Moments by Heather Nicole - Volume 7: Spring 2026

Hello!

Thank you for being here. If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed that you haven't noticed me in a while. I have taken a break from the algorithms, and the break has served me well. Frankly, I don't have what it takes to keep up with the social media game, nor do I want to. My goal with my photography has always been to share my experiences and my unique perspective with you. I hope a specifically curated newsletter delivered directly to your inbox is more genuine than tirelessly trying to be seen amongst the vast flooded market and doom scrolling. I haven't deleted my social media accounts and I plan to share photos here and there. However, I want to focus more of my energy on delivering in-depth, intentional content to you.

So, if you are on board with that, let's dive in to Volume 7 of Newsletter Moments!

Spring is in Full Spring!

Spring is in full spring! Here in Northern Nevada we went from a cold and unseasonably dry winter to a series of serious snow storms, directly into summer weather, followed by the return of winter, followed by enjoyable spring weather. But that is typical here in the Sierra! I have been here for several years now but I am not used to it. But I sure do love the photography opportunities that winter offers! Winter sunsets make for spectacular landscape photography since they are particularly vibrant due to the reduced humidity in the air. Ice and frozen fog are wonderful for macro photography. Seen here ⬇️ is macro image of a leaf frozen in the backyard bird bath.
You can even see the frozen air bubbles!

©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Connecting you to the wild through ethical visual storytelling.

Please click here to visit RespectTheWild.org and learn more about this exciting new venture. If you or someone you know would like to join our mission, please click here to contact us directly. (Or email us at RespectTheWild.org@gmail.com) Let's collaborate and respectfully spread awareness about the importance of respecting Mother Nature and all of her inhabitants.

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Monkey Bread
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Quit Monkeying Around and Pay Attention!

Finalist

"Lessons"

I was so excited to receive the news that my image, "Lessons", was a finalist in the prestigious 2026 Siena International Photo Awards.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
☺️☺️☺️

Lessons
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Ice Walker
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Curator's Choice

"Ice Walker"

Accent Gallery - Ivory and Azure Show

Click HERE to view the online exhibit.

Finalist

"Ice and Sky"

Accent Gallery - Ivory and Azure Show

Click HERE to view the online exhibit.

Ice and Sky
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Pretty in Pink
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Finalist

"Pretty in Pink"

Accent Gallery - Pastel Tones Show

Click HERE to view the online exhibit.

Stay Wild - Guidance of the Undomesticated Leader is available for purchase now!

This fantastic guide book, written by Dan Rieves, offers excellent guidance and advice for anyone wanting to break through corporate conformity.
And it features my photography throughout the book!

Click here to order yours!

Conservation Corner

It is spring time. Which means it is time for Spring Cleaning.
Let's be real...no one enjoys spring cleaning. So, let's talk shit!
💩

That's right! We are talking about poop! More specifically, we are talking about the importance of picking up after our beloved pets. Fido is a great companion who provides unconditional love. But with that love comes plenty of piles of poop! And that poop is full of bacteria, contaminants and even parasites that can make their way into our water supply or transmit diseases to our neighborhood furry friends. In addition to the various environmental and health concerns around not picking up after your pet, it’s just a common courtesy! Unfortunately we don't all have access to a gang of trusty dung beetles (like the one pictured here ➡️) to pick up after our defecating doggies. But we do have plenty of environmentally friendly options for cleaning up after our poopy pups.

I have been called an idiot for picking up my dog's poop. Yup! Someone once told me, "You look like an idiot carrying around a bag of poop. It decomposes in a day or two." If you want to call me an idiot for being a responsible pet owner, go ahead. But get your facts straight.

Dung Beetle
©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

Wild herbivores primarily feast on grass, so their poop is made up mostly of grass, as you can see here from this elephant dropping. It looks like a muddy pile of hay. (You didn't think this little bee eater created this big pile of poo, did you?) Moving on...

Our pets typically eat processed food. And most of us live in suburban neighborhoods surrounded by other people who have pooping pets — pooping pets who are susceptible to contacting parasites. If a doggie in your neighborhood has a parasite such as ringworm or roundworm, they are likely to poop while out on a family hike. If that poop is not picked up and you step in it, you can easily pass along the parasite to your pet! Roundworm can pass from pet waste to the soil and can remain active long after the waste has decomposed. So it can be passed to your pet without ever coming in contact with the infested poo pile! Pet waste does NOT decompose in a day or two. It can take weeks to decompose. And during that time, it can contaminate our water sources and spread parasites. Decomposing pet waste releases nutrients that can cause algae blooms and the growth of weeds which can be disruptive to local ecosystems. Additionally, bacteria and viruses found in dog waste can contaminate streams and rivers, causing serious illness to pets, people, and local wildlife.

Sure, I probably look like an idiot picking up my dog's deuces. But I'll gladly look like an idiot to avoid contaminating water and spreading viruses! In fact, in many cities, neglecting to pick up your dog's waste can result in a fine. Who looks like an idiot now?

Featured Feature!

I am excited to introduce you to a very talented artist, Elizabeth Bourne. I first learned of Elizabeth and her work through the FRAMES photography community. She participated in a video series showcasing her photography while living in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. (Please watch it here.) Her images are truly stunning and her words are inspiring. It just so happened, I saw this video while planning a trip to Longyearbyen. Of course, I felt compelled to reach out. Elizabeth and I exchanged a few emails and set up a meeting while I was visiting Longyearbyen in April of 2024. Living around the globe from one another, photography awarded us the opportunity to meet. Please allow me to feature, Elizabeth Bourne, featuring, "Bear and Fox Show."

