Remembering Tamy Leventhal

May 22, 2023 in May 2023

Followers of my work will notice that I have not written a new blog since September, 2020. At the time of my last post, any creative energy I had was committed to a major inquiry task. My wife and partner was experiencing a change in her personality and behavior, an oddity that I thought was due to strong anti-epileptic medications. Three and a half years later, Tamy Leventhal died of a neurodegenerative disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. On Thursday May 18, 2023 I and more than hundred others celebrated Tamy’s life at the Oakdale Nature Center in Minnesota. What follows is the eulogy I gave to honor my wife and partner in love and adventure. Please enjoy the words and the images she made during her short but very well-lived life.

Jokulsarlon, Iceland - *Image by Tamy Leventhal*

I would like to begin by reading you all a love letter that I wrote Tamy as I learned about how very ill she was becoming. In writing this letter I wanted to reflect on the spark that united us rather than the health issues that dominated the present. Tamy’s illness began with a seizure and subsequent epilepsy diagnosis in 2018, a disease-related broken ankle in 2019, physical decline throughout the pandemic, a diagnosis of PSP in 2022, and a profound cognitive decline throughout the last and current year. As we fought to maintain a normal life rich with fun, respect, and dignity, I decided to write her the following note this past June:

I lived my youth as a lonely boy who moved about on the whim of young parents. Angry and sullen, I doubted that I would ever be happy. Then I met you...

We were college students studying rats in the desert, telling stories by the fire, and exhausted from long days in the field. I climbed a mountain to ask you out, and you said “With YOU?” and then said yes through that beautiful smile.

I lost your address, called our TA, and picked you up in ripped jeans. We ate scallops on the beach, and I tried to seduce you with stories of adventure. Your smile and kind heart changed me forever. No longer angry and sullen, I fell in love and have grown to be a happy man.

This letter is for you Tamy. I will always love you and cherish the time we have had together.

Your Soul Mate... Bruce

The Wild British Columbia Coast - *Image by Tamy Leventhal*

Tamy Rhoads Leventhal was a remarkable person, woman, advocate, nurse, environmentalist, photographer, spouse, and lover. Tamy never met a dog she didn’t want a pet or a person who she didn’t want to hug. My wife was a kind hearted, gregarious, and chatty friend to many. She took great pride in her work at the University Hospital… or whatever it has been called throughout these last 27 years.

When I met Tamy she wanted to move to Minnesota and become a veterinarian. In many ways, I was an unwanted inconvenience in her plan. As students of biology at the University California Irvine, I weaseled my way into her life and her future.

While Tamy never dreamt of following in her mother’s footsteps, Tamy became and loved being a cardiac nurse… just like her mother. After every 12 hour shift, my wife would share the drama of the day, the doctors she helped, and the hugs she doled out. While it was clear that her job was filled with its stresses and successes, she always reminded me that this was the work she was meant to do.

I was very lucky to find Tamy and will never love someone or feel so loved ever again. I know that those who knew Tamy also knew me through her stories of our adventures, travels, and photography. Similarly, anyone who knows me, also knew Tamy, as I was as effusive about her as she was me.

Tamy was definitely my number one fan and supporter. As an educator she was my plus one at critical events like homecoming, award ceremonies, and the prom.

Speaking of prom, I was the co-director of that shin-dig for some 15 to 20 years, and Tamy would happily be my prom date whenever she was off. I never went to my high school prom as a kid, but when she joined me at these events, I always felt that I had the best date in town. Now, I am sharing this prom story as a vehicle to let you all know that Tamy loved to dance. Not dance as in ballroom or swing, but dance like we were kids in the 80’s. Whenever a song like “Tempted Love” or “Hungry Like the Wolf” was played, she’d whisper to me… “These kids don’t know what they’re doing,”... She’d then drag me on the floor and we’d show them… when the music stopped, we’d exit without a word and leave the crowd of teens in shock. While we rarely danced in public, Tamy and I would dance at home, while camping, and even in the woods… this was one of the many little secrets we shared.

