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January 21, 2009 Art of Pishing

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January 21, 2009 Art of Pishing 2 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly contents welcome 4 on the cover raptor project 4 sponsors & partners 5 Space Coast Belted Kingfisher how to get here 5 Cover photo: Bob Wells, Winner of the 2008 Digiscoping Challenge sponsored area hotels 6 by Eagle Optics and Swarovski Optiks area camping & RV parks 6 Belted Kingfishers are relatively common along coastal Florida, however they digiscoping challenge 7 are difficult to digiscope because they are shy and constantly on the move. art competition 7 While digiscoping at Viera Wetlands during the Festival, I heard the kingfisher’s distinctive “rattle” and spotted her as she landed on top of a palm snag nearby. blogging comes to the festival 7 She gave me just enough time to focus my scope, get the camera in place and make your own bird feeder 7 snap the image. My digiscoping setup consists of a Swarovski 80mm ATS HD angled scope and a Keynote: Jonathan Rosen Pentax K100D DSLR camera with a 40mm/f2.8 lens. An Urban Birder's Journey of Discovery 8 I’ve been digiscoping for two years, and find it to be a perfect way to combine my Keynote: Christopher Wood long held love of photography and my relatively new passion for birding. Your Piece of the Puzzle - - Bob Wells, May 26, 2008 How eBird Uses Your Observations 9 Keynote: Debra Shearwater Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands: Journey of a Lifetime 10 Keynote: Arthur Morris BIRDS AS ART on the Road 11 Keynote: Pete Dunne Twenty-Five Things That Changed Birding 12 field trips 13 audubon center for birds of prey 16 preservation as an art form 16 radio disney 20 schedule of events 22, 27 registration 23-26 map 28 workshops 29 seminars 36 hands-on wildlife safari 37 what to wear 37 www.space-coast.com family activities 39 Volunteers from this community are the life of every activity offered during the photography 43 Festival. These dedicated people bring a diverse energy to the tasks that help to make the Festival a success. In all of the evaluations we receive regarding water adventures 46 the effectiveness of the Festival, the attitude, helpfulness and caring of the people on the front line of contact have always been given the highest marks of The Mission of the BNA is to promote and protect the satisfaction. environment for nature-based activities. The BNA serves as The 2009 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival will rely on all volunteer levels to one of the primary advocates of community-based nature bring competence and dedication for the ultimate success of our efforts to provide activities in Brevard County, dedicated to the enrichment of an event that will encourage participants to return to Florida's Space Coast. our community through an understanding and appreciation of natural resources, nature-based tourism, sensible growth Every effort was made to assure the accuracy of the information within this management and ecosystem needs. publication; however, the Brevard Nature Alliance and Sky Advertising, Inc. cannot For more information or to become a member of the guarantee total correctness due to possible human and/or mechanical error. BNA, contact Neta Harris at 321-268-5224 or visit the website - www.natureandspace.com The Brevard Nature Alliance is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. The value of Page header photo "Coreopsis at Loughman Lake" by DeeAnn Kiesel your donation may be deductible for tax purposes. ***A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within Program designed by Sky Advertising, Inc. the State. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation 599 Sherwood Ave., Suite 200, Satellite Beach, FL 32937 • 321-777-0140 by the State. Registration #: CH19903 - Florida Solicitation of Contribution Act. www.nbbd.com/fly Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program 3 welcometo the 12th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Presented by Nikon and the Brevard Nature Alliance The Brevard Nature Alliance is proud to assemble a prestigious group specialty shops and enjoy a meal at one of our fine restaurants. of nationally and internationally recognized scientists, biologists, The Brevard Nature Alliance photographers, ornithologists and naturalists. Additionally, the Alliance is fortunate to continue relationships with the many sponsors, partners *We thank Pam Shoemaker, Brevard County Recycling Coordinator, and volunteers who support the Festival. Lastly, we could not present who is providing consulting services and educational materials to this premier event without the variety of bird species that come to us Festival planners to assist in turning the event GREEN. via the Atlantic Flyway and the plethora of wildlife and plants that make While many of our activities have become more environmentally their home on Florida’s Space Coast. responsible, we want to take this opportunity to make our progress The Festival focuses on the abundance and diversity of the natural