Frederick W. Hamer was born in New Jersey, USA. He spent much of his youth exploring the bays, marshes and forests of the southern part of the state. His father was a marine biologist with the New Jersey Fish and Game Department. He taught Fred how to carve decoys and miniatures. He also taught Fred taxidermy and bird banding, which contributed to Fred's knowledge of birds. While in his teen years, Fred carved miniatures and gave them to friends and family. He sketched carved, and painted whenever he had free time. Fred earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Stockton State College. During these years, Fred started to sell drawings and paintings of birds. He got involved in several specialized studies with the Ornithology Department and deepened his understanding of bird anatomy and behavior. Fred first exhibited his work at Stockton State College in 1974. He has worked as an illustrator for several publications, a park naturalist, a biologist, a bird tour leader, as well as hawk counter at Cape May Point State Park, NJ. He has exhibited at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, the Laguna Art Affair in California and in a diorama at the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fred's work currently resides in collections across the country. He exhibits and competes in a small number of shows yearly and has received many awards. Fred strives to capture the beautiful design and form he observes in the creatures he studies.