While neither Tamy nor I ever wanted children, Tamy had a lot of love to give. She loved her nieces, nephews, sisters, and my siblings the only way she knew how. Tamy love included hugs, smiles, special days, and hand-made stuffed animals, blankets, and dream catchers. In whatever spare time she had, Tamy loved to sew, knit, crochet, and craft with natural elements. She was a compulsive rock collector, stick collector, and feather collector. We’d be hiking in Africa, Iceland, Costa Rica, or the North Shore…, and her pockets would be bulging with stones. The real treasures in these collections were always the heart-shaped rocks that she proudly had to share, and was always followed with a big kiss and a smile.

As a childless couple, she put her love energy into me and our pets. Tamy loved being a cat, dog, and parrot mom. She displayed pictures of our four legged and feathered wards around the house and throughout facebook. Her love for our animals was so deep that I use to joke that I was ranked last in the house… a statement that she rarely denied. At first, it was the cats Blue and Ashley, followed by the parrot Rio. Later it was our dogs Sequoia and Luca, the parrot Rio, followed by me in the 4th position… because of this, I always felt fortunate that we decided not to invite other animals into our home.

Sea Otter in Kelp Bed - *Image by Tamy Leventhal*

While Tamy grew up Catholic, she was not a religious person. Tamy turned to nature to find comfort and meaning. She saw herself as part of the “circle of life;” where death and dying was just an inevitable conclusion to life and living. Tamy embraced the understanding that her body began as stardust, and that the physical person she was would eventually become the plants and animals of tomorrow. This belief that we are of nature and from nature gave her great comfort and it is for this reason that we are celebrating her life here and in this natural place today. If you find yourself wanting to think about and remember Tamy, take a walk in the woods, sit on a rock, and gaze at the stars… this is where Tamy is, it is where I look for her, and it is where she will always be.

The Three Little Bears - *Image by Tamy Leventhal*

I would like to close by reading a poem by Kwame Alexander that I heard yesterday morning during my commute to work…. It seemed to resonate with me and I how I feel in this moment in time

It is titled… Without You

Without you I am lost as in isolated, unfinished broken off, shipwrecked on the shore of solitude- Ankle deep in possibility.

I have read the dictionary twice and still there are no words to fill my blank spaces. To punctuate the way I feel when your smile dances across the stucco walls of my memory.

Perhaps, I will open a thesaurus now and find a little piece of hope or something similar.

Tamy Leventhal… you are the one of the great ones, you are the love of my life, and you will be missed by so many.

Hallow Rock, North Shore Minnesota - *Image by Tamy Leventhal*

All Images and Text Copyright Bruce Leventhal and Tamy Leventhal | BTLeventhal.com

Covid-19 Photo Diary Part 3 : Awakenings

September 06, 2020

Life during the pandemic has some mind-numbing characteristics. Sure, many of us are frequenting markets, going to work, and searching for ways to maintain a sense of normalcy, but there continues to be something guarded about the way we are all living this life. Personally, I have yet to dine in a restaurant, visited a mall, or felt comfortable around strangers. I continue to seek uncrowded paths when walking my dog or visiting our town. Fear of the unknown, a schizophrenic virus without a cure, is that “other thing” that seems to linger in the recesses of my subconscious. Awakened by a dream this morning in which I frantically asked maskless strangers to leave my home, I suddenly I realized how deep the pandemic has rooted into my psyche.

While the events that began in early 2020 have influenced just about every decision I now make, this new reality has not dampened my enthusiasm and love of photography. In fact, it has served as my motivation to wake up early, hit the road, and hike familiar trails. Mornings are the rare times when quiet dominates, parks are empty, and nature rules. It is during these silent moments that I own the sunrise, I find a bit of inner peace, and I experience the awakening that I crave.

