In his more than 30 years at McDaniel College, students and faculty have known Math Professor Bob Boner for his classes in Algebra, Calculus, and Geometry.

Boner’s love of teaching is apparent in his office crammed with math books. But if you look closely, you’d find volumes about nature and birds tucked in among the piles in Boner’s bookshelf, on his desk, and even on the floor.

Nature makes Boner light up -- specifically, nature photography. His pictures of birds, beavers, foxes, and prarie dogs are on display in the auditorium at the Bear Branch Nature Center now through January.

Several of the 20 pictures were taken on the trails at the Hashawha Environmental Center that surrounds the nature center.

“I would hope the exhibit gives people an appreciation of nature and how important it is to preserve it,” he said.

Boner’s love of photography stretches back for decades. In 1971 and 1972, he taught a Jan. term class in photography. Boner started taking pictures in nature eight years ago. Since that time, he has traveled across the country snapping close-ups of bison, endangered birds, and owls in flight.

Boner describes the stillness in the moments before taking an animal’s photograph.

“Mostly I’m thinking, ‘Wow!’ When I’m looking though a camera viewfinder, that’s all I’m thinking about. Nothing else exists. There’s something about seeing an animal up close, and for that animal to trust me enough to allow me the privilege of being that close to wild things.”

Boner’s exhibit is free and open to the public. Get hours of operation and directions.