The Spirit of Nature is a photographic group made up of three amateur photographers who enjoy sharing their vision of nature with others. Sandy Bell, Vic MacBournie and John MacRae all share a common love of the natural world. Their passion for photography led them to the Trillium Photographic Club of Burlington where they first met. Years later, the group was formed and today, the group works with local non-profit environmental groups and Conservation Authorities to help promote better land use and the protection of sensitive and threatened natural areas. All three photographers live and/or work under the shadow of the Niagara Escarpment and realize the importance of protecting this valuable World Biosphere Reserve.

 

The Photographers

 

Sandy Bell grew up in Stratford, Ontario and has always had an interest in photography. This interest blossomed while he pursued a degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph. Sandy, his wife, Lou, and three children reside in Burlington where they have lived in close proximity to the Niagara Escarpment for almost thirty years. His work life with the Halton and Hamilton Conservation Authorities over that same time, has kept him in close contact with every aspect of the Niagara Escarpment. His photography has been featured in many magazines, brochures, advertisements and books such as Halton, Rising, Wild and Beckoning and Hamilton, A New City for the Millenium. Sandy has spent years happily travelling the country roads that criss-cross the Escarpment landscape looking for the extraordinary light and timeless subject matter that the Escarpment provides.

 

 

John MacRae became interested photography as a child growing up in Dundas. Over the years, he has worked to refine his photographic skills and, since retiring as a chiropractor, he has been able to pursue his hobby even further. John has collaborated in the publication of a pictorial book on Dundas and provided photography for a book on a local church. In 1996, he was honoured for his extensive volunteer work in the community when he was named Citizen of the Year. His photography has taken him to many countries and every province in Canada including the NWT. John, his wife Joyce, and their sons spend summers at their cottage on the Bruce Peninsula where they enjoy exploring the northern reaches of the Niagara Escarpment with their grandchildren.

 

Vic MacBournie grew up in Hamilton and now resides in Ancaster in the heart of the Niagara Escarpment. He first discovered his love of photography while attending McMaster University where he first used it to complement his stories for the University student newspaper, The Silhouette. Today, he is an editor at The Hamilton Spectator but his passion for photography remains strong. His writing and photography have appeared in magazines as well as daily and weekly newspapers and books throughout southern Ontario. Living on the edge of the escarpment in the Dundas Valley with his wife Julie and daughter enables him to photograph nature and wildlife right outside his door.