We’re Looking for a Few New Board Members for 2023

We’re Looking for a Few New Board Members for 2023

Written by Lori Danielson

Eastside Audubon is seeking four new board members in the next few months. Being on the board is a great opportunity to meet new people and support an important environmental conservation voice on the Eastside. Our current board is a very welcoming group and works well together to advance the work we all care about and support our staff and volunteers. We have a great mix of people who really care about birds, the environment, and our organization.

Diversity on the board is really important to us, so we’re looking for candidates of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and neighborhoods, as well as younger professionals.

The board positions that we’re looking to fill include:

• Birding

• Community Outreach

• Volunteer Coordination

• Financial Development

We have job descriptions for each of these positions and can provide those on request.

Besides the board chair positions, we have other open projects for volunteers too, including coordinating our program night speakers, citizen science, holiday gift wrap event, and our Birdathon fundraiser, among others. 

We’ll be holding an online open house to talk about volunteer openings on Monday, September 12th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. In it, we’ll talk about the organization, the open positions, and we’ll answer questions.

If you’re interested or know someone who might fit the bill, register here to get the Zoom link for the virtual open house. 

Photo of the Month: June

Jim Haas and Jeff Lane Are Named Photographers of the Month 

Jim Haas and Jeff Lane were the co-winners of the Eastside Audubon Society Photo of the Month award in June. 

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Jim was honored for his shot of a Merganser that was ferrying her young at the south end of Lake Washington near the mouth of the Cedar River.  

“The Merganser swam up to a pile of logs in the lake, gathered her ducklings, and was headed back to her nest when I took the picture,” he says. “It looked like a good ride until the mother saw something and dove after it.” 

This was the third time the Photography Group honored Jim’s work. 

Photo Details

The sun was behind the birds and required the use of Topaz DeNoise to adjust lighting and remove the noise in both photos.

Merganser ferries her young

Sony A7iv | 200-600 mm lens at 600 mm | 1/2000 of a second at f/9 | ISO 1000

The ups and downs of a free ride

Sony A7iv | 200-600 mm lens at 600 mm | 1/2000 of a second at f/9 | ISO 1000

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Jeff was honored for his shot of a grebe at Yellowstone National Park. His work has been featured at the Parklane Gallery. Jeff has been shooting photographs for some 30 years and strives to “capture images good enough to get an emotional response from viewers.”

More of his work can be viewed at jlanephotos.com.

Photo Details

Grebe at Yellowstone National Park

Nikon Z9 | NIKKOR 500 mm | 1/640 of a second at f/11 | ISO 1600

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About the Eastside Audubon Photograph of the Month Award 

The Photo of the Month award was instituted to recognize the work of the Photo Group Members. The group members meet monthly to show their latest photos and videos as well as share their knowledge of photography and wildlife. To attend the meeting, please join the group’s announcement list.

Don’t Forget the Insects!

Don’t Forget the Insects!

Written by Jim Rettig

Birders spend a lot of time (and money) looking at, learning about, and photographing birds.  It’s a terrific hobby:  it gets you outside, keeps you active, opens up the beauty and complexity of the natural world, helps you make new and lasting friends, puts you in touch with conservation organizations locally and around the world, and can get you active in local conservation efforts. And it also opens up other areas of interest, such as insects:  dragonflies and butterflies to name two.

Insects and other invertebrates play key ecological roles in the complex and intricate natural world, and are critical to the survival of countless other species.  According to Merrill Peterson, “The diversity of life . . . reaches a pinnacle in the insect world. . . . Indeed, according to current estimates, insects account for about two-thirds of the species of multicellular organisms [and] the variety of insects is enough to boggle the mind.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are more than 30,000 species of insects, and if you were to thoroughly sample the fauna of your backyard, you would almost certainly find more species of insects than the entire diversity of birds in the U.S. and Canada.” ¹

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly by Jim Rettig

Herbivorous insects drive plant diversity by making plants evolve new defenses so they aren’t always eaten.  Herbivores  limit the ability of a single plant species to dominate the landscape (except when we use pesticides and herbicides that enable invasive species to push out natives).   As pollinators, insects enable flowering plants to thrive.  They feed on dead matter which facilitates microbial breakdown thus recycling nutrients and make them available to other plants.  And, of course, insects become food for birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals such as Grizzly Bears in Montana which eat migrating moths.  Insects provide humans with honey, silk, wax, dyes, and, in some cultures, food. They are also essential subjects in medical and basic biological research.  

