Art Series: Healing with Birds
Photography by Logan Kline
Artist Statement
In the late summer of 2020, I had a relapse of a severe disk herniation that effectively rendered me immobile. In the first month of recovery, I would spend mornings in my bed watching out the window as nuthatches cached food in our trees and chickadees squabbled over sunflower seeds. When I was able to walk in small bursts, photographing our backyard’s over-wintering flocks helped me strengthen my spine while I appreciated the nuances of bird behavior. By December 2020, I could walk regularly up and down the bike trail near my home, sleuthing for and photographing birds as they flitted about their territories. Immersing myself in Maine’s natural wildlife was healing physically and emotionally; I am forever tethered to the sometimes ferocious, often goofy birds I photographed on my walks. This collection of photos includes a sampling of native Maine birds I was lucky to spend time with as I recovered.
American Robin, Orono, October 2020
An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) fluffs its feathers to insulate from the cold.
Black-capped Chickadee on Sumac, Orono, December 2020
A Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) perches on the Sumac (Rhus spp.) it was previously pecking.
Herring Gull, Bar Harbor, March 2021
A Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) eyes the photographer as it roosts on a bitterly cold day.
Savannah Sparrow, Old Town, May 2021
A Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) takes a break foraging for insects and spiders.