Jeremy Krause, a wildlife photographer and Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (MET) High School student from Jamestown, RI, spent the winter at the Norman Bird Sanctuary completing an internship with Assistant Director of Conservation, Jay Manning. In addition to contributing to hands-on conservation projects, Jeremy took on a special photography initiative to help us understand which bird images resonated most with our social media audience.
From December 2024 through February 2025, Jeremy explored the Sanctuary’s diverse landscapes and habitats, photographing avian visitors and strategically selecting standout images to post on the Sanctuary’s Instagram account. Each Wednesday, a chosen image was shared, offering followers a glimpse into the Sanctuary’s rich ecosystems. Through his lens, Blue Jays were found along the forest’s edge, Northern Cardinals perched on the campus bird feeders, and Woodpeckers revealed their rhythmic drumming.
The species that came out on top was the Red-bellied Woodpecker. A photogenic medium-sized bird, the Red-bellied Woodpecker proved to be the most popular bird featured on the Sanctuary’s Instagram account during the course of this project, bringing in the most likes from the audience and a steady stream of engagement.
For Jeremy, this project was a natural extension of his lifelong passion for photography and deep love for wildlife.
Growing up, Jeremy enjoyed finding creatures outdoors, but he didn’t know many people who shared his enthusiasm. That changed one Christmas when he was gifted with an old, barely working camera. Realizing photography was his way of connecting with others, he started capturing the animals he encountered. Over time, he upgraded his equipment and began sharing his photos and videos online, building a following of his own to highlight the beauty of nature.
“Working with Norman Bird Sanctuary was really an awesome opportunity because it was a glimpse of what real conservation work is like!” Jeremy recalls.
Throughout his internship at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Jeremy gained a deeper appreciation for the incredible diversity of birds at the Sanctuary and can now identify species from sight and sound with ease! And his journey doesn’t end here.
This spring, Jeremy is heading to southern Florida, where he’ll be interning with Audubon Corkscrew Swamp and the CREW Land and Water Trust. He’ll help manage trails, participate in wildlife surveys, and assist with guided walks, all while continuing to capture stunning images of reptiles and amphibians.