Unfortunately, just as bird populations are decreasing, so too are populations of insect species. 

You know the reasons:  among them are the increasing use of herbicides and pesticides, monocultural farming, habitat loss, and invasive species that offer no food to local insects.

So in urging all of us not to forget the insects, I offer eight things we can do to create insect-friendly habitats.  The eight listed here summarize an article written by Akito Y. Kawahara and others, which appeared in a National Academy of Sciences publication.²

1. Convert lawns into diverse natural habitats.  In the United States alone there are over 40 million acres of lawns, all biodiversity deserts.  Even if we converted only 10% or our lawns, that could significantly aid insect conservation.  And if every school and local park did the same, usable habitat for insects would increase by millions of acres.

2. Grow native plants.  Members of Audubon know this already.  Native insects and birds need native plants, plants they they have evolved with over millions of years.

3. Reduce pesticide and herbicide use.  Or stop using these products altogether.  They not only kill insects and plants, many are harmful to humans in various ways.  

4. Limit the use of exterior lighting.  Light pollution attracts nocturnal insects.  Artificial lights are powerful sensory traps that can kill insects through exhaustion or predation.

5. Lessen soap runoff from washing vehicles and building exteriors, and reduce use of driveway sealants and de-icing salts.  Soaps, sealants and salts produce significant quantities of pollutants that can drain into local water systems killing aquatic insects.  Use biodegradable soaps, soy-based sealants, and shovels or snowblowers to get rid of the snow and ice.

6. Increase the awareness and appreciation of insects by countering negative perceptions of insects.  Get to know the benefits that insects bring to humankind.  Such benefits can easily be remembered as the “5Ps”:  1) Pollinators, 2) Prey, 3) Physical decomposers, 4) Progress — helping science and technology, 5) Pleasure — they bring beauty, delight, and fascination to those who look.

7. Become an educator, ambassador, and advocate for insect conservation.  Point them out to your children and grandchildren.  Join The Xerces Society³ which is dedicated to conserving, enhancing, and protecting insects and other invertebrates.  It publishes a new activity book called X Kids that uses story-telling and science-based activities to help children discover the environment around them.

8. Get involved in local politics, support science, and vote!  Political action at the local level can significantly advance insect conservation.

Golden Crab Spider with Fly by Jim Rettig

A few years ago, my two sons and I hiked into Yellow Aster Butte in the North Cascades.  When I walked out a few days later I took lots of time getting to the car because I was photographing such a wide variety of blooming flowers.  Very impressive.  And when I think of how insects drove plants to evolve to defend themselves from these predators, resulting in such a great variety if blossoming beauties, I give thanks to the Creator for both the flora and fauna.  

Don’t forget the insects.

¹Merrill A. Peterson, Pacific Northwest INSECTS, Seattle Audubon, 2018

² If you’d like to get a copy of this article, contact me at jrettigtanager@gmail.com.

³Contact The Xerces Society at xerces.org or call toll-free 855-232-6639. 

Photo of the Month: May

A Birding Couple that Clicks Together is Named as Photographers of the Month in May

Don and Margaret Larkin were named the photographers of the month for their outstanding work presented to the Eastside Audubon Photography Group in May. The husband-and-wife team are frequent contributors to the group and are recognized by other participants for their knowledge of bird photography as well as their understanding of bird behavior. 

Don and Margaret Larkin getting ready for more nature adventures.

They have been photographing nature since before they were a couple. On their first date, Don asked Margaret if she would like to travel with him to photograph the Olympic National Park, and they have been clicking shutters together ever since. 

Don learned photography in college as a fun escape to the outdoors, focusing on landscapes. Margaret grew up in rural Eastern Washington and learned about all the birds chirping around her. She got interested in nature photography in her early 30s when she took a class at Seattle Mountaineers. They met in the Mountaineers and became active trip leaders for the photography committee. 

“Over the past 20 years together, we have merged our photography interests by shooting landscapes, wildlife, and birds, sometimes all on the same trip,” says Margaret. “It can be fun and exhausting, and there have been times when we have kissed the car after bushwhacking our way back in the middle of the night.”

