The Leaflet: September/October 2006

Contents:

Three Special Events on September/October Calendar

The calendar for this issue is very full, so we hope you are ready for lots of SAS activities the next couple of months.  We want to call to your attention three events that are a bit different from our usual programs. 

On September 16 we will have a Saturday afternoon program (1:00 p.m.) at the Monroe County Public Library.  We were fortunate to get Dr. Ron Weiss, Executive Director of the Chipper Woods Bird Observatory and Professor at Marian College, to discuss Avian Flu.  This is a topic that frequently has been in the news recently and has caused a great deal of concern among the general public.  Unfortunately Dr. Weiss was not able to come to Bloomington for one of our usual Wednesday evening programs.  As an alternative our program director, Nancy Martin, was able to schedule a Saturday afternoon talk.  We hope you will be able to attend at this unusual time to hear about this particularly interesting topic.  Invite your non-birding friends to join you to learn about this topic of broad general interest.  If you would like to know more about Chipper Woods Bird Observatory and Ron Weiss check out their website at http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/.

Our evening program on September 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Monroe County Public Library is being co-sponsored by the Children’s Services section of the Library.  It will be a presentation by Return to the Wild, a group involved in rehabilitation of injured or neglected wild animals so they can be returned to their natural homes.  They will bring a Bald Eagle, Barn Owl, Harris' Hawk, American Kestrel, Augur Buzzard, and Peregrine Falcon to the library for their presentation.  This will be an exciting program for both the young and not so young.  Bring your children or grandchildren to enjoy seeing these live birds and to develop an appreciation for nature.

The third special program is geared for the not so young, but all are encouraged to participate.  On October 7 at 8:00 a.m. we will have a special outing (or stroll) around the grounds of the Meadowood Retirement Center.  We hope to have a number of the MRC residents join Dawn Hewitt and other members of the SAS birding community for a leisurely walk around the grounds to see the local avian community.  We may also venture into the Griffy Woods that border the north side of the area.  We expect mainly to see the more common suburban-type birds, but this is migration season so we may see warblers and other not-so-usual birds as well.  This will be an opportunity for members not only to see some interesting birds but also the beautiful grounds of Meadowood

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Birding Celebrity Tells All

by Dawn Hewitt

[Editor’s Note: Dawn is an active member of SAS and served as its president 1993-95]

A birding celebrity, that’s what I am.  I write a birding column, published every Sunday in the Outdoors section of the Herald-Times newspaper in Bloomington, and also in Bedford’s Times-Mail, and Martinsville’s Reporter-Times.  That’s a paid circulation of about 51,000 homes, plus thousands more sold at stores and in vending boxes.

Of course, I have no idea how many people actually read my column, but plenty do, it seems. Each day when I go to work, I get at least one phone message or e-mail and often more with a bird question, report or observation.  It seems as if my column has hit on something.  Many people who don’t consider themselves birders still love to talk about “their” wild birds and to share bird stories.

It’s a bit embarrassing to have a claim to fame when I readily admit that I am not an ornithologist or even close to an expert on birds.  I’m just an enthusiast about birds and birding and trying to attract birds to my yard – and that puts me on the same wavelength as lots of folks.  I’m grateful to my ornithologist and other bird-expert friends, especially Jim and Susan Hengeveld, who have provided me with lots of answers to questions readers have asked me that I can’t answer.  Also, I must thank all those who post to the Bloomington-birds-l and IN-bird-l e-mail lists for providing fodder for my column, and keeping me current on what’s going on locally with birds.

And I’m grateful for your tolerance when I commit boneheaded errors, such as writing Blue Bunting instead of Blue Grosbeak and Yellow-crowned Kinglet instead of Golden-crowned.  I know better, but sometimes I have to write fast, and unfortunately, the other copy editors at the H-T can’t catch those kinds of mistakes.

I work at the H-T as a copy editor, so I write this column “for free.” Well, my boss provides me time on the clock to write the column, but it’s doubtful they’d pay a freelancer to write a birding column, or even pay for a syndicated one.  And if I stopped writing it, they wouldn’t pay me less – just give me a few more pages to layout or proofread. I’m grateful that they let me write the column.

It’s rewarding to me when readers are so excited about a different bird that has shown up at their feeders or that they’ve spotted along the highway that they just have to tell someone, and they know I’ll appreciate hearing about it.  I genuinely do, even if the bird isn’t a true rarity.  I just enjoy sharing others’ excitement about birds.

Once, an elderly couple actually came to the H-T to show me their video -- still in the camera -- of a Pileated at work on a tree in their yard.  They had never seen one before and didn’t know that such a big, ancient-looking bird existed.  They thought they had a real rarity, and this was several years before folks started calling me with local “Ivory-billed” sightings. That couple was so sweet and excited, and I tried very hard to not quell their enthusiasm by letting them know how common Pileateds are around here.   I still get excited to watch one take apart a tree, even though I’ve seen it dozens of times.

PileatedPileated Woodpecker (Photo by Susan Hengeveld)

Lots of folks have invited me to drive great distances into the countryside to see the sweet baby Canada geese on their ponds or an albino robin or a “bald” cardinal, and I am frequently invited to come admire folks’ backyard habitat.  Of course I’m honored to receive such invitations, but couldn’t possibly accept them all.

Ocassionally people contact me to report really unlikely birds, and sometimes those reports prove true.  One woman was certain that she had an Upland Sandpiper on her farm near Whitehall.  I doubted it, until she showed me her photos!  It was an Upland Sandpiper!

I’m thrilled to be able to encourage the general public to pay attention to birds, to feed and provide habitat for them, and to foster excitement about birding – even yard birding. And I’m especially happy to serve as a contact point to put casual birders or even nonbirders in touch with ornithologists when they spot a rarity, such as an unusual hummingbird.

People often ask if I have trouble coming up with topics to write about each week, but I never do. It’s much more of a challenge to keep my columns short.  I’m supposed to aim for 12 to 15 column-inches, but I often double that.  Sometimes editors cut my columns for length, but usually I get away with being verbose.  From my perspective, there’s always a lot going on birdwise locally, or my subject just requires a lot of words to explain.

Many SAS members have either suggested column topics, or provided me with reports on their yard birds or birding trips, or otherwise helped me with expertise I lack.  I’m grateful to all the help you’ve provided in the past, and I’ll be counting on you for your help in the future.

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Editor’s Note:  A Rapidly Changing Goose Pond, Birding Guide Nearly Ready, and A Special Logo

by Bob Dodd

It seems as if we have had something about Goose Pond-Beehunter Marsh in every issue of the Leaflet since I have been editor.  The changes in this area in the last two years have been staggering.  I remember reading Dawn Hewitt’s column in the HT a couple of years ago in which she described a trip with Lee Sterrenburg to Hawthorn Mine to see Short-eared Owls.  On the way they stopped at Beehunter Marsh, and Dawn wrote that it did not look like a marsh to her – just fields.  She would not write that today.  It was just two years ago that SAS made a $2000 contribution to help purchase the area, which was then in private ownership.  Birders visiting the site had to stay on the county roads and peer into the area to avoid trespassing.  However, its potential was obvious, and it was named an Important Bird Area in the first round of 13.  The sale of the property to the state was finalized only last November.  And what looked like abandoned farm fields (indeed that is what they were) have turned into shallow ponds and marshy wetlands filled with a fascinating variety of birds, many of which were rarely seen in Indiana before the last couple of years.  Now seeing King Rails, Least Bitterns, and Black-necked Stilts is a run-of-the-mill occurrence.  We are very fortunate to have this treasure right next door and with our adoption of the IBA we will do our utmost to maintain it as the remarkable place it now is.

You have been reading about our soon-to-be-published birding guide for the last few months.  By the time you read this we hope that the guide, titled Sassafras Audubon Society’s Birding Guide to South-Central Indiana, will be in the process of being printed.  The booklet project has been moving rapidly since the Board gave the go ahead for its production last winter.  The project has met with enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute from many people since that time.  The Task Force that prepared the guide included Mike Clarke, David Daniels. Bob Dodd, John Lawrence, Tom Platt, and Jeff Riegel.  Jim and Susan Hengeveld and Cathy Meyer helped the task force in writing descriptions of some of the 28 locations included in the guide.  Five task force members worked on adding abundance and habitat data to Don Whitehead’s checklist of birds for the area.  Tom Platt and Marc Bogonovich prepared maps to help guide the reader to the sites.  Terri Greene prepared the layout and formating so that we did not need the printing company to do this at considerable expense.  Jess Gwinn prepared the successful grant application to National Audubon that will cover printing costs.  All profits from sale of the guide will go to conservation causes, largely or entirely to projects connected to our recently adopted IBA at Goose Pond.  We hope that all SAS members and friends as well as many non members will purchase the guide, which should be available soon.

