DAVID G INGLEFIELD
It was the endangered species in the Caribbean such as the St. Vincent parrot that drew David into wildfowl carving.

More than 25 years ago while on a business trip to Denver, he visited the Museum of National History and saw an exhibit about extinct birds, one that featured examples of vanished species. His surprise and amazement at the fact that these were not stuffed exhibits he was viewing, but perfectly carved life-size replicas in wood led him to an awakening moment. He was hooked.

As a second generation native of the Caribbean island of Trinidad, David knew immediately that this was something he had to do. Not only for his own fulfillment but also as an expression of his concern of the destruction of the Caribbean island rain forest and the threat to the hundreds of unique species of birds and animals that it supports.

As one of two wildfowl carvers in the Caribbean and the only one in Trinidad, the past years have seen him create many carvings including birds of prey. He names Floyd Scholz as one of his biggest influences, having taken seminars at Scholz's Vermont Raptor Academy. David says "The way Floyd structures his classes and his bold approach to carving really appeals to me." He also identifies Pat Godin, Larry Barth Todd Wohlt, Bob Guge, Ernie Muehlmatt, John Sharp as well as some of the younger carvers, as those whose work provides him with tremendous inspiration.

Through the encouragement of his wife Ann-Marie, David entered the 2007 Ward World Championship and won the "Best in World, Decorative Life-sized Wildfowl, Advanced award for his St. Vincent Parrot. He says "Luckily I am married to a wonderful woman who has the capacity to not only remind me of my day dreams (in the nicest way) but also to convince me I should enter in the Ward World Championship.

Today David continues to work on his plan to carve all of the Caribbean endangered parrots, in the hope that it will bring their plight to the attention of people and organisations that have the resources and influence to save these birds from extinction. His goal is to continue crafting detailed works that stand up to close scrutiny much like the "mounted" birds in Denver that fooled him that day over 25 years ago.

David's winning St. Vincent Parrot was featured on the cover of Competition 2007

from an article by: Tom Huntington Wildfowl Carving Competition 2007 magazine.