For generations, the beauty of Long Island’s nature has inspired books, poetry, and films. It’s also the inspiration for “Jamie & Bonnie’s Great Seal Adventure,” a photo exhibit that took place at the Moriches Community Center on Feb. 5, and is slated to continue with other exhibits across the Island.
The 16-photo environmental project showcased the photographic artwork of Jamie Ellin Forbes and Bonnie Bredes. The exhibit was designed to show audiences seals in their natural habitat, sunbathing on the shores of Long Island, with the overall goal of encouraging public stewardship toward the environment and especially local waterways.
While at the event, Forbes spoke to this reporter about the role that climate change has had on our natural ecosystems, particularly when it comes to the seal population.
“Unless we make changes today to stop the sea level from rising, there will be no sandbar for the seals to go on,” she said.
For Forbes, part of the fun of photographing the seals is watching them in their natural habitat, being social with other animals.
“They’re part of a group. They like to hang out together—the seagulls, the seals, the ducks,” she said.
While there were hundreds of photos taken for the exhibit and only 16 that made the cut, the duo spent hours watching and waiting, always at a distance of at least 150 feet, according to Bredes.
“We went out more than a few times and got nothing,” she said.
The exhibit was made possible with the help of Kathleen Johnson, the former executive director of the Moriches Community Center, now retired. Johnson saw the exhibit at the library and told Forbes she wanted to facilitate a viewing event at the community center.
In addition to the community center exhibit, Forbes and Bredes took local students out to view the seals in Cupsogue on Feb. 17.
“It’s important to show our students the beauty of nature and get them to appreciate our local environment so they can become good stewards of our community,” she said.
For more information on the exhibit, email the Moriches Community Center at Info@MorichesCommunityCenter.org.
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