Don Grenier - eighty-four years
A photo of my dad’s hands…
Hasselblad 500C camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
Maine Land Stewards
“The Earth is given as a common for men to labor and live in.” -Thomas Jefferson
Just a quick post to share a photo of my stewardship colleagues… We took a day most recently to, together, paddle the Cold Stream in Passadumkeag. …as means of most important comradery and to complete an annual site check of our nature preserve bisected by the waterway. It’s home to some rare plants and mussels, and the Tomah mayfly – sometimes referred to as a living fossil. The nymph stage shows greatly expanded, wing like structures on the abdomen that are reminiscent of characteristics seen in fossil mayflies from the Carboniferous era. The streams and adjacent wetlands were magnificent, and we sure did have lots of fun on this prefect fall day. It’s difficult work, but someone must do it!
A+
Dan Grenier
Richard, Jess, and Gina
Gina and Jess
Richard
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
I had the fortune and pleasure of working the past six-months with Jess, Richard, and Gina. I’m always lucky with finding great help at work, but this year was a special one. Each accomplished a lot on their own, and as a team we moved the programmatic bar forward. Richard, Gina, and Jess cleared, maintained, and repaired miles and miles of hiking trail, built new preserve infrastructure and installed signage on sites to help visitors best interact with nature, made inventory of our assets on preserves and documented larger problems for another day. Together we measured vegetation on a system of long-term forest monitoring plots used to provide insight in ecological reserve in Maine and even checked in on some things rare and threatened. They further tested and applied new mobile monitoring systems and provided insight into future improvement. Invasive plant populations were assessed and documented when encountered on the landscape, and each took considerable time to meet and greet neighbors, visitors, and our conservation partners as a positive representative of the organization. Oh, and we picked up trash – literally tons and tons of it for proper disposal. …and yes, lots of reporting as part of important record and site history. The energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism each brought to the work was amazing, if not a bit overwhelming at times. …and to watch each develop their own solid connection to these special landscapes that mean so much to me was joy. Gina, Jess, and Richard brought unique skill sets to the table and made significant effort developing new tools for their work toolkit. Watching them has been inspirational, making me further consider my own personal and professional growth. Again, what luck!
Richard, Jess, and Gina, thank you greatly for all that you’ve done over the past six-months. Know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Impossible! And best of luck with your next steps doing more good things. I am sure of your success.
With my biggest jack pine hugs,
Dan Grenier
Maine Conservation Corps
Maine Conservation Corps
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." -Pele
Here is a photograph I made of a fantastic group devoted to conservation and environmental stewardship of our shared natural heritage. They just helped me out with some hand remediation work at an old stream crossing in Township 5 Range 7 near the Maine-Canada border. ...lessening erosion potential by skillfully stabilizing a bank by manually putting in riprap. We got lots of work done, but also enjoyed the conversations, each other's company, and the special location. ...but maybe not so much the biting moose flies! Thanks crew for all your effort installing the new "rock wall".
A+
Dan Grenier
Hasselbald medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Arista EDU Ultra 400 black and white film
National Audubon at Hog Island - Eric
Eric
“...the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.” ― Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays
Eric works as a land manager and steward for the National Audubon Society, and he is surely a favorite with all visiting the island due to his intimate knowledge of Hog Island and Muscongus Bay and willingness to share with all interested. Unfortunately, he was not too excited about having his photograph taken. I understand. It's not a natural thing for most. ...but he's integral to National Audubon's operations, so I had catch him somehow. Here is my best representation of Eric presenting a geology lesson to the group on a nearby island in the bay. ...not too bad a photo, huh? ...and maybe most appropriate considering Eric. Thanks, Eric, for your stewardship of our shared natural heritage and for helping to make my time on Hog Island fantastic.
Olympus OM-2N 35mm SLR + Zuiko OM Auto-W 21mm f/3.5 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com
National Audubon at Hog Island - Ted and Kimberly
Ted and Kimberly
"A good teacher, like a good entertainer, first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson." - John Henrik Clarke
A candid shot of Audubon staff instructor, Ted, and program participant, Kimberly... Ted's workshop focused on biodiversity in the intertidal, including the smaller, less obvious life found within the water column.
