In the winter months Michigan is visited by many beautiful and exotic birds from the Far North. On this tour we are going to focus on finding the most charismatic of these fascinating visitors...the owls of the Boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Our main objectives will be to find and observe the Snowy Owl, the Great Gray Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. We will also be looking for other winter migrants such as Rough-Legged Hawks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Shrikes and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.  This will be a four hour tour mainly by automobile so cold weather and individual mobility should not limit participation. 

In the winter months Michigan is visited by many beautiful and exotic birds from the Far North such as Snowy and Great Gray Owls, Rough-Legged Hawks, Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Shrikes and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks. Jamie Platt, will discuss the "How, Where and When" of winter birding so you will be able to find and identify these fascinating Arctic visitors on your own. Bring a pen and paper, you will want to take lots notes! ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Jamie Platt is an alumni of Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Zoology. He has taught or lectured at Washtenaw Community College, Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College and the Ann Arbor Adult Education program. He is also the founder of Hell's Birders, a birding organization based in Ann Arbor.

In the winter months Michigan is visited by many beautiful and exotic birds from the Far North. On this tour we are going to focus on finding the most charismatic of these fascinating visitors...the owls of the Boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Our main objectives will be to find and observe the Snowy Owl, the Great Gray Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. We will also be looking for other winter migrants such as Rough-Legged Hawks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Shrikes and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.  This will be a four hour tour mainly by bus so cold weather and individual mobility should not limit participation. 

Join us for a captivating presentation by Wildlife Recovery Association that will bring the wonders of owls to life. Gaze into the piercing eyes of a stunning barred owl and see first hand the specialized adaptations of owls such as camouflage and mimicry. Explore their languages, hunting techniques, and unique niche in the ecosystem. Engage in laughter, expand your knowledge, and ignite a fervent passion for these magnificent birds. This presentation is perfect for all ages. Pre-registration is required to attend. This presentation is made possible with support from the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, The Americana Foundation, Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Wildlife Recovery Association remains steadfast in their mission to cultivate understanding, appreciation, and preservation of wild raptors and their intrinsic connection with nature. ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Joe Rogers received  his degree in biology from Central Michigan University, and spent  many years of work in the field studying raptors.  Nest studies of bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, American Kestrels, barred owls, and Eastern Screech Owls were a part of his early studies. Through Michigan’s Nongame Wildlife Fund, and in conjunction with the Ottawa National Forest, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and The Nature Conservancy, Joe spent over thirty years working on reintroduction and monitoring of peregrine falcons at Michigan’s Wild Sites. Joe has received numerous  awards for his educational presentations in which the focus is live birds of prey, and the goal is to capture the interest  of the audience so that they might become involved in becoming stewards of our environment and protectors of the natural world. Barb Rogers has worked as an assistant on field studies: research and monitoring of many birds of prey, alongside her husband, Joe. She worked in the early 1980s on bald eagle nest studies, and on peregrine falcon reintroduction and monitoring (at Michigan’s Wild Sites) for the past 28 years. She also cares for many orphaned and injured raptors that come in to the organization each year. She assists with the training and presentation of Wildlife Recovery Association ambassador birds for audiences throughout Michigan. A graduate of Western Michigan University with a teaching degree; her background as a science teacher of 28 years helps the group incorporate the state curriculum requirements that must now be met by many schools. Barb also enjoys her horses and doing illustrations and paintings of the birds.

Joe and Barb Rogers of Wildlife Recovery Association , along with their live "ambassador birds" will deliver an informative and enjoyable presentation about the world of wild raptors including owls, hawks and falcons. Discover the critical habitat requirements for birds of prey and gain a better understanding and appreciation for these magnificent creatures. Learn more about their work at the Wildlife Recovery Center and what we can do to help preserve and protect owls in our own backyard. This presentation is made possible by financial support from the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, The Americana Foundation, Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and National Endowment for the Arts. ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Joe Rogers received  his degree in biology from Central Michigan University, and spent  many years of work in the field studying raptors.  Nest studies of bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, American Kestrels, barred owls, and Eastern Screech Owls were a part of his early studies. Through Michigan’s Nongame Wildlife Fund, and in conjunction with the Ottawa National Forest, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and The Nature Conservancy, Joe spent over thirty years working on reintroduction and monitoring of peregrine falcons at Michigan’s Wild Sites. Joe has received numerous  awards for his educational presentations in which the focus is live birds of prey, and the goal is to capture the interest  of the audience so that they might become involved in becoming stewards of our environment and protectors of the natural world. Barb Rogers has worked as an assistant on field studies: research and monitoring of many birds of prey, alongside her husband, Joe. She worked in the early 1980s on bald eagle nest studies, and on peregrine falcon reintroduction and monitoring (at Michigan’s Wild Sites) for the past 28 years. She also cares for many orphaned and injured raptors that come in to the organization each year. She assists with the training and presentation of Wildlife Recovery Association ambassador birds for audiences throughout Michigan. A graduate of Western Michigan University with a teaching degree; her background as a science teacher of 28 years helps the group incorporate the state curriculum requirements that must now be met by many schools. Barb also enjoys her horses and doing illustrations and paintings of the birds.