Now I would like to give you a quiz.  Turn to the first page of this Leaflet and look in the upper left corner of the page.  Can you name the object immediately below “Sassafras Audubon Society”?  If you are like me you probably thought  “it’s a sassafras leaf of course”.  You would be correct, but it is more.  It is also a stylized warbler.  Isn’t that neat: a single drawing that is both a sassafras leaf and a bird?  This was recently pointed out to me, and now I am passing along the pleasant surprise to those who have missed the bird for all these years.  The logo was designed by our own Jeff Belth in 2000.  The logo first appeared in the September/October 2000 issue and was introduced without explanation or credit to the designer.  By now Jeff has probably become accustomed to the fact that many people see the leaf but not the bird.  There is one problem: a leaf can be shown in about any orientation, but a warbler probably would not be seen flying upside down!  There were 18 leaf-warblers in the last Leaflet and only one (on page 8) was flying upside down.  Check this issue and see if they are all correct this time.

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Can You Name This Bird?

Here is your bi-monthly test of bird identification skills.  Can you identify this bird without using your field guide?  If not, consult your guide.  The answer is on page 6.  If you like playing this game, check the SAS website at sassafrasaudubon.org.  We have additional photos there and hints to help in the identification.  

Name that bird(Photo by Jeff Hammond.)

click on photo to enlarge - Answer

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SAS Adopts Goose Pond Important Bird Area

The SAS Board of Directors has voted to adopt the Goose Pond Important Bird Area (IBA), the first such adoption in Indiana.  The Goose Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area was one of the first 13 areas in Indiana to be designated an IBA last year.  It comprises approximately 8000 acres and is one of the largest wetland restorations in the U.S.  Lee Strerrenburg of SAS has noted that it supports one of the largest and most diverse nesting and migratory bird communities known in Indiana.  As outlined in the last Leaflet, adoption of Goose Pond will involve five basic commitments: habitat monitoring, work days, advocates, financial aid, and education.

SAS will be working with James Cole, Coordinator of IBAs for Indiana, and Brad Feaster, DNR manager of the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, on implementation of many aspects of our adoption.  We may also cooperate with a local group of “Friends of Goose Pond” if that organization comes into being.  We have already been doing many of the activities involved in our adoption, so formalizing our special relationship with this magnificent area comes naturally.  We hope that all of our members will become involved in some part of our adoption.

BN StiltBlack-necked Stilt

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 SAS CALENDAR

All outings and programs sponsored by SAS are free and open to non-members.

Watch our web site http://www.sassafrasaudubon.org and the Bloomington Birds list for announcements about other upcoming outings and activities.

Saturday, September 2, 7:00 a.m. 
Monroe County Wetland Birds

We will visit some of the wetlands around our area to look for shorebirds and early fall migrant birds.  Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the northeast corner of the K-mart parking lot on East Third Street in Bloomington.  We will caravan to some hotspots around the county and return to town by noon or so.  For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org.

Saturday, September 2, 10:00 a.m.
Late Summer/Early Fall Butterflies

Join naturalist Sandy Belth on a walk looking for late summer/early fall butterflies.  We will meet at the north end of the K-mart west (note: K-Mart west not east) parking lot and carpool to a local hotspot. Wear long pants, walking shoes, and bring your favorite drink. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Saturday, September 9, 7:00 a.m.
Early Fall Bird Migration

Don Whitehead will lead us on a half-day trip to Monroe and Brown County hotspots in search of early fall migrant birds.  We will look for land birds, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.  Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the northeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot on east Third Street. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Saturday, September 16, 1:00 p.m.
Avian Flu and What we are doing in Indiana

Dr. Ron Weiss, Executive Director of the Chipper Woods Bird Observatory and Professor at Marian College, will discuss Avian Flu that is currently in the news.  Chipper Woods Bird Observatory is participating with the US Department of Agriculture to collect samples from wild birds captured and banded in central Indiana to monitor migratory and resident birds for the Avian Flu infection should it arrive locally.  Dr. Weiss will discuss the biology and ecology of flu, the potential for its arrival here in the US, the impact it could have on local populations of birds, steps that bird enthusiasts who feed or watch birds can take to minimize exposure and still enjoy their hobby, and other related concerns that are currently in the news.  SAS will have a very short annual business meeting before the program.  The presentation will be in the auditorium of the Monroe County Public Library and is free for all to attend.  Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, September 23, 7:30 a.m.
Autumn Bird Migration in Monroe County

