MESA PUBLIC LIBRARY News:

Yellowstone Buffalo. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

A public reception for Enchanted Parks: A Photographic Tale of Life in Our National Parks by Leslie Bucklin is set for 5-7 p.m., Tuesday July 3 in the Mesa Public Library Art Gallery. Join Bucklin for a gallery walk of her work.

As the Los Alamos Historic District prepares for the possibility of becoming part of this nation’s first non-contiguous National Park, we have the opportunity to look at not only what makes our current National Parks so extraordinary, but what has always made North Central New Mexico extraordinary.

‘Enchanted Parks’ is a 100+ piece photography show featuring the Los Alamos Historic District, Bandelier National Monument, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve, as well as several of our nation’s most beloved National Parks, including Glacier/Waterton International Peace Park, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Arches, Carlsbad Caverns and more. Bucklin’s photographs range from highly detailed close-ups of native vegetation and wildlife to panoramic vistas, all beautifully captured in lush color.

“My passion for sharing my photos,” says Leslie, “comes from my desire to pass on the emotions, memories, hopes, and dreams that were stirred when I took them.”

Yellowstone River. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

Leslie grew up in Los Alamos, a descendant of one of the area’s original homesteading families.

After a few years in Colorado and California, she returned to Los Alamos to raise her family in the community she loves.

Her passion for fine art and photography was nurtured by her parents as a child, and led her to pursue a degree in photography and digital imaging.

Waterton National Park Bear. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

Bucklin has been a freelance portrait and wedding photographer for 16 years, and is currently the Los Alamos County staff photographer and graphic designer.

Leslie, “… finds joy in photographing where I have been and what I’ve seen, so I can share my experiences with everyone.”

Bucklin invites the Los Alamos community and visitors alike to enjoy these images of America’s national treasures: the National Parks.

The exhibit will have interactive components, too. It will include special “Did You Know?” information with cool, fun facts about the National Parks.

Gallery visitors are invited to find the highlighted clues in the exhibit’s labels.

They can then answer the questions on the “Did You Know?” card and enter a drawing to win one of Bucklin’s photographs.

Visit Bucklin’s “Quaking Aspen Fine Art Photography” website www.quakingaspenfineart.com to see images of favorite moments and experiences Bucklin has chosen from her collection.

Waterton National Park. Photo by Leslie Bucklin

In addition to Bucklin’s “Enchanted Parks” exhibit, which runs July 3 through Aug. 6, there will be two more related events:

• Monday, July 16 at 7 p.m. – Mesa Public Library’s Monday Family Night in which PEEC’s Katie Watson and photographer Leslie Bucklin present a program about the natural wonders of America’s National Parks. Presentation and craft activity suitable for all ages.
• Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m. – Upstairs Meeting Rooms – National Park Night! A Bandelier National Monument Park ranger will present a program about his time as a bush pilot in Denali National Park in Alaska. Hosted by Chris Judson.

About America’s National Parks from www.nps.gov/history

Today, roughly 60 percent of the 397 park areas administered by the National Park Service have been set aside as symbols and evidence of Amercan history and prehistory.

Many of our natural parks contain historic places that represent important aspects of that history.

Collectively, these places present an American history textbook, a textbook that educates about the people, events, buildings, objects, landscapes, and artifacts of the American past and about the aspirations and actions that produced those tangible survivors.

The National Park Service’s history website represents varying aspects of this history.

It emphasizes the educational value of historic places and the importance of the stories that connect people to them.

The Library’s goal is to offer a window into the historical richness of the National Park System and the opportunities it presents for understanding “who we are, where we have been, and how we as a society, might approach the future.”

“This collection of special places also allows us to examine our past—the contested along with the comfortable, the complex along with the simple, the controversial along with the inspirational. We hope…that these pages (National Parks History) will contribute to a national discussion of history and its importance to contemporary society.“

Call 662-8240 for information and details, or visit the Library Administration at Mesa Public Library.

The entire exhibit will be on view July 3 through Aug. 6 during regular library hours:

• Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday noon-5 p.m.