PHOTO PROVIDED
Photographer-artists Clyde and Niki Butcher will present images from the Everglades on Feb. 4.
On the heels of the release of his latest Florida photographic collection, “The Everglades,” Clyde Butcher will present a program as part of the “Ding” Darling Lecture Series on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. at The Community House. He will be joined by his wife, fellow photographer-artist Niki Butcher, and his daughter-manager, Jackie Butcher-Obendorf.
Clyde Butcher is known for his large-format, black-and-white nature photos that take the craft to levels of composed artistry. Niki Butcher, who will mount an exhibition at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge starting in mid-November, specializes in hand-painted photographs that also glorify nature’s beauty.
Called “his most comprehensive collection of Everglades photography,” the oversized coffee-table book “The Everglades” showcases Clyde Butcher’s work in a collectible edition with notes from the photographer and behind-the-scenes photos. Originally scheduled to publish last winter, it was held up by the pandemic and released in September. Both photographers will share their work at the lecture.
Socially-distanced seating for the lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. Staff will distribute entry wristbands to attendees starting at 9 a.m., after taking touch-free temperature readings. Attendees must be wearing wristbands and face masks to enter the lecture room. Early arrivals may save their seat and one other with personal items; saved seats must be filled by 9:45 a.m.
The Refuge Nature Store will have a mini gift store set up with Butcher unsigned books, T-shirts, hats, note cards and some of his artwork. Because of COVID, he will not sign books that day. To obtain a pre-signed book for pickup on or after Feb. 5, contact the store by Feb. 1 at 239-472-1100, ext. 241. Profits from the store benefit education, wildlife research and overall conservation efforts at the refuge.
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge is hosting the 17th annual lecture series, and Wayne and Linda Boyd sponsored the Butchers’ lecture.
The remaining series schedule is as follows:
– Feb. 19: Author Jack Davis, “The Bald Eagle: Symbol and Species in American History,” sponsored by Southwest Florida Eagle Cam*
– March 12: Author Paul Bannick, “Gray Owl: A Visual Natural History,” sponsored by Bill and Laurie Harkey*
– March 19: Author Kirk W. Johnson, “Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century,” sponsored by Ashton Kirchner Group/Keller Williams Realty Sanibel and Captiva, HighTower/Thomas and Swartz Wealth Management, Geoffrey and Karen Moss, and Sanibel Carts*
*book signing to follow
For more information, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-and-film-series.
The Community House at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.