Eleanor Briccettiâs passion for nature photography stems from a love of wildlife, the outdoors, and bird watching. Some of her favorite haunts include the San Francisco Bay shoreline, Palo Alto Baylands Preserve, Sacramento and Klamath National Wildlife Refuges, The Grand Tetons, the Palouse area of Southwest Washington, and Yellowstone National Park.

The San Francisco Bay area became home in 1994, following a move from Indianapolis, where Eleanor enjoyed a busy career as a professional violinist. She was a member of the orchestras of Kansas City, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, was an active chamber music performer, ran a program for young violinists and cellists, and taught violin privately. Her interest in photography began as a young girl, undoubtedly influenced by her father, an avid amateur photographer.

A member of Bay Area Bird Photographers and Image Circle Photographers, her work has been featured in publications Birderâs World, Bay Nature, and Family News. In 2001 she was a Merit Award Winner in National Wildlifeâs 31^st annual photography competition, and received an Honorable Mention in the 2003 Birderâs World photo contest. Her images may be viewed at www.briccettiphoto.com.

Please join Eleanor for an opening reception on Saturday, September 18 at 5 p.m., at Gualala Arts Center. The exhibit will run through October 10.