WESTFIELD-Gary Tracy’s fascination with photography began with an elective course in seventh grade at the North Middle School.
“I was in one of the first groups at the school where we learned how to use a regular 35 mm camera to take photos, to develop and print them,” said Tracy, who now shares his love of photography of the natural world with visitors to the We Love Westfield Community Forum on Facebook.
While Tracy has captured images over the years on and off – from his time traveling the world while serving with the U.S. Marines, to now specializing in portrait photography, weddings, landscapes, yearbook pictures and family events, it is wildlife photography that gives him the greatest joy.
Capturing birds in flight is a passion for photographer Gary Tracy. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
“The camera is a vessel for me to embrace the areas around us,” he said, adding, “I look for the adventure with my camera.”
While Tracy spent a good portion of his life using a 35 mm camera, when he first tried the digital cameras his brothers had, he knew the time had arrived to make the switch.
“I saw the images with the digital cameras and was impressed,” said Tracy, adding another benefit was being able to take as many photos as he wanted.
“I was using their cameras on and off and then decided it was time to get a digital camera,” he said.
As most of the world was in quarantine this past spring, Tracy too found himself with an opportunity to step back and take a closer look at birds who would visit the trees around his home – as well as his bird feeder later in the year.
“This year was the biggest launch for me with bird photography,” said Tracy. “I couldn’t venture out with COVID and when I saw a Ruby Throated Hummingbird buzzing in and out, my drive became more obsessed to capture birds in flight.”
During the summer, Tracy began studying and researching birds found in this region and noticed how wildlife photographers were capturing them – either sitting or flying.
“Before wildlife photography I was doing more landscapes, venturing out into the forest, capturing trails and waterfalls,” he said.
On a trip to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vt., he zeroed in on birds of prey – and discovered how to photograph them through a chain link fence.
From that perspective, he soon decided to focus his attention – and camera – from inside his home on the birds that would visit his bird feeder located off his deck.
Photography by Gary Tracy of Westfield. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
“I have been learning the habits of the birds and now can capture them in flight,” said Tracy, adding he feels such joy each time he captures a photograph of a bird with its wings wide open.
With each photo Tracy posts – from eagles, red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons, to the waterfowl he discovers on his travels, his hope is each photo brings joy to others.
“I wanted to give people a way to focus on what was happening all around us this year other than the pandemic,” he said.
Tracy noted that some of his favorite spots to photograph wildlife include Congamond Lake in Southwick, a bird sanctuary in Granby, Conn., and the fields adjacent to Shaker Farms Country Club in Westfield.
“I mostly photograph wildlife from my yard,” he said, noting the birds that congregate at his bird feeder particularly like the Ultra Songbird Blend he purchases for them.
“All of the birds seem to like it including the cardinals,” said Tracy.
Tracy also encourages area residents to take time and consider discovering their own talents with a camera – capturing the beauty around us.
“Because we live in such a beautiful region, I hope to inspire others with these images,” said Tracy, adding, “New England has a lot of beauty and the wildlife in our region is a draw for me.”
Tracy works full-time in customer service and also has a business, Photography by Gary Allen, that can be visited on Facebook.
