From Helle Raheem at the Bedford Audubon Society:

“Programs Sponsored by Bedford Audubon Society
January 2009

Nature Hike at Bedford Audubon Society’s Hunt Parker Sanctuary, With Tait Johansson
Wednesday, January 7, 10:00 a.m.–noon

Meet at Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Road, Katonah

After the holidays, a nature walk is a solace for body and soul. This leisurely stroll through the meadow and woods of the sanctuary will focus on trees in winter. Even without leaves, trees and bushes are easily identifiable at this time of year, especially when Bedford Audubon’s knowledgeable naturalist Tait Johansson is at hand. Bring binoculars (you may still see winter birds), and dress warmly! Come back to Bylane for hot cider and cookies! (Degree of difficulty: Easy-Moderate). Please register with Joan Becker: jebecker@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-232-4806.

Here’s a photo of the Northern Flicker taken by January’s featured speaker, Sean Sime.

Bedford Audubon Society presents: “Demystifying Bird Photography: Pointers and Pitfalls”
With Photographer Sean Sime
Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Katonah Memorial House, 71 Bedford Road, Katonah.
Like bird watching, bird photography has enjoyed a tremendous increase in interest in recent years. Nowadays it seems that almost everyone is an amateur bird photographer. Now you can learn from a Pro and help improve your skills, as Sean Sime shares his methods and provides tips for taking stunning photos of birds.

Sean Sime, a self-proclaimed “photographer and bird nut,” received a Master’s degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the International Center for Photography in New York. He resides in New York City and spends hours at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens with his camera ready for the prize-winning shot. Sean has also traveled around the world, providing photo documentation for UNICEF in Africa and photographing endangered species in South America. The results of his combined interests in birds and photography have appeared in many publications including Life Magazine, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, North American Birds, and Birder’s World.
Website: www.bedfordaudubon.org . Phone: (914) 232-1999
The program is free and open to the public
Katonah Memorial House is wheelchair accessible

Winter Walk in the Meadowlands, With Biologist and Naturalist Michael Newhouse and
Bedford Audubon Society Director John Askildsen,
Saturday, January 17, 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Carpool from Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Road, Katonah.
The Meadowlands and its expansive wetlands have long been recognized as a critical resource for wildlife, especially for birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the Meadowlands/Hudson River Complex as part of New Jersey’s North Atlantic Coast Waterfowl Focus Area and converted it into a unique urban wildlife preserve. The Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area is a 900-acre wetland complex within the Meadowlands District, which supports large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds during migration.
Trip co-leader Michael Newhouse is a former research biologist at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. He is now a naturalist with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. His most recent research has focused on the spread of Lyme disease in small mammal populations. (Degree of difficulty: Moderate)
Please register with Joan Becker: jebecker@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-232-4806.

Nature Hike at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson,
With Bedford Audubon Society Naturalist Tait Johansson
Thursday, January 22, 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Carpool from Bylane Farm, 35 Todd Road, Katonah or join the group at Croton Point Park at 9:30.
Bedford Audubon naturalist Tait Johansson will lead a walk at this impressive Hudson River nature park. Highlights may include sightings of Bald Eagles and a couple of species of owls that make the Point their winter home. Numerous species of ducks can also be seen out on the river and along the shore. (Degree of difficulty: Easy) Please register with Joan Becker: jebecker@bedfordaudubon.org or 914-232-4806.