Programs
Fifty Years on the Hudson
Photographer Joseph Squillante
Talks about and shows his Hudson River photos of 50 years
Thursday, September 25
7 PM Refreshments 7:30 Program
Craig Thompson calming a recently banded Bald Eagle. Photo by Joseph Squillante
For the past fifty years, Joseph Squillante’s favorite place to take photograph has been the Hudson River. Squillante became a professional photographer after graduating from college. On a visit to a friend’s new house in Tivoli, NY, overlooking the Hudson, Squillante had an “a ha” moment. He realized, as his river photos emerged in the darkroom, that he had discovered a subject that would fascinate him for his entire life.
Squillante picked up a camera with serious intent when he was asked to photograph a friend’s wedding. He had been working at a bank; the pleasure of capturing the happiness of the couple made him realize his true calling.
Squillante’s Hudson River photographs are about more than the beauty and majesty of the Hudson. He’s worked with the sloop Clearwater, with eagle banders, with other groups working to preserve and clean up the river.
Squillante’s photographs have been widely exhibited. His current show, closing October 19, is at the Hudson River Museum. Squillante teaches photography at ArtsWestchester, has widely exhibited, and is in several major collections. He is a life member of the American Society of Media Photographers.
james eyring master falconer
James Eyring with his Peregrine Falcon. Photo by James McGee
Saturday, October 4 at 1 PM
Lenoir Nature Center, 19 Dudley St., Yonkers
Learn how James trains his hawks to hunt. Falconry is a sport which dates back thousands of years. James will introduce his team of raptors and he’ll tell you about their behaviors as well as about raptors in general. Weather permitting, he will fly his best-behaved hawk in the field behind the Lenoir Mansion. It’s quite a demonstration of skill, both of the hawk’s and James’. Good for all ages and fun for photographers.
Travels in the Gobi Desert
Mary McBride on her journey through the Gobi Desert
Wednesday, October 22: 7 PM refreshments / 7:30 PM presentation
Camels on the Explorers’ Club Andrews Centennial Journey 2025. Photo by Mary McBride
Mary McBride, our newsletter editor, went on the Explorer Club’s Roy Chapman Andrews Legacy Expedition of 2025. It retraced a journey in Central Asia which Andrews led one hundred years ago. He was president of the Explorers’ Club in the 1930’s, director of the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, and was said to have been the inspiration for Indiana Jones. Andrews' original expeditions made in the 1920’s resulted in numerous discoveries in paleontology such as the first dinosaur egg known to science; the fossils of the largest-known extinct land mammal; and a new dinosaur species.
The expedition Mary went on, in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, had a team of explorers, scientists, researchers and club members. Transportation for all participants and their equipment was provided by 38 camels (some shown above).
Mary McBride is a graphic designer living and working in Tarrytown, NY. She is, in addition, a hiker, explorer, and avid trail rider. Mary will show photographs and speak about some of the expedition's discoveries.