Observation of bird species and investigation into their migratory patterns from local sanctuaries prompted this series. As an extension of the body of work, Critical Condition, these prints can be directly associated to the Great Backyard Bird Count, a Citizen Science program supported through the National Science Foundation encouraging citizens to participate in data collection for ongoing scientific research. The GBBC encourages volunteers to participate by plotting their location and submitting to a national database for species identification, change to migration patterns and disruption to populations.

Bird migration is accomplished in long nonstop flights between key stopover points. Migration suggests movement and at the same time offers reference of location and place. My interest lies in the tension between the two themes as descriptions of species offer parallel relationships to man. It is hard to ignore the interconnected topics pervasive in the current social and political climate.

Cedar Waxwings are extremely social and rarely seen alone. They migrate in flocks and share food in passing as they flutter between themselves. The Common Finch, native to the Southwest, is a recent arrival in the East. It is known New York pet shop owners who had been selling the finches illegally, released their birds in 1940 to escape prosecution. The finches survived, and began to colonize. 50 years later they advanced halfway across the continent, becoming one of the mostly widely populated species. The Sanderling is mostly identified as a coastal bird, is an inland regular of the Great Lakes region. Turning a rust color when breeding, they are considered in serious decline as they rely heavily on a few staging areas in migration, and are vulnerable to destruction of those sites. The Cardinal, a permanent resident throughout this range, is stable in number and is steadily expanding its territory as a non-migratory species.

The source images in this work were generated from my encounters within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park region. Using photographs and contour maps the CVNP offered direct access to record place looking both up (aerial perspective) and down (contour line). 2016 will mark the centennial anniversary year of the National Park Service. The centennial will kick off a second century of stewardship of America's national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs.