Program Description:

Distant Shores:  The Nature of Hawaii

Born of Fire and shaped by time and human activity, the Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated archipelago in the world. In this slide program we explore the four largest islands, from the youngest and still growing "Big Island" of Hawaii to the oldest and lushest "Garden Island" of Kauai, and Oahu and Maui in between. We will showcase ongoing volcanic activity at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the stark moonscape of Maui's Haleakala. Across the islands and In a setting of stunning tropical beauty, we look at Hawaiian birds, both native and introduced, and the variation from windward to leeward sides of the islands. Sadly, many of Hawaii's native birds have already been lost and some that remain are in deep trouble. We'll explore some last vestiges of native habitat and highlight the birds that depend on them, discussing threats and efforts to save them. Join us for a revealing look at one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth!

Speakers: Denise and Scott are long-time avid birders, and past officers of the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club. They've given numerous slide presentations to birding, nature, and other groups across New York State, and teach birding and nature photography in the adult education programs of several Capital Region school districts. Scott is retired from a 31-year career with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Denise is an ordained priest in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests and is on the faculty of the Peoples Catholic Seminary.

Their award-winning nature photography has been widely exhibited in New York State, and appeared in numerous publications, including Birder’s World/Birdwatching, National Wildlife, New York State Conservationist, Albany Times Union, and several books. Their bird photos have been featured on several covers of The Kingbird, the journal of the New York State Ornithological Association. In 2021, their feature article was published in the international Wild Sojourns Magazine.