Mike Clarke will lead us to some of the hotspots in Monroe County to look for fall migrant warblers.  This will be another great opportunity to work on those confusing fall warblers.  Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the northeast corner of the K-Mart parking lot on East Third Street in Bloomington.  We will caravan to the best hotspots in the area and return by midday. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 p.m.
Return to the Wild

peregrinePeregrine Falcon (Photo from Return to the Wild)

MCPL Children's Services and the Sassafras Audubon Society present Brown County's Return to the Wild.  Return to the Wild endeavors to rehabilitate injured or neglected wild animals to their natural homes.  They will bring some animals and talk about efforts made on their behalf.  The birds planned for the program include a Bald Eagle, Barn Owl, Harris' Hawk, American Kestrel, Augur Buzzard, and Peregrine Falcon. The event will be held in Room 1-B of the Monroe County Public Library and is free for all to attend.  Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, October 7, 8:00 a.m.
Special Meadowood Birding Stroll

This trip, led by Dawn Hewitt, is especially designed for Meadowood residents, but all SAS members and non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Meet at the circle drive at the entrance to the main building at the Meadowood Retirement Center north of the SR 46 Bypass near the IU Cyclotron.  We will walk around the grounds of the center and perhaps take a brief excursion into the Griffy Woods north of the community.  Probably we will mostly see relatively common suburban and forest birds, but this is migration season so who knows what we might encounter. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Saturday, October 7, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fall Feeder Cleaning

Bring your bird feeders to Bloomington Hardware on South College Mall Road for a thorough fall cleaning in preparation for the hard use they will receive during the winter feeding season.  Volunteers to help with the cleaning are needed.  See note elsewhere in this Leaflet for details.

Saturday, October 21, 7:00 a.m.
Green's Bluff Nature Preserve Hike

SAS past president, Jess Gwinn, will lead participants on a hike in the Green's Bluff Nature Preserve, one of the most interesting and beautiful spots in Owen County.  Be sure to wear hiking shoes, dress for the weather and bring some water.  Enjoy southern Indiana's autumn foliage and look for fall migrants.  We will meet at 7 a.m. in the northeast corner of Wal-Mart's (not Sam’s Club) parking lot on west SR 45.  From there we will caravan to Green's Bluff to meet Jess.  The hike will last about two hours.  For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m.
Bluebirds A to Z

bluebird

Dan Sparks is a Bluebird enthusiast and president of the Brown County Bluebird Society.  He monitors over 100 bluebird boxes in Brown and Monroe Counties.  Discover how bluebirds are doing locally and how to set up and monitor bluebird-nesting boxes.  In addition to nesting boxes, Dan will discuss many other aspects of these beautiful birds.  Come with all of your bluebird-related questions.  The event will be held in Room 1-B of the Monroe County Public Library and is free for all to attend.  Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, October 28, 8:00 a.m.
Flatwoods Park

Join Monroe County Naturalist Cathy Meyer at Flatwoods Park to look for fall migrants.  We will meet in the parking lot at Flatwoods Park at 8 A.M. To get to the park follow SR 46 about two miles west of the stop light in Ellettsville.  Turn left onto Flatwoods Road. Go about one mile to the park entrance on the left.  We should be back in Bloomington by late morning. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

Saturday, November 11, 6:30 a.m.
Goose Pond FWA Early Waterfowl, Sparrows and Raptors

We will journey to Beehunter Marsh and Goose Pond to look for early waterfowl migrants, sparrows and early wintering raptors.  Meet in the northeast corner of the Wal-Mart parking lot on SR 45 in Bloomington at 6:30 a.m.  We will caravan to the Goose Pond area from there.  If time permits, we may visit Hawthorn Mines as well.  We will return by early afternoon. For more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

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President’s Note

by John Lawrence

Happy New Year!  No, I haven’t spent too much time in the hot sun, slogging through the uncharted marshes of Goose Pond.  It really is a new year for both SAS and the National Audubon Society (NAS) - a new fiscal year, that is.  Our fiscal years end on June 30th, so this is my first note of the “new year”. 

