Cait Hutnik

In early 2002, Cait Hutnik came to CGF and asked if she could take pictures of our hike up to Coyote Ridge. Of course we said "yes," but little did we know what a gift this would be. Over the last two and a half years, Cait has photographed almost every one of Committee for Green Foothills' hikes, scanned the photos and posted them on her website, www.lightofmorn.com.

Her work is beautiful and inspiring. Cait recently spoke with CGF's Velma Gentzsch about her volunteer work and photography.

Cait, you've documented nearly all of our hikes in the last few years. Why?
I find it interesting. I enjoy seeing and meeting new people. I like to watch people, see how they're experiencing the event and include them in the pictures I take. I feel it's important to show people enjoying open space - especially people of different ages and ethnicities - because it allows people who see the picture to connect and say, "These are people just like me." They can imagine themselves taking part.

I recently posted photos of CGF's Palo Alto Baylands hike on my website. More than 1700 visitors saw the photos. This happens every time I post photos from a CGF hike. Visitors want to see where we went and what took place.

Most of all, photographing the hikes is an enriching experience. I always learn a great deal from the experts that lead the hikes. The pictures I take for CGF are a way for me to give back.

You do a lot of work with other groups. Which ones?
Yes, I've taken lots of photos for the Open Space Authority of Santa Clara County. I've also taken series for the Sulphur Creek Nature Center in Alameda County, the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, the Guadalupe Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz.

That should keep you busy. You've taken some great photos of amphibians and reptiles, one rattlesnake in particular. Anything exciting recently with your photos?
I was asked recently to provide creek habitat photos for a book in development by the Santa Clara Valley Water District on the history of water in Santa Clara Valley. My series on the breeding habits of the California newt and one of my rattlesnake photos have been published in a children's book series entitled Come Learn with Me, to show inner city youth how an amphibian grows from an egg to a land walking creature and how the rattlesnake uses its tongue as a sensor.

There are a million ways to use your photography. Why environmental groups?
I spend too much time inside surrounded by artificial shapes and colors. Getting outside gives me a sense of my place in the natural world. Taking photos enables me to document the beauty of our natural world before it's gone forever.

Your photos are gorgeous. I especially like your recent October series. It's accompanied by excerpts from a great poem, as many of your photos are.
That's from "Song for October" by Dylan Thomas.

Thank you, Cait, for all you contribute to the community.

Cait's latest contribution was as official photographer of our fall event, Nature's Inspirations. To see Cait's work, please visit her website: www.lightofmorn.com.