The public is invited to visit “Wings,” a photographic exhibition presented by the South Jersey Camera Club (SJCC), during an upcoming Meet the Artist Reception event on August 9 and September 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on September 17 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Hansen Warner Gallery Space located at 6 South Main Street in Medford.
The five-day field trip, led by coordinators Pat Worley of Medford Lakes and Larry Lyons of Woodbury, focused on prime birding areas in the Cape Coral-area including Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Venice Area Audubon Rookery and Corkscrew Sanctuary.
The group was able to capture the burrowing owl, painted bunting, eagle and various types of Egrets and Herons just to name a few.
In addition to Worley and Lyons, the other members of the club who attended were Bob Chappell, Karen Crisfulla, Albert Galanti, Susan Chilkotowsky-Kain, Fred Lambert, Susan LaPierre, Kathleen Lapergola and Cindy Mezick.
“The highlight of the trip was the day long visit to the Venice Rookery,” commented Pat Worley, SJCC field trip coordinator. “During the nesting season Venice Rookery becomes a festival of activity. This very small island is inhabited by hundreds of great blue herons, great egrets, anhinga’s, snowy egrets, cattle egrets, glossy ibises, green herons, tricolored herons and black-crowned night-herons which are all busily building or enhancing nests, courting, incubating eggs and raising chicks. We saw it all and it was incredible.”
“At first, I was enamored by their beauty. Photographing their behaviors, which consisted of many human traits and emotions, was thrilling,” said Karen Crisfulla.
Florida has more bird species than any of the 26 states in the eastern United States. Fred Lambert of Mt. Laurel, an avid bird watcher and photographer commented, “I logged 52 different species of birds during our trip. Five of them being first time “lifer” birds.”
“Lifer bird” is a term used when a person has seen a species for the first time.
The SJCC was organized to promote the art and science of photography. Among its goals is the desire to unite others in sharing similar interests, to exchange ideas and photographic expertise, and to enhance the skills of club members. Serving the southern part of New Jersey, our members come from Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Salem and Atlantic counties.
Outstanding speakers present interesting and informative programs. Field trips and workshops provide practical photographic experience. Special competitions such as the digital essay and panorama challenge members throughout the season to try new things. The organization also has a video lending library.
Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month from September through June at the Medford Leas Community Center Auditorium, located at 1 Medford Leas Way in Medford. Pre-meeting workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Linden Room. For more information about SJCC visit the website: www.sjcameraclub.org.
“Wings” runs until September 17th, 2016. All additional viewings are by appointment only. Call 609–694–3247 for more information.
Ten members of the SJCC captured the images below during the peak of the courting and mating season in Southern Florida on a photographic field trip in March 2016.
