FORT MYERS, Fla. ( December 19, 2012 )
Wildlife photographs by Sallie Rich, a resident of Shell Point Retirement Community, will be featured in an exhibit at the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge Center FREE Education Center from 9am to 5pm starting on January 2, 2013 through February 28, 2013. The exhibit, Great Blues in Love, captures the mating habits of Great Blue Herons. This display will feature 27 photographs, and will be located in the free exhibit area of the auditorium for visitors.
“I found a spot on Captiva and positioned myself there every day for three weeks,” said Rich. “I’ve never worked so hard but was ecstatic the whole time about what I was seeing.”
“Nearly every bird seen at “Ding” Darling is also present at Shell Point. I have the best view from my home every day. I see the sun rise over the river where I watch dolphins playing in my front yard. Every hour there is a new painting and a new sound!”
Rich, a self-taught photographer, has been interested in the art of photography since she was just seven years old. The talent comes naturally to her, as her attention to detail makes composition and line tremendous. But it is her fine, complete capture of color and texture that make her photographs exceptional.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations. J. N. “Ding” Darling is one of over 555 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. For center hours, and additional information, please call (239) 472-1100 or visit www.fws.gov/dingdarling.
