Focusing On Flora and Fauna

Barred owl, Stephensville, St. Martin Parish

Over the last seven years photographer LeeAnn Hepler of Patterson has traveled the remote back roads and levees of St. Mary Parish at those golden moments after sunrise or before sunset, capturing images of exotic birds that inhabit the marshes and swamplands of South Louisiana. It has been a serene and challenging journey of self-expression that has resulted in a collection of stunning landscapes and the creatures that live there.

“I am an amateur photographer with a passion for capturing and sharing images of the local flora and fauna of South Louisiana,” says Hepler in an artist statement that accompanies her current show at the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson. “Growing up in St. Mary Parish has given me a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and biodiversity found here. Many of my images focus on the common and colorful birds that reside throughout South Louisiana, but I also enjoy capturing landscapes of the bayous and cane fields that are so synonymous with St. Mary Parish.”

Burning the cane at sunset in Franklin

All of these images were captured within a 10-mile radius of her home in Patterson. What makes her photographs even more fetching is that she takes most of them sitting in her car. She also journeys alone to these remote sites, sometimes with a gun handy, for as she says, “you never know who or what else is back there.” It’s a journey she describes as “always rewarding and strangely relaxing” and a “time for silent, personal reflections.” With a natural eye for composition, light, color and love of place, Hepler’s personal reflections have produced remarkable photographs. 

It’s a talent, however, that has developed later in her life. Born in 1979 in Morgan City, Hepler has a bachelor’s degree in education from LSU and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduation from LSU, she taught middle school math for about 17 years in a Morgan City before moving on to working in technology at the St. Mary Parish school board. Although she had taken photographs for the middle school’s yearbooks, her attention didn’t turn to serious nature photography until the COVID-19 epidemic.

Eastern Phoebe hunting bugs from a hydrant perch

Because she was a teacher and the schools were shut down, Hepler was home every day. She figured this was a perfect time to improve her photography skills. With her camera in hand, she went out practice and, as she says, for her “own wellbeing.” While driving along those back roads, she has “lots of conversations in my brain.”

That practice and dedication has paid off, not necessarily in sales but certainly in proficiency. Though she has sold a few photographs to friends and family, she has no immediate plans to turn professional.

“It’s really just about taking the pictures,” she says. “The challenge of capturing images of these small little birds and sharing the local wildlife. So many people have said they didn’t know that we had that here. It’s there, people just haven’t seen it. My goal is to open people’s eyes as to what is right here in St. Mary Parish. These birds are in your backyard. Take the Prothonotary Warbler, the bright yellow bird. I didn’t know that bird existed around here. It’s a spring migrant and it comes every year. The first time I saw one, that was it. I wondered what other things are out there.”

Fortunately, Hepler continues to explore for “what other things are out there.”

Her show, “Back Roads to Back Yards: The Flora and Fauna of South Louisiana,” at the Wedell-Williams Museum will be up through Oct. 28.

MEET THE ARTIST

Illustration by S.E. George

LeeAnn Hepler

Born 1979, Morgan City
Residence Patterson, St. Mary Parish
Inspiration Swamplands in St. Mary Parish
Medium Photography
Favorite Imagery Birds and Landscapes