Sophia Adams
Early Spring Chickadees
Photography
During a visit to the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre early in the year, this series of chickadee photographs emerged from a process of searching, listening, and waiting in silence in nature. The outing showed me the unpredictability of wildlife observation and photography as someone who is used to shooting in a studio space. These small, adorable, fluffy birds which are usually abundant alongside trails, were unexpectedly difficult to locate, leading to a slow navigation of paths guided by sound and subtle movements in the trees. They eventually appeared in lightly covered areas with scattered lighting and small open areas. When we started seeing the chickadees, they suddenly multiplied rapidly, darting through the trees and brush. These photographs capture some fleeting encounters as chickadees watched us curiously and grabbed a quick snack. This series was created in the process of my Instauration Project and contributes to its overall theme. In this case, I was documenting small, often overlooked presences within our native wetlands and marshes, giving a look into ecological relationships and the creatures that help sustain biodiversity. These photographs encourage recognizing the details in the world around us that often are unnoticed, while showing some quiet interactions between humans and wildlife.