For the birds: Advice from father prompted wildlife photographer's view of life
The last place Caroline “Cacky” Rivers expected to be was behind the lens of a camera, crouched to capture the breathtaking moment a bird spreads its wings and takes flight. But life has a funny way of showing us where we belong, and now wildlife photography is an integral part of her daily routine.
“Birds come first in the morning,” she said. “If it is sunny outside, I am outside, whether it be in my front yard when my ducks fly in for breakfast or [when] I head out on an adventure looking for birds.”
Most recently, this passion for the Lowcountry and its thriving wildlife has earned her a spot as Palmetto Bluff’s December Artist in Residence, and it’s all thanks to a solid piece of advice she received from her dad.
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'Slow down and enjoy the world'
While Rivers hasn’t always been a photographer, she always has adored wildlife. Throughout her childhood, Rivers’ father, an avid outdoorsman, shared his love and knowledge of wildlife with her. Upon her college graduation, he gifted her a Peterson’s "Field Guide to Birds" and a pair of binoculars with an inscribed reminder to “slow down and enjoy” the world. Perhaps this advice and resulting perspective fortified her career as a bridal consultant worthy of glowing testimonials and features in widely-known publications such as Charleston Wedding magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and Brides magazine.
It seems this advice also helped her through some of life’s more trying moments. When an illness prevented her father from spending time outside, Rivers used this sweet, shared hobby to bring a smile to her father’s face.
“I have always been a lover of the outdoors and nature, but my dad's illness allowed me to plunge feet first into wildlife photography. Taking pictures of birds for Dad while he was sick helped take his mind off things,” Rivers said.
As the pair used field guides to identify the captivating creatures Rivers photographed, Rivers discovered how much she enjoyed capturing those brief and breathtaking moments between rest and flight. With a little help from local wildlife photographer Stan Foxworthy, Rivers taught herself the finer details of wildlife photography, a skill that would serve her well when the pandemic hit.
As the wedding industry ground to a halt, Rivers’ budding passion for photography quickly became more than a heartwarming hobby. When all else shut down, Rivers turned to the natural world and found a lucrative photography career. Now, she has two books of brilliant photography that showcase her love for our fine feathered friends and shares nuggets of wisdom from the time she spent with her father.
“I am so grateful every single day for my dad's knowledge of birds and love of wildlife. He is like my encyclopedia,” Rivers said.
While her father’s encyclopedic knowledge of local wildlife gave her a deeper understanding of each creature, it also helped her develop a deeper understanding of how each creature lives among the rest.
“Each bird in the Lowcountry plays a role in the ecosystem. If you take one away, there will be a shift in how things flow,” Rivers said. “That goes for every creature, including trees.”
It also includes us as human beings.
Much like the flora and fauna in the Lowcountry ecosystem, little changes can significantly impact our lives. If we allow the hustle and bustle of life to take control, things feel strained and chaotic in our internal ecosystems. We start to lose sight of what matters when we’re constantly spinning our wheels, but every part of us flourishes with just a few quiet moments in nature.
“I say it all the time: ‘I know now why Dad said to slow down.’ It's good for the soul on so many levels,” Rivers said. “Gosh, if I didn't have my birds to watch, my stress level would be very different. There is a peace that comes with watching birds. It slows my heart rate and puts a smile on my face. ”
When stress levels run high, Rivers knows to slow down and enjoy the moment, even if it means making a last-minute alteration for one of her brides. More often than not, this level-headedness helps Rivers form new relationships with clients and their families, many of them even adding her books to their coffee table collection.
But this special connection isn’t limited to brides and their loved ones. Thanks to Palmetto Bluff’s Arts Initiative, any aspiring photographer or naturalist can experience just how great it is to enjoy a breath of fresh air and settle into the rhythm of the natural world.
During her residency, Rivers will lead two immersive workshops for bird and photography enthusiasts looking to expand their skill sets and explore the Lowcountry’s lush wildlife. For participants, it’s a chance to capture their walk on the wild side. For Rivers, it’s a chance to share her knowledge with others so they can help protect the Lowcountry’s delicate ecosystem.
In other words, it’s a dream come true.
“I would love to share my passion and love for wildlife and illustrate that anyone can do what I do,” Rivers said. “Once it's in your blood, it's hard to ignore it.”
Although she never imagined birds and photography would be such integral and centering assets in her life and career, Rivers has found that good things happen to those who spread their wings.
Cacky Rivers will host workshops and gallery hours during her residency at Palmetto Bluff from December 6 - 9. For a complete schedule and ticket information, visit palmettobluff.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: palmetto bluff artist in residence wildlife photographer Cacky Rivers
