Photographer Robin Purcell
courtesy Robin Purcell
Photographer Robin Purcell's image of a snowy owl under treatment at Bainbridge's West Sound Wildlife Shelter. Purcell's exhibit of photography from the shelter is on display at Blackbird Bakery this month.

A wild exhibit opens at Blackbird Bakery


July 7, 2009 · Updated 4:17 PM 

  • 0
  • Print Story
  • Letter/Editor

Blackbird Bakery is now hosting an exhibit by local photographer Robin Purcell depicting patients at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. The engaging photos are accompanied by stories of each animal.

Purcell has donated the framed work, with all proceeds going toward the shelter in support of its mission to rescue, diagnose, treat, and release injured and orphaned wildlife. The shelter, located on the island’s north end, serves all of Kitsap and is on pace to treat 700 animals this year.

Robin Purcell has been photographing Wildlife Shelter patients for several years and said it requires sensitivity as a photographer to cause minimum disruption to the animals.

“Very few even approach what I’d consider “beauty” shots,” she said, “because these animals are under extreme stress. They’re often disoriented, in pain, and terribly frightened."

At the same time, Purcell said she wanted the the photographs to be intimate.

“Most of the portraits are close-ups because I want the viewer to have an intimate connection and deeper appreciation," she said. "I want the viewer to look directly into their eyes and realize that these creatures are our neighbors."

To learn more, see www.westsoundwildlife.org or stop by Blackbird Bakery, 210 Winslow Way.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

blog comments powered by Disqus