NEW! LESVOS: EUROPEAN SPRING MIGRATION MAGIC
The Greek Island of Lesvos is renowned for its ancient history, incomparable natural beauty and tradition of hospitality. Celebrated as the Princess of the Northwest Aegean Sea, this stunning island has become known by birders as one of the best locations in Europe to witness spring migration. In late April and early May, a continual stream of migrating birds pass over the island as they move from their wintering grounds in Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe. Keen birders return year after year to experience the migration magic of Lesvos and search out the island’s special birds, including Krüper’s Nuthatch, Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Rüppell’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Scopoli’s Shearwater, Isabelline Wheatear, Masked and Red-backed Shrike and more. This program will reveal the avian delights of Lesvos with vivid photographs of its birds against the backdrop of charming fishing villages, sea coasts, salt pans, sparkling rivers and lakes, and the slopes of Mount Olympus.
Photos: Sardinian Warbler, Lesvos, April 2016 by Steve Bird. Poppy Fields in Lesvos, April 2016 by Gina Nichol.
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CHASING
WILD CATS
Wild
cats are some of
the
world’s
most endangered
species
and their elusive
habits and secretive
lives capture our
imagination. This
program takes a
look at the wild
felines of the
world and what it
takes to see them
in their
native habitats.
Adventures in search
of the American
Puma, the Eurasian
Lynx, Jaguar, the
mythical
Snow Leopard, and
others are vividly
illustrated with
striking
photographs as
the
lives of some of
the
most endangered
and
mysterious creatures
in the world are
revealed.
Eurasian
Lynx. Photo by Steve
Bird.
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COLOMBIA'S
AVIAN TREASURES
The
avian riches of Colombia
are legendary. With
at least 1870 species,
Colombia boasts more
species than any country
in the world! The country
holds at least 73 endemics
and 21 species new to
science discovered since
the first major field
guide was published
in 1986. From a birding
perspective, the opportunities
here are unsurpassed.
Until now however, Colombia
has been off limits
to birders. Security
concerns have kept Colombia
closed for decades.
In recent years, efforts
by the Colombian government
and military to address
safety problems have
significantly improved
the situation and Colombia
is now open for birding!
Gina Nichol spent the
better part of two months
birding Colombia in
2009 and has been working
with the Colombian government
and ornithological community
to develop tours to
this bird-rich country.
This program will reveal
the avian riches of
this once taboo birding
destination and depict
what it is like to bird
Colombia with vivid
photographs of many
of the colorful species
in this wonderful country.
Photo: Munchique
Wood Wren by Steve
Bird.
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HOW
TO GET BETTER VIEWS
OF BIRDS!
One
of the most satisfying
aspects of bird watching
is getting a good close
view of a wild bird,
one that allows you
to study plumage features,
observe behavior or
simply enjoy the aesthetic
experience. Try as we
may, getting close to
birds is not so easy.
Binoculars and spotting
scopes help and most
birders know not to
wear white in the field
but what are some other
ways to improve your
chances of getting a
prolonged, satisfying
view of a bird? This
program will focus on "Fieldcraft",
the field practices
and specialist skills
for observing birds
at close range. Techniques
intended to advance
birding proficiency
and get those killer
views will be revealed
with the goal of raising
gratification and lowering
frustration that can
accompany our favorite
pursuit.
Photo: Birders
in Colombia by Gina
Nichol.
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HUMMINGBIRDS:
Magic in the Air
With
330 species known
in the world, hummingbirds
are the second largest
family of birds after
flycatchers. These
tiny aeronautic marvels
have the ability
to hover, fly backward,
and migrate long
distances. The physiological
capacity of hummingbirds
to raise and lower
their heart rate
and body temperature
to survive cold nights
is unmatched in the
animal world. This
program illustrates
the amazing adaptations
of these glittering
gems and describes
their fascinating
life histories. Vivid
photographs of hummingbirds
in the United States,
Costa Rica, and Ecuador
tell the story of
how these birds survive
in habitats that
range from tropical
forests to the forests
of the Andes Mountains.
Photo:
Great Sapphirewing
, Ecuador by Steve
Bird
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SAFARI BRAZIL
The
seasonal
wetlands
of the
Pantanal
region
of west
central
Brazil
offer some
of South
America’s finest wildlife viewing opportunities. In an open, safari-type setting along the famous Transpantaneira Highway, spectacular concentrations of egrets, herons, storks, and ibis can be seen in vast, open wetlands. Five foot tall Greater Rheas (South America’s equivalent to the Ostrich) roam the open pasturelands. The air is filled with the raucous calls of Hyacinth, Red-and-Green, Red-bellied, Golden-collared Macaws and tropical animals including Yellow Anaconda, Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey, Crab-eating Fox, Giant Anteater, Capybara, and Jaguar live in the surrounding habitats. This program describes the stunning habitats and remarkable wildlife of the Pantanal region. Striking photographs illustrate the area’s extensive marsh and river habitats, huge waterfalls, cerrado, and gallery rainforest and vividly document its intriguing, exotic, wild residents.
Photos: Toco Toucan (right) & Giant Otter (left) by Gina Nichol.
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UNDER
SOUTH AFRICAN SKIES
The
southern tip of
Africa is one of
the greatest biodiversity
hotspots in the
world and attracts
birders, botanists
and mammal enthusiasts
from around the
globe. Harboring
a multitude of
endemic birds, the
classic African
mammals,
and a rich and
unique botanical
heritage, the multi-ethnic
nation of South
Africa stands out
as a wonderful
destination for
nature enthusiasts.
The Cape Peninsula,
often called the "Jewel
of South Africa",
offers spectacular,
wild, rugged
scenery that is
home to penguins,
ostriches, several
types of antelope,
and the unique "fynbos" vegetation.
Further into
the interior
of the country,
the world renowned
Kruger National
Park is one of
the largest game
reserves in Africa
and is home to
lions, leopards,
elephants, and
giraffes and
more than 500
species of birds.
This program
chronicles a
journey from
the Cape Peninsula
up to Kruger
National
Park with vivid
photos of birds,
animals and
stunning landscapes
and describes
what it is like
to travel in
this varied and
sometimes distinctly
un-African country.
Photo:
Southern Double-collared
Sunbird by Gina
Nichol.
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