Hi! I’m Mary K. Hanson and I’m a woman who is living with terminal cancer.  You read more about that here.

At age 61, I took coursework to become a Certified California Naturalist and I am now teaching the course myself through the nonprofit organization Tuleyome, in Yolo County, CA.

Despite my cancer diagnosis, I currently work part-time for Tuleyome, and volunteer with the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve and the Sacramento Heron & Egret Rescue (SHER) organization in Sacramento County. I do Trail Walking and Monarch Larvae Monitoring at Effie Yeaw and also help out with their media committee; and I helped SHER build their website.

The author of “The Chubby Woman’s Walkabout”™ blog, I’ve also written nature-based feature articles published in regional newspapers, authored several books, including my “Cool Stuff Along the American” series of guide books, and have had my photographs featured in books, magazines, articles, calendars, and even the White House blog.

All of the photos in and on this site were taken by me (unless otherwise noted) with moderate- to low-end photographic equipment more easily affordable to the everyday nature enthusiast. I also occasionally lead photo-walks at the Effie Yeaw Nature Preserve (where I volunteer) and along the American River and other low-impact walking spots for the public and am sometimes available for lectures (on plant galls, mostly). You can contact me by email at thechubbywoman@gmail.com.

Thank you to all of the folks who have visited this website!