It’s a tradition to review the past year and look ahead to the new year at a time like this.  In fact it’s a big part of my job as president, since every chapter has to send an annual report to NAS at the end of the fiscal year in order to be certified as a chapter in good standing.  Important parts of that report are our achievements from the past year and our plans for the coming year.  While NAS needs to know that information, it’s even more important that you, our members, know it too.  Here are the highlights.

Sassafras Audubon’s achievements for the 2005-2006 year include:

As you can see, your chapter has been very busy!  All our volunteers and board members deserve a big thank-you for all they’ve done this past year.

 Some of our plans for the coming year include:

It looks like we have another busy year ahead!  I hope you’ll be an active part of it.

A very important part of the annual reporting and certification process is that our annual financial support from NAS hinges on our certification.  NAS used to call these funds a “membership dues share” but now calls them a “safety net payment,” since they are no longer tied to current membership numbers (and have also been drastically reduced).  Whatever you call it, it’s a significant part of our yearly budget.  I’m glad to say that I just got a letter from NAS that said we’ve been certified.  That means NAS is satisfied that we’re doing a good job as an Audubon chapter, and will support us for another year. 

I hope you’re also satisfied with Sassafras Audubon’s many achievements, and I hope you will continue to support us as well.  And don’t forget, National members can now become Friends of SAS and support those local projects listed above.  Just send in the membership form in this issue, and have a happy New Year!

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Activist’s Corner

by Jess A. Gwinn, Conservation Chair

We have some good news and some bad news.  First the bad.  After much citizen lobbying from throughout the state of Indiana, no funding was allocated to the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Indiana.  This lack of funding leaves the refuge once again in limbo with many willing sellers, covering several thousand acres, in the lurch.  How much longer these folks will wait for funding to come for the refuge is unknown, but once these lands are developed they will essentially be out of the price range for acquisition.  While both of Indiana’s senators, Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh, support the refuge, they are not strident enough.  Most of the funding this year went to the states whose senators sit on the committee that allocates funding.   Obviously it will take a much stronger presence at these committee meetings, either from our congressional representatives or from citizens to secure adequate funding in the future.  As you may have noticed, I have not mentioned the congressman in whose district the refuge is located.  John Hostettler has never supported the refuge at best and has instead been an outright opponent to the refuge at worst.  Without full support from the congressional delegation, funding for the refuge will always be a tough sell.

For the good news, the federal Environmental Protection Agency just announced that they are not re-registering carbofuran as an insecticide.  Carbofuran is one of the most toxic pesticides in use today and is responsible for millions of bird deaths each year.  As with the canary in the coal mine, no one knows the long-term effects on humans.   Carbofuran has been around for decades and should have been outlawed in the 1970’s when the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act was passed.  Instead it was grandfathered in and has been killing wildlife ever since.  Thankfully, science and advocacy finally won the day and the outlook for birds and the environments just got a little brighter.

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Pigeon River IBA – Good Things from Old Dams

by Bob Dodd

In the last issue of the Leaflet we described an abandoned mine that was turned into a great birding area.  In this issue we describe an abandoned hydroelectric project that the state turned into a magnificent wildlife-viewing area.  Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the original 13 Indiana IBAs, is one of the largest and most varied.  Its 11,605 acres include lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, farm fields, bushy fields, and a variety of early succession to mature deciduous and pine woodlands.  In fact there is almost more than can be conveniently seen in a single day.  The area is very accessible with numerous roads and trails.  It can also be birded from the water.  Bring your own canoe or rent one in the town of Mongo in the heart of the refuge. 

OspreyOsprey

Pigeon River FWA was established in 1956 after the NIPSCO power company gave three obsolete hydroelectric impoundments on the river to the state.  As with all of the state Fish and Wildlife Areas, Pigeon River is largely operated and maintained with funds from hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and from taxes levied on hunting and fishing equipment.  Hence the major emphasis of management is on hunting and fishing, but conservation and nature observation also benefit greatly from the refuge.  Unfortunately for SAS members, Pigeon River is the most distant IBA from south-central Indiana.  But it is well worth spending a couple of days visiting Pigeon River in the far northeast portion of the state.

