Jan

A Birding Winter with Smithsonian Associates

As temperatures drop, your cold, blustery days of winter can be warmed by colorful bird sights and sounds as Smithsonian Associates offers a series of six, bird-centered seminars and Studio Art programs via Zoom, now through March 2024. The sessions will inspire you to engage with aviary friends pretty to view and listen to, while helping you understand why birds are essential to the ecosystem and human wellbeing.

But don’t wait! These fine art, photography, history and biodiversity classes are filling up fast! Two are already SOLD OUT with Wait Lists filling up. But there are plenty more classes to consider with themes that are lovely reminders that Spring is coming.

If watching and photographing birds in the cold is not your cup of coffee, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! In addition to taking these classes in the comfort of your home, residents in, or near, the DMV area can try out their art and photography skills inside the comfort of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Bird House. Smithsonian Associates has tours of the Bird House scheduled for March 15, March 22 and April 5 that run from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $50-$60. Find out more here!

Entrance to the newly renovated Bird House. 56 species are on view at the Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

The newly renovated Bird House opened last March and is at the forefront of a new era of zoos acting as key players in wildlife conversation. The exhibit is a warm, fun-filled destination built to empower the public to conserve wild birds and stem the decline of migratory bird populations in the Western hemisphere. Three walkthrough aviaries evoke key bird habitats: the Delaware Bay, the Prairie Pothole and the Bird Friendly® Coffee Farm. You can experience birds flying and swimming, birds up-close, enjoy bird housekeeper chats, get bird friendly coffee, and explore aviaries housing a diversity of bird species from throughout North America. You’ll also join Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center ornithologist Dr. Brian Evans and Bird Curator Sara Hallager for an immersive educational experience of the exhibit, bird conservation science, and a visit to the Bird Observatory, where you will take part in a wild bird banding demonstration.

Take a look to see which Smithsonian Associate programs inspire your creativity, tickle your fancy, or address your bird curiosity and sign up today!

Photographing Birds: The Basics

Tuesday, January 9

Photo provided by Matt Felperin

Beginners are welcome! Naturalist Matt Felperin from NOVA Parks will guide students through the basics of bird photography and species identification, explaining how the right equipment, lighting, composition, and positioning will help capture unforgettable bird photos. Students will view a gallery of bird photographs and learn the stories and strategies behind the images.

January 9. 7-8:30 p.m. ET $25-$30.

Visions of Panama: Commerce, Culture and Biodiversity

Monday, January 22

Photo of sunset skyline with cranes flying across sky

Panama City skyline. Photo provided by Essdras M. Suarez

Panama’s cultural, ethnic, and ecological diversity is explored through its peoples and the bird species that are more varied than those in the U.S. and Canada combined. Essdras M. Suarez, Pulitzer Prize-winning photo journalist and a Panama native, leads students on a visual and cultural journey through his photographic adventures.

January 22. 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET. $25-$30.

Birds of Prey: Living with Modern Dinosaurs

Wednesday, January 31

Robert Johnson, master falconer, author and professor of biology at Coastal Carolina University, introduces the history and diversity of birds of prey—descendants of dinosaurs who ruled the earth longer than humans. These birds include eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and owls. Prof. Johnson highlights how birds of prey have adapted to nature and human technology, their value to human and ecological wellbeing, and discuss why these birds are beloved or hated.

January 31. 6:45 – 8:15 p.m. ET $20-$25.

Painting Birds in Colored Pencils and Watercolors

Thursdays, February 22 and February 29
SOLD OUT. Wait List Room Filling Up!

Artist: Lori VanKirk Schue

Offered in two Studio Art sessions, each three hours long, animal artist and Audubon Society member Lori VanKirk Schue brings out students’ inner creativity to illustrate birds in their natural habitats. Students will study reference photos to learn how to draw intricate bird feathers, capture eye gloss, wing display, and position feet using colored pencils or watercolors. Shue’s work has been featured in The Artist Life and publications of the Colored Pencil Society of America.

February 22 and February 29. 1 pm- 4 p.m. ET. $95-$115.

Brewing Up a Bird-Friendly Cup

Thursday, February 22

The blue-necked tanager is often found on shade-grown coffee farms.

Drinking bird-friendly coffee can help save songbirds, inspire them to get their song on and give you a great cup of Joe. Who knew – Ruth Bennett, a research ecologist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Migratory Bird Center, for one. She explains bird-friendly coffee and highlights how the Smithsonian and farmers growing coffee under native shade trees are protecting winter habitats for songbirds and creating a market for coffee certified bird-friendly.

February 22. 7-8:30 pm. ET. $25-$30.

Build A Tiny Bird House

Friday, February 23 – March 8

Birdhouse by Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

Bring out your inner architect by constructing and embellishing your own customized bird house. This three-day Studio Arts course with Marcie Wolf-Hubbard is open to all levels, ages 14 up. Using paper-mâché, acrylics, mixed media, and other techniques, students will learn how to fabricate and personalize their homes inside and out.

February 22. 7-8:30 pm. ET. $25-$30.

Drawing Birds in Graphite

Monday February 26 – March 18.
SOLD OUT! Wait List Filling up. Four Sessions

Drawing by Natalia Wilkins-Tyler

Learn how to examine and draw the four body parts that make up a bird—face, body, wings, and feet—by drawing birds in graphite pencil. This course for intermediate-level artists is offered in four sessions running two hours each. Previous drawing experience is required. Instructor Natalia Wilkins-Tyler is a science illustrator and graphic designer.

February 26-March 18. 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET. $125-$145.

This post was contributed by Joann Stevens, a volunteer with Smithsonian Associates and local freelance writer. Joann also enjoys serving in a variety of community music, arts and education programs.