Florida's Birding & Photo Fest official guide 2016 | Page 6

KEYNOTE & DESSERT RECEPTION $25 | Pioneer Barn, St. Augustine sponsored by PHOTO: GREG GULBRANSEN A Wildlife Photographers Dream B y C ha r les G l a tze r Chas Glatzer, Canon “Explorer of Light”, shares images and stories from the Falkland Islands... A Wildlife Photographer’s Dream. Having been to the Falklands 11 times Chas knows the islands intimately. Photographic opportunities of individual species at specific locations on each island visited, are determined by time of day, tidal influence, and weather. The Falkland Islands, a remote South Atlantic archipelago located 490km east of Patagonia, consists of two main islands East Falkland and West Falkland, and more than 700 smaller ones covering 12,173 sq km. With very low population density on all outer islands the animals have little or no fear of humans and are quite approachable. By sitting quietly and waiting, many of the birds will approach humans out of curiosity. Considered a bird photographer’s paradise, the archipelago is home to five species of breeding penguins, over 70% of the worlds breeding Black-browed albatross, the world’s most accessible King penguin colony, Southern Giant Petrels, Striated Cara Cara, Crested and Silvery grebes, endemic species include Cobb’s wren and Falklands Flightless steamer duck, as well as shorebirds, passerines, and much more. Additionally, the Islands residents include numerous breeding Southern Elephant seals, with predictable Orca predation occurring mid-Nov-Dec. Pinnipeds also include Fur seals, Leopard seals, Southern Sea lions, with Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphin often photographed from the beach. This is one you will not want to miss! 6 PHOTO: CHAS GLATZER Saturday 6:30-9 p.m. |