Reflecting on 2018

December 23, 2018 in Featured

Today is December 22, 2018*… the day following the Winter Solstice. For many reasons, phenological events associated with the ebb and flow of time hold great meaning for me. The long nights and short days inspire introspection and reflection of the year that was and the one that will soon be. This year was a year defined by political, economic, and environmental chaos that continues to be unsettling. In many ways, the chaos in Washington has sapped a bit of joy from the little things in life. Disrespect for culture, for friends, and for the environment now trumps (pun intended) the common courtesy that once was considered acceptable… if not appropriate. This shortest of days coincides with a governmental shutdown designed to acquiesce to the will of a minority voting block rather than the larger populace of our nation.

I am not sure I know what any of this has to do with photography and the twenty images displayed here, however I think that I can tie it all together. My year in photos was one that included three publications, two workshops, travels to Iceland, Canada, and transcontinental drives across the United States. I visited many new destinations, made images under extreme environmental duress, photographed a few new species, and sadly, became obsessed with the gear I used rather than the images being made. Much like a government which seems to have lost its way, I continued to push the shutter release without giving much thought to the work I was producing. My productivity without focus seems to parallel the workings of a government without a conscious… something a little less than what it could have been.

Postscript - The Images posted are what I consider to be my 20 best from 2018. What follows is a key to what is presented in chronological order. 1. Swan Rousing, Vadnais Heights, MN : 2. Bison Huddle, Yellowstone NP, MT : 3. Tree Bones, Yellowstone NP, MT : 4. Swan Landing, Hudson, WI : 5. Resting on Ice, Hudson, WI : 6. Flocked Tree, Stillwater, MN : 7. Crane Fight, Grantsburg, WI : 8. White Pelican, Stillwater, MN : 9. Chicken Fight, Bluestem Prairie, MN : 10. River Mist, Afton, MN : 11. Tree Bones, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, SD : 12. The Sentient Bear, Kootenay NP , BC Canada : 13. Lake Louise and Misty Clouds, Banff NP, Canada : 14. Rialot Sunset, Olympic NP, WA : 15. Lake Superior Sunrise, Grand Marais, MN : 16. Cow Elk, Elk County, PA : 17. Kirkjufell, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland : 18: Geothermal Pipes, Reykjanesta Peninsula, Iceland : 19, Water and Rocks, Reykjanesta Peninsula : 20. Buck and Goldenrod, Fort Snelling, MN

*Note: While Posted on December 23rd, I began writing the blog on the evening of December 22nd.

Compare and Contrast

June 21, 2018 in June 2018, Other

Today is June 21st and it is the summer solstice. Acknowledgement of the solstice is often relegated to a blip in the news which often leads to weather predictions and good holiday reads. Weather obsession is a Midwest past time, so I won’t bother adding my thoughts about this to the pile of past, present, and future prognostications. In the place of weather talk and discussions about summer books, let’s consider this solstice as an opportunity to consider a clear contrast.

Quite literally, the solstice is an astronomical contrast. During the summer solstice, the noon sun reaches its highest point in the Northern hemisphere and coincides with the longest period of daylight. Conversely, on December 21st, those living north of the equator will experience the fewest daylight hours. These astronomical contrasts translate into things we see everyday. IN the summer, we live in a green world where song birds serenade us from dawn to dusk, ducklings are eye candy, and mosquitos expand exponentially. While the heat and humidity increases, so does the sense of emotional well-being and desire to seize the day. In direct contrast, the winter solstice is a frigid and icy world. Barren leafless trees are the skeletal reminders of the summer that was, and the wildlife that once seemed plentiful, look to be in survival mode. The emotional highs of summer are replaced by winter afflictions such as light deprivation, depression, and flu.

So it is with recognition of the difference between these two discrete events that I wish to take a parallel analysis of the state of affairs in this post Obama / Trump era. As I began processing the day’s blog I thought I might discuss human rights, education, international disputes, or trade, as there are strong contrasts in policy between the two. However, given that this is a nature photography website where ecological stability is a keystone for my photographic goals, I have chosen to contrast Trump era environmental policies to those prevalent during Obama’s eight years in office. What follows is an abridged list of changes that I find to be significant between the priorities of the Republican Party compared to their Democratic predecessors.

