Inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a Polar Bear perches atop a whale skull with the Brooks Range in the background.

Normally sea-ice abuts the Arctic coastline in September, allowing Polar Bears to move between the land and ice-flows. This year the ice was more than 600 miles away, potentially stranding the bears.


	Upcoming Workshops, Exhibits and Presentations January - February 2013 Exhibit: Owls and Other Birds Sand Point Grill http://www.sandpointgrill.com/ West Seattle, Washington Through Jan 5th, 2013 The Owl and The Woodpecker (Washington State) Traveling Exhibit Bloedel Reserve http://www.bloedelreserve.org/ Bainbridge Island, Washington Through April 28, 2013 The Owl and The Woodpecker (National) Traveling Exhibit Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History http://www.sbnature.org/exhibitions/1.html Santa Barbara, California January 31, 2013 - 7:00 PM The Owl and The Woodpecker Images and Stories Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History http://www.sbnature.org/about/385.html Santa Barbara, California February 2 - April 14, 2013 Owl and Woodpecker (Washington State) Traveling Exhibit Edmonds Historical Museum http://www.historicedmonds.org/Coming_Exhibits.html Edmonds, Washington February 16, 2013 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Bird Photography Workshop With Seattle Audubon Breazeale Interpretive Center at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/GetInvolved/Classes/ClassSchedule.aspx Mount Vernon, Washington March 07, 2013 - 7:00 PM Inland Empire Gardeners Presentation: Birds and Habitat Spokane, Washington March 24, 2013 - 2:00 PM Owls of the North Icicle Creek Center for the Arts Snowy Owl Theatre Grand Opening Leavenworth, Washington Tickets $5 http://www.icicle.org April 27 - July 7, 2013 Owl and Woodpecker (Washington State) Traveling Exhibit Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center http://www.bellevuewa.gov/eastside_explorers_series.htm Bellevue, Washington September 28, 2013 - 9:00 AM Interactive Presentation: Owls of North America Cedar River Watershed Education Center http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/OurWatersheds/CedarRiverWatershed/CedarRiverEducationCenter/index.htm North Bend, Washington September 29, 2014 - 9:00 AM Interactive Presentation: Woodpeckers of North America Cedar River Watershed Education Center http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/OurWatersheds/CedarRiverWatershed/CedarRiverEducationCenter/index.htm North Bend, Washington October 11-12, 2013 Columbia Council of Camera Clubs Keynote and Workshops Hood River Inn Hood River, Oregon October 12, 2013 - January 1, 2014 Owl and Woodpecker (Washington State) Traveling Exhibit Western Washington University Libraries Bellingham, Washington December 7 - 13, 2013 Photo Workshop with Len Rue Jr and I Photograph blizzards of snow geese and sandhill cranes plus eagles, ducks and a host of other wildlife, as well as the undulating gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument. Learn from two master photographers on a classic photo shoot. http://www.photosafaris.com/main/tours-by-date/ Bosque del Apache & White Sands, New Mexico Fine Art Prints Prints of any images in this newsletter, in the fine art gallery http://www.paulbannick.com/fine-art-prints/#id=album-218649&num=content-5636180 or the PhotoShelter stock page http://paulbannick.photoshelter.com/ are available as limited edition prints. All prints are made using archival paper and inks. If you are interested in a particular photo or species and you can't find it here, send Paul an email and he will do his best to find it for you. Prices vary by size, but the basic sizes are listed below. 8"x12": $100 12"x18": $200 16"x24": $250 Prices do not include shipping charges. Checks or cash are accepted and orders are shipped within 15 days.

"The Owl and the Woodpecker"
Purchase now on Amazon.com

WAITING FOR WINTER

Over centuries wildlife have adapted to their survival strategies finely tuned to their native habitas and seasons. As the climate changes more quickly, wildlife are challenged to adapt.

Short-eared Owls are well camouflaged on the Arctic tundra before the snow falls.

Late snow means that the normally camouflaged Rock Ptarmigan are exposed to potential predators.

With snow a couple of months late, I watched Arctic Foxes that were so exposed on the tundra that they clung to anything white on the tundra, including a piece of styrofoam.

In the fall, groups of juvenile Snowy Owls are unusually vocal and cantankerous before irrupting south with coming snows.

With the first snows, the behavior of the Arctic Foxes changes noticeably. The white foxes that were skittish and wary on the brown tundra suddenly prance with confidence, perhaps knowing they are better hidden on the snow.

Once the snow begins to pile up, most juveniles move southward, leaving the northernmost territories to the adult owls. This juvenile left the next day, the same day Snowy Owls began showing up in the Pacific Northwest.

At the same time the Arctic is frozen and snow covered, birds from California to Washington are in the peak of fall rituals. This Acorn Woodpecker appears to present an offering.

When the cold weather arrives, we are greeted with surprising visitors such as intergrade flickers showing signs of both Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted lineage.

Cards and Calendars

I did not create a calendar for 2013 but I do do have several sets of cards available, including:

Owls of North America, which includes 10 cards of North American Owls for $16 (includes shipping)

Owls of North America II, which includes 8 superior quality cards of North American Owls for $20 (including shipping)

Woodpeckers of North America I, which includes 10 cards for $16 (including shipping)

Email me at paul.bannickm@gmail.com for payment instructions.


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