Videos

30 Tips for Better Bird Photos
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live photography webinar with Scott Bourne
Cost: $15

Olympus Visionary Scott Bourne will (in rapid-fire manner) roll through at least 30 secrets to bird photography that will help anyone who is interested in avian photos. Everything from when and where to shoot, gear selection, technique and composition will be discussed.

You’ll learn the importance of sun angle, wind direction, choosing a pleasing background, angle and framing for help making winning bird photos.

Even brand new bird photographers will be able to pick top great tips from this class. Scott will also discuss gear selection and how he uses Micro Four Thirds cameras to capture great images without seeing a loss of image quality.

About Scott Bourne: Scott Bourne is an Olympus Visionary and professional photographer, author and lecturer who specializes in birds and product photography. He’s been involved with photography for nearly 50 years and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications. He is a pioneer in the digital photography and online space and was named one of the 30 most influential photographers on the Web by Huffington Post. Scott holds the title Master Photographer from the Washington Professional Photographers Association and was recently awarded the designation Signed Master with the Studio Of Masters in China. He has also been accredited by The Societies of Photographers as an Associate of The Society of International Nature & Wildlife Photographers. (ASINWP)

Sponsored by

And Everything Else 
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with Catherine Sandell, USFWS Volunteer
Cost: Free

Bosque del Apache is known for its massive winter flocks of ducks, white geese and cranes but there are many other species that call the refuge home in the colder months. Learn about the species that do not fall into raptors, waterfowl or birds at the feeder but are regularly seen on the Auto Tour Loop.

Prairie Dogs in Peril
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals
Sponsored by Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque
Cost: Free

James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque will show a live prairie dog and a PowerPoint presentation  for adults (a webinar for children is scheduled for 11:30 AM) describing the biology of the prairie dogs. The presentation will include several videos depicting their behavior in their burrows and the humorous jump yips of the  black tail prairie dog. In addition there are videos of in-depth  language research as well as prairie dog conservation. James will lead a  discussion about the amazing language of the prairie dogs and  how intelligent these animals are. He will also talk about the  struggles that this keystone species face today. James will take  questions as time permits.  

Tips for Photographing Alaska
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live photography webinar with Lisa Langell
Cost: $15

Thinking about heading to Alaska for photography during the warmer months? The wildlife and nature that Alaska is known for can be absolutely spectacular to photograph. It’s a giant state and having insights into how to approach your next workshop or personal trip will help you get set up for the most successful photography.

About Lisa Langell: Lisa Langell is a seasoned veteran of Alaska. Having traveled there approximately 50 times in the past 16 years, often spending a month or more at a time there leading tours, she knows Alaska intimately. She will tell you what information will be most helpful to photographers to visit this incredibly special place. Whether you are taking a tour or doing a solo trip, these tips will be highly valuable as you plan your travel and photography in Alaska.

Sponsored by

Prairie Dogs in Peril: Wildlife Zone Program
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals
Sponsored by Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque
Cost: Free

James E. Trever from Prairie Dog Pals of Albuquerque will show a prairie dog and a presentation for kids (and one for adults listed separately) describing the biology of prairie dogs. The presentation will include two videos depicting their behavior in their burrows and the humorous “jump yips” of the black tail prairie dog. James will lead a discussion about the amazing language of the prairie dogs and how intelligent these animals are. He will also talk about the struggles that this keystone species face today. James will take questions as time permits.

Join the Virtual Expo Tent with Hunt’s Photo & Video
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM MST
Thursday, November 18th: Jeff Leimbach (Canon)
Friday, November 19th: John Gregor (printing)
Saturday, November 20th: Mike Amico (Olympus)

Join Olympus Rep Mike Amico as he covers the key benefits of using the Olympus system for Birding. Mike will go over the lineup as well as some key features, special features and system highlights regarding Birding. If your looking for a lightweight solution to your shooting, this class will surely be one you wont want to miss!

Registration not required. You can just pop in and pop out anytime between 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM MST PM MST daily (each day has a different speaker and topic). Please note that the Zoom link will only be active during that time frame.

Watch this space for a link to join.

Share with Wildlife
1:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Featured video by The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Sponsored by The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Cost: Free

What is Share with Wildlife? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s non-game enhancement program funded by donations from the public. Each year, the program distributes funds for non-game focused projects including non-game wildlife research, education, rehabilitation (i.e., wildlife rescue, treatment, and care), and habitat purchase and improvement projects.

This video provides an overview of the Share with Wildlife program at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and gives some examples of the wide diversity of wildlife-focused projects that this non-game wildlife grant program has funded over the past several years. It also provides some general tips for high school students and young adults interested in going into the field of wildlife conservation or other natural resource-oriented careers and briefly references BISON-M (bison-m.org) as an excellent resource for information on New Mexico’s wildlife.

