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Ty Smedes
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Us |
I
typically have several presentations scheduled, and here are the details.
Some of these are open to the public and some are not.
2018/2019
Presentation Schedule |
Date
& Time |
Topic |
Description |
Location |
Jan
17th
7:00pm |
Climate For
Change |
As we experience an
exploding human population and rapidly increasing pressure upon
remaining habitat, the plant and animal communities that make up
our planet’s diverse ecosystems are under siege. Along with
covering Iowa’s natural history, Ty Smedes, an Iowa outdoor
writer and nature photographer has ventured to the jungles of South
America, the savannas of Africa, the icy shores of Antarctica, and
the high mountain stronghold of New Guinea’s fabled Birds
of Paradise. Join Ty for a slide presentation and lecture, as we
discover many spectacular species of wildlife, and explore some
of our planet’s most wild places. We will discuss the challenges
faced by many of these creatures, as we highlight several local
and global success stories and consider