for many people, but not for David Barron. A lifelong professional photographer, traveler and seeker of adventures, Barron began embracing the knock of opportunity when he was a teenager, has made it a focus of his life to listen for ever since.
Now Barron wants to share that experience, and lend an encouraging voice, particularly to young people, to listen for the knock and the sound and feel of opportunity.
In his newly released memoir, “Pulling a Whale. True Stories of Opportunity and Serendipity,” Barron recounts how a curious spirit and desire to create images of early overseas trips with his family, led to a love of photography and a desire to embrace different cultures, travel the world, and develop his passion for documenting those moments, using one of his father's cameras - a dentist who also loved photography - and how it led him from one opportunity to another and from adventure to adventure.
And it draws readers in from the very opening sentences:
“In a Mexican restaurant, a whaler’s light-hearted schmoozing leads to an Artic helicopter ride – and the aerial view of a polar bear leaping across ice flows. A look at a poster hanging at a volunteer expo brings about travels to the beautiful waters of Mauritius - and the rare experience of swimming with sperm whales. Tracking down a classmate in Colombia elicits an offer to observe in an operating room and photograph an unusual type of surgery.
“Opportunities are always around us, in many shapes and sizes. Many we never act on, but thankfully, some we do.”
All through the 333 pages of stories and photographs, Barron takes us through a high-school internship at a local newspaper and a chance to photograph the beginning stages of the monster Massachusetts Blizzard of 1978, to Barrow, Alaska, where he lived and learned about the culture of the Inupiat people, how they hunted and whaled for food and sustenance, to years of photographing science based Earthwatch Projects, getting close to the animal kingdom, to an adventure in Cambodia joining a team Cambodians working to rid the countryside of landmines planted during the war, Barron followed the sound of opportunity knocking and brought his camera and curious spirit along.
If the book were nothing else but a series of retellings of chasing opportunities as they presented to him in some of the most subtle ways, the book would stand on its own as fun read about the people he met, and places Barron explored and his willingness to abandon a set in stone plan because he saw a more interesting path – (read Chapter Three: “Hitchhiking Down the Haul Road from Prudhoe Bay to Anchorage.”)
But in his conversational tone, “Pulling a Whale,” is like sitting at home in front of a fire listening to a friend tell stories of his journey through the world and a career in photography, the lessons they brought and the gratitude he feels for each one.
“Pulling a Whale,” is more than that.
Barron, who spent time as a high school substitute teacher in Alaska, intends his words and book for the ears of teenagers and young people, to be a guide for watching for opportunity and following it to the enrichments it can bring, (there is even a final section on where to look for these) making it a must read for anyone – especially the curious who may be drawn to opportunity but are not sure about embracing those moments.
Highly recommend reading “Pulling a Whale.”
Now Barron wants to share that experience, and lend an encouraging voice, particularly to young people, to listen for the knock and the sound and feel of opportunity.
In his newly released memoir, “Pulling a Whale. True Stories of Opportunity and Serendipity,” Barron recounts how a curious spirit and desire to create images of early overseas trips with his family, led to a love of photography and a desire to embrace different cultures, travel the world, and develop his passion for documenting those moments, using one of his father's cameras - a dentist who also loved photography - and how it led him from one opportunity to another and from adventure to adventure.
And it draws readers in from the very opening sentences:
“In a Mexican restaurant, a whaler’s light-hearted schmoozing leads to an Artic helicopter ride – and the aerial view of a polar bear leaping across ice flows. A look at a poster hanging at a volunteer expo brings about travels to the beautiful waters of Mauritius - and the rare experience of swimming with sperm whales. Tracking down a classmate in Colombia elicits an offer to observe in an operating room and photograph an unusual type of surgery.
“Opportunities are always around us, in many shapes and sizes. Many we never act on, but thankfully, some we do.”
All through the 333 pages of stories and photographs, Barron takes us through a high-school internship at a local newspaper and a chance to photograph the beginning stages of the monster Massachusetts Blizzard of 1978, to Barrow, Alaska, where he lived and learned about the culture of the Inupiat people, how they hunted and whaled for food and sustenance, to years of photographing science based Earthwatch Projects, getting close to the animal kingdom, to an adventure in Cambodia joining a team Cambodians working to rid the countryside of landmines planted during the war, Barron followed the sound of opportunity knocking and brought his camera and curious spirit along.
If the book were nothing else but a series of retellings of chasing opportunities as they presented to him in some of the most subtle ways, the book would stand on its own as fun read about the people he met, and places Barron explored and his willingness to abandon a set in stone plan because he saw a more interesting path – (read Chapter Three: “Hitchhiking Down the Haul Road from Prudhoe Bay to Anchorage.”)
But in his conversational tone, “Pulling a Whale,” is like sitting at home in front of a fire listening to a friend tell stories of his journey through the world and a career in photography, the lessons they brought and the gratitude he feels for each one.
“Pulling a Whale,” is more than that.
Barron, who spent time as a high school substitute teacher in Alaska, intends his words and book for the ears of teenagers and young people, to be a guide for watching for opportunity and following it to the enrichments it can bring, (there is even a final section on where to look for these) making it a must read for anyone – especially the curious who may be drawn to opportunity but are not sure about embracing those moments.
Highly recommend reading “Pulling a Whale.”
April 28, 2023
If it were simply about David Barron’s stunning photography, this book would be worth every penny. But the reader gets so much more from this collection of incredible (and incredibly inspiring) stories from David’s world travels – experiences that yielded not only amazing photos but so very many life lessons. Stories of being in the right place at the right time, of taking risks and asking for what you want, of the importance of being open minded, curious, and empathetic. I want to gift this book to all the young people in my life, not only to encourage them to travel and explore but to inspire them to be open to what’s possible in life. As you read these astonishing stories, you will come to know the author for the talented photographer and extrovert world traveler that he is, but as David explains throughout the book, travel is not the only way to discover opportunity. Readers young and old will surely be inspired by this book to seek adventure in their everyday lives. “It can be found wherever you are, whatever you are doing, once your eyes are open to it.”
February 24, 2023
I discovered David Barron's wonderful photographs while doing photo research for my upcoming book, "Keiko's Story: Free Willy Star Finds Home." When I found out "Pulling a Whale" was about to be published, I pre-ordered it, and I'm so glad I did. Barron takes his readers on adventure after adventure, meeting interesting people doing fabulous work for the environment. His approach to adventuring is inspiring. Regularly meeting new people, asking questions, and lending a hand seem to always lead him to new and exciting experiences. Nothing escapes his keen eye and his readiness to seize the moment. Reading "PUlling a Whale" is an adventure in itself.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews