Strathcona Provincial Park, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia is a revelation. Quite possibly the most amazing “State Park” I’ve ever seen, I believe it worth of National Park status in the Canadian National Park system.
The park is comprised of several large lakes, a number of mountains at or near 7000ft with glaciers still visible (just for comparison, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina at 6846 ft), a handful of waterfalls and miles of hiking trails.
Then there are the ugly scars of mining and clear cutting for the logging industry, which Canada still allows in and around this park. Right now there are two fires burning in or near the park, one of which threatens some towns the other does not. Evidently a decision to leave the fire in the park, which is not threatening towns at this point, burning uncontrolled, has been made. It’s only old trees . . . 500year old trees. Primal forest so important to the ecology of the whole area is being abandoned until it’s convenient to do something about it.
Naturally caused fires are important to the health of the forest, but to let this burn unimpeded is just wrong. It’s a wrong that will take twenty human generations to replace.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Seeing Nature Differently
I have travelled to the Sonoran Desert around Tucson, Arizona about fifteen times in the last decade or so.
Over the course of these trips the way I see the desert has evolved. Each time I’m there I become a little more comfortable, and each time I notice things that were invisible to me before. It’s hard for me to reconcile myself with the truth, when I first started hiking and photographing in the Sonoran Desert I really had no idea what I was looking at. On each subsequent trip my experience was changed by the prior visit and my current explorations were changing the way I would interact in the desert on my next trip.
I guess that’s how life really works; we build on everything we knew before today with our current experience and again tomorrow and so forth. Maybe this shouldn’t be a revelation at fifty years old, but at least my acceptance of it as reality is new to me even if the fact of it isn’t. In retrospect I know I have been this way since I was a kid, searching, learning, applying that experience and searching some more. That’s just part of who I am and have always been even if I didn’t know it.
The way I look at this today will help me to continue to grow as a photographer and a naturalist. The way I approach a new situation today is by starting with as much research as I can gather, then trying to be aware of the world around me and taking note of things I’d found in my research. I believe this gives me a much better point from which to start building experience.
I guess the truth is I’m blessed to have the chance to visit these places and gain these experiences at all, and as long as I continue to know I’ve got a lot to learn, I will.
Monday, June 1, 2009
A Rainy Day in the Desert
The Sonoran Desert outside of Tucson takes on a magical feel in the soft spring rain. Completely unexpected, but beautiful. All the harshness seems softened by the muted light and the veil of moisture in the air. The desert never looks greener than this.
More accurately it’s just a rainy morning, by noon the rain has stopped, but it’s still overcast. As I walk between cactus and cholla, I have to remember that although things look softer, they are still not friendly to the touch.
Another rainy day surprise is the smell of the desert after the rain. Creosote bushes give the air a sweet, musky smell that I love. Probably not the same after a monsoon storm, but in the softer winter and spring rain it’s very pleasant.
Mornings like this are a reminder to me of some of the reasons I want to live in the desert . . .
More accurately it’s just a rainy morning, by noon the rain has stopped, but it’s still overcast. As I walk between cactus and cholla, I have to remember that although things look softer, they are still not friendly to the touch.
Another rainy day surprise is the smell of the desert after the rain. Creosote bushes give the air a sweet, musky smell that I love. Probably not the same after a monsoon storm, but in the softer winter and spring rain it’s very pleasant.
Mornings like this are a reminder to me of some of the reasons I want to live in the desert . . .
Saturday, May 2, 2009
New Exhibit of My Work
Photography Exhibit
Born of Fire : Hawaii
From volcanic beginnings to the lush tropical rainforests of today, Hawaii draws tourists by the millions. While people enjoy the beaches and the sites, the island building process goes on in live volcanoes. Images made on the Big Island of Hawaii and on Maui in National Parks and on public lands last spring by photographer Bill Jagde.
Gallery
Highlands Photographic Guild
224 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
(570) 296-2440
Exhibit from May 9 through June 12
Opening Reception Saturday May 9 5-9pm
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Spring in the Sonoran Desert
Spring comes early to the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. It is usually late February to the beginning of March when wildflowers start their show.
Starting the show are Mexican Gold Poppies which abound in the hills near Tucson. The bright yellow gold is a stark contrast to the greens and browns of the desert. The deep purple blue of the Arroyo Lupine is another sign of the coming of spring.
If there was enough rain during December and January you can really be in for a treat. March brings life to the Palo Verde tree and Ocotillo’s crimson tips come into play.
In the lowlands the purple Sand Verbena and white Evening Primrose and upland the orange of Desert Mariposa begin showing.
I could go on as new plants show off for us to see, right up to the Saguaro Cactus in May.
Many people think of deserts only as hot, arid, sandy wastelands. Some are, but consider the Sonoran Desert. It is the wettest of our great southwestern deserts and also supports the most life.
Visit the Tucson area in springtime and you’ll never think of deserts the same way again.
Starting the show are Mexican Gold Poppies which abound in the hills near Tucson. The bright yellow gold is a stark contrast to the greens and browns of the desert. The deep purple blue of the Arroyo Lupine is another sign of the coming of spring.
If there was enough rain during December and January you can really be in for a treat. March brings life to the Palo Verde tree and Ocotillo’s crimson tips come into play.
In the lowlands the purple Sand Verbena and white Evening Primrose and upland the orange of Desert Mariposa begin showing.