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com/
National Audubon at Hog Island - Michele
Michele
"Photography takes and instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." ~Dorothea Lange
Here is a candid photo of Michele, a science teacher, exploring the biodiversity found in the shallow waters off of Hog Island. I’ll have a more formal portrait to share of her sometime soon and will take opportunity, then, to write a bit more about her. …but in the interim, I thought it would be fun to post a different kind of image. Since my project intent was to create formal portraits of Audubon staff, volunteers, and program participants, one of my challenges was to convince people to take part. This is not easy! …but Michele always was open to making a photograph. Thank you, Michele. Your patience meant much.
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com/
Acadia Pathmakers - David
David
"A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it." – Irving Penn
I’ve mostly wrapped up my 2015 AIR work from Acadia National Park, but digging through my negatives I ran into this one of David. David, his crew, and I spent a couple of days together on the Hunter Brook Trail. They were completing some path enhancements using dirt, rock, hemlock timbers, chisel, hammer and lots of muscle. I have nice memories of these guys and David in particular. He’s a big friendly personality, and within minutes, one feels like they’ve known David like a forever best friend. He’s an inclusive sort and ensured that I was part of the group ribbing and general conversation.
Besides sharing the details of the project he, Tyler, and Kyle were implementing, he talked lots about community within the Trail Crew, but also from living and working in and around Mount Desert Island. David has great respect for his friends working as fishermen, and for the challenging path they follow to provide for themselves and their families. In fact, David shares his extra hands pulling traps with them on his days off. He is a workhorse without question. He also talked with great admiration for his wife and her dedication at improving island community. She works as a school teacher on Swan’s Island, population 332. …access to Swan’s Island is by the State ferry system out of Bass Harbor.
Thank you, David, for letting me feel like part of your crew and for sharing so much about yourself and life in and around Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. …and for all the good things you are doing to improve visitor’s connection to the park and nature. With my greatest admiration…
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
http://daniel-grenier.com/
Merry Christmas!
Century large format view camera #2 + Wollensak Velostigmat 12" f/4.5 lens + Fuji 8x10 green sensitive medical x-ray film
Merry Christmas!
~Dan
National Audubon at Hog Island - David
~David
“Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.” ~ Plato
David participated in the educator’s week session held by the National Audubon Society on Hog Island, and it seemed that each time I turned around he was there engaged and involved in conversation. …and he was contagiously excited about sharing, learning, and teaching in general terms. David, without question, is most eager and enthusiastic about math, science, and engineering. Yes, yes, yes astronomy! What struck me about him in particular, but really all participating in educator’s week, was how articulate he was expressing his thoughts and questions, and how he framed his words to make you excited and equally engaged. It just makes sense that David teaches. I also noticed that he naturally connects people to others with similar ideas and interests in attempt to make things happen. How cool! Anyway, I think David’s easy personality shows here. It’s impossible not to like him, huh? David, thank you for bringing positivity to the world and for helping others be better people. Please know that I am inspired from our time together. Much respect.
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com/
National Audubon at Hog Island – Meghan
Meghan
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir
It was educator’s week, which is a learning session on Hog Island where teachers come for inspiration and to learn and share practical approaches for developing environmental education curriculum. Audubon staff on this day was holding a massive afternoon group workshop along the shoreline at low-tide. …which meant wet and muddy feet in the flats. Megan, a school teacher by vocation, was enthusiastically engaged in the species identification happening along the water’s edge, and I noted her fantastic attire that placed her perfectly for a game of hoops or a morning digging clams. Fortunately, she was willing to make a photograph with me within a salt marsh adjacent. She’s a rockstar, huh? Thanks, Meghan!
