Every day begins the same: walking at the wetlands. There, we watch, feel and absorb nature. 

Snowy egrets, great blue herons, brown pelicans-all on glorious display.

The birds and the environment that cradles them inspires much of my work as a journalist and photographer-and it's an honor to help call attention to these threatened subjects.

My 14-year-old daughter Claire is even more passionate. Since an early age, Claire has developed an energy, spirit and desire to heal and protect the land and the creatures that inhabit it. 

A nationally-recognized student-journalist, Claire volunteers at a wildlife hospital where she tends to many animals-injured pelicans, abandoned baby opossums-whatever needs care.

She prepares food, cleans cages, dishes-whatever is needed (just today she was chopping up mice to feed a hawk). 

Claire's dreams and future ambitions are squarely focused on working with animals, while helping to preserve and protect our increasingly fragile eco-system.  

As a parent, watching and listening to Claire fills me with enormous pride and joy. 

So the thought of us joining Julie on this spectacular adventure, even though I'm writing about it now, seems almost too good to be true. Like a dream. But it is real-and someone will find themselves in that magical place with this celebrated ambassador. 

Should we become the fortunate travelers, we'd use the opportunity to focus attention on the animals and the environment. 

Together we'd document, for kids and adults alike, this extraordinary expedition. 

Together we'd share this journey with as many people as possible, using the trip as a tool to educate and create awareness.

Together we'd honor this adventure the way it deserves to be honored-with passion and enthusiasm.