In the winter months Michigan is visited by many beautiful and exotic birds from the Far North. On this tour we are going to focus on finding the most charismatic of these fascinating visitors...the owls of the Boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Our main objectives will be to find and observe the Snowy Owl, the Great Gray Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. We will also be looking for other winter migrants such as Rough-Legged Hawks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Shrikes and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.  This tour will start at 3:00 PM and go until dusk. For this tour will be bussing to various locations so cold weather and individual mobility should not limit participation. 

Winter in Eastern Upper Peninsual provides unique and exhilarating photographic adventures with the chance to observe birds that are seldom seen in the rest of the country. During this workshop, professional visual artist and photographer Joe Kwasniewski, will unlock the secrets of winter bird photography so you can capture stunning images of our feathered friends, especially owls, in their natural habitat. You will learn valuable techniques and tips tailored specifically for capturing the beauty of birds and how to overcome the challenges of photographing them in the most extreme of our seasons. We will delve into practical tips for success, discussing exposure, composition, camera settings and bird behavior, as well as preparing for the elements to capture stunning images of some of our state’s most iconic species, including the Snowy Owl. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your photography skills and create breathtaking images that will be cherished for a lifetime. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Joe Kwasniewski is a lifelong student of the natural world and works professionally as an art director, graphic designer and visual artist with a passion for bird photography. He has over 15 years experience in photography and photo retouching, with an extensive background in post-processing methods and has spent over a decade fine-tuning field techniques for capturing the essence and beauty of wild birds. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and has lead field trips around the Midwest in search of elusive bird species. He is a resident of West Bloomfield, MI, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, and enjoys gardening with native plants and watercolor painting.

Looking to get closer to nature? Want to help our feathered friends find a cozy home? Then this workshop is perfect for you! Come and learn how to build your very own nesting box for the beautiful Barred Owl. During this hands-on workshop, Cheryl Gordon will guide you through the process of constructing a sturdy and safe nesting box for these magnificent creatures. You'll gain valuable knowledge about the nesting habits and requirements of Barred Owls, ensuring your box is the perfect fit. You will be using the Audubon approved Rob Bierregaard design, a one family home with plenty of room for the youngsters and easy access for adults. Whether you're a bird enthusiast, nature lover, or simply enjoy DIY projects, this workshop is suitable for all skill levels. We will be using precut cedar boards, screws, and drills to create the nesting boxes and hanging instructions will be provided. If you have a screw gun you may want to bring it along as supply will be limited. Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on the local owl population while having a great time! Pre-registration is required and we only have a limited number of spots available. Register today!

In the winter months Michigan is visited by many beautiful and exotic birds from the Far North. On this tour we are going to focus on finding the most charismatic of these fascinating visitors...the owls of the Boreal forest and Arctic tundra. Our main objectives will be to find and observe the Snowy Owl, the Great Gray Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. We will also be looking for other winter migrants such as Rough-Legged Hawks, Common and Hoary Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, Northern Shrikes and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.  This will be a four hour tour mainly by automobile so cold weather and individual mobility should not limit participation.  For this tour we will be carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles traveling to each spot and improve our chances of sightings.

Grab your friends and join us for a fun afternoon of painting in the quilt pattern style. Using acrylics we will paint this beautiful snowy owl scene on a wood base. All the necessary materials and guidance is provided. Our friendly instructor, Cheryl Gordon, will be there to assist you throughout the process, ensuring you have a great time while creating a beautiful piece of art for your home. $40 per person. Space is limited for this class. Register online or call 906-484-1333 to register today!