Elizabeth Bourne

Bio: At a time when most people my age are thinking about retirement and grandchildren, I packed seven suitcases and moved to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the world's northernmost town. The next seven years were spent documenting the beauty of the Arctic, and how climate change is effecting this special place, and by extension, all of us. The high Arctic is stark, beautiful, and unforgiving. It’s a place where you realize humanity is not the measure of all things. As the human world becomes louder and brighter, more than ever we need to remember that we are part of nature, not separate or above it.

©ElizabethBourne

"I was fortunate to spot this female polar bear on Edgeøya, Svalbard. The polar bear was crouched over the carcass of a reindeer she’d caught. She was wonderfully fat, her belly almost dragging on the ground. If she was pregnant, her condition boded well. She’d use the fat to survive the months of fasting ahead. Pregnant females retreat to snow dens along Spitsbergen’s east coast which was just across the strait. Perhaps this was her last meal of the year. While she ate, an Arctic fox crept up. When he got too close, the bear growled, then the fox would spring back in alarm. But each time he snatched a mouthful of reindeer. She never let him settle, but was too busy to run him off properly. On Svalbard, polar bears have learned to supplement hunting seal with hunting Svalbard reindeer, which are a separate type of reindeer unique to this island. For 5,000 years these reindeer have not had a predator, and they are an easy prey. This is good news for polar bears on Svalbard, though less good news for the reindeer." — Elizabeth Bourne

©ElizabethBourne

To learn more about Elizabeth and see more of her beautiful art, please visit her website:
https://www.philotera.com/

Do you or someone you know want to be featured? Let's talk! Contact me here to get in touch.

Photo Fact!

We often take photos of the moon. But did you know?

There Are 12 Hasselblad Cameras Sitting on the Moon.

In spaceflight, every last ounce matters, both for the expense of getting it up there and for the precision math of navigating the craft through space and back to Earth. When astronauts went to the moon, they took lots of Hasselblad cameras with them, which took some of the most iconic photos we know today. When they brought back moon rocks for scientific study, they had to jettison some extra weight, and so, the cameras stayed behind. They brought back the film, of course, however. Surely, if someone somehow brought them back to Earth, they would be some of the most prized cameras on the planet.

What do you think?

Want to learn more? Contact me here to schedule a lesson.

Would you like to travel through the waters of Southeast Alaska with me as your personal photography guide?
There is still time to sign up for this amazing opportunity!

©MomentsbyHeatherNicole

I am partnering with A Whales Song Expeditions to offer a guided photography tour of Seldom Seen Alaska! Our captain and certified naturalist will guide us through the rich, vibrant waters, lush landscapes, and icy fjords of the Alexander Archipelago bringing us close to iconic Alaskan wildlife such as whales, bears, otters, eagles, and so much more; always while keeping a safe and respectful distance. I will offer one-on-one ethical wildlife photography guidance as well as tips & tricks, techniques & critiques to help you bring your photography knowledge to the next level and ensure you make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Unlike other photography trips to Alaska, this expedition is both a workshop and an adventure, covering up to 1,000 nautical miles to chase the best light and wildlife action. You’ll refine your skills in tracking eagles in flight, stabilizing shots on a moving boat, and dialing in the perfect settings for Alaska’s ever-changing conditions. Learn to tell powerful visual stories through ethical wildlife photography, master post-processing techniques, and receive real-time feedback from an expert...me! After a day of capturing nature’s finest moments and sharpening your skills, you’ll unwind in remote lodges – recharging both your energy and your gear – ready to frame the next day’s adventure.

Available Dates:

May 1-9, 2027
June 3-11 2027

If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me directly by clicking here. Or simply send me an email at MomentsbyHeatherNicole@gmail.com. I look forward to speaking with you about this adventure opportunity!

Click HERE to Learn More!

Where to find me and my work...

Greenland!

We will be traveling to Greenland with Motherbear Expeditions, August 21-31, 2026. We hope to document polar bears, musk ox, whales, glaciers, towering icebergs, and so much more! I will be sharing photos and stories from that journey in late 2026. Stay Tuned!

Reno-Tahoe International Art Show (RTIA)

We will have a gallery space in the 2026 RTIA show! Come see us September 17-20, 2026
Tickets are on sale now!

Workshops, Presentations, & Lectures

I really enjoy presenting my photography and telling stories about my experiences and the importance of ethical wildlife photography. Let's talk if you'd like me to speak at your event or club! Please contact me here to book me for a presentation or photography talk.

Did you know I teach photography workshops and one-on-one lessons? Contact me today to learn more!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for spending a little time with my photography.

Find more about me and my work at Moments by Heather Nicole
Find more about my new venture Respect The Wild

Have you missed a newsletter? Find links to all of my previous newsletters HERE!

Let me know your thoughts. What else would you like to see from me? Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It truly means so much to me! 🥰 Please share this newsletter with anyone you think may be interested!

If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, simply send me an email with "unsubscribe" and I will remove you from the list. No questions asked. No hard feelings.

Enjoy your day.

Enjoy the wild—Respectfully.