On Nov. 13, the Washington Crossing Audubon Society will present a public lecture on the topic, "VIREO – Gathering the Best of the World’s Bird Photography." The presenter will be Doug Wechsler.
VIREO ("Visual Resources for Ornithology") photographers go to the ends of the earth to bring back some of the world’s best bird photographs. VIREO contributors have stalked Hoatzins, Willie Wagtails, and Uirapurus. To date 60 percent of the world’s birds are represented in the VIREO collection at The Academy of Natural Sciences. VIREO Director Wechsler will show some of the prizes from the collection and talk about some of his own experiences in Cuba, Borneo, and Ecuador in pursuit of the perfect bird shot.
Mr. Wechsler has been director of VIREO since 1987. Prior to that, he worked as a wildlife biologist for the State of Washington and as a freelance nature photographer.
Mr. Wechsler has been photographing nature professionally for 15 years. Assignments and expeditions have taken him to Ecuador, Borneo, Philippines, Cameroon, Alaska, Cuba and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
The programs are held in Stainton Hall on the campus of the Pennington School. Refreshments are served at 7:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 8 p.m.. The Pennington School is located off Delaware Avenue between Route 31 and Main Street.
The society will be sponsoring a trip to Shark River on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m.
Cosponsored by the Trenton Naturalist Club, the trip will be led by Mary Doscher.
Migratory birds from northern climates more frigid than New Jersey’s head this way to spend the winter in the warmer, open, and fish-filled waters. Ms. Doscher will help participants see these winter arrivals as they add beauty and interest to the fresh, brackish, and saltwater along the Jersey shore.
Directions: Participants will meet at Pat’s Diner, Route 35 in Belmar. Bring lunch and a beverage, and dress for the weather. For more information, contact Lou Beck at 737-0070.
The WCAS may be contacted by telephone at 730-8200, or at their Web site: www.audubon.org/chapter/nj/washingtoncrossing.