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com/
National Audubon at Hog Island - Outside Lies Magic
“GET OUT NOW. Not just outside, but beyond the trap of the programmed electronic age so gently closing around so many people…. Go outside, move deliberately, then relax, slow down, look around. Do not jog. Do not run…. Instead pay attention to everything that abuts the rural road, the city street, the suburban boulevard. Walk. Stroll. Saunter. Ride a bike, and coast along a lot. Explore…. Abandon, even momentarily, the sleek modern technology that consumes so much time and money now…. Go outside and walk a bit, long enough to forget programming, long enough to take in and record new surroundings…. Flex the mind, a little at first, then a lot. Savor something special. Enjoy the best-kept secret around—the ordinary, everyday landscape that rewards any explorer, that touches any explorer with magic…all of it is free for the taking, for the taking in. Take it. take it in, take in more every weekend, every day, and quickly it becomes the theater that intrigues, relaxes, fascinates, seduces, and above all expands any mind focused on it. Outside lies utterly ordinary space open to any casual explorer willing to find the extraordinary. Outside lies unprogrammed awareness that at times becomes directed serendipity. Outside lies magic.”
—John Stilgoe, Outside Lies Magic
Linhof Technika large format field camera + Schneider-Kreuznach 150mm f/5.6 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 black and white film
Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com
National Audubon Society at Hog Island – Martin and Kathleen
~ Kathleen & Martin
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Kathleen and Martin participated in the raptor focused session held by the National Audubon Society on Hog Island. They had both been to the island before, but the last time the weather was not in their favor. Given their return, it still left a lasting impression. They both had been pulled in via the osprey, but it was clear from our conversations that their interest had spring boarded into natural history, ecology, and ornithology.
Martin and Kathleen came to “Audubon Camp” this year as part of their honeymoon. Yes, they marked this special life moment by being together in this uniquely Maine place focused on nature-based learning. One has to admire their interest and desire to be connected to the natural world.
Congratulation, Martin and Kathleen! Thank you for your example and for making this photograph with me. Warm wishes you way.
Linhof Technika large format field camera + Schneider-Kreuznach 150mm f/5.6 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 black and white film
Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com
National Audubon Society at Hog Island - Debbie
-Debbie
“There's not a word yet, for old friends who've just met.” - Jim Henson, Favorite Songs from Jim Henson's Muppets
I’d like to introduce you to Debbie. She was a participant this summer in a raptor focused education session at the National Audubon’s Hog Island in Breman, Maine. Debbie and all of the participants in the raptor program opened my eyes to lots, including the online world surrounding a pair of nesting osprey on the edge of the camp. You see, there is a webcam focused on these osprey, and people across the country watch nature’s drama unfold in real time for this pair and their young living in Muscongus Bay. I was completely unaware of this nature based cam culture and how enthusiastic and involved people can be in what seemed to me such abstract distance. Who knew? While program emphasis on Hog Island was on osprey, participants, like Debbie, learned much more about birds of prey and their critical role in the mid-coast environment. ..and what was really fascinating from my outsider view, was watching how Audubon staff used the osprey as a pivot to open a larger natural world for course participants.
Debbie and I talked lots during down moments of camp programming and quickly became great friends. She came knowing lots about osprey and was super happy to have opportunity to relax in Maine and re-center. I really enjoyed learning about her river and mountains in Georgia, and chatting about life, books and music (She’s a massive David Gray fan!). While I’ve only known Debbie for a short time, she feels like a friend I’ve had forever. I think she looks pretty chill in this photograph we made. It’s one of my favorites for sure. Thanks, Deb!
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
http://daniel-grenier.com
National Audubon Society at Hog Island – The Sherrie and Trudy Show
~Sherrie and Trudy
“Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.”
― Gary Snyder
A quick note to say hello and share some news and a photograph… I’ve been selected this year as an artist in residence with the National Audubon Society at Hog Island. How cool, huh? To this end, it’s my intent over the next several months to share with you some of my photography from my project. It’s a continuation, in many ways, of my most recent stuff – creating environmental portraits documenting the individual and their connection to unique natural surroundings in Maine.
