Greg Lessard Presents: Snowy Owls

Published: September 24, 2012

In 1978, Bob Lessard introduced his son Greg to the world of birding. At three, Greg learned the differences between cardinals, chickadees and blue jays. A love for nature and its creatures had been instilled in his young soul, a love that grew as he aged.

Years later, Bob and Greg attended a presentation on snowy owls by photographer Marc Wilson, images captured by the artist in the Arctic, the owl’s native nesting grounds. “I was fascinated,” Greg said, “with the idea of making my own snowy owl images.”

For years, Greg practiced his craft, honing his photography skills, tailoring his expertise to the outdoors and nature, birds in particular. Bob traveled with him, from Florida to Maine, to the great National Parks of the west. Finally, in November 2011, his chance struck. A massive, wide-scale irruptive flight of Snowy Owls brought the birds to the South Shore. Greg sought them out, and photographed his first one; two weeks later, in a chance encounter, he ran into Marc Wilson, and spent Thanksgiving Day photographing the owls with him. Those owls are again on display, a year later, at the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.

Join the photographer for an opening reception on Saturday, November 3, from 2-4 p.m. at the North River Wildlife Sanctuary. The exhibit will remain until November 21.