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Clyde Butcher Photography at ‘Ding’ lecture

Clyde Butcher

Butcher shoots with large-format cameras.

Clyde Butcher Cayo Costa

Butcher’s black-and-white portrait of Cayo Costa.

Admire the photography of Clyde Butcher at ‘Ding’ lecture

Often tagged “the Ansel Adams of Florida,” photographer Clyde Butcher has made for himself a big reputation based on big black-and-white nature images taken with big cameras. On Friday, Jan. 27, he will be presenting two free programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at J.N. “Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Based on his Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades and other photographic books, the programs are part of the 2017 “Ding” Darling Lecture Series at J.N. “Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

The award-winning artist captures the Florida Everglades, coastal islands, and other unspoiled areas with stunning majesty. In recent years, he has expanded his depth of field nationwide. He will sign copies of his books, available in the Refuge Nature Store, following the lecture. Proceeds from Nature Store sales directly benefit refuge wildlife, education, and research.

“Wilderness, to me, is a spiritual necessity,” says Butcher. “When my son was killed by a drunk driver, it was to the wilderness that I fled in hopes of regaining my serenity and equilibrium. The mysterious spiritual experience of being close to nature helped restore my soul.”

HighTower/Thomas & Swartz Wealth Management sponsors the free 12-lecture series with support from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS). The season’s remaining schedule is listed below. Book signings follow all except the one starred (*) lecture.

Seating for the lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. Arrive one hour early to assure a place to sit. Early arrivals can save one seat each and then may explore the Visitor & Education Center or Indigo Trail before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time.

As usual, Wildlife Drive closes on Friday, but visitors are welcome to enjoy the center, Indigo Trail, and recreational opportunities at Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s official recreation concession located at its Tarpon Bay Recreation Area.

Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.

For more information, call 1-239-472-1100 ext. 241 or log on to dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-and-film-series.

Jan. 27 – Photographer Clyde Butcher, Big Cypress Swamp: The Western Everglades
Feb. 3 – Author Dr. James McClintock, A Naturalist Goes Fishing: Casting in Fragile Waters from the Gulf of Mexico to New Zealand’s South Island
Feb. 10 – NO LECTURE
Feb. 17 – Author Dr. John Marzluff, Welcome to Suburdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife
Feb. 24 – Author Will Harlan, Untamed: The Biography of Carol Ruckdeschel
March 3 – Author Dr. Laurel Neme, Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Forensic Lab Is Solving Crimes & Saving Endangered Species
*March 10 – Researchers Dr. Jennifer McCabe & Dr. Brian Olsen, “Migratory Birds in a Climate Changing World”
March 17 – Author-artist Julie Zickefoose, Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest
March 24 – Author Denege Patterson, A Tour of the Islands of Pine Island Sound: Their Geology, Archaeology, and History
March 31 – Author Will Stolzenburg, Heart of a Lion: A Lone Cat’s Walk Across America
April 7 – Photographer-sound recordist Gerrit Vyn, The Living Bird: 100 Years of Listening to Nature
April 14 – Author Charles Sobczak, Alligators, Sharks, & Panthers: Deadly Encounters with Florida’s Top Predator — Man

*starred lecture indicates no book-signing to follow

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