Susanne “Sunny” Strauss
Author and Photographer
Susanne has always been passionate about writing, art, and nature. As an educator, she often incorporated art and natural science activities, such as dissecting owl pellets, into her writing and research classes. After graduating with a Master of Social Work degree, she started an editing business and has been editing theses and dissertations for publication for more than 25 years. She recently created Sunnystyle Books to publish children’s books and educational material on nature and animals, inspiring a love of nature in children. Her upcoming book is on monarch butterflies.
Susanne is also an award-winning nature photographer. She has been observing and photographing baby hummingbirds for years. She displays her photographs at the local library and gives presentations on baby hummingbirds at schools and nature stores. She enjoys traveling to national parks, photographing wildlife, and backyard birding.
For Susanne’s photography, visit https://susannestraussphotography.com.
It all started when . . .
One year, a mother hummingbird built a nest in her garden and laid two eggs. Susanne wanted to learn how a baby hummingbird develops. So, after the first egg hatched, she took pictures each day to document the growth of the baby hummingbird and the interactions between the baby and mother. The photographs inspired the heartwarming story of Little Jewel.
After Little Jewel’s remarkable journey, many more hummingbirds visited her garden and raised their young in the same tree in which Momma Jewel raised Little Jewel. Susanne is so excited to share the story of Little Jewel with you.
Eagle Book
As a member of the team with Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), Susanne wrote and designed Family Love, which tells the story of Big Bear’s bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, and their eaglets in the 2025 nesting season. All proceeds from the book go to FOBBV.
Family Love tells the heart-warming story of Sunny, Gizmo, and Misty with Jackie and Shadow in their nest year 2025. Cherish sweet moments filled with wing hugs and beaky kisses, cheer as the eaglets develop their eagle skills, and admire Jackie and Shadow’s devotion to their chicks. Includes more than 200 pictures.
https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/shop/nesting-season-books-2025-family-love/