As many of you might guess, I’m using black and white film and large and medium format cameras to create these photographs. It’s a purposeful choice tied to the dynamics involved with using these larger formats that near-forces the photographer to contemplate and concentrate a bit more on each individual image. Yes, this will prove more labor intensive and time consuming for me than other options, but it is my hope that this helps make a more intimate visual experience. …and thus for this photographic process to equate to an expression and communication of my own personal experience; a means to further hone my own way of seeing and describing the world around me by embracing process. While you’ll get to see some digital content via negative scans, my true end product will be a portfolio of fine silver gelatin enlarged prints made in a traditional wet darkroom using the negatives, an enlarger, light sensitive silver coated paper, and chemicals. Timeless.
Okay, I also want to introduce you to Sherrie and Trudy. They are both instructors at National Audubon’s Education Camp on Hog Island, Bremen, Maine. You can tell from their picture that they are both cards. …but you know, aces. I’ve had time to follow them both around and observe their field instruction, and it’s something to watch. In fact, students referred to them as “the Sherrie and Trudy Show”. Nothing short of entertaining… …but subtly tied to their package of fun is relevant information on topic, example, a spirit of inquisitiveness, openness, and safe space to ask and learn. Awesome in the truest sense. Oh yes, welcome to the show! Thank you, Trudy and Sherrie. Big smiles.
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
Dan Grenier
2017 Artist in Residence
National Audubon Society, Hog Island
Acadia Pathmakers - Kate
Kate
“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.” – Irving Penn
Kate oversees the Artist is Residence program at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park and served as primary contact for all things during my project. …but as a long time staff for the National Park Service, she wears many, many hats. Most notably, Kate is an educator, and after spending time with her, I quickly realized that it is her passion to ensure all walk away feeling more connected to this special place. Given her tenure, I also learned fast that her attention is in high demand at Acadia because quite simply she’s the best. The line of people waiting to speak with her outside of her office serves testament! Kate truly listens and considers what you are saying, which seems to be the rarest of commodities. Yes, she is the greatest of sounding boards. She also quickly provides solutions to issues and follows up to be sure all is okay. She also has given me great flexibility with time, project direction, and learning on-the-fly, ensuring that I was growing with my effort. I’m fortunate to have her as a mentor.
Kate, thank you for listening and providing opportunity. I appreciate all of your time, patience, and guidance and for making my time at Acadia fun and rewarding. Your friendship, inclusiveness, and overall example mean much and more than you could know.
With my biggest smile and utmost respect,
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR + Zeiss 80mm lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Acadia Pathmakers - Gary and his crew
Gary and his crew
"You see something, and you really see it, and then you must spend your life to get other people to see it. And that's been my story all my life." ~June Leaf
This photograph has a group snapshot feel, which falls a bit outside of what I was going for with my project. Still, I believe that it proves to be the most important photograph of the set because it successfully includes Gary, the Trail Crew Superintendent, seen on the far left. Without question, Gary’s long-term vision for the trail system, funneled through the crew and stewarded over decades, equates to that experience, which for many is Acadia National Park - A near-Zen minimal viewpoint connecting people to nature in a most subtlety Maine way. Stewardship and sense and importance of place equate to a relevant chain of history... It seems so obvious to me now, but had not completely occurred to mind until shown via granite, chisel, wood, dirt, rock bar, muscle, never-ending drive, smarts, and ingenuity. Thank you Gary and the Acadia trail crew for all that you do to protect and share this bit of our natural heritage. We are all in your debt.
With the greatest respect,
Linhof Technika large format field camera + Schneider-Kreuznach 150mm f/5.6 lens + Kodak Professional Tri-X 320 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Acadia Pathmakers - Heather
Heather
"Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long." ~Walker Evans
Heather, I can say without hesitation, is the best. She plays an administrative role for the trails crew in Acadia National Park, keeping all of the field season chaos corralled. Her attention and help during my residency proved invaluable, introducing me to everyone (literally) and making sure I had room to bring as much inclusiveness as possible into my project. We checked in near daily where she aligned me to crew locations and who I should first look for once I arrived onsite. She also upfront keyed me into some worksite expectations and crew culture. Let’s just say that when working with Heather (and the crew overall) a bit of sarcasm, friendly ribbing, and levity go in hand with a hearty chuckle and true assistance and guidance. It would be difficult not like Heather because she is one hundred percent engaged in supporting the team and also attached to each colleague personally. …and just fundamentally thoughtful and kind, which makes a combination that’s magic to be around and work with.
