16th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count 2013

The 2013 GBBC is coming in February!


 GBBC Website

Hey Birdwatchers! The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual 4-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. This citizen science program contributes to bird conservation and research.
Everyone is welcome--from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. 
Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period. They enter these numbers on the GBBC website.

Locally, I will be conducting a GBBC Workshop on February 5, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the County Administration Bldg. in Martinsville, Indiana through the Morgan County Soil & Water Conservation District. The workshop will include info on how to collect and input data and identify birds. It is free but we would like you to register by calling 765-349-2060.

If you are not in this area, please take time to participate! It can take as little as 15 minutes.

For more info on the GBBC: www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

I will post reminders in the future! You can also LIKE my Facebook Page and follow news, photos, education, & happenings

It is a great citizen science project to be involved in and help contribute to science and conservation!

Beginning Nature Photography Class Offered-Soon

Are you interested in learning more about photography and improving your nature images? I will be teaching a beginning nature photography class in about 3 weeks. 

I just completed teaching a course in May. Through a grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County, the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District was able to sponsor a 5 night class with 2 field sessions this past May. We had a wonderful class and the participant's photographs are currently on display in the Morgan County Public Library after being on display in the County Administration Bldg..

The new class will meet Thursdays nights--September 27, October 4, and October 11, 2012 at 6:30-8:30 pm. The location will be the Sadler Room (first floor) in County Administration Building at 180 S. Main St. in Martinsville, Indiana. We will also have an optional field session to be scheduled once class meets. You should bring your camera manual and camera equipment with you to the classes.

The fee will be $45 per person for the three class nights and field session. There is an optional fee if you would like to participate in having one of your images (taken during these three weeks), on exhibit in the County Administration Bldg. The optional fee is $30 for the cost to cover the printing and mounting. You would receive the photograph at the end of the exhibition.

Whether you have a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, you will learn info and techniques to improve your photographic skills. We will touch upon taking people photos but not in depth.
You do NOT have to be a Morgan County resident!

Sign up soon! Please register by calling or emailing the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District:
765-349-2060 or sbarnett@morgancounty.in.gov. You can LIKE them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MorganCountySoilWaterConservationDistrict 

Check out my website at: www.jonijamesphotography.com 
Don't forget to LIKE my HeronWatch Nature Programs on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeronwatchNaturePrograms