The nature photos of Door County’s legendary naturalist Roy Lukes will be presented at the Unitarian Universalist Gallery Aug. 5-31. An opening reception will be held Sunday, August 5 from noon to 2 pm. The exhibit of nature and the natural world is beautifully presented, showing years of various interests in the diversity of Door County.
Roy is a professional photographer of natural subjects. His wife, Charlotte, is an expert in fungi. Her county list stands at 570 species identified. Roy will show some of the fungi that she has identified in the exhibit.
They both are experts in ornithology and have been leaders in bird counts since 1959. Charlotte has also coordinated the seasonal bird watch and has published, A Guide to Birds of Door County. Both Roy and Charlotte are Door County coordinators for the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin.
Roy has taught nature photography for the Clearing in winter classes. Both he and Charlotte teach summer classes on nature subjects at Bjorklunden. The have taught classes as part of their own NatureWise series.
Roy is a prolific writer. He began writing nature stories in 1968. To date, he has written and published 2447 Door County Nature stories and still has more to tell. Roy and Charlotte believe strongly in people “getting to know and understand nature around them, to be stewards of the land”.
For many of us, Roy and Charlotte were the beginnings of the management of the land named the Ridges Sanctuary. In his writings, Roy also has shown the diversity of Toft Point.
The Lukes’ s do nearly all of their own photo printing. Roy’s photos are for sale at Decorator’s Gallery in Egg Harbor.