Thank you, Heather, for helping make my experience with the crew and at Acadia happen. It means much and more than you know. Respect.
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Acadia Pathmakers - Chris
Chris
“Poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.” ~Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook
Chris brilliantly serves as a supervisor for the Acadia Trail Crew. Our paths crisscrossed as I made my way between the various group trail projects, and each time we overlapped, he took time to check in to be sure I was ok, and most notably to ask what I’d seen or experienced in the park. On the worksite, he appeared all business, setting up the crews with high wire lines for moving rocks and lining out pathway end course with orange forestry flagging, taking into account visitor experience, ecological integrity, and overall work efficacy for the crew.
Near the end of my time in Acadia, Chris and I had lunch together sitting on flat rocks in a dry stream bed along the Deer Brook Trail. We primarily talked about school, art, and the environment, which most genuinely lead to Chris sharing that he likes to write poetry as much as trail building. I’m guessing that both connect to place, people, and nature, which seems perfect from many angles. Humble, genuine and real, this is Chris. I learned this winter that he is serving as Acadia National Park’s first poet laureate throughout 2016, the centennial year for the park and the National Park Service. Yes, perfect. Congratulations, Chris!
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Pathmakers - Mike
Mike
“A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.”
― Wendell Berry
I met Mike leading a group on the Cadillac Cliffs Path, a spur trail off of the main artery leading to the summit of Gorham Mountain. We made some small talk, and he introduced me to his crew. They were getting ready for break, which gave me opportunity to have all of Mike’s attention. We walked the areas where the crew were working, and he pointed out some specific technical concerns, which seemed primarily focused on getting park visitors safely through the complex mountainside terrain, while ensuring the path would remain stable for the long-term. As Mike talked about his work, his walking pace quickened, and he lit up with excitement. He first described the obvious fun associated with moving large boulders across the landscape using pulleys, wire rope, and other mechanical advantage, and then the physicality tied to dry stone masonry in extreme locations such as this. I can say firsthand that it’s near sensory overload to experience the loud cracks, metal-to-rock sparks, and burning tinder smell left in the air as crew swing sledge onto rock, making smaller crushed material to incorporate into the trail (as means of structural stability and drainage and likely many other uses beyond my understanding). Pretty neat.
Mike then eloquently outlined how the trails at Acadia National Park serve a much larger role than just public enjoyment, having equally important historical and cultural significance. These trails have been here for some time with some paths even pre-dating Euro settlement. In function, all of the crew’s rehabilitation and maintenance efforts equally consider this with the ecological. Mike stated that the crew looks for and studies historic character-defining features when working on a trail, going to great lengths to use similar construction materials and approach to ensure historic integrity as part of their work. …and what struck me was how Mike sees himself, his crew and other colleagues, and their effort and connection as the newest part of the story playing out on this Maine natural area. You know, this is inspirational given today’s collective short attention span.
Lastly, I walked away thinking that Mike is someone exceptional. There’s a confidence about him on the trail that comes across based on what I’m guessing is lots of trial and error, having his hands in the dirt, by building thick calluses with the sledge hammer and rock bar, and by having to frequently make quick and accurate decisions. He is clearly tied to and cares about his crew and the work they are accomplishing in the park. Mike seemed at ease in his surroundings and had grasp of and could articulate a much bigger picture occurring around him. Smart. Yes, he sets a motivating example for sure.
Thanks, Mike, for taking time for me and for the education. You’ve made Acadia National Park someplace bigger for me for sure. Much respect…
Hasselblad 500C medium format SLR camera + Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 lens+ Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 black and white film
~Dan Grenier
2015 Artist in Residence
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park