Combined COA/CT Botanical Society Bird/Plant Workshop
Saturday, July 20th, 2019 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Wimisink Preserve, Sherman
Spend a morning with plant enthusiasts and learn about the plants upon which birds depend while we birders show them the birds that visit the plants that they know and love. On this joint event of the CT Botanical Society and the Connecticut Ornithological Association we’ll visit a freshwater wetland where Least Bittern and other marsh birds are known to breed. We may also visit the nearby Giddings Preserve. Meet at the parking lot to the Wimisink Preserve on Route 39, just south of Route 55 (1/2 mile west of Route 7 in Sherman). The workshop is free and open to COA members and non-members alike. Leaders: John Anderson, CBS, C: 860-248-1053; Chris Loscalzo at: closcalz@optonline.net and 203 389-6508.
Bird Photography Basics Workshop
Saturday, August 10th, 2019 from 8:15 am to 10:45 am
CT Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Do you like making images but don’t know what basic equipment you need?
Are you deterred because you think you need a “big” lens to make great images?
Tired of wondering why your images don’t look as great as the “professionals”?
Then join experienced and local wildlife photographers Paul Fusco and Julian Hough for a workshop that should immediately improve the quality of your images. This workshop will consist of a short indoor presentation followed by in-the-field instruction on how to apply some basic principles of photography.
You will learn:
· The basic equipment recommended for achieving the best results
· Basic, but incredibly effective, fieldcraft techniques
· What makes a great composition and how to achieve it
· Information about your subject and environment you need to know before you go into the field.
Skill Level: Basic to intermediate. This workshop is aimed at photographers that have a DSLR body (no bridge cameras or point and shoots) and use a 300mm lens or longer for bird photography. Participants should have a good working knowledge of their cameras and basic understanding of exposure. This workshop aims to build on participants’ basic photography skills to improve their images rather than learn photography.
The workshop is free and open to COA members and non-members alike. It will be limited to 16 participants. Register now to reserve your place.
Leaders: Paul J. Fusco and Julian R. Hough. Contact person: Contact person: Milan Bill at mbull@ctaudubon.org.
Paul and Julian are familiar and respected figures in the CT birding and photography community and have been photographing birds around the world for many years. Their work has been published in a variety of magazines and books in North America and Europe. They have been responsible for the design and photography for CAS’s State of the Birds report since its inception in 2006.
Shorebird Workshop
Sunday, August 11th, 2019 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
CT Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point, Milford
Sharpen your shorebird identification skills at one of the best places to see shorebirds in the state. There will be an indoor presentation followed by outdoor field study. The event is co-sponsored by COA and the Connecticut Audubon Society. Meet at the coastal center parking lot. The workshop is free and open to COA members and non-members alike. Leaders: Patrick Comins, et al. Contact person: Chris Loscalzo at closcalz@optonline.net or 203 389-6508.
Sea Duck Workshop
Saturday, November 30th, 2019 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
Learn how to identify the different waterfowl species that visit our coast in fall and winter, including loons, grebes, scoters, eider, scaup and alcids! We’ll review how to differentiate between similar species. We’ll start with an indoor presentation in the Meigs Point Nature Center Conference Room. After that, we’ll look out into the sound to see what we can find. Meet at the Meigs Point Nature Center. Bring a scope if you have one. Advance registration is not required. The event is free and open to COA members and non-members alike.
Leader and contact person: Chris Loscalzo at closcalz@optonline.net and 203 389-6508.