Early shoot-and-capture techniques significantly contributed to the demise of several species of birds. What made Roger Tory Peterson so revolutionary compared to his naturalist predecessors like Audubon, was his commitment to studying birds not by shooting them down, but by patiently watching. Mr. Peterson left the old ways behind, instead trading the barrel of a shotgun for the barrel of a long lens.

My mural concept is grounded in this quote by Mr. Peterson:

“I consider myself to have been the bridge between the shotgun and the binoculars in bird watching.”

The left side of the mural represents the old ways of conservation, with a vintage cage containing larger-than-life specimens of the following extinct bird species: Passenger Pigeon, Black Mamo, Bachman’s Warbler, Dusky Seaside Sparrow, and the Carolina Parakeet. The cage’s wires are dismantled by a large pair of binoculars, modeled after Mr. Peterson’s own pair showcased at the Institute. The binoculars are a bridge from which a young Mr. Peterson charges forward, ushering in a new era of conservation wielding his trusty camera. In his left hand, he gazes through binoculars following the shape of a Flicker as it soars over North America in the background.

Carrying the grand momentum behind Mr. Peterson is a stylized Northern Flicker in graceful flight. It is golden and illuminated to represent the positive impact of Mr. Peterson’s legacy. The Flicker’s fanned lower wing leads to an adaptation of Mr. Peterson’s famous Roadside Silhouette illustration, bathed in warm earth-tone colors.  The bird silhouettes turn their heads to watch a mature Mr. Peterson draw in his sketchbook at the base of the tree. To the left, his old box camera captures this peaceful moment between man and nature. Beside Mr. Peterson are notebooks and his movie camera mounted onto gun stock. The silhouette of the tree and birds are layered over a simple depiction of the seven continents, hinting at Mr. Peterson’s ideas spreading across the globe. Following the direction of the movie camera is a strap that wraps around to the front of the large binoculars. 

Since the mural’s home is the Art & Nature Lab, it is my hope children will see a reflection of themselves in young Mr. Peterson and liken conservation and admiring wildlife to a lifelong adventure.