- Words by Sean McIntyre Photographs by Don Denton

Catherine Babault still recalls the excitement of returning home decades ago to develop the photos from her middle school trip to the United Kingdom. Outfitted with a Kodak 110 instant camera, Catherine joined classmates on a tour to many of the countryB次元官网网址檚 top tourist attractions. Once the rolls of film were processed, her friendsB次元官网网址� shots revealed a bucket list of destinations: Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Big Ben.

CatherineB次元官网网址檚 envelope of pictures was entirely different.

B次元官网网址淚 had a lot of pictures of a horse in a field,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淔orget about the Queen, it was all about nature.B次元官网网址�

She may not have realized it at the time, but that horse represented the seed of a distant and destined career as an independent wildlife photographer. Now comfortably settled in the Comox Valley, Catherine has happily swapped a desk job in the public service to follow her dreams of a life with her lenses and the wild spaces of North America.

CatherineB次元官网网址檚 passion for photography, exploration and education has evolved into a full-fledged photography business that includes online and in-person workshops, public presentations, freelance as well as stock photography, and the recent publication of her first book of photographs.

Vancouver Island Wildlife: A Photo Journey celebrates an island rich in scenery and species, although itB次元官网网址檚 the result of photographer CatherineB次元官网网址檚 patient and respectful approach to her chosen craft. Catherine approaches her work with scientific rigour akin to a biologist, carefully reading over research papers explaining the habits and life cycles of specific species. She pores over maps like a cartographer in search of new areas and access routes. SheB次元官网网址檚 also got the B次元官网网址渁lways preparedB次元官网网址� mindset of an adventurer set to head into the wild.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to get up before sunrise, look at the weather report, check the road access, the condition of the roads, and bring a first aid kit,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淓ven if itB次元官网网址檚 only a day, itB次元官网网址檚 an expedition.B次元官网网址�

Of greatest significance, perhaps, is her approach to the animals themselves. Catherine is a strong proponent of ethical photography. According to WildSafeBC, a registered society dedicated to preventing conflicts between humans and wildlife across British Columbia, ethical photography includes not using animal calls or bait to attract animals and always giving animals plenty of space.

Prior to setting out, Catherine ensures the soles of her boots are free of seeds and pathogens that could contaminate the areas she visits. She avoids scents that may distract animals and always approaches as quietly and calmly as possible to avoid stressing her subjects. Staging shots is out of the question.

B次元官网网址淣o animal gets injured, no environment will be destroyed; thatB次元官网网址檚 how I approach it,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淔or some people, itB次元官网网址檚 all about vanity, getting the picture and having it published. For me itB次元官网网址檚 about showing the species that we have here and highlighting our responsibility in the sustainable development of our region, as well as its preservation and restoration for future generations.B次元官网网址�

Catherine is based in the Comox Valley, but her studio covers wild spaces found predominantly on northern Vancouver Island. Her favourite spots are located anywhere north of Nanaimo to Cape Scott and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, sheB次元官网网址檇 even made several trips to Alaska to photograph grizzly bears. After three years of committing full time to photography, however, Catherine has come to appreciate the immense wealth of flora and fauna, and interesting locations in which to photograph them, that can be found within a relatively short drive from her homeB次元官网网址攁lthough it isnB次元官网网址檛 uncommon for her to drive three or four hours to reach a particular site.

B次元官网网址淲hen we talk about Vancouver Island, people think Victoria, Tofino, Campbell River, sometimes Port Hardy, and then they think of whales, bears, eagles, sea otters and thatB次元官网网址檚 pretty much it. But thereB次元官网网址檚 more than that, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what I want to get across in my book,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲e have so much diversity that we can sometimes take it for granted. There are a lot of species of special concern in our region as well as endangered species like the Vancouver Island marmot, which locals and visitors might not be aware of.B次元官网网址�

Vancouver Island Wildlife: A Photo Journey contains stunning images of bears, eagles and sea otters, yet these are just a sample of the species presented among the bookB次元官网网址檚 150 full-page colour photos. Images rise from the islandB次元官网网址檚 intertidal zone into alpine meadows framed by snow-covered peaks.

There are diminutive chestnut-backed chickadees, northern red-legged frogs and scurrying crabs, as well as the mesmerizing natural patterns found in the sky, the sea and the leaves. An American mink appears to pose for the camera with a herring in its mouth, a sea lion and seagull swirl around the dayB次元官网网址檚 catch, a Vancouver Island marmot pokes out of the earth to catch the morning sun and an elk feeds a gang of three calves.

After hearing Catherine explain the patience and dedication of her approach to a project, her ability to capture such intimate images is understandable. These images convey a sense of being immersed in nature. ItB次元官网网址檚 as though the viewer is out there waiting with her: waiting and watching for the intimate moment to arrive.

Whereas landscape and wildlife photographers, especially novices, may feel the pressure to rush to get a shot before moving on to the next opportunity, CatherineB次元官网网址檚 effort to become part of her landscape makes it feel as though the animals have welcomed her into their world. This, in turn, puts the subjects of her photos at ease, a state which serves up those fleeting moments which produce spectacular images.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 fascinated by the natural world. I love being there and being quiet. I get in my bubble with nobody to distract me, and I walk through the forest very quietly, very slowly. I look around, and I start to hear the forest,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fascinating to see those animals in the natural environment and to have that little moment. ItB次元官网网址檚 sometimes a few minutes, sometimes maybe an hour or more, but itB次元官网网址檚 always amazing to see.B次元官网网址�

More information about CatherineB次元官网网址檚 photography, workshops and public presentations is available on her website, or on Twitter, @catherinebabault.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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