Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
I was visiting the Garden on my day off and decided to check out the Native Plant Garden, which is now a major wildlife hotspot. I had just walked in when I noticed this large common snapping turtle getting a suntan. I wanted to move in closer and found a perfect spot. Unfortunately, the wind kept blowing the flowers between me and my new friend, making it very hard to keep him in focus.
I dared not move in any closer, which would have resulted in the snapper dropping into the water. I just kept on shooting for about two minutes until I got an opening. He was later joined by a red-eared slider. They were soon sharing the deck, making for a very interesting video.
A common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in the Native Plant Garden – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez
Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
One of the great things about being on Garden staff is the opportunity, twice each year, to access the grounds when they are closed to the public—namely during our exhibition staff orientations. The first one happens before the summer exhibition (like Frida), and the second takes place ahead of the Holiday Train Show. I usually arrive about an hour and a half early so I can do some shooting.
We recently had our orientation for Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas. While walking along Magnolia Way, I spotted this mama Wood Duck. I noticed a few fuzzy heads peeking out as well. Soon, a few heads turned into 12 as they went for a swim! Never a dull day at NYBG.
Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
Wood ducks are among the most challenging wildlife to photograph at the Garden. Getting a close-up is quite difficult as they will fly off in an instant if I get too close. But the effort is worth it. I love shooting the drakes, who—as my new friend in the photo demonstrates—are very colorful.
Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez
Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
Wednesday, March 30th was a great day for shooting. Cloudless blue skies greeted me when I entered the Garden grounds. I went to Twin Lakes in the hopes that I’d get to see some of my reptile friends sunning themselves, and I was not disappointed.
This painted turtle gave me quite a challenge. The reeds were moving in the wind, blocking a clear shot. One of the hurdles of wildlife photography is shooting subject matter that can fly, crawl, or swim away in the time it takes to focus. In this case, it wasn’t the turtle moving, but its environment.
I wanted to get closer, but didn’t want to run the risk of invading his space, which would result in him dropping into the water. So I waited a bit for the wind to die down, then pressed the shutter. Mission accomplished!
Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) at Twin Lakes – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez
Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
On Tuesday, March 22, I was in the Forest hoping to spot one of the Great-horned Owls that call it home. After searching and finding nothing, I was turning to leave when a beautiful mourning cloak butterfly landed on the forest floor. It stayed long enough to let me shoot about a dozen images before flying off. I then began thinking of the warmer months when the Home Gardening Center will be a thriving hub of swallowtails, monarchs, and hummingbird moths.
No owl photos this time—instead, the anticipation of things to come. And that is a beautiful thing!
Mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) in the Thain Family Forest – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez
Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
Since 2010, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of our citizen scientist volunteers. From time to time, I get to join them during their phenology walks in the Thain Family Forest. While they conduct their tree studies, I keep an eye out for owls, hawks, raccoons, and other wildlife that call the forest their home. On a recent phenology adventure, I got to photograph one of the Garden’s more elusive inhabitants: the Eastern red-backed salamander. Thanks to our intrepid Forest Manager, Jessica Schuler, I enjoyed a wonderful close-up encounter.
