This year, I attended three seminars / workshops on Saturday, January 24 that focused on my current interests in nature blogs, photography, and education.

Sharon Stiteler, host of the popular BirdChick Blog, delivered a high energy, interactive, and informative seminar with lots of tips – how to set up and improve a blog, how to promote it, and links to other popular nature blogs. Although I did not attend any of the field trips this year, Sharon did. Visit the BirdChick blog to read about her experiences at the Festival and view some great photos taken on the field trips.

Bill Thompson III (Bird Watcher’s Digest) presented a workshop to a lively audience attended by as many children as adults. The workshop explored the premise that birding can encourage children to spend more time outdoors, learning to experience and value nature. He charmed the audience by relating how a collaboration with his daughter’s elementary school classes led to the to design and publication of The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, for 8 – 12 year old birders. See link to the Guide in the Shopping: Explore Nature page. Appropriately, the talk was followed by a short walk outdoors.

Joanne Williams inspired her audience to take “in the raw” nature photos, with a back-to-basics talk about “painting with light.” Her valuable suggestions applied to all types of nature photography, including digital, digiscoping, or film SLR. While listening to an informative talk, the audience viewed dual slide show presentations of many spectacular images, taken in natural settings all over the globe. Obviously these methods work! I came away understanding that beautiful results do not have to depend on editing, if done well the first time. My goal is to accompany Joanne on one of her guided photo safaris; some take place right here in Florida!

Although I did not go on a field trip this year, I enjoyed seeing animals brought to the Festival by The Raptor Project (owls, a bald Eagle, and several other birds of prey), as well as the Hands On Wildlife Safari (snakes, tarantulas, a Florida panther, and an opossum.)

Next year, I plan to attend again and hope to include one or two of the many guided field trips that showcase natural Florida ecosystems, our birds and wildlife.

Come join me! Lyn