Center News

The Photography of Susan Fink

Visit our Mezzanine Art Gallery through December 31 to see award-winning photographer and Milwaukee native Susan Fink’s art exhibit titled Birds of the World. Enjoy this show of avian wonder featuring both birds from around the globe and birds from Schlitz Audubon’s Raptor Program. 

Since 2022, Susan has traveled to Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), Australasia (New Zealand, Tasmania and the Rainforests of Australia), and various locales in the US to capture images of birds, big game, mammals, and flora. When she’s not traveling, Susan loves to venture to local forest preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, botanic gardens, and other venues to photograph nature. She has taken portraits of our resident raptors at Raptors in Focus Photoshoot events and has been featured in our annual Raptor Calendar. 

Close-up Bird Photography

This selection of 48 images is sure to delight any nature lover who appreciates the details revealed in close-up bird photography. Stunning pictures of global bird species are displayed with cards containing fun facts, scientific details, and conservation information. Visitors will witness amazing light and color while learning about bird species native to the locales of Susan’s travels. The photo images are printed on a high-quality metal background, providing a sophisticated means of display that will complement any wall area.  

Enter the gallery space to view a pair of Sandhill Cranes, necks gently entwined, standing beside their chick, then learn about their breeding habits. See the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in a new light while gazing at an enlarged image of the species hovering beside a fuchsia-colored flower into which they are inserting their long, slim beak to feed. While looking at this close-up image, read about this species of hummingbird’s migratory and feeding behaviors.  

Birds of Our Raptor Program

The Center’s birds of prey are featured in exemplary detail, in poses that reveal hints of their personalities, as well as their luxurious palettes of colors and feather textures. Information about each bird sits beneath the photo, detailing their circumstances for coming to live at Schlitz Audubon.  

Images from Australasia and Africa convey the exotic nature of many of the bird species native to these countries. The colorful Takahe from New Zealand presents an almost iridescent sheen of blue and purple feathers while sporting a large, red beak and legs. Revel in the brightness of the Galah, or Rose-breasted Cockatoo, whose contrasting rose- and gray-colored feathers will capture the attention of viewers.  

Photography to Preserve the Planet

Visitors to Birds of the World may recognize the value of conservation while contemplating the wealth of diversity presented in this exhibit. Susan’s hope is that through her camera lens, she can share a deeper level of awareness and reverence for nature, ultimately helping to ensure that we all take on a stewardship role in preserving the planet and its inhabitants for generations to come.   

The Center hosted an artist reception to meet Susan Fink on Thursday, October 3 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, who is generously donating 100% of net proceeds from all purchases of her art to Schlitz Audubon.