[ Keynote Speaker | Welcome Reception Speaker | Featured Artist ]

Saturday, August 7, 2010
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Conference Headquarters, Knights of Columbus Hall
Banquet and Keynote Speech by Rick Taylor, Cost Per Person $35.00
Business Casual Dress

On Saturday our Keynote speaker will be Richard Cachor Taylor, noted author of bird guides to Southeast Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.  Speaking on the “Mexican Marauders:  The Next Potential Wave of Avian Invaders to Arizona” , Rick will explain why Southeastern Arizona is one of the most exciting regions for birding in North America, with beauties such as Berylline Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, and Five-striped Sparrow occurring regularly nowhere else north of the Mexican border.  Recent incursions of Mexican birds have delighted the entire U.S. birding community.  Among the most glamorous have been Short-tailed Hawk, Gray-collared Becard, Sinaloa Wren, Brown-backed Solitaire, Blue Mockingbird, Rufous-capped Warbler, and Flame-colored Tanager.  What will be the next Mexican stray to follow the watercourses and ridgelines straddling the border?  Perhaps Great Black-Hawk, White-striped Woodcreeper, Mountain Trogon, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, or Elegant Euphonia?  Rick Taylor will share his top picks, as well as offering tips for identifying these possible avian invaders from south of the border.

The Annual Southwest Wings Banquet and Keynote, by Rick Taylor, will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Sierra Vista starting promptly at 6:00 pm. Mr Taylor will autograph copies of his new book at the banquet.

Thursday, August 5, 2010
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Conference Headquarters, Knights of Columbus Hall
Welcome Reception Cost Per Person: $25.00
Business Casual Dress

Welcome Reception Guest Speaker: On Thursday evening SW Wings will feature a presentation by noted author and adventurer, Helen Thayer. Honored by the White House, author of the best-selling book Polar Dream . Helen Thayer is the first woman to solo any of the world’s Poles when she trekked alone to the magnetic North Pole at age 50 without resupply, dog teams or snowmobiles. Polar bears were her constant, deadly companions. She is also the first woman to walk across the Sahara desert. She traveled a distance of 2,100 miles.

In a 45 minute slide program of spellbinding photography you will hear the powerful story of her polar journey and the struggle to survive. How she solved problems, overcame obstacles and how an unshakable belief in her ability to reach her goal finally rewarded her with success. Helen will motivate your audience to believe they too have unlimited horizons. Helen tells us, “My journey was like life itself. We all have our problems as we travel to our goals but we can all reach our goals just as I did, one step at a time, never giving up on ourselves. If we reach for the top and believe we can do it we can all make our dreams come true.”

Jo Ann Loza resides in Miller Canyon, at the base of the Huachuca Mountains in southeast Arizona. The Lucifer hummingbird has visited her yard on many occasions, as well as several of the yards that border the Huachuca Mountains. Being able to be in close contact with this unique hummingbird has made it a particular favorite of hers, as well as a welcome subject for art. She has spent many hours at Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast observing these amazing hummingbirds.     Jo Ann has lived in Arizona all of her life and appreciates the incredible natural diversity that Arizona has to offer. She is currently completing her certification program in Botanical Art and Illustration from the Desert Botanical Garden Botanical Illustration School. She is preparing illustrations for the upcoming books and publications: Cacti of Arizona (updated), Intermountain Flora, and Endangered Plants of the Grand Canyon. Her illustrations for the latter will be featured in a show at the Kolb Gallery at the Grand Canyon in July, 2010.   Jo Ann is a member of the Society of Botanical Artists, the Colored Pencil Society of America, and is an officer of the Arizona society for both organizations.

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