Visual Art

We Belong to the Earth

the nature photography and work of Jim Backus

Brett Bachman |

THAT’S ONE FOXY REFLECTION. Eau Clairian Jim Backus, a 65-year-old auto salesman-turned nature photographer, has produced eleven books. Above: Classic Backus.
 
THAT’S ONE FOXY REFLECTION. Eau Clairian Jim Backus, a 65-year-old auto salesman-turned nature photographer, has produced eleven books. Above: Classic Backus.

As you first enter Jim Backus’ website, you will find a quote from Chief Seattle that accompanies a slideshow of his photographs. It reads: “The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. All things are connected like the blood, which unites a family. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth …” It is with this thought in mind that the Eau Claire native conducts all his work. 

“I get to see things that some people only dream about seeing.” – Nature photographer Jim Backus

As anyone involved in nature will tell you, it is the people of the First Nation that had it right. In the words of Jim Backus himself: “When we took their land they told us that nobody could own nature. Only we were too stupid to listen.”

The 65-year-old auto salesman-turned nature photographer works out of a studio in his renovated barn, producing images and writing books that highlight mainly nature of the Midwest and Canada. An avid photographer for around four decades, it was only around six years ago that Jim decided to take his work to the next level. “Luckily I was successful in my other ventures and it afforded me the opportunity to start upon yet another amazing journey.”

Already past the legal retirement age, Jim deals with his share of people who scoff at the idea of a new career so late in life. But he takes it all in stride. “I enjoy what I’m doing 80 percent of the time, and I get to see things that some people only dream about seeing.” 


Classic Backus.
 
Adorable raccoons.

And after traveling the world and catching glimpses of things most of us only see on the Discovery Channel, he still chooses to come home to the Chippewa Valley. A lifelong resident of the area, supposedly he’s never considered living anywhere else. And that’s the biggest compliment he can pay the area that gave him his everlasting love for the natural world. 

There is one place in particular, though, that keeps drawing Backus in time and time again. “The Great Bear Rainforest” in British Columbia, which is home to the original oxymoron – the white black bear. A genetic variation causes around one in 10 bears living in this area to have white fur. And although this is certainly not the only piece of rare and endangered wildlife Jim has photographed, it is certainly the one in the most danger. 

Enbridge Inc. has proposed an oil pipeline and supertanker routes that run directly through the region putting the bears and all other wildlife at the mercy of oil spills and pollution. A small amount of his proceeds go toward groups that are dedicated to stopping Enbridge and their affiliates.

Along with his pictures, Jim also collaborates with other artists in the area to produce books, which are usually geared toward children. He figures if we can get our younger generations to appreciate nature at a young age, they might be more inclined to preserve and protect it. His staggering 11 books can be found on Amazon, at The Local Store, and in galleries all over the Midwest, especially in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

In the interview, Backus said one thing that stuck out in my mind: “I plan on working until the day I die.” After seeing the product of somebody who truly loves what they do, something clicked. It isn’t work at all, Jim. But I think you already know that.