Like many people, Patrick Sikes loves the beauty of Sherwood Mill Pond.
Like many too, he’s fascinated by Hummock Island: the oyster house that sits in the middle of that vast body of water.
The Mill Pond is one of Westport’s most photographed locations. Sikes’ images are particularly good. They should be: He’s a professional photographer.
Recently, he turned some of his Hummock Island shots into unique greeting cards. He posted them on Instagram, where they caught the eye of Jeff Northrop Jr., an owner of Hummock Island Oysters.
He invited the photographer out. Sikes captured the feel of the oyster house: the equipment, the machines, the oysters themselves.
Oystering equipment … (Photo/Patrick Sikes)
His images — black-and-white and color, framed and printed on metal — now hang on the oyster house wall. (Jeff Northrop Sr. made sure that, as a historic building, no new nails were driven into the wood.)
… and oysters. (Photo/Patrick Sikes)
It’s a unique “gallery.” There’s no electricity, so the photos are seen in natural light.
The other evening, 60 or so oyster-and-art-lovers took the quick boat ride from Compo Cove to Hummock island.
Heading to Hummock Island. (Photo/Patrick Sikes)
They admired the photos. They ate the Northrops’ oysters. And they browsed what is now — thanks to Sikes — a unique gift shop. In addition to greeting cards, he’s created coasters and cutting boards, with his photos and the Hummock Island logo.
Eating oysters outside the Hummock Island house and “gallery.” (Drone photo/Patrick Sikes)
Hummock Island is a special Westport story.
Thanks to Patrick Sikes, it’s now told in striking photos too.
Has Jeff Northrop refunded people yet from when he decided to randomly cancel / no show on folks for no reason?
I’m sure there was a reason(s). Good, bad, or a little bit-o-both. Probably not random, either.