HodgePodge Images: Late Summer Adventures & Fall Beginnings

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 making progress.

Labor Day at Scarborough Marsh

Labor Day found me at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, as it has for 15 of the past 16 years. This time, I skipped the canoe and kayak assistance thanks to a strong crew of volunteers and focused solely on photography.

I’m currently taking a Film Photography course at the University of New Hampshire, so I brought along my Minolta X-700. Unfortunately, I discovered too late that the shutter wasn’t working properly — the negatives were useless. Live and learn!

Bugs, Bogs & Trails

This past weekend was a road trip extravaganza. First stop: Caribou Bog Conservation Area in Orono, where the Maine Entomological Society hosted a field day with students from the University of Maine’s Entomology class. It was fascinating to watch the mix of enthusiasm and indifference among the students — and always a joy to spend time with my fellow Bug People.

Spiny Oak Slug-Moth Caterpillar

Next, I headed west to Mt. Monadnock State Park for the Monadnock Trails Week, a collaboration between the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and NH State Parks. I covered three different trail projects across three locations — a full day of shooting and storytelling through images.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow (Tuesday), I’m taking a well-earned day off to sleep in before another busy weekend. One of the wildest events is coming up: the Seacoast Science Center’s BioBlitz. In past years, I’ve hiked 7 miles and photographed for 9 hours straight. This year, I’ll be bringing my trusty e-bike, Fledge, to help me cover ground more efficiently.

Stay tuned for more updates — and as always, thanks for following along on this photographic journey!

The HodgePodge Images Project

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 been given.

In 2009, I joined a hike with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. I took photos and was excited when I discovered how I could use these photos to tell the story of my new adventures. I went on more hikes with more groups and began to offer my photos to the group that sponsored the event, allowing those who couldn't attend to share in the experience. Over time, my photography evolved, not just documenting events but presenting them in a way that conveyed their beauty and significance.

Today, I collaborate with numerous environmental and/or educational organizations, participating in butterfly counts, conservation festivals, hikes and more. My photos are used in grants, educational materials, and social media, and I continue to explore new artistic avenues with my images.

However, my growth as a photographer is now hindered by outdated equipment. Manual focus is insufficient for capturing the wildlife images I envision and the sound of the shutter detracts from the audience's focus. Moreover, over the past year, I have encountered significant equipment damage, including the destruction of a camera body and two lenses, while photographing events in the rain. Upgrading my equipment would significantly reduce post-processing time and improve the quality of my work.

Might you partner with me? I am currently raising funds through my GoFundMe Campaign, though if you read this later, please reach out. I'd love to tell you my story and invite you to be a part. Thanks! Kate

Update 3/23/26 - Thanks to those who donated. I have been able to purchase new camera equipment that saw its debut at the First Day Hike at Portsmouth, NH. I would love to be able to make HodgePodge Images into a non-profit that will continue to serve. Will you help? Thanks!