The bobcat in the backyard, the deer in the orchard, the owl in the tree. Many of us have tried to snap photos of the wild creatures that share our piece of the world. Sure, we use the images to impress our city friends, but also we’re hoping to capture some of that wildness, to celebrate it, and maybe feel a little bit of a relationship with it.
Pam Mullins understands this yearning. Her wildlife photographs communicate reverence along with a strong sense of connection. You’ll see herons looking exultant in one shot, pensive in another. A grouse seems to be on its toes, poised for flight and nervous. (It’s impossible not to anthropomorphize.) Vulnerable hatchlings, eyes still closed, cluster around a blue egg, their unhatched sibling. Stark photos show bears, wolves, and coyotes staring into the camera with mesmerizing otherworldliness.
Mullins is self-taught and has lived in some very remote parts of our province. This, perhaps, has given her such sympathy for her wild subjects. The Sunshine Coast has been her home for two years now and, as remote as it is in places here, she’s had to search a little harder than before to get truly wild animal shots. “Bears are one of my favorite critters to photograph and spend time with,” Mullins says. “Here they seem to be more nocturnal than I’m used to.”
And for bird photos? “The Sechelt marsh is a wonderful place for bird photos. Besides the local mallard, pigeon, and heron population, spring and fall bring migratory visitors to the marsh. Spring brings a parade of ducklings and goslings. If you sit quietly and wait something, fun always happens there.”
Words | Nancy Pincombe