Birders have identified approximately 220 species in the refuge including several species of conservation concern in addition to congregations of wading birds and other waterfowl during migration.  Among the threatened waterbird species nesting in the area are Least Bittern, Virginia Rail, and Common Moorhen.  A few Sandhill Cranes, listed as endangered in the state, nest on the property.  In the fall Pigeon River is a staging ground for cranes with 200-300 individuals usually present during the peak of southbound migration. Many passerine species use the area both during breeding season and migration.  Nesting species of conservation concern include Willow Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-winged Warbler, and Hooded Warbler.  This summer birders in the area identified two unusual Indiana warblers: Mourning and Lawrence’s Warbler.  The state has re-introduced the state-endangered Osprey to the area.  They have constructed nesting platforms and at least two have been occupied. All of the common ducks, herons, geese, and shorebirds are abundant during migration.  Northern Shrikes are sometimes present during the winter months as are Bald Eagles and rarely Golden Eagles.

Osprey NestPlatform with Osprey at Pigeon River FWA (Photo by Bob Dodd)

The highlight of our brief visit to Pigeon River in late July was the very active Osprey nest on the platform near CR 375 E just south of the river.  We saw both adults and three young birds (as big as their parents).  We saw two Sandhill Cranes, an unusual sight in Indiana in July.  This was likely a nesting pair found in one of the few areas in Indiana where these beautiful birds spend the summer.  There were herons, egrets, and a few early migrating shore birds in the wetlands in the west part of the area.  We saw a mute swan and many Canada Geese in the otherwise birdless Deep Lake on the east side of the area.  This would probably be a great area for waterfowl in the fall and spring.

Pigeon River FWA is located in Lagrange and Steuben Counties in the northeast corner of the state.  From Fort Wayne take SR 3 north for about 40 miles.  Pigeon River is about two miles north of the intersection of SR 3 and US 20.  The village of Mongo, at the intersection of SR 3 and CR 300N, is approximately in the middle of the refuge, which extends east-west along the Pigeon River.  CR 300N and several intersecting county roads provide access to the area.  Along these roads are many parking areas that give good access to the prime viewing spots. Refuge headquarters, where you can obtain maps and information, is about a half mile east of Mongo.  There is a state-run campground near headquarters.  Mongo has groceries and a bar as well as the canoe rental.  The nearest extensive motel and restaurant facilities are 16 miles east of the area in Angola.  Pokagon State Park and the Potawatomi Inn provide camping and hotel facilities just a few miles further.

For more information and details about birding locations within the refuge check the Indiana Audubon Society’s Online Birding Guide at www.indianaaudubon.org/guide/.  The DNR Fish and Wildlife Areas website at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild also includes useful information and a detailed map of the area.

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Jeff Hammond Discusses Nature Photography in the Digital World at June Meeting

Jeff Hammond, professional nature photographer, let us in on the “tricks of the trade” as he discussed “Images of Nature – Nature Photography in the Digital World” at the June SAS meeting.  Regular readers of the Leaflet are familiar with Jeff’s work as a frequent contributor of photos such as the bird of the month in this issue.  Do you think digital cameras are expensive?  The up front cost may be significant, but Jeff pointed out that the savings on film can soon pay for the camera.  He estimated that in just three and a half months he saved enough on film to pay for his first digital camera.  Digital photography also gives you the opportunity to shoot many photos and to experiment while seeing the results on the spot.  Jeff showed us many outstanding examples of nature photography.  He shared several examples of what he considered not-so-good photos followed by better examples.  Many of his not-so-good looked good to the audience and his better examples were outstanding. 

Here are a few of the suggestions Jeff gave for improving your bird (and nature) photography:

Choose the background if possible.  A non-distracting background focuses attention on the main subject.  Often you can improve the background by using a shallow depth of field that focuses sharply on the bird or other subject and blurs the background.  On the other hand it is good to show some of the surroundings to put the bird in context with its environment.  This was a trick that James Audubon learned two centuries ago with his bird drawings.

Show the bird “doing something”.  A bird with its mouth open singing or with a piece of nesting material in its mouth is more interesting than a bird that is just sitting there. 

Don’t put the bird right in the center of the photo.  Have the bird looking into the photo.  Give some room for the bird to fly (or hop) into. 

Eye-level shots are usually better than shooting up or down.  Of course you may not always have the choice.

Most nature photos are taken with natural light, but a bit of fill flash will often add to the quality of the photo.

Pay attention to exposure.  Use manual settings.  The camera’s automatic settings average the light and do not necessarily expose properly for what you want to show.

Get up early or stay late.  This is not only the time when birds are most active but also the time when lighting is at its best – the “golden hours” near sunrise and sunset.

