Steve Arseneault
Hashtag LocalAll it took was one shot and Steve Arseneault was hooked. He instantly expanded from being an avid photographer to being a 'birder'. "Photography is something I have been doing for a long time, but I am new to the birding thing. I would take photos while on vacation or when my son was playing sports or at my daughter's events." When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he was looking to fill a void. "My wife and I were doing a lot of walking, so I decided to take my camera with me. I noticed a green bird and I figured I would try to get a shot of it. It turned out to be a kinglet and if anybody shoots birds, you know they don't sit still. It was a heck of a challenge to get the shot, but once I finally did, I was hooked." 
Great Blue Heron (Sanria-Lambton)
During the pandemic, Steve has taken to posting his pictures on the Facebook page You Gotta Love Sarnia, as well as the Lambton Photography site, and people have responded favorably. "I never used to share my photos, but once I started birding, I got a lot of comments from people who are no longer able to get out on the trail. They are getting older or can't get outside and that really pushed me to keep going for folks like that."
Steve has taken the time to educate himself about birds and says there are a few tips he'd offer beginners. "Patience is the big thing. Also, lots of practice." Steve recommends beginners start by shooting common birds like blue jays and cardinals. "Eventually, you will start noticing other species. If you are walking on a trail, just stop for a while and look and listen. Birding is the most challenging photography I have taken part in, but it's worth it."
In one year Steve has shot more than 200 species of birds with his most prized shot being a blue-headed vireo. He continues to learn every day he goes out, encouraged by those who appreciate the images. "The more you shoot, the better you get and the more you learn." 
Blue-headed Vireo (Sarnia-Lambton)
Related Stories
Miracle Max's Minions
The next time you see a sunflower, think about little Max Rombouts. Max, you see, is the inspiration behind a fabulous fundraising effort in Lambton County with the money raised going to help families affected by childhood cancer. Max was born in May of 2017 and he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute L
Women's Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton
Established in 1977, the Women's Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton (WIH) provides emergency shelter, support and counselling to abused women and their children. WIH was one of the first women's shelters in Ontario. It was started by a group of people from the community who saw a need, explai
Sweet Lemons
When it comes to bargain hunting, sisters Brooke Giresi and Jerica McLarkey will go the extra mile to find a great deal. "Brooke and I have been huge thrifters our whole lives," Jerica says. "We have gone on a trip — we call it our thrift tour — for each of the past five years." It
Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce
When the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce first opened in 1905, it was formalizing the informal network of business owners that had already been working together to bolster trade and economic growth in the city. The Sarnia Board of Trade, as it was called, originally included thirty-three local bu
Related Stories
One Tooth: Active Wear
As a customer, Dan Little liked the clothing store One Tooth so much that when he heard it was being put up for sale, he bought it. "I took it over in August of 2021," Dan says. "My wife and I were customers of the store and we really liked it. We knew the previous owners so when we found out
The Shoebox
The Shoebox is Sarnia's only independent family shoe store. Valerie Young, who purchased the business in 2007, explains that, "People have come in and said the store is the hidden gem of the city." Bob Isard opened the store in 19...
Celebration of Lights
The lights turned on in Centennial Park for the 33rd time on November 25, 2017. The Celebration of Lights started in 1984 with a few decorative houses, explains board member, John Charest. Harvey McMichael was the inspiration for the festival. He always decorated his home. The Lighting Comp
Lambton College - Photography Program
Photographer Richard Beland was living in Toronto when he received a call that led him to change area codes. I've been a photographer for 31 years, and one day a good friend of mine called me and said that Lambton College was considering the idea of creating a photography program. Over the year