Wildlife photographer, Pat Bell, keeps tabs on the area’s most unique wildlife
There may be more nature in Hamilton than you think, and one local photographer has proof.
Pat Bell has his lens pointed at the unique and sometimes rare birds and other animals that make their way to or live here in town. Bell, who lives at Marcum Apartments, says it is his goal to photograph the beauty of animals here and around the world.
“I had always dreamed of capturing a humpback whale breaching with mountains in the background,” he said. “I was able to capture that a couple years ago off the coast of British Columbia. Last year, I found a baby hummingbird in a nest and captured the moment when it tried to eat an ant. I recently got a photo of a frog using a turtle as a footrest – always trying to get something unique.”
Bell has been a resident of Hamilton since moving here to work for General Electric in 1989. His brother, Jim, was already here in the area.
It was his time developing a website for a friend who was a racecar driver that started his photography hobby.
“In order to get content for the site, I bought a camera capable of capturing high speed cars. I have also always loved animals, so that led me to start photographing wildlife. Once I photographed my first bald eagle in the wild, I was hooked. Once the racing was over, I shifted all my focus on wildlife.”
Bell says it is amazing what can be seen flying or crawling around City of Hamilton.
“Raptor photography is my passion — the bald eagle population around Hamilton has grown significantly over the last 10 years. In the springtime, an eagle pair with a nest near New Miami tends to the young in their nest, and in the summer can often be found fishing at near both dams,” he said.
“Summer also brings osprey to the Great Miami — they seem to be drawn to the dam near Kevin Lodder Park in late summer and fall.”
Downtown Hamilton is not exempt from amazing photography moments. That’s where a peregrine falcon pair has resided for several years, Bell said.
“They can often be seen on the steeple of St. Julie Billiart Catholic Parrish and on top of the antenna on the Municipal Brew Works building. The male peregrine had leg bands applied when it was a chick in its nest … we were able to get the number of the band and found it hatched in Indianapolis before taking up residence in Hamilton.”
The area parks provide Bell with many photography options.
“Gilmore Ponds, Hueston Woods State Park and Fernald Preserve provide many opportunities to see wildlife, from a huge variety of birds, white-tailed deer and even the occasional bobcat,” he said.
Bell is a product support engineer with GE Aviation, which spurs his enthusiasm for photographing things in the air.
“Having worked in aviation all my life, I also enjoy the ample opportunity to photograph a nice variety of aircraft flying over. Once you slow down enough to look around and look up, it is amazing what you might find. I enjoy capturing those moments with my camera.”
Breakout Box: FInd Bell’s work online at https://patrickbell.photoshelter.com