Waking Up to the Good Life

Retirement has transformed TCDRS retiree David Paulissen’s longtime hobby of nature photography into a daily practice of wonder, precision and joy.

Story by Laura Mellett

Cover photo by Quenton T. Fisher

 

Just after daybreak under cloudy skies at Resoft County Park, egrets and cranes glide overhead, weaving through the air before settling into the tangle of nesting trees.

The 80-acre park is located about 35 miles from the Texas coast and is one of many spots TCDRS retiree David Paulissen frequents with his giant telephoto lens and electric bicycle, “Ol’ Sparky,” in tow. He often birds alone, but today, he brought a clutch of local wildlife photography students of all ages eager to catch the great bird migration that graces the area every April.

David stands tall, camera in hand, scanning the landscape for the perfect shot and the opportunity to share a few nuggets of wisdom with the students under his wing. “I always tell my students, good photographers focus on what’s happening in the foreground, but great photographers pay attention to what’s happening in the background,” he says.

“I like to watch the day wake up,” he adds softly, adjusting his lens. “To go out and never know what you’re going to get pictures of. You learn patience and behaviors and what to watch out for... so when you get that scene, you know what to do.”

Progress and Preparation

Roseate Spoonbills photographed at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge on March 15, 2025 with a Canon EOS R5 camera and Canon RF 200-800 f/6.3-9.0 lens. Photo by David Paulissen

Before retirement, David built a reputation based on his passion and skill for leading projects that improved lives in the communities he served. He served as city manager for Morgan’s Point and later, as general manager for several water districts in the Galveston area. “The part that I loved the most was building and fixing things that needed to be fixed,” he says.

Even back then, his camera was rarely out of reach. He captured images on jobsites and at company events, quietly nurturing his photography hobby while leading local government operations. “I understood back then that retirement and retirement plans were going to probably be a good thing, because I wasn’t good at saving otherwise,” he says.

That understanding proved vital when David faced a major health decision. “I retired a year early... because I had a medical condition that required open heart surgery,” he says. “That was the neon sign going, it’s time.”

Passion, Refocused

Left: Black-necked Stilt photographed at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge on March 15, 2025 with a Canon EOS R5 camera and Canon RF 200-800 f/6.3-9.0 lens. Right: Brown Pelican (Western) photographed on North Deer Island with a Canon EOS R7 camera and Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS II lens. Photos by David Paulissen

Today, retirement has transformed David’s longtime hobby into a daily practice of wonder, precision and joy. Most mornings, he wakes early, heads out to his favorite nature spots and photographs the raw beauty of Texas wildlife.

“This is our Yellowstone,” he says, waving an arm at the birds and trees around him.

Many of David’s images have won awards or been featured in local galleries, offices and publications. He also teaches, mentors and volunteers at local nature preserves and is a respected voice in the Southeast Texas photography community.

But for him, taking pictures is just part of the fun. “I used to think of photography as a science,” he says. “But with digital photography, once I get the shot, that’s where the art begins — in the digital darkroom.”

He’s particular about the work he shares. “Nobody’s ever seen my raw images,” he says, referring to original images captured in the field prior to editing in a digital application. “I am a big believer in only sharing what I’m really proud of.”

And he’s protective of his subjects. “When you’re shooting wildlife, you have an awareness of what’s ethical,” he says. “You don’t want to push yourself into where they are. You don’t want to get in their space.”

For him, photography is more than documentation. It’s a relationship between him and the animals. “I love to see their behavior,” he says. “It fascinates me. I love to look back over the years to see what they’re doing.”

A Good Life, Earned

David’s office, where the magic happens. Photos by Quenton T. Fisher

In addition to photography, David enjoys spending time with his wife, sons and grandchildren, one of whom has taken after his grandfather and has developed an interest in shooting video. David and his wife Dana like to travel and often visit her parents at their place on the coast.

“The girl is smart,” he says of Dana. “In a battle of wits, I am totally unarmed.”

Dana, he says, was the one who made it work when health issues caused him to retire a little earlier than planned. He also credits TCDRS with helping make this chapter possible. “Thanks to my retirement plan, I can support my habit,” he says, laughing. “It’s like the paycheck never stopped — it’s just coming in a different way now.”

His advice to fellow retirees? Do the things you enjoy. Keep learning, noticing and waking up to the life you dream of. In his case, he’s sailed, boated and played the flute and guitar, but photography has always called him back.

“Everybody has things they’re good at,” he says. “I believe everybody should, if they don’t have it before they retire… develop a hobby that they could carry into retirement. All you need to do is look at the things you’re good at. That’s where personal fulfillment begins.”

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