Dorothy Drobney may spend her working hours as a reading specialist at Birch Grove Primary School, but after school hours she's being recognized for her second passion, photography, as the featured artist of the month at The Lily Pad Gallery in Willimantic.

"My main passion is macro photography," Drobney said as she welcomed guests to her reception at The Lily Pad last week.

"Sometimes it's almost like I forget to breathe," Drobney said, describing her extreme concentration as she takes shots of domestic scenes such as her own garden or of strutting puffins in Maine. 

"It's not only aesthetically wonderful, it's technically skilled," said The Lily Pad owner Peter Polomski who contacted Drobney about becoming the month's featured artist.

Drobney's macro focus was apparent through her many photographs of flowers, plants and bugs, although the exhibit also features landscapes. Photographs of the New Mexico desert adorn the walls and provide contrast to the coastal-centered shots of her favorite spots in Maine and Canada.

And while her portraits were not featured at The Lily Pad, Drobney is expanding her portfolio with portraits of people and even some animals. She works out of her studio space on Route 32 in Willington, which she hopes to use more often in coming years.

"It's fun, and I'm hoping when I retire that the studio will be in full swing," Drobney said. 

Her work can be seen at The Lily Pad through Jan. 27, as well as on her web site. Her work on the Market Roots photography project with the Coventry Farmers Market, in conjunction with other local photographers, can be seen on the Market Roots site.