2008 OUTINGS
BIRDWATCHING
WORKSHOP
(and Pot-Luck Lunch)
Sharpen your skills and get a jump on the spring migration with this
multi-media workshop for beginning and advancing birders. During his
informative lecture, Bryan will discuss the skills you'll need to become
a better birderwatcher -- everything from optics to obstinate birds.
This year's lecture will feature educational images and video for tricky
groups: shorebirds, gulls, flycatchers and fall warblers. Let Bryan's
bird photography and socializing over our a pot-luck brunch be your
certain cure for cabin fever. This will be a detailed yet entertaining
presentation.
Pot-Luck Lecture: Saturday, April 12
Time: 10AM - 2PM
Location: Montpelier
Fee: $55
DIGITAL
CAMERA WORKSHOPS
Most of us have point-and-shoot digital cameras but few know how to
use them well. Bryan's
first digital workshop in February was such a success that he's offering
two more. So whether you're interested in pictures of birds, flowers
or grandkids, these two workshops will solve your digital dilemmas. (Attend
both for $65.)
Workshop 1: Using Your Camera (and Pot-Luck
Brunch)
Learn the advantages and
power of all those menus and settings on your digital point-and-shoot
camera. We'll bring sense to them so that you'll discover a
vivid world of photography beyond the limits of your camera's
"auto" mode. Or if you'd like to learn more about
auto mode, we'll cover that too.
Date: Saturday,
April 19
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Montpelier
Price: $35
Workshop 2: Processing Your Images (and
Pot-Luck Supper)
For many digital photographers, the fun
(or misery) begins after you've taken
a photo. In this workshop, you will learn to use your computer
to make your images glow. We'll cover the basics of cropping, sizing,
sharpening and presenting your images. And we'll discover some of the
magic you can work in free image processing software and in PhotoShop.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 2pm - 6pm
Location: Montpelier
Price: $35
SOUTHEASTERN
ARIZONA
Here are but a few reasons to visit one of our continent's premier
spring birding destinations: Black Hawk, Montezuma Quail, Greater Roadrunner,
Elf Owl, Elegant Trogon, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Vermillion
Flycatcher, Magnificent Hummingbird, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Mexican
Chickadee, Lucy's Warbler, Rufous-winged Sparrow (to name only a few).
Note that this trip is limited to 10 birders. Here are trip
details.
Date: May 10-19
Location: Southeastern Arizona from Tucson
Fee: $1360 for single occupancy and $1295 for double occupancy (plus
air fare and car rental)
WARBLER
WEEKEND AT HIGHLAND LODGE
Northern Vermont not only offers some of the best forests for northern
warblers and other songbirds, it is home to the Highland
Lodge, a charming country inn overlooking the crystalline waters
of Caspian Lake. We'll convence at the Lodge Friday evening for a short
walk and supper. We'll rise early Saturday and Sunday mornings for
muffins, coffee, juice and fruit, and then head out to discover lots
of birds. We'll conclude each morning of birding with brunch and discussion
back at the lodge; and we'll enjoy a hearty supper on Saturday night
as well. Other highlights this weekend include a wildflower walk and
an evening slideshow and lecture. This trip is all about nature and
nurture. It is one of our most popular outings.
How well do we see birds on this trip? Check
out the Vermont Bird Tours Gallery for
a couple of Scott Bassage's photos (scroll down), taken through his point-and-shoot
digital camera.
Date: Friday-Sunday, May 23-25 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Location: Greensboro
Fee: $350 per person for single occupancy and $330 per
person for double occupancy. The fee includes all meals and two nights
lodging, including tax and tip. (Alcoholic beverages are not included
in the price.) Terms
and Conditions.
FALL
MIGRATION AT MONHEGAN ISLAND, MAINE
Off the coast of Maine, Monhegan Island is one of the nation's most
stunning places. This tiny, island (with no cars) is a premier spot
for fall migration. During this four-day outing, we'll see everything
from falcons to warblers, from migrating monarchs to lounging harbor
seals, not to mention a rugged coast with ocean cliffs. Highlights
from our prior trips to Monhegan ranged from Clay-colored Sparrow to
Dickcissel, from Northern Fulmar to Yellow-headed Blackbird. Check
out the Vermont Bird Tours Gallery for
a few snap-shots from last year's trip.
Date: September 27-30
Location: Off Maine's Midcoast
Fee: To be announced
MAINE
SEABIRD MIGRATION
Early November is primetime for east coast rarities along the coast
of Maine. Our exploits south of Portland over the past several years
have turned such oddballs as Pacific Loon, Western Grebe, American
Avocet, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Kingbird, Black-throated
Gray Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow, just to name a few. And that
list doesn't include the usual suspects, including Harlequin Duck,
Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Purple Sandpiper and Lapland Longspur.
This has become one of Bryan's favorite outings. Expect to be busy
with birds.
Dates: November 1-2 or November 8-9
Location: Scarborough, Maine and environs
Fee: $225 (includes one night's lodging, birder's breakfast
and snacks)
