A wild exhibit opens at Blackbird Bakery

Blackbird Bakery is now hosting an exhibit by local photographer Robin Purcell depicting patients at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. The engaging photos are accompanied by stories of each animal.

Purcell has donated the framed work, with all proceeds going toward the shelter in support of its mission to rescue, diagnose, treat, and release injured and orphaned wildlife. The shelter, located on the island’s north end, serves all of Kitsap and is on pace to treat 700 animals this year.

Robin Purcell has been photographing Wildlife Shelter patients for several years and said it requires sensitivity as a photographer to cause minimum disruption to the animals.

“Very few even approach what I’d consider “beauty” shots,” she said, “because these animals are under extreme stress. They’re often disoriented, in pain, and terribly frightened."

At the same time, Purcell said she wanted the the photographs to be intimate.

“Most of the portraits are close-ups because I want the viewer to have an intimate connection and deeper appreciation," she said. "I want the viewer to look directly into their eyes and realize that these creatures are our neighbors."

To learn more, see www.westsoundwildlife.org or stop by Blackbird Bakery, 210 Winslow Way.