Bill Munro and Judy Were Here . . .
Bill Munro, a photographer with a keen eye, has a simple-and-sensible philosophy about taking pictures: 'To get great pictures you have to 'be there, camera at-the-ready.'"
We wrote that quote in a TI Life profile 15 years ago, in "Bill Munro’s camera “is there… “", Volume 5, Issue 10, October 2010. And There was more
Bill, and his wife Judy, are well-known “birders.” They summer on Murray Isle and winter in West Palm Beach, Florida, his family’s home town. They volunteer for several organizations and share their love of the River with friends and family.
When we met in September, Bill, with photos in hand, explained he was given his first camera when he was ten. And even though he has used cameras throughout his career and in his personal life, he insists that he is just plain lucky.
He explained that a bird perched on a branch, a smiling child, and a toad beside a mushroom, are all performers.
Bill also explained he still takes a traditional approach to composition and design, but suggested the new digital cameras do allow photographers to experiment. He is also amazed at the range of equipment on the market but counsels that a good camera, which needn't be the most expensive, is not the only requirement. “The most important ingredient is time”.
He also explained that he enjoys photographing wildlife for the experience of being outdoors. However, he was amused when he recently received an enthusiastic response from a stock-photo agency. They suggested they would accept his work until they asked, “What kind of photographs will you send?” He replied, “wildlife”. They politely declined - “We have more than enough, thank you!”
This was followed by a series of photographs and Bill's helpful advice about taking good photographs.
Sadly we lost this gentleman, artist and friend in December 2024. Bill, whose full name was William Danforth Munro, was a favourite photographer, Murray Isle resident and River volunteer. Judy, his wife, died in 2023; she was a birder and often captured some remarkable sightings.
Erin McCarthy Greene, a good friend of the Munros, an equally favourite TI photographer, joins me in paying tribute to this man and his wife, Judy who died in the summer of 2023.
Photographs by Thousand Islands photographer, Bill Munro. Susie would write, "Hey Bill or Judy, do you have a photo of __(fill in the blank) __ and bingo it would appear.
Photographs shared with TI Life, by Judy Munro
Erin's Tribute:
Oh, how uplifting it is to read the TI Life article about Bill Munro's wonderful photography again . . . I say "again" because I obviously enjoyed it when it was first published in 2010, as I commented at the time: "Fabulous, masterful shots, Bill. I especially like the dragonflies and blue damselflies. You must be the world's most patient and observant man. You have captured elements of the River that elude most of us."
L: Save the River photograph published in a 2018 TI Life article, 28th Year of Common Tern Habitat Improvement by Lindsay Proulx; R: Photo courtesy of Save the River's tribute "Remembering Judy Munro" in August 2023 .
Bill and Judy Munro inspired and whole-heartedly encouraged my wildlife photography when I started out in 2018, and they offered continuing support whenever I was able to chat with them at events such as the Thousand Islands Arts Center's "Along the River's Edge" exhibit opening receptions.
Good people, both of them, so talented in the way they captured birds and other wildlife along the river, so kind and generous in sharing their thoughts with other artists. It is sad to think they have both left us, but their photos remain, and that is one colorful legacy.
Photographs that have appeared in TI Life by Bill Munro
Want to see more? Check out these resources. Also ask your friends as many of them will have purchased greeting cards, photographs and more memories of Bill Munro and his wife Judy.
Kill the Bug Zappers Not the Birds by Paul Hetzler, September 2020
Hard Times: by Sherry Leigh Smith, August 2020:
River Birds; 40 Years of Change, Part 1: Good News & Part II: Mixed News. By Sherry Leigh Smith with photographs by Bill and Judy Munro.
Remembering Bill and Judy Munro brings back happy memories and beautiful wildlife photographs. Both had many friends and family members who will miss them, as we do, and will, always.
By Erin McCarthy Greene and Susan W. Smith
Erin Greene recently retired as an editor for the "Thousand Islands Sun" newspaper in Alexandria Bay, where her photos frequently appear. She explores and captures the 1000 Islands, northern New York and any other places she travels. She is a member of several photography groups and continues to take lessons in photography. She will be teaching a documentary photography course at the Thousand Islands Arts Center in the summer of 2025.
She is an affiliate photographer with The Tilly Project, https://thetillyproject.org/, which offers end-of-life portrait sessions for family pets, including large animals and exotics. Owners of senior pets (10 years old or more) or pets who have received a life-limiting diagnosis can email her at emccarthygreene@gmail.com for information about her geographic range in the Thousand Islands region. She does not charge for Tilly Project sessions.
TI Life profiled Erin in Meet Erin McCarthy Greene, TI Life Profile April 2024. You may see her work on Instagram or her , and a webpage,
Contact Susan W. Smith, Editor, info@thousandislandslife.com