We asked these members and also frequent My Maine This Week photographers to answer the question, “What does clean water mean to you?”
Gerard Monteux, NRCM member, Hancock
Clockwise from top left: Harbor seal, Bald Eagle with fish, and moose. All photos by Gerard Monteux
“In the wildlife and nature photography business, the importance of clean water is what’s referred to as a ‘No-Brainer’ (LOL). The overwhelming majority of my shooting is based in the state of Maine, and without clean water, I simply can’t do what I’m so passionate about. Why not? Because my passion revolves around producing images of living things, and they all depend on clean water to survive, procreate, and prosper. It’s inspirational knowing that wildlife thrives in this state, and my chances of finding, photographing, and communing with them are inextricably tied to the positive outcome of the enforcement of the Clean Water Act.”
Wendy Weiger, NRCM member, Greenville Junction
Wassataquoik Lake in Baxter State Park, by Wendy Weiger
“Maine’s rivers were the highways of the Wabanaki. What an adventure to paddle these ancient travel routes today! Each bend in the river yields new discoveries: a challenging rapid to negotiate; a waterfall whose beauty is well worth the effort of the portage; a wandering moose; otters who approach to investigate my canoe with a blend of curiosity and caution. In the Maine Woods, many remote lakes and ponds are accessible only on foot, or by canoe or kayak. They offer wild solitude that is rare and precious in today’s world. And I rejoice in winter’s annual transformation of our lakes. Cold weather grants me the power to walk on (frozen) water, opening new realms for exploration.”
David Small, NRCM member, Old Town
Clockwise from left: American Oystercatcher, Semipalmated Plover, and Spruce Grouse at Petit Manan NWR. All photos by David Small
“I’m an out-of-control amateur photographer and have been for 62 years, give or take a few years for fluctuation of interests and what I call life’s anchors. I canoe, hike, bike, and lately, stumble around with my Canon camera and lens in tow to explore Maine’s fields and forests, trails and waterways looking for wildlife and scenic opportunities to photograph. Outdoor Maine has so many clean and healthy places that it’s difficult to pick just one. Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, located at the end of Pigeon Hill Road in Steuben, is one of my favorite go-to-places featuring several miles of undeveloped, pristine shoreline and many bird and other wildlife species. Check out two trails, Hollingsworth Trail and Birch Point Trail—neither will disappoint you. My first visit
to the Refuge was many fall seasons ago. While wandering along the flats during outgoing mid-tide, I noticed that some baseball-sized stones were moving about just ahead of my footfalls. Okay, not stones, but a foraging flock of Semipalmated Plovers. A wonderful image-capturing adventure ensued. Checking my images later I discovered that this group included Semipalmated Plovers, a few Black-bellied Plovers, and maybe a few sanderlings. Least Sandpipers were among them as well. The fall migration turned into my favorite time of year to visit Petit Manan, and I’ve not missed a fall seasonal visit to this spectacular slice of natural Maine coast since. Subsequent visits have revealed many other species to observe and photograph. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers, twice I even photographed an American Oystercatcher. Great Blue Herons, Great Black-backed Gulls, various hawks, and Bald Eagles also appear in this unspoiled natural marine habitat. If you’re lucky, sometimes a Spruce Grouse will wander out onto the Hollingsworth Trail to give you a glimpse. Take a peek!”
