Nanoose Bay photographer Deborah Freeman’s work is on display as part of an ecologically-themed exhibition at the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) in Parksville.
‘The Tale of One Urban Creek’ exhibit showcases the story of one of the last local waterways that bears salmon and trout populations and what the community can do to help. It includes a photo the Shelly Creek area, printed on a huge canvas and lit up by sunlight coming through the gallery windows.
“We’re trying to promote keeping water for the fish and wildlife,” Freeman said.
“It’s hard, you know, with urban areas and natural forests to co-exist, it’s not an easy project, but we thought putting it all together — if people could see the beauty, then, ‘ah, yeah I could help with this.’”
Freeman said it bothers her when people treat their environment inconsiderately, but added there is a growing awareness of the need to conserve the Shelly Creek area, home to many species of plants and animals, including many species of birds.
“This project was to feed that, to feed the interest,” she said. “People want to know. When they don’t know they start destroying, but if its close to their hearts then they’ll take care of it.”
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Freeman said she was a little nervous about printing such a large canvas because she does not normally do landscape photography, but was pleased with the final result.
The photographs represent countless hours of work — it’s not always easy to catch a barred owl in good lighting. Freeman would often hear the owls, or come across people who had just seen them, but not find them herself.
“And then this one day, the mother came down,” she said. “Right on a branch, very close to me. She goes down to the creek, she pulls out a cutthroat.” The owl took the fish up to feed her baby and Freeman captured the scene in photos, which are in the MAC exhibit.
Freeman added she enjoyed working with a cooperative and supportive team to complete the project.
‘The Tale of One Urban Creek’ will be at the MAC until Aug. 28.