Since the inauguration of Donald J. Trump in January 2017, the White House has cut the Nasa climate monitoring program (1), the status of threatened species is under review (2), car emission standards have been weakened (3), F.E.M.A. has eliminated the impacts of climate change from its strategic plan (4), the administration is looking to cut Department of Energy funding for renewable energy (5), the EPA has reduced regulations on toxic air pollutants (6), most members of the National Parks Advisory Board have resigned in protest to administration policies (7), the climate change website has been censored (8), climate change has been dropped from the list of national security threats (9), the status and size of some western national monuments have been reduced (10), protection of sage grouse is threatened by oil exploration (11), NOAA cancels Obama rules that would protect whales and sea turtles from fishing nets (12), the US pulls out of the Paris Climate Agreement (13), and the EPA dismisses science advisors (14).

Much like the sharp differences between the abiotic and biotic characteristics that define the summer and winter solstice, the environmental priorities of the current Republican president exist in direct opposition to those articulated by Barack Obama. On this day, it seems fitting to reflect on the political decisions we have made as a country. Blinded by the bling of celebrity and false promise, our society has chosen to abandon logic, reason, and science. Sadly, I fear that every day the current administration is in power, we will follow the pattern of exploitation that defined the past rather than support a culture of conservation which might ensure the self preservation we all seek.

Icy Cascade
Nikon D810 + Nikon 16-35mm f/4

Winter's Last Gasp... a February Gallery

March 01, 2017 in February 2016, Block

Ice Art
Nikon D500 + Nikon AFS 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII

Icy Cascade in Black and White
Nikon D810 + Nikon 16-35mm f/4

White-faced Capuchin *(Cebus capucinus)* - Dominical, Costa Rica

Wildlife Landscape #4 - Memories

December 23, 2016 in December 2016

A shared adventure is a relived adventure. Like the fallen tree that isn't heard, the thrill of travel becomes lost in the noise of a busy life. Fortunately, pictures can add permanence to the ephemeral. They are visual representations of memories that might have otherwise drifted aimlessly out of consciousness. Some photos serve as simple reminders of fun times with family and friends, while others represent something much more. Herein lies the power of the animal landscape. These photographs tell a story of a place and time, they stimulate intense emotions about an experience, or teach us something about an ecosystem or a "day in the life." Art or natural history, animal landscapes can evoke emotions that transport the viewer somewhere new or somewhere deep in the recesses of the mind.

Great Black-backed Gull *(Larus marinus)* - Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Nikon D7100 + Nikon 200-500mm VR

Wildlife Landscape #3 - Simplicity

December 10, 2016 in December 2016

While in Iceland, Tamy and I photographed an equal mix of wildlife and landscapes. While each was intriguing on its own, the two would occasionally collide. Much like the blend of chocolate and peanut butter in a Reese’s Cup™, when serendipity happens, two good things can make something great.

Common Eider (*Somateria mollissima)* - Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Nikon D500 + Nikon 200-400mm VR

Buck & Willow - November 5th, 2016 Minnesota
Nikon D810 + Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AFS-II - Shutter 1/30, Aperture f/3.2, ISO 800

Wildlife Landscape #1 - Buck and Willow

November 06, 2016 in November 2016

November 5th, 2016 was the “deer opener” in Minnesota; I’m no hunter, heck, I’m a vegetarian and have been for longer than I can recall. To celebrate the lives of the living, I chose not to wear blaze orange, climb a tree stand or drive back country road,; instead I headed to protected land in search of some regal and aging bucks.

Much like those readying themselves for “the hunt," Tamy and I woke long before sunrise, packed the car and made our way to a favorite spot to see and photograph deer. Far from captive, these herds roam between national and state park lands, and thus have a highly coveted status… protected wildlife. Able to wander for miles along thick river corridors, the herds brave non-human predators, starvation and the occasional drive-by collision. Without the human selected pressure to “bag” the biggest buck with the most points, these deer can grow large and survive up to eight years.

