California Academy of Sciences - Audubon's Birds of America


		Great Blue Heron

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Visit the Audubon's Birds of America Exhibit and explore bird behavior and ecology through special programs designed for everyone to enjoy. The following programs are free with museum admission unless otherwise noted.

The Great Blue Herons of Golden Gate Park
Thursday, May 3
7:30 p.m.
Project Director for the Stow Lake Education Project and heron lover Nancy DeStefanis will talk about the graceful Great Blue Herons that have made their homes in Golden Gate Park. A short film by local filmmaker Judy Irving, "Heron Island," will be shown.

Saturday May 12
11 a.m.
Children and their adult friends can see beaks, bones, feathers, eggs and nests, as well as a view " Heron Island" by local filmmaker Judy Irving and hear Nancy's famous accordion rendition of "My Blue Herons."

Great Blue Heron Tours at Stow Lake
Every Sunday in May & Saturdays June 2, 9 & 16
10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Heron observation and explanation continues at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park thanks to Academy interns and Stow Lake Education Project Director Nancy DeStefanis, a heron expert. On Saturdays until the middle of June, visitors can peer through spotting scopes and gain insight into the lives of these majestic birds as they mate and hatch chicks on the island they have occupied since 1993. The Heron Explainers Project is cosponsored by the Academy of Sciences and the Golden Gate Audubon Society. Follow signs at the Stow Lake Boathouse to the Heron Explainers Project.

Wednesday May 16
The Endangered Birds of México: Causes and Perspectives
7:30 p.m. Morrison Auditorium
A special lecture with Dr. Gerardo Ceballos González. Senior Scientist and Professor, Institute of Ecology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Join Dr. Ceballos on a journey into the lives and conservation of the birds of México. Gerardo will discuss the book Las Aves de México en Peligro de Extinción (The Endangered Birds of México) which he co-authored. For more than two decades Dr. Ceballos has worked in several conservation projects throughout North and South America and has published over 100 scientific papers and books. He is currently working on jaguar conservation in Southern México and forest ecology in Costa Rica in collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences at Stanford University. Ceballos will be available to sign his book after the lecture.
The new exhibit, Audubon’s Birds of America, featuring original lithographs of John James Audubon, will be free and open to the public from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 415-750-7143 for more information.


		Great Horned Owl

The Art of Bird Illustration
Wednesday May 16 - Sunday May 20
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cowell Hall
Meet bird illustrator Keith Hansen and observe a live bird painting demonstration. Using various media, Keith will be working on plates for the book A Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada produced by the Yosemite Association. Keith Hansen has produced over 200 bird illustrations in various ornithological journals and has led birding trips all over the world.

Extraordinary Everyday Birds
Friday June 1
1 p.m.
Pigeons, crows and gulls hardly seem like extraordinary species to those ho encounter them everyday. But attend this program and you'll never look at them the same way again.

Studying Bird Behavior
Saturday June 2
1 p.m.
Take a scientific look at bird behavior. Researchers are uncovering amazing facts about eagles, owls, parrots, ravens and other fascinating birds. See some of the equipment and techniques used by scientists to study how birds communicate, solve problems and survive.

Field Sketching and Illustrating Birds
Saturday June 16
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join naturalists and artists Jack Laws and Allan Hopkins on a bird watching and illustrating exploration. First, look for birds and sketchthem at Strybing Arboretum and then come to the Academy and work on the details of your field sketchings. Jack and Allan will also lead a tour of Audubon's Birds of of America.
Group meets at the front gate of the Strybing Arboretum (9th Ave. and Lincoln Way). Program is free but reservations are required. Call (415) 750-7348 for reservations and more information.