Huron Fringe Field Naturalists enjoy presentation about nature photography

The Huron Fringe Field Naturalist club began the new season of meetings, Sept. 26, with a presentation of outstanding photos by Goderich-based photographer, Dale Matthies.

Members enjoyed beautiful images of birds, wildlife, landscapes and butterflies. A number of spectacular photos featured the Goderich harbour at different times of the day and in different seasons and weather conditions.

Citing the virtue of patience for wildlife photography, Matthies entertained his audience with the stories behind the images.

His work has appeared more than 20 times in publications, such as Canadian Geographic, Reader’s Digest Canada and Natural History Magazine. His work is enjoyed by many club members on Facebook at Huron Sunset Photography.

In other club business, two lucky members went home with a painting and a book.

Donna Taylor, well-known local artist and humanitarian, donated an original painting depicting the devastation wrought in forests by the Emerald Ash Borer. The striking landscape was won by Willa Schoffer.

Kathy Harker, known for her devotion to gardening with native plants, donated the book, “Nature’s Best Hope: How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard,” adapted by Sarah Thomson for young readers from Douglas Tallamy’s 2020 book of the same title. It was won by Gord Brocklebank.

The proceeds from the draw are being used to purchase six copies of the book; one for each of the elementary schools in the club’s catchment area.

As a follow up to advocacy work undertaken by members in the winter and fall and in recognition of the provincial government’s reversal of Greenbelt development, a new letter to Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson was prepared by the club president and signed by a majority of the members present.

It congratulated the provincial agriculture minister for her government finally heeding the wishes of the population but warned that her constituents expected greater transparency and action dealing with climate change.

At the Oct. 24 meeting, the club will welcome Alyssa Bourassa of the Lake Huron Coastal Centre to talk about its plastics reduction program.

Visitors and guests are always welcome and may contact Christine Roberts at christineroberts153@gmail.com for further information.



Huron Fringe Field Naturalist club member Gord Brocklebank (left) holds his book prize, while fellow club member Willa Schoffer (centre) stands with the painting donated by artist Donna Taylor; photos by Christine Roberts




Goderich-based photographer Dale Matthies presents a selection of his photographic work at the September meeting of the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists