News

Announcements

Learn More About Birds -- with The Great Peninsula Conservancy

December 22, 2005

Of special interest to birders and photographers, the Great Peninsula Conservancy’s activity program will focus on birds twice in the month of January. On Friday, January 20, another in the Conservancy’s presentaion series will feature the the photographs of Jim Kenney, who has the distinction of having photographed every new world heron. Then on Saturday, January 28, experienced birder, Jeff Feagin, will lead a Conservancy outing to some of the best birding locales in our Puget Sound region.

Indoor Viewing
Many of us in the Northwest are familiar with the Great Blue Heron, and Kenney’s slide presentation on January 20 will include spectacular images of the Great Blue, both in flight and at rest. But that is just the beginning. There’s the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, the LIttle Blue, and Boat-Billed Heron. The list goes on, and Kenney has captured them all on film.
Kenney, a retired radiologist, began photographing wildlife with the insects and Great Blue’s in the front yard of his Gig Harbor home. His pursuit of images has taken him throughout the Western Hemisphere, using his massive telephoto lens in most countries in South America, including the Galapagos Islands, and as far south as Tierra del Fuego. He has captured in stunning detail the exotic wildlife he encounters along the way.

Outdoor Viewing
On January 28, the Conservancy will sponsor a birding excursion to Skagit Valley, to be led by experienced birder, Jeff Feagin. Fir Island and Padilla Bay are home to numerous waterfowl and provide exceptional views during winter. Participants can expect to spot specialty birds including Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese, Peregrine Falcons, and Great Blue Herons. Thousands of Snow Geese gather in farm fields and sometimes the entire flock can be seen rising at once in response to an alarm. This outing will require a very early start and will be a long day.

For details, and to sign up for either or both events, please call the Great Peninsula Conservancy at 360-373-3500 or 866-373-3504.

Great Blue Heron, Venice, Forida

Courtesy of Jim Kenney