Registration not required. This featured video will be added here to the schedule by 8 AM MST on Saturday. It will also be published to our Festival of the Cranes Facebook page at the time listed above. If you would like to ask questions after viewing the featured video, please go to our Facebook page and ask us in the comments. 

Endangered Species
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with USFWS
Cost: Free

One of the most heavily managed refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, Bosque del Apache is a part-time home to hundreds of species and a year-round home to hundreds more, including endangered and threatened species. After a pre-recorded video including management for threatened and endangered species on the refuge, join Bosque del Apache staff for a question-and-answer session focused on management for imperiled species at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Please watch the video below for an overview of the refuge.

Choosing the Right Tools for Wildlife Photography
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live photography webinar with Cheryl Opperman
Cost: $15

Cheryl will share her stunning images from around the world and explains how her choice in camera gear and other tools improves her chances of capturing the perfect moment. Her presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session to help you make better choices when choosing your own gear.

 About Cheryl Opperman: Cheryl Opperman is a nationally acclaimed nature photographer who has traveled to every continent in the world capturing spectacular images of nature, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. Widely published, her photographs have appeared in print, on the web, on television, and in solo and group exhibits, resulting in a list of clients or credits which include The American Humane Association, The Denver Post, the National Geographic Society, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Cheryl’s esthetic compositions, artistic use of light, and exquisite detail have been honored with several prestigious awards from organizations including The Earth Day Network, Nature’s Best Photography, the International Photography Awards, and the National Wildlife Federation. She was also featured as a leading female nature photographer by Outdoor Photographer Magazine and has appeared in on-camera interviews by 9News Denver, the Luminous Landscape, and Smithsonian Earth. Using the power of photography to inspire interest in the environment and other cultures, she has presented slide shows or classes on various topics to schools, camera clubs, and organizations including the Intermountain Regional Headquarters of the National Park Service, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, and the North American Nature Photography Association. Cheryl is a 1992 honors graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial/Scientific photography.

Sponsored by

Bird Sounds: Wildlife Zone
2:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Sponsored by the Wonders on Wheels
Cost: Free

Can you make an instrument that mimics the sound of a bird using a plastic cup, a piece of yarn, and a paper clip?  Throughout history, people have been inspired by the sounds of wind, water, plants and animals. People invented new sounds to mimic what they heard in nature, to express themselves, and to communicate with others.

Just like people, birds will call to each other for locating family members, making decisions on safe places to rest, for expressing feelings of joy or worry, for many reasons! Join Wonders on Wheels during the 2nd Annual Crane Fiesta to create and decorate your very own bird instrument, and see how many different bird sounds you can make!

Registration not required. Pre-recorded video will be posted during event.

Crane Basics
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with Sandra Noll and Erv Nichols
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache
Cost: $15

“Crane 101”  AKA “Crane Basics”   When watching a group of Sandhill Cranes did you ever wonder “What’s up with those birds?”  Crane basics is your opportunity to make sense of crane biology and behavior,  knowledge that will significantly enhance your crane watching experience.  Insights into crane migration, family life, body language and vocalizations are gained through photographs, captivating video and a bit of humor too!  

Birding in Areas Close to You
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live photography webinar with Alex Eistengart
Cost: Free

A lot of people think that you have to travel to far away places to be a true birder, but this does not need to be the case. Join Alex, a 14 year old birder, as he shows how he bird watches close to home. Different seasons bring different bird species to your region, and you’ll be surprised as to how many birds you will be able to see using these tips. Just remember, the birds aren’t always far!

Bio: Alex is 14 years old and will be the presenter for this webinar. At the time of the presentation, all of his photos have been taken in Ohio! He has been birding and photographing the birds he sees since December or 2019.  Photographing birds has become an obsession of his.  He is excited to share his tips with you.

Sponsored by

Panel Discussion on Ethics 
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Live webinar with Ethan Rising, Henry Doyle, and Martin Culpepper
Cost: Free

This panel discussion will cover thoughts and opinions from three amazing young bird and wildlife photographers. They will be discussing the importance of both Ethics and Conservation when it comes to wildlife photography. Join us for a great conversation which will be jam packed with information!

Sponsored by

Evening Fly In
4:30 PM – 5:45 PM MST
Saturday, November 20th
Facebook Live with Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Staff
Sponsored by Friends of Bosque del Apache and Bosque del Apache staff
Cost: Free

As the shadows grow long and the sun begins to set, thousands of geese and cranes return to the nighttime safety of the wetlands on the refuge. Tune in to view this spectacular scene!

Unlike most of our other live webinars, you are not required to register for either Fly In or Fly Out on Thursday and Saturday. All other live programs will be accessible through Zoom; however, this event will be a Facebook Live event.

Registering for this free program will ensure that you are sent the Facebook Live link; however, this will be on our Facebook page for all to access, and it will be posted here.