Focusing on the details, wildlife photographer Jack Kurz captures moments in nature that may otherwise be missed or overlooked. Kurz presents viewers with an up-close view of the wildlife around them by capturing snapshots of birds and butterflies in action.

Kurz has been interested in photography since his high school years, but he delved into the field of wildlife photography just seven or eight years ago. The “Uncommon Views” exhibit, held at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus through Feb. 22, marks Kurz’s first photography exhibit. The photos in the exhibit depict various species of birds and butterflies. Kurz took all of the photos included in central New York, near Otisco Lake and at his property in Camillus.

A retired employee of Carrier Corporation, Kurz said that his wildlife photography is a hobby — one that requires a great deal of time and dedication. Kurz studies the habits and patterns of wildlife, taking many photos of the same subject before choosing his favorites later on. To him, patience is of the utmost importance when photographing wildlife.

“You gotta be willing to sit, research the subjects you’re gonna take, where they might be, where you need to put yourself,” Kurz said. “Just be patient.”

Kurz, who also takes sports-related photos, noted that wildlife photography proves especially challenging due to the unpredictability of nature. He said that anticipating the behavior of animals takes both patience and practice.

His favorite part of wildlife photography, he said, centers around capturing the beauty of an animal by showcasing its details. Kurz’s favorite piece in the exhibit is titled “Gone Fishin.’” It showcases the exact moment an osprey catches a fish in its talons.

Kurz’s photography often captures wildlife in the moment of dynamic action. Kurz favorite exhibit piece,“Gone Fishin’” depicts the moment an osprey catches a fish in its talons. Courtesy of Jack Kurz

“You get a chance to look at the detail in different animals, especially the detail in butterflies or the birds,” Kurz said, “just the way their feathers fall on the subject and the different colors that come off them, depending on how the light’s hitting (the subject).”

Karen Jean Smith, the gallery coordinator at the Baltimore Woods Nature Center views wildlife photography — and nature-related art in general — as a way to connect people to nature. She said this reason alone is the primary purpose of the exhibits held at Baltimore Woods.

Smith first saw Kurz’s work when he submitted his photography to one of the members-only shows at Baltimore Woods. Afterward, Smith invited Kurz to do his own gallery show.

To incorporate an educational component, Smith decided to accompany Kurz’s photographs with facts about the species of birds and butterflies pictured in the photos.

When Kurz first submitted his photography to one of the members-only shows at Baltimore Woods, he was invited back for his own gallery show. Courtesy of Karen Smith

Shannon Farrell, an assistant professor of environmental and forest biology at SUNY-ESF, said that this kind of photography gives people the chance to view wildlife up close.

Farrell added that wildlife photography captures moments in nature that are easy to miss or may have otherwise only been glimpses from afar for passersby. She also emphasized the educational value of wildlife photography, describing it as “a way to engage people” to think more about wildlife.

“Having that moment of pause to see an animal and really look carefully at it and think about it … gives us the chance to feed in a little more intimately than we might otherwise get to as busy human observers,” Farrell said.

The Baltimore Woods Nature Center held a public reception for Kurz’s “Uncommon Views” exhibit on Jan. 5. The gallery opened to the public on Jan. 5 and will remain open through Feb. 22. All of the photographs displayed in the exhibit are available for purchase.

Published on January 13, 2019 at 9:52 pm

Contact Mandy: ackrayna@syr.edu | @MandyKraynak