SOUTHWEST WINGS
Birding and Nature Festival in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Greatest Little Birding Festival in the United States - since 1991
Our mission is to promote nature-based tourism and environmental awareness in southeastern Arizona
​FIELD TRIPS | Guides | KEYNOTE DINNER | FREE PROGRAM | PRESENTERS | VENDORS
2024 summer festival
KEYNOTE DINNER
Thursday August 1, 2024, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Pueblo del Sol Country Club, 2770 St Andrews Drive, Sierra Vista
We are privileged to welcome distinguished ornithologist, artist and author Julie Zickefoose as our Keynote speaker. She will be telling us about how she became a celebrated natural history writer and illustrator.
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​Julie lives and works quietly on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in the back country of Whipple, Ohio. She is a prolific writer and painter who was an All Things Considered commentator for five years. Her illustrated work, The Bluebird Effect, was an Oprah's Book Club pick in 2012. After 37 years of contributing art and writing to Bird Watcher's Digest, Julie recently became Advising Editor to the new and improved BWD Magazine. Her heavily illustrated books include Natural Gardening for Birds, Letters from Eden, The Bluebird Effect, and Baby Birds: An Artist Looks Into the Nest. Her newest book is Saving Jemima: Life and Love With a Hard-Luck Jay, the intimate story of how an orphaned bird can save a soul.
Books, Birds and Following Passion’s Path
This is an origin story; a close look at the making of a natural history writer and illustrator. It follows the threads of inspiration from formative books and influential artists in Julie’s early years, to the creation of her own books. Zickefoose tracks in intimate detail the exceptionally close interactions she has with birds under her study and care. These experiences have given her deep insight into the way birds think and see the world. “There’s no better way to come to know a bird than to be its mama. Then, to let it go and watch it learn to navigate its world and become what it was meant to be—this is how I come to understand birds: from their beginnings on outward.”
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Illustrated with Julie’s own photographs, drawings and paintings, this lecture brings viewers into her world, and that of the birds she has come to know. A brood of Carolina wrens: ferociously intelligent, surprisingly affectionate, inventive and comical, consumed Julie’s summer in 2023. You’ll leave with a far greater appreciation of these small brown birds, and all birds, who have been Julie’s best instructors in the ways of the wild.
The Keynote Dinner is $50 per person.
Limited Seating. Reservations accepted until Monday, July 22, 2024.
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​If you are not participating on Field Trips, you do not have to register for the dinner. You may reserve and purchase the Keynote Dinner in advance through our SHOP by Monday, July 22.
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​​You can also pay by PayPal
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Or call us by July 22 at 520.263.4507 to make advance reservations and purchase your dinner by cash, check or credit card in person at the Keynote Dinner on Aug 1.
Should you have any questions email admin@swwings.org or call us.
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Delight in a delicious Mediterranean meal at the beautiful Pueblo del Sol Country Club, 2770 St Andrews Dr, only five minutes from the Mall.
We hope you can join us for this special night!
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