On this atypical November morning, temperatures fell to a balmy 37℉ (3℃) and plateaued at a whopping 75℉ (24℃). following a brief hike, we stumbled upon a pair of bucks staking out breeding territories just as the mist was beginning to rise. Rather than move in for a tight profile, I chose to include the foreground and background elements to suggest something about the time and place. In this wildlife landscape, the buck has curled his upper lip in what is known as a “flehmen response” to female pheromones. The contraction of lip muscles exposes the vomeronasal organs (VMO) near the roof of the mouth to the volatilized chemicals in urine and feces deposited by interested does.

With heavy hunting pressures close to our location, this male and others like him need only worry about the paparazzi during his pursuit of some love. While I’m not one to bash those who enjoy the hunt, I often wonder why the kill is a necessary prerequisite to enjoying a quiet morning in the woods.

Ice in the Lagoon - **Jökulsárlón, Iceland**

Jökulsárlón Lagoon - Icelandic Portfolio One

July 27, 2016 in July 2016

I spent three blocks of time over three days photographing the Jökulsárlón Lagoon. The photos pictured here were all made during a magical moment that lasted nearly five hours. Transfixed by the changing, sky, light and water, I could have spent days photographing these ice sculptures carved by wind and water.

Eye of the Needle - Selectively Decolored

In the Mind’s Eye

July 04, 2016 in July 2016

While hiking towards a seabird rookery on Heimaey, the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago, I caught a glimpse of three islands through the “eye of a needle.” The rock formation had been eroded into an arch, and the distant islands stretched to the right of the window. We were exhausted by the steep climb and uneven terrain, so Tamy was more than willing to yield for a photo break. I paced back and fourth to find an angle where the islands would be framed by the arch. Sadly, the light was impossibly hazy and the distance between the foreground rocks and background islands was so great that the photo you see here could not be made from a single shot. To capture what I saw and imagined, the final picture would require some work in post. Aware of this key point from the start, I took a moment to pre-plan the shoot. I set the white balance in the camera to “cloudy” and focused carefully on the foreground rock formation. By setting the lens to 200mm and f11, I knew I would capture good detail in both the plants and arch. After making the first image, I checked the camera’s histogram to ensure that none of the highlights or shadows were clipped. The production of a balanced, yet boring photo, maximized the data for post-processing. Before packing up the camera, I took a second photograph at the same focal length, aperture, shutter speed and white balance, but varied my point of focus. Rather than capturing the details of the arch this time, I focused on the islands in the distance. These two original photographs are pictured below as unprocessed raw images.

Sharp Foreground

Sharp Islands

I nearly deleted the images after uploading them to the computer. However, seeing the pics transported me back to island’s peak and the plan I had imagined during that hike. Rather than trashing the photos, I began to play. I adjusted the clarity, vibrance and sharpness in Lightroom and used the “dehaze” slider to draw out the blues from the water. Experimentation and play is an essential part of the artistic process, yet I rarely allow myself the time and opportunity to “go off road” with my photographs. Once I found the color balance and details hidden in the raw file, I copied the algorithm for picture number one and applied it to picture number two. The product of this “play” can be seen in the following two processed photos.

Sharp Foreground

Sharp Islands

Now that the near and distantly focused images were exposed and processed to my satisfaction, I applied a photoshop stacking routine to combine the two pictures into one. While I do not stack images often, I have relied on this technique when I want to make a photograph with a near-infinite depth of focus. The method I use is derived from James Lewis’s technique as described here. Once the two photographs were stacked into one, I applied a crop, noise reduction and a bit of unsharp mask. The final image, below, is one part imagination and one part reality. It is an interpretation of a fleeting moment seen by tired eyes during an endless hike. Were it not for a moment of forethought where I made the time to imagine a final photograph, this moment would have been nothing more than a memory.

Powered by Squarespace