Jeff pointed out that the keys to good nature photography are having the right equipment (30%), good technique (30%), and luck (40%).  You can increase your luck by spending many hours in the field and taking lots of photos.  Jeff’s great photos show that he must have lots of luck in addition to good equipment and the techniques that he shared with us.

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SAS Endowment Campaign to Be Launched Fall 2006

by Bob Kissel

Although the SAS endowment campaign will not start "officially" until fall of 2006, we have had several contributions to date. In December 2005, Michael Cain and Linda Raymond sent a very nice contribution as our first endowment campaign gift.  As long-time Bloomington residents, Michael and Linda share the concern of SAS about the need for proactive conservation in our local area.  More recently Barbara Restle, one of the founders of SAS over 30 years ago, decided that the provision for SAS in her will would be better used now.  Ms. Restle pledged a most generous $10,000 to jump-start our endowment efforts.  Her gift is a fabulous start to our endowment goal of $50,000 over the next 2 years. Our pledge to Ms. Restle and every contributor to the SAS endowment is that we will manage such gifts carefully so that we can stretch every dollar into real conservation results.

Our first big project will be as stewards for the state's newly purchased Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (see article in this Leaflet).  While a number of environmental organizations, including SAS, joined forces to help the state purchase Goose Pond last year, the state's DNR budget has not yet included a line for property management of the refuge.  SAS has accepted the challenge from Indiana Important Bird Area coordinator James Cole to monitor bird populations and manage invasive species that would alter the nature of Goose Pond wetlands.  We will coordinate several work days during the year to manage invasives (such as Phragmites) that threaten the existence of Goose Pond as a dynamic wetlands refuge for waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, and other wildlife.  With extensive work in establishing a baseline of Goose Pond bird populations by SAS member Lee Sterrenburg and many other Sassafras bird watchers, it is clear the great potential that this newest and largest state property holds for avian conservation and protection.  SAS will join Lee in sponsoring multiple counts during the year to track the comings and goings of bird species at Goose Pond.

In the next Leaflet, we will detail the SAS endowment campaign, our plans for use of these gifts now and in the future, and how we will manage each gift carefully and conservatively.  We hope that when we contact SAS members, local businesses, and friends of SAS, they will give generously to support our present and future conservation efforts.  Just as Michael Cain, Linda Raymond, and Barbara Restle have already done!

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Fall Bird Feeder Cleaning at Bloomington Hardware on October 7

The SAS fall bird feeder cleaning is scheduled for October 7 at Bloomington Hardware on South College Mall Road.  Drop off your feeder between 9:00 a.m. and 2 p.m.  You can pick up your feeder between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  The suggested donation is $4 for small feeders and $6 for large feeders.

Give your backyard birds a sanitary place to dine by having your feeders thoroughly steam cleaned!  Cleaning your feeders will help prevent the spread of avian diseases such as salmonella and conjunctivitis.  Keep in mind that steam cleaning will remove the build-up that has accumulated, but it will not make your feeders look brand new.  We regretfully cannot accept hummingbird or other delicate feeders or suet feeders.

Bring your friend's or neighbor's feeders when you bring yours.  If you cannot drop off or pick up on Saturday, alternate arrangements can be made.  The proceeds go toward the education and conservation activities of SAS.  To request more information, contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

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Volunteers Needed for Feeder Cleaning

We will have three-hour shifts available or whatever times you can help.  Dry tasks include taking in feeders and money and overseeing drying and pickup.  Damp tasks include pre-soaking and cleaning the feeders and steaming the clean feeders.  Waterproof footwear and gloves are helpful, and we can provide rubber gloves.  You will be doing a good service for the birds, helping a worthy cause, (SAS), and working with like-minded, fun people!

To volunteer or request more information, please contact SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org

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SAS Has New Web and E-mail Addresses

John Lawrence alerted you in the last Leaflet that our webmaster, Susan Hengeveld, was working on setting up a new website and e-mail address.  In July we made the transfer so now you can find the SAS website at www.sassafrasaudubon.org and our new e-mail address is SAS@sassafrasaudubon.org.  Susan has also modified the web design.  We now have much more memory so we will be able to include more photographs and more complex materials.  The addresses should also be much easier to remember.  We made the change in providers at just the right time.  Hoosiernet, our former provider, is going out of business so we would have had to change soon anyway. 

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Answer to Bird ID: Cooper's Hawk

last updated September 12, 2006