ABOUT
Ooh! Look! Photography is wildlife photographer Efren B. Adalem and his partner Denise Murphy.
We specialize in wildlife photography, specifically from the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay areas. Our mission is to help educate and bring awareness about the nature and beauty of the fresh water wetlands that are right here in Santa Cruz County Over 90% of the major wetlands have disappeared from California within the past 150 years. A percentage of our profits after taxes are donated to support the Watsonville Wetlands Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and fostering appreciation of the Wetlands of the Pajaro Valley in Santa Cruz County, California. We are enjoying documenting the birds and wildlife mostly from and around the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay areas of California. We live next to one of the last three remaining large, fresh water wetlands left in the Pacific Flyway of California and its right here in Watsonville. This special place needs to be protected for all the migratory birds that need freshwater wetlands to survive We hope you come visit them." - Efren and Denise
Biography

Efren B. Adalem
Efren has been involved in photography for over 30 years, learning black and white film developing and darkroom techniques as a student at the Nuremberg American High School in Germany.
He worked for City on a Hill Press while attending UCSC in the early ‘80’s. After spending long hours in the darkroom with the chemicals involved with traditional photo processing, Efren set his passion aside although still shooting film in his travels to several countries including the Middle East, Africa, South America and most of Europe. Digital photography brought a new and fresh alternative to film and reignited his passion for photography. After buying a home in Watsonville in 2000, he became interested in the variety of wildlife in the nearby slough system. He began capturing with his digital camera, some of the hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife that reside there. An Army brat, Efren grew up with his three brothers in Bavaria, Germany. He moved to California when he was 18, then to Santa Cruz at age 20 to attend the University of California Santa Cruz and has lived there ever since. He currently resides with his wife, Denise, and their three cats in Watsonville.
Gear: I use a Canon 7D, with the following lenses, 600mm f4, 400mm f5.6L, 100-400L, 70-300L, 10-22mm and use the Aperture digital post processing program on my Mac. My post processing is minimal because I want the viewer to see and experience what I do out in the field.
Efren has been involved in photography for over 30 years, learning black and white film developing and darkroom techniques as a student at the Nuremberg American High School in Germany.
He worked for City on a Hill Press while attending UCSC in the early ‘80’s. After spending long hours in the darkroom with the chemicals involved with traditional photo processing, Efren set his passion aside although still shooting film in his travels to several countries including the Middle East, Africa, South America and most of Europe. Digital photography brought a new and fresh alternative to film and reignited his passion for photography. After buying a home in Watsonville in 2000, he became interested in the variety of wildlife in the nearby slough system. He began capturing with his digital camera, some of the hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife that reside there. An Army brat, Efren grew up with his three brothers in Bavaria, Germany. He moved to California when he was 18, then to Santa Cruz at age 20 to attend the University of California Santa Cruz and has lived there ever since. He currently resides with his wife, Denise, and their three cats in Watsonville.
Gear: I use a Canon 7D, with the following lenses, 600mm f4, 400mm f5.6L, 100-400L, 70-300L, 10-22mm and use the Aperture digital post processing program on my Mac. My post processing is minimal because I want the viewer to see and experience what I do out in the field.

Denise Murphy
I really love being outside in natural settings whether it's walking or gardening, etc. Living next to the Wetlands of Watsonville gives me an opportunity to observe wildlife and gain a deeper understanding of this hidden gem. Our photography helps to bring these encounters to others who may not be able to experience them in any other way. I hope you visit our wonderful wetlands here in Watsonville.
Denise manages the business end of Ooh! Look!, coordinating events, overseeing the website and marketing. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Watsonville in 2000 where she met and fell in love with Efren while pursuing a bachelors degree in Human Services from CSUMB.
Her personal interests include fostering kittens for the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter and volunteering as a docent for the Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
I really love being outside in natural settings whether it's walking or gardening, etc. Living next to the Wetlands of Watsonville gives me an opportunity to observe wildlife and gain a deeper understanding of this hidden gem. Our photography helps to bring these encounters to others who may not be able to experience them in any other way. I hope you visit our wonderful wetlands here in Watsonville.
Denise manages the business end of Ooh! Look!, coordinating events, overseeing the website and marketing. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Watsonville in 2000 where she met and fell in love with Efren while pursuing a bachelors degree in Human Services from CSUMB.
Her personal interests include fostering kittens for the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter and volunteering as a docent for the Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
Awards and Special Recognition
Published Works
2015
Monterey Bay Birding Calendar Cover, Blue Heron over Kelp Bed
2014
Elkhorn Slough Calendar, January and June featured image.
American Art Collector
2013
Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit
San Jose Mercury News
American Art Collector
2012
Santa Cruz Sentinel, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
San Jose Mercury News, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
KSBW News, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
KSBW Webpage
Watsonville Wetlands 20th Anniversary Poster
2011
Audubon California’s Yearly Report, Brown Pelican
Elkhorn Slough Foundation Calendar, Sea Otter Cheeks and Blue eyed grass
Wildlife Photo Zone’s E-Newsletter
Our images are regularly used in the Watsonville Wetlands Watch Website and Newsletter.
Awards
2013
3rd Place, Friends of the Sea Otter, Sea Otter, Charge!
Finalist 6th International Photographic Salon, Varna, Bulgaria for Blue Heron over Kelp
1st Place Monterey Bay Birding Festival, Blue Heron over Kelp
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, Professional Class, Santa Cruz County Fair
2012
1st Place, Photography at Almaden Art and Wine Fair
2015
Monterey Bay Birding Calendar Cover, Blue Heron over Kelp Bed
2014
Elkhorn Slough Calendar, January and June featured image.
American Art Collector
2013
Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit
San Jose Mercury News
American Art Collector
2012
Santa Cruz Sentinel, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
San Jose Mercury News, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
KSBW News, Bald Eagles at Pinto Lake
KSBW Webpage
Watsonville Wetlands 20th Anniversary Poster
2011
Audubon California’s Yearly Report, Brown Pelican
Elkhorn Slough Foundation Calendar, Sea Otter Cheeks and Blue eyed grass
Wildlife Photo Zone’s E-Newsletter
Our images are regularly used in the Watsonville Wetlands Watch Website and Newsletter.
Awards
2013
3rd Place, Friends of the Sea Otter, Sea Otter, Charge!
Finalist 6th International Photographic Salon, Varna, Bulgaria for Blue Heron over Kelp
1st Place Monterey Bay Birding Festival, Blue Heron over Kelp
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, Professional Class, Santa Cruz County Fair
2012
1st Place, Photography at Almaden Art and Wine Fair