art along the trails

An outdoor exhibit featuring a selection of nature-inspired photographs of Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hermit Thrush near a rue-anemone in the forest

Experience the beauty of nature through the lens of local artists at Art Along the Trails, an outdoor gallery on display at Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary in Easton, PA from March 18 through May 30.

This inspiring exhibit features a curated selection of nature-inspired photographs from the Through the Wild Lens photo contest that reflect the sanctuary’s rich landscapes, wildlife, and seasonal moods.

Visitors can enjoy installations set among Mariton’s scenic trails, offering a unique way to explore and connect with the preserve’s natural wonders. Whether you’re an art lover, hiker, or nature enthusiast, this outdoor exhibition invites you to see the sanctuary through fresh, artistic perspectives.

photos featured in Art Along the Trails

Click on “view gallery” below to see the photos featured in Art Along the Trails, the names of the photographers, and their inspiration notes.

Photo by David Brandes – To me there is nothing more emblematic of the sights and sounds of Mariton’s forested hillsides than its woodland thrushes (Wood, Hermit, and Veery). And the emergence of ephemeral wildflowers is a highlight of the changing seasons. So, I chose to submit this springtime image showing a Hermit Thrush with its head cocked toward some rue-anenome on the Main Trail. I was lying down on the trail when I made this image.
- Note from the photographer: To me there is nothing more emblematic of the sights and sounds of Mariton’s forested hillsides than its woodland thrushes (Wood, Hermit, and Veery). And the emergence of ephemeral wildflowers is a highlight of the changing seasons. So, I chose to submit this springtime image showing a Hermit Thrush with its head cocked toward some rue-anenome on the Main Trail. I was lying down on the trail when I made this image.

Photo by Sherry Ferguson – On the cusp of summer in 2019, I visited Mariton with my fellow hikers from Wildlands Conservancy’s Get Out for Wellness program. The leader asked for a show of hands as to who wanted to see Chimney Rock, so most of us ended up venturing a bit further along the trail to see this incredible rock formation. Lucky for us, because it was and most certainly is among the highlights of this beautiful wildlife sanctuary!

Photo by Lori Gaul – The trails, the trees, are always leading me upwards at Mariton. Reaching, growing, bending, towards the sky. Then, refreshed, I turn around and head back down, towards home, my roots.

Photo by Tyler Gross – In Lenape tradition, the ancestral land is referred to as “Turtle Island.” Today, serves as a reminder that the land is not owned, but rather to be protected and shared.

Photo by Lori Jo Jamieson – Being at Mariton’s Moth Night after hours was pure magic. I felt like I was allowed to peek behind the curtain to see a whole different pallet of colors.

Photo by Megan Mallon – This photograph captures two nearly invisible slime molds—Arcyria denudata and Stemonitis splendens, commonly called cotton candy and chocolate tube slime mold. These single-celled organisms are not molds at all but decomposers that return nutrients to the forest ecosystem. Less than 10 mm tall, they reflect the hidden cycles of growth, decay, and renewal that shape Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary.

Photo by Ed Norman – The Ovenbird is an often heard but seldom seen inhabitant of mature forests like Mariton. Photographed along the Main Trail in the spring of 2013 during a Mariton sponsored bird walk.

Photo by Scott Singer – My photo is of a Monarch on bee balm near the Visitor Center. This represents the essence of Mariton to me, because the preserve is my favorite spot to photograph butterflies. The amazing abundance of native flowering plants and the number of butterflies that visit them makes Mariton a wonderful place.

Photo by Hilary Schnabel – Even the smallest caterpillar is amazing and beautiful. Everything is special in nature and the ecosystem they all have a part to contribute in the circle of life. This is a macro picture taken with Panasonic Lumix g7.

Photo by Nathan L. Walls – After the uphill Turnpike Trail from the parking lot, this hickory tree sits in a mix of tall grasses and trees: oaks, tuliptrees, dogwoods, and a crabapple. This space gives a welcoming and wandering sense of peace, solitude, and the ever-present magic of a walk in the woods.

more photos inspired by Mariton

Click “view gallery” below to view more photos that were submitted to the Through the Wild Lens photo contest.

Photo by Paul Cheshire – I love hiking at Mariton for the beauty and the solitude. My photo was taken one day in early December along the Turnpike Trail, just as the sun was setting.

Photo by Lyndsey Hansen – A tiny, winged friend takes a leap of faith as she launches herself toward the light. With hope and ambition, she is a perfect metaphor for the valiant conservation efforts of Mariton.

Photo by Carly Cooper – Wildlife in action, taken from a trail at Mariton.

Photo by Pat Frederick – The river through the trees.

Photo by Siobhan Royack – Trillium is my favorite Mariton flower. I know there are a few different kinds in Mariton, and I’ve photographed several of them over the years.

Photo by Clara Salati – This is a photo of a memorial bench on the Chimney Rock Trail. It is a special spot, on a special trail, in a special preserve. It is a place to sit and become a part of Mariton.

more about Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary

Mariton is perched on the steep slopes of Bougher Hill overlooking the scenic Delaware River. A highlight of the preserve’s trail system is the River Lookout Trail, with a seasonal overlook of both the Delaware Canal and the Delaware River 300 feet below.

Mariton was assembled over many years by Mary and Tony Guerrero, who wanted to protect the land and the wildlife living there from development. They also wanted the property to serve as an environmental education center for local schools, colleges, and the greater community. In 1969, they established Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary and Wilderness Trust; the name Mariton was a combination of their first names.

In 1992, the Trust entered into a long-term agreement for Natural Lands to manage the property. Today, Mariton still serves as an educational resource, honoring the Guerrero family’s legacy.

A sunset seen through the trees in the woods with orange colored leaves

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