Jill DeSousa of Palmerton, a former intern and volunteer at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, took a lot of photos while spending time there.

On Friday, she unveiled an exhibit of about 42 photos, many shot at the Environmental Center, some shot in Cape May, N.J., and others taken along the historic Appalachian Trail."They're all nature photos, either scenic or animals," DeSousa said.The exhibit opened Friday and continues until early August. Admission to the Environmental Education Center, located along the Lentz Trail in Summit Hill, is free.DeSousa said she interned at the Environmental Center in 2005 and some of the photos were taken then. The majority, though, were taken since last September.Susan Gallagher, environmentalist at the Center, remarked, "We're happy to host her in a sort of homecoming.""We encourage people to come, stop by, and see the pictures," Gallagher said. "Some were taken here on the property. It gives people an idea the kinds of things they can look for in Carbon County."The references are to the various types of animals and sites."We like to see photographers focus on things right outside our door," Gallagher stated.DeSousa is the daughter of Martin and Carol DeSousa. A graduate of Palmerton High School and Penn State University where she obtained a degree in criminal justice, she presently is a student at Northampton County Community College where she is pursuing a degree in fine arts. She works for DeSousa Oil in Palmerton."Most of the photos were shot locally, but a few were taken in Monroe County and Cape May, N.J.," DeSousa said.She said she especially enjoys shooting on the Appalachian Trail and taking photos of flowers.Some of her photography is already on display at the Palmerton Campus of Blue Mountain Health System.She also sold some photos for the Aid to Haiti benefit.Last year, DeSousa won an award at the Palmerton Community Festival Art Show.DeSousa said her photos can be purchased at the Environmental Center.She also does painting, drawing, and quilting. All her paintings and artwork are on nature.Gallagher said of DeSousa, "We're very happy Jill seems to have found her niche in life; something that makes her happy."Visitors can purchase the photos and place orders for larger copies, said DeSousa.Gallagher stressed that visitors to the Center can also see live eagles and hawks, snakes, turtles, stuffed wildlife, and numerous other exhibits.