“We both enjoy getting out in nature and photographing together, seeing different possibilities with the same subject and ending up with very different photos,” Don says.  “What is special is the support and collaboration we have together. Margaret researches where we might find good subjects by using birding apps and checking E-bird. I research where the bakeries are and make sure Margaret has her latte.”

You can see more of their work on SmugMug and Instagram.

Photo Details

Sapsucker Pair. Afternoon Delight. Shot by Don at the Stillwater Unit of the Snoqualmie Valley Wildlife Area. Don saw the birds land on the limb at eye level. He was able to walk slowly to a clear area between two large trees and take the photos. They were quick about it and soon took off in different directions. 

The photo was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera using a Canon EF 500mm lf4 lens.  The shutter speed was 1/750 of a second, ISO 1250, and the aperture was set at f/6.7.

Yellow-rumped Warber. Shot by Don at Juanita Bay. This Yellow-rumped Warbler is surrounded by willow trees in the background and foreground. 

The photo was shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera using a Canon EF 500mm lf4 lens. The shutter speed was 1/750 of a second, ISO 1250, and the aperture was set at f/6.7.

Bullock’s Oriole.  Shot by Margaret at the Stillwater Unit of the Snoqualmie Valley Wildlife Area. Here is a Bullock’s Oriole, a beautiful bird in the fresh spring foliage. 

The photo was taken with a Sony A73 camera and FE 200-600 lens at 600 mm. The shutter speed was 1/320 of a second, ISO 1250, and the aperture was set at f/11.  

Yellow-rumped Warbler on Willow branch. Shot by Margaret Juanita Bay. This little warbler was actively gleaning insects from an overhead branch. The gray sky made a good background for the warbler with its gray, yellow, and black plumage. 

Shot with a Sony A73 camera using a FE 200-600 lens at 600 mm. The shutter speed was 1/320 of a second, ISO 125, and the aperture was set at f/11.

About the Eastside Audubon Photograph of the Month Award 

The Photo of the Month award was instituted to recognize the work of the Photo Group Members. The group members meet monthly to show their latest photos and videos as well as share their knowledge of photography and wildlife. To attend the meeting, please join the group’s announcement list

Volunteer Holiday Gift Wrapping Program Manager Needed!

Volunteer Holiday Gift Wrapping Program Manager Needed!

Do you have an interest in volunteering with Eastside Audubon in leadership capacity?  If so, we want to hear from you!

Eastside Audubon is looking for a volunteer to become our Holiday Gift Wrapping Program Manager.

Background:

Prior to the COVID pandemic, Eastside Audubon would hold an annual holiday gift wrapping booth during the week leading up to Christmas.  Our booth was located inside the REI store in Issaquah.  Our volunteers would wrap gifts in cloth gift bags made by our members or wrapping paper in exchange for donations from shoppers.  We would like to restart that tradition.

About You:

You are an enthusiastic person who can jump in with both feet and represent the chapter.  Building relationships with other volunteers and organizations is your jam.  

About The Position:

This position requires a commitment of a few hours a week, from July through the end of December.  Specific duties can be summed up into 3 categories:

1. Materials. Solicit donations for the cloth to make the gift bags from Eastside Audubon members or organizations in our service area

2. Relationship Development. You will work with REI Issaquah or another business that is willing to host the fundraiser again and schedule the time that our gift wrapping booth will be there.

3. Volunteer Recruitment. Recruit volunteers to sew the gift bags and others to do the gift wrapping. Historically, we have staffed the booth every evening and on the weekend for the week leading up to Christmas.

Don’t let this sound overwhelming.  This is a fun and rewarding part of our fundraising efforts and we will support and guide you 100% of the way!

For more information, please reach out to Jeremy Lucas at Jeremy.lucas79@gmail.com

Redmond Declares World Migratory Bird Day

Redmond Declares World Migratory Bird Day

Thanks to the efforts of Joshua Feldon, a high school junior and new Conservation Committee member, Redmond proclaimed May 14, 2022 as World Migratory Bird Day.  

Joshua Feldon and proclamation signed by Mayor Angela Birney.

Though birders are all aware of the astonishing feat that millions of birds perform twice yearly flying from their winter homes in Central and South America to their breeding grounds in North America and back again, many in the public remain unaware.  As a first step in promoting bird-friendly communities and to increase public awareness, Joshua presented the Redmond City Council with the proclamation which was signed by Mayor Angela Birney.

Josh started noticing backyard and neighborhood birds while spending extra time at home during the pandemic.  He became fascinated by the wide variety of avian sights, sounds, and behaviors and started to look forward to seeing both new species and familiar visitors.  When he developed a soft spot for a visiting Northern Flicker he named “Windom” he knew he was hooked and started looking for ways to help our local birds thrive.  Working with EAS has been a natural fit.  An honors student at Redmond High School, Josh hopes to someday combine his STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) talents and his passion for wildlife as an environmental engineer

So, what’s next?   Joshua suggested the Conservation Committee join National Audubon and the International Dark-sky Association in developing a Lights Out program, which encourages building owners and managers to turn off excess lighting during migrating months.  We are getting our subcommittee organized. If you or someone you know is interested in being on the team, we would be delighted to have you join us. Please email the office or Claire Waltman, Conservation Chair, at cwaltman1@gmail.com.

Photo of the Month: April

Mick Thompson’s Stunning Photo of American Kestrels Mating Wins the Photo of the Month Award

There’s a saying that “luck comes to those who are prepared.” Nothing could illustrate this better than Mick Thompson’s photo of two American Kestrels mating. The shot was unanimously selected as the Photo of the Month by the Eastside Audubon Society Photography Group in April.

Mick was preparing to take a photo of a female Kestrel when a male swooped in from nowhere at the Canoa Ranch Conservation Park in Green Valley, Arizona in March. The mating lasted a matter of seconds. Mick is known to many Eastside Audubon members for his photo donations to the organization’s website as well the images he has shot for the Bird Note organization. Mick’s photography style is characterized by its artistry as well as technical excellence. He is self-taught and started bird photography in 1986. He started spending a lot of time on bird photography about 12 years ago. “I enjoy being out in the natural world as I try to get nice photos and also seeing them used by Audubon to support the great work they do,” he says. More of his work can be seen on Instagram.

American Kestrel by Mick Thompson.

The photo was taken with an Olympus E-M1X with a 150-400mm with a 1.4x converter. The shutter was 1/4000 of a second, the ISO 1600, and the aperture was set at f/8.0.

2022 College Scholarship Award Winner

2022 College Scholarship Award Winner

Written by Mary Britton-Simmons

Thanks to the generous donations of Eastside Audubon members, the Youth Education Committee awarded Connie Huang a $5000.00 college scholarship. A senior from Skyline High School in the Issaquah School District, she is passionate about the environment, specifically about climate justice. “I work to advocate for equitable solutions to intersectional issues that are caused by the warming climate. I find myself drawn to creating paths to alleviate the stressors of environmental racism, climate disasters, and global warming that marginalized communities are especially vulnerable to.”

From protesting as a toddler against pruning and mowing her backyard “plant friends” to planning Earth Day protests in Seattle, Connie has always been an activist. As the co-president of her school’s Green Team, she works in the school garden, is involved in upcycling projects, and competed in the first Envirothon chapter at Skyline where they won second place. Her activism does not stop at Skyline’s front door. Connie is a council member of the Future Blue Youth Council which focuses on youth-led environmental projects. In addition, she is a community organizer for Washington Youth for Climate Justice where she plans and leads education circles, develops webinars about climate justice, organizes protests, and helps to establish fund raisers for unhoused people. 

In spite of all her activism, she maintains an A average while taking advanced courses at Skyline High School. And her plans for university? “I plan to major in sustainable development and seek to strengthen my ability to ground environmental science in problems of human society by minoring in sociology.” 

All applicants must respond to eight questions. When asked, “What is the most interesting thing you have learned in high school,” Connie responded, “In the soil beneath our feet, the trees are talking.” She described their subterrestrial network of communication. “Trees have taught me the importance of mutual love and care in building healthy and sustainable communities where every member feels that their role is central to the community.”

In the future, the world will definitely hear more from Connie Huang. She represents the best of youth and hope for the environment. 

Photo Credit: Green Tree by Alexander Kovalyov.