Kate's HodgePodge Images

Welcome to the first installment of my HodgePodge Images updates! The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind — fall and spring always bring a flurry of large events, and I’m doing my best to keep up.  Monarchs & Magic at Valentine Farm On August 24th, I invited myself to the Mahoosuc Land Trust ’s Monarch Festival at Valentine Farm in Bethel, Maine — and I’m so glad I did. The Habitat For All Garden was absolutely stunning: imagine a pollinator garden on steroids, complete with a vegetable garden, native plants, a sanctuary space, and the charming Anna & Oliver Basecamp. The festival was buzzing with energy — vendors offering beautiful wares, butterfly tagging, bird and forest walks, engaging speakers, and even a parade. Words don’t quite capture the magic, so I’ll let my photos do the talking. (MLT is already sharing some of them on their social media!) I’ve been challenging myself to photograph more children while being mindful not to show faces — and I think I’m mak...

All my life I have been a teacher, desiring to convey what I consider important to anyone who will listen. Through my photography, if I can encourage you to engage more deeply with an issue and prompt reflection, then I have accomplished my goal. My photographic journey began in the Redwood Forests of California, where I taught Environmental Science. This new world inspired me to capture its essence, leading me to purchase my first point and shoot digital camera. As a New Englander, I eventually returned to the east, bringing with me a newfound passion for photography. The discovery of a Great Horned Owl nest ignited my desire to be a better photographer. I begged and borrowed camera equipment and eventually was given antique film cameras and lenses by an old newspaper reporter. The wonderful thing about Nikon glass is that old Nikon lenses fit on new Nikon bodies. I bought a used Nikon d5000 and taught myself manual photography so I could use the wide range of equipment I had be...