If you are not acquainted with Callan and his father, Stuart Halewood,
you likely still know their work, especially if you receive our monthly e-publication, The Lowdown. Their images have also been featured in our newsletter. One of the most memorable is of a mountain lion just inches away from the camera lens on the cover of the Spring 2022 issue. Callan also recently packed the barn at Arroyo Hondo Preserve for a show of his work.
An interview with Stuart and Callan highlights the pleasure that this father and son find in the natural world—a contagious joy they generously share through their stories of discoveries, challenges, and, of course, the images they capture.
Callan explains, “The start of it all” was his family’s years of visits to Arroyo Hondo to enjoy the nature, peace, and tranquility the preserve provided. “Then, in the fall of 2018 – I think I had just turned seven –I received a trail camera for my birthday. I also had a school science fair coming up, so I thought I might be able to do something for the fair with my new camera. We called the people at Arroyo Hondo and asked if I could set up a trail camera for my project, and they said, “Yes!” We set up the camera and waited. Even though we did not get very much on film with that first try, I was hooked.”
Callan’s project at the science fair was a hit, but he did not want things to end there. Luckily, his family felt the same, as their efforts grew exponentially. “Oh, we made so many mistakes. There was a lot of trial and error,” chuckles Callan when describing how he and his dad learned to set up the camera, how one camera became several cameras, and how they learned to “anticipate where the animals might go, why, and how often. Finally, we tried setting up the camera near the wall of the Steelhead Pond, and we knew we were onto something.”
Then came the setbacks. “We had a huge rainstorm and lost a camera flash in a mudslide,” he explains. By this time, Callan and Stuart had built their own more sophisticated camera that they affectionately call “our Homebrew Camera.” Then Mother Nature decided to stir up more trouble. The Alisal Fire broke out on October 11th, 2021, traveling quickly over the Santa Ynez Mountains and burning much of the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, two trap cameras included. With help from the Land Trust, Callan and Stuart were able to replace the lost cameras and continue their work. The duo called their post-Alisal Fire phase “The Return from the Burn” and carefully noted which species came back after the fire, in what order, and in what numbers.
Stuart adds, “The storms and the fire created a great learning experience for Callan about how things survive and bounce back.” Callan’s interest piqued. He applied for and received a grant from the Northern California Herpetological Society to document the Western Pond Turtle’s recovery after the fire. He then asked for Arroyo Hondo visitors’ help by creating a form observers could fill out and a map to indicate where their observations occurred. Soon, Callan found himself making a formal presentation to the California Herpetological Society.
Callan is now a young teen and has started homeschooling, with the continuing support of his educator parents, to delve even deeper into his love of science. Callan enjoys giving people less familiar with spending time outdoors guidance to build their confidence as observers. As Stuart puts it, “Callan is great about helping people get more information before they feel afraid and he understands the importance of giving animals space and respect.”
This combination of knowledge and understanding was on full display during his recent presentation at Arroyo Hondo. Many young teens might find a presentation in front of a room of adults intimidating. “The greatest compliment someone gaveme after Callan’s show was that “I kept my nose out,” Stuart explained. Stuart may be the silent member of this partnership, but his support, his love of science, and his commitment to helping his son pursue his passion come through loud and clear.
