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Wednesday, April 3, 2013 • The South Whidbey Record

at the galleries Discerning Eyes at Brackenwood Brackenwood Gallery continues to show “Discerning Eyes.” This invitational exhibit offers an array of stunning photographic images featuring artists Rich Frishman, Earl Olsen, Ed Severinghaus, Skip Smith and Kim Tinuviel. Each of these photographers has used a discerning eye to capture individual jewels. Earl Olsen, known for landscapes viewers want to get lost in, includes a few abstract pieces. Several of Rich Frishman’s photos, taken over a long span of time from the same vantage point, weave together as many as 300 separate photographs to become one composite mosaic image. Kim Tinuviel is showing new time-lapse abstract photographs. Printed on metallic paper the photographs seem to pop from the page with color and sparkle. Skip Smith’s new lithe photographs were taken recently in Italy but they have an old-world feel and transport the viewer to another era. Also showing is Ed Severinghaus whose crisp black and white landscapes remind one of photography masters like James Weston. “Discerning Eyes” will continue through April 29.

Earth Day Show held at Bayview Ten Whidbey Island artists share their dreams, doubts, and desires as they relate to the environment. The artists’ reception takes place Sunday, April 7, 1 to 4 p.m. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with Whidbey Earth and Ocean Month and was organized by Marian Myszkowski on behalf of Goosefoot, a nonprofit organization. “Earth” will feature a variety of media including paintings, sculpture, mixed media, video, fabric, and digital art. A site specific installation by Richard Evans will fill an alcove on the second floor of the Cash Store. Other participating artists are Jacob Bloom, Joy Dennis, David Iles, Dan Imburgia, Denise LaRue, Johanna Nitzke Marquis, Diane Reardon, J Graham Ross and C.D. Streusel. “Earth” is on view April 5 through May 5 on the first and second floors of the Bayview Cash Store. For more information on Whidbey Earth & Ocean Month visit www.whidbeyearthday.org. SEE GALLERIES, PAGE 24

Ron Newberry /The Record

Paul Lischeid and his wife joke about his ‘obsession’ of photographing wildlife and landscapes. One of his favorite spots to stake out is Crockett Lake.

Birds on the brain Clinton photographer roams island seeking his favorite feathery targets By RON NEWBERRY Staff reporter A humbling experience in the woods nearly 50 years ago made Paul Lischeid realize he’d rather hunt with a camera than a rifle. The turning point in his life came during a hunting trip with his brother-inlaw near Cle Elum in the 1960s. Jim Norman had just scared some deer toward Lischeid, who had begun walking up a hill. Suddenly, five deer charged over the hill. Lischeid froze. “They ran right by me,” Lischeid said. “I said, ‘I can’t shoot this thing.’ I said, ‘I’d rather shoot them with a camera.’” Nowadays, Lischeid, 64, is seen all over Whidbey Island, aiming his camera at wildlife and scenic land-

scapes. His passion is shooting birds and he will go to great lengths to get the right image. No matter how long it takes. “If he didn’t have to work, he’d be out there all the time,” his wife, Gail Lischeid said. “So many of our vacations we plan around the migration of the birds. I just go along and get a lot of reading done. Once a year, we try to have a ‘Gail’ vacation.” Paul readily jokes about his “obsession” with shooting birds. He takes great joy in capturing unique moments. He and his wife used to run a travel agency and their travels led to a growing interest in shooting scenery and wildlife all over the country, Central and South America. “You see all this nature and landscapes and you say to people, ‘You should

Photos courtesy of Paul Lischeid

Paul Lischeid waits patiently to try to capture unusual moments of wildlife. He photographed the baby great horned owl at Deer Lagoon in South Whidbey and took the picture of the red-tailed hawk at Crockett Lake in Coupeville. His work is displayed at Oak Harbor City Hall. see these things,’” Paul said. “If you get a picture of it, then you can show them a photograph.” Pretty soon, just a picture wasn’t enough. Paul invested in better gear and bigger lenses. Getting as close as possible without disturbing the target is critical. His massive 500

millimeter lens allows him leeway. “It’s an obsession,” Paul said. “My wife says I’m obsessed. You never can have a big enough lens. People say, ‘When are you going to stop?’” That’s something he doesn’t see on the horizon, nor does his wife really

want him to. “He takes great joy in it,” she said. Since the Lischeids moved from Everett to Clinton in 1991, Paul has found Whidbey Island to be an ideal setting for his passion. Particularly when it comes to birds, he’s constantly stalking.