Connections through the camera

By looking through the viewfinder on her camera a Wareham resident has found a new way to strengthen her relationships with the world she lives in, and those she lives in it with.

Linda Harbour is a Wareham resident and amateur photographer who spends much of her retirement with a Canon camera around her neck, photographing the wildlife that calls Wareham and the South Coast home.

She explained photography is not something she has spent her whole life doing but since being gifted a camera around 10 years ago, it has given her new ways to connect with the animals that share her hometown.

"My friend had a camera and the two of us would take off for the day and go to different places and take pictures," said Harbour. "It became my number one hobby."

Harbour has travelled locally to many places like Little Harbour and the Beaver Damn Marsh and as far as Maine to capture a variety of wildlife.

"There's a place in Plymouth called Manomet Point and during the low tide in February, the amount of seals on the rocks is just mind boggling," said Harbour. "I've caught a few funny looking seals when they've got their flipper up like they're saying hi."

Harbour explained that she has been able to form a strong connection to wildlife through the camera but it has also given her a second chance at strengthening her connections with the people close to her.

"I retired because of my hearing loss and I couldn't really associate anymore," said Harbour. "If I went out someplace and it was too noisy I couldn't have a conversation with anyone. I can't even hear the phone ring without my hearing aid but with photography, you don't need to talk a lot."

Harbour said she will go out and photograph with friends and one of the best ways she is able to maintain connections despite her hearing loss, is sitting around and sharing photos with friends and family.

"On the holidays I'll bring up my newest photos to show my grandkids and we sit around the table and pass them around," said Harbour. "They'll give me some ideas or say 'my goodness that is so funny' if I capture something silly."

She added she will photograph with family too.

"Every Easter, my daughter-in-law and I meet at Plum Island in Newburyport and I just love that place," said Harbour. "It's unbelievable, the different types of birds and animals you see is just striking."

On top of strengthening connections, she said she has been able to make new ones as well.

"My husband has a friend and he is an outstanding artist," said Harbour. "I'll give him one of my photos and he'll do an acrylic painting and he's sold quite a few pieces. I'll say to him 'John you'll love this one' and sure enough the next time I see him he's got a nice big painting done."

Harbour said she is always looking to make new connections with people through photography and would love to see an amateur photography group started in Wareham as she chases her bucket list photo, an owl.

But before she captures the nocturnal bird, she said her next big adventure will take her to the Outer Banks in North Carolina to try and capture wild horses.

"It's a way to make connections and I don't have to do a lot of talking, said Harbour. "The photos say it all by themselves."