known. We have made a concerted effort over the past four years world around us - from the Atlantic Ocean west through the Indian to implement a workable greening plan and we share the five most River Lagoon estuary system to the St. Johns River and surrounding important actions with you. wetlands. Educational emphasis is placed on the preservation and We appreciate the encouragement of Festival attendees and their management of animals and their habitats, as well as the cultural desire to minimize environmental impacts of each Festival. heritage and historical venues to be found in East Central Florida. For information about making your business or event environmentally The Festival features bird and wildlife watching opportunities, nature friendly, please contact Pam at: [email protected] and technology tours, boat and kayaking trips, field trips, seminars, workshops, photography sessions and keynote presentations. NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The BNA is partnering with the Brevard County Solid Waste Management Contactfestival the Festival information Office by phone: 1-800-460-2664 or 321-268- Department/Recycling Division* to minimize the environmental impact 5224 or by e-mail: [email protected]. Mailing address is P. O. of the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival through: Box 517, Titusville, FL 32781-0517. The office is staffed from 9:00am • Decreasing the amount of solid waste produced by the event by to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. If we are not available, please leave providing recycle receptacles for paper, metal, plastic and glass. a message and we will get back to you! You may also visit the festival • Using paperless technology - providing information via the web web site: www.nbbd.com/fly/ site (www.nbbd.com/fly), offering electronic registrations and Office functions will move to the Brevard Community College (BCC), confirmations and doing a large percent of internet advertising. Titusville Campus (1311 North U.S. 1, Titusville, FL 32796) on • Disposing of solid and liquid waste in a responsible manner. Tuesday, Jan, 20, 2009 to facilitate the set-up of the Exhibit Center. • Encouraging Exhibitors and Food Service vendor to help close the The Festival Registration Desk is located in the Gymnatorium and will recycling loop by being more environmentally responsible. be open during the following hours: • Encouraging the Host Hotel to provide recycling receptacles for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1:00pm-5:00pm for pick up of ID and Welcome Bag only. paper, metal, plastic and glass as well as implementing other Wednesday, Jan, 21, 6:00am-6:00pm environmental services that meet Green Hotel standards. Thursday, Jan. 22, 6:00am-6:00pm Thank you for attending the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. Friday, Jan. 23, 6:00am-6:00pm Enjoy the Socials each day as they are your chance to meet and mingle Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:00am-6:00pm with attendees, presenters, field trip leaders, sponsors, and exhibitors Sunday, Jan. 25, 6:00am-11:00am from around the world, as well as the Festival staff and volunteers. The Sunday Social will be at Fox Lake Park on Sunday, Jan. 25, Be sure to visit Historic Downtown Titusville to stroll through the 1:30pm-5:00pm. Sponsored by Nikon Sport Optics wingspans. Featuring 15 to 20 raptors from Photo by Ray Scory diverse habitats at each show, these fierce The Raptor Project Raptor Project founders Jonathan and predators capture the hearts of both young Susan Wood have assembled a travelling and old. Following each show, Jonathan will collection of dynamic feathered predators do an outdoor flying demonstration. that is unrivaled in scope and size anywhere www.raptorproject.com in the world. A master falconer and wildlife www.nikonsportoptics.com rehabilitator, Jonathan brings unique Show Times: insights, observations and humor to his Thu., Jan.22: 12:00pm, 2:00pm riveting, nationally-acclaimed shows. Many Fri., Jan. 23: 9:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm of the birds in the Raptor Project have Sat., Jan. 24: 10:00am, 2:00pm, 3:30pm permanent handicaps, but have now been tamed and trained to educate the public as charming ambassadors of their species and the environments they inhabit. Jonathan works with birds in a wide range of sizes, from small falcons and owls weighing 3 to 4 ounces to majestic eagles with 6 to 8 foot 4 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Program www.nbbd.com/fly how Food service (including vegetarian and heart exhibitors, as they will have unique and quality to get here healthy items) will be available from Hot items. Artists, craft persons, businesses The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Stuff Catering at the snack bar located in and organizations specializing in nature and Festival is based at Brevard Community the Gymnatorium. Tables are available there wildlife, birding, photography, optics and College (BCC) - Titusville Campus, 1311 and outside in the Pavilion area.
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