Molly Perlmutter had a simple goal when she set up additional bird feeders around campus: bring birds into a consistent, observable space where she could study their behavior, photograph them up close, and help foster a more bird-friendly environment at Landmark College. The results have exceeded anything she imagined.
In 2025, her feeders attracted a dickcissel (Spiza americana)—a grassland songbird rarely seen in this part of Vermont—which lingered on campus for 70 days. Word spread quickly among birders via the eBird app, and more than 30 visitors made the trip to Putney to catch a glimpse, some traveling from as far as Burlington.
Perlmutter, who graduated in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, made that work central to her education. Her capstone project focused on making Landmark College a more bird-friendly campus—a natural extension of the field observation and biology coursework that shaped her time at the College since she enrolled in 2021.
She has been photographing birds for more than three years, drawn to subjects she felt were often overlooked. "Once I started paying attention, I realized how much behavior, color, and personality they have," she said. "It turned into a way for me to connect my interest in biology with something creative."
For Perlmutter, the craft is as much about mindset as it is about images. "What I enjoy most about photography is the combination of patience and discovery," she said. "There's something really rewarding about capturing a moment that most people wouldn't notice—a bird in motion, or a subtle behavior. It feels like I'm documenting pieces of the natural world, and I love sharing them with others."
That passion extends well beyond campus. Among her favorite images is a photograph of a critically endangered Yellow-naped Amazon parrot, taken while on a Landmark College study abroad trip amid the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest, just as the morning was coming alive with birdsong. "It wasn't just about getting a good shot—it felt like I was documenting something really important," she said. The photo, she added, reflects both her growth as a wildlife photographer and her commitment to conservation.
Asked where she would go if she could photograph anywhere in the world, Perlmutter points to South Africa, drawn by its remarkable diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles, and the chance to capture species like the African Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) in open savanna landscapes far different from the New England terrain she knows best.
A selection of Perlmutter's wildlife photography is currently on display in the Nicole Goodner MacFarlane Science, Technology and Innovation Center. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and see the campus—and its winged residents—through her lens.
Perlmutter also shares her photography via Instagram and other social media platforms.