I could go on as new plants show off for us to see, right up to the Saguaro Cactus in May.
Many people think of deserts only as hot, arid, sandy wastelands. Some are, but consider the Sonoran Desert. It is the wettest of our great southwestern deserts and also supports the most life.
Visit the Tucson area in springtime and you’ll never think of deserts the same way again.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Time to Slow Down
In the hustle bustle world on the 21st Century, very few people take the time to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty around us any more. As a nature photographer, it’s what I do best.
One such place, of incredible beauty, is located right here in the Lower Hudson Valley: Harriman State Park. Harriman State Park a place you can reach in minutes from NYC, and elsewhere in the region, and then drive right through at fifty miles an hour and never see anything! Or, it can be a place to park your car and explore the beauty of the lakes and mountains all around you.
The thing I like to do most is walk away from the crowds and responsibilities and go up into the forest to allow myself to come down from the rat race. It’s unusual for me to even take out my camera that first hour or so. Once I start to feel comfortable in an area, that’s when the camera comes out and it’s time to start looking for interesting images.
On a hike off County Road 106 near Little Long Pond, the trail leads to a large open granite bald spot. I found it to be ideal for clearing my head, but not necessarily what I wanted to photograph. Along the way though, the trail had followed beside a small steam, with several small cascades that looked interesting, so that was where I chose to start.
With spring finally coming, the melting snow and ice has created beautiful, flowing streams, and I found many unusual compositions. The most difficult thing to do was to narrow my vision, eliminating distracting elements in order to find something compelling. That’s the thing that takes time to do – to slow down and enjoy the moment out in the woods and to truly get a feel for the place.
That is my most vital job as a photographer – to open a door and invite the viewer to move through my images and get a feeling of what it’s like at that moment, in that place. To create a space where the viewer can feel the coming of spring in my images (and maybe wish to get out there themselves).
If you feel the urge, take the time to slow down and visit Harriman State Park, it’s worth it. Stop, park and walk a while. The sense of freedom is amazing; breathe it in and enjoy it. Natural beauty is within your grasp – if you take the time to relax and look around until you see the wonders within the chaos.
See you on the trails.
One such place, of incredible beauty, is located right here in the Lower Hudson Valley: Harriman State Park. Harriman State Park a place you can reach in minutes from NYC, and elsewhere in the region, and then drive right through at fifty miles an hour and never see anything! Or, it can be a place to park your car and explore the beauty of the lakes and mountains all around you.
The thing I like to do most is walk away from the crowds and responsibilities and go up into the forest to allow myself to come down from the rat race. It’s unusual for me to even take out my camera that first hour or so. Once I start to feel comfortable in an area, that’s when the camera comes out and it’s time to start looking for interesting images.
On a hike off County Road 106 near Little Long Pond, the trail leads to a large open granite bald spot. I found it to be ideal for clearing my head, but not necessarily what I wanted to photograph. Along the way though, the trail had followed beside a small steam, with several small cascades that looked interesting, so that was where I chose to start.
With spring finally coming, the melting snow and ice has created beautiful, flowing streams, and I found many unusual compositions. The most difficult thing to do was to narrow my vision, eliminating distracting elements in order to find something compelling. That’s the thing that takes time to do – to slow down and enjoy the moment out in the woods and to truly get a feel for the place.
That is my most vital job as a photographer – to open a door and invite the viewer to move through my images and get a feeling of what it’s like at that moment, in that place. To create a space where the viewer can feel the coming of spring in my images (and maybe wish to get out there themselves).
If you feel the urge, take the time to slow down and visit Harriman State Park, it’s worth it. Stop, park and walk a while. The sense of freedom is amazing; breathe it in and enjoy it. Natural beauty is within your grasp – if you take the time to relax and look around until you see the wonders within the chaos.
See you on the trails.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Rushing Towards Spring
I sit here as we are about to roll into March thinking about the oncoming spring. After the long hard winter, that I hope is over, I find myself trying to rush towards spring.
It's not just the weather, but the whole feeling of rebirth, starting over. . . although, not needing gloves to use my camera is a good thing.
I'll be out there in Harriman State Park in a few short weeks looking for wildflowers. I can't wait!! With the coming of spring so many birds will be returning to the area, waking me with their birdsong before my alarm even goes off, reminding me that I live in a beautiful place and need to be grateful
Friday, February 20, 2009
Getting Started
In Albuquerque, NM for NANPA Summit and being told that starting to blog about my photographic experiences is a good idea, so here I am getting started.
It's exhausting and exhilarating being with so many like minded people for a few days. This is my 2nd NANPA Summit, and I'm sure it won't be my last. It's terrific to be involved with a group of nature photographers so committed to strengthening and expanding the influence of photography for conservation and promoting the value of being a naturalist first and a photographer 2nd.
That's all now from New Mexico, I'll post as often as I'm able, but at least weekly.
Thanks, Bill
It's exhausting and exhilarating being with so many like minded people for a few days. This is my 2nd NANPA Summit, and I'm sure it won't be my last. It's terrific to be involved with a group of nature photographers so committed to strengthening and expanding the influence of photography for conservation and promoting the value of being a naturalist first and a photographer 2nd.
That's all now from New Mexico, I'll post as often as I'm able, but at least weekly.
Thanks, Bill
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