Ray was born in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex in 1958. He lived in Portslade until 1987 when he married and moved to Lancing. He has had an interest in wildlife, photography, and the environment for many years.
In 2004, this interest led to the creation of the Lancing Nature Galleries, where the wildlife found in and around his hometown is recorded for the community.
While social media has changed the way we share information, this site remains a dedicated archive. As of July 2023, the site receives occasional updates and regular maintenance.