On Thursday, February 5th, the South Florida National Parks Camera Club, Inc. (SFNPCC) is hosting a presentation on “Tips for Better Bird Photography” at the Villages of Homestead Clubhouse. The presentation, which runs from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, will cover the basics of bird photography as well as tips for how the pros get the best shots. Nature photographer from South Florida, Lorraine Thomas will be giving the presentation. Lorraine has over eight years of experience photographing birds. At times photographing birds can be downright difficult, but amazingly fun and rewarding!
Some of the best birding in South Florida is from January through March. Migratory waterfowls are particularly plentiful as are herons, egrets, plovers, and ibis as they stalk the mud flats in search of shrimp, marine worms, aquatic insects, and other tidbits. By far the best time for bird viewing is at low tide, when the mud flats are fully exposed.
Lorraine Thomas began photographing in high school. In college she took some photography classes as electives and that’s where she learned to develop B&W film and all about exposure. All that served her well years later when she retook her hobby some 10 years ago, though no longer with film. She recalls that the first time she went to the Everglades to photograph birds she was hooked. A notorious sleepyhead, she found herself excited about waking up at 4 am to drive to the west coast to spend the entire day photographing shore birds. That’s when she realized she had found her passion. She spent the next eight years seriously photographing birds to improve her skills and her photographs.
In the last couple of years, Lorraine has focused more on landscape photography. She says she hasn’t forgotten or abandoned, her birds, but she just loves traveling. She has also rediscovered her love for hiking and is now actively pursuing photography trips where she can combine both of these hobbies.
Lorraine’s bird photography has been selected in contests such as NANPA, Audubon Magazine, and Nature’s Best Photography where her photograph was exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided during the presentation. Non-members of the SFNPCC club are welcome to attend but will be charged $10. To reserve a seat please email: info@sfnpcc.org or visit our website http://sfnpcc.org for more details.
Featured in the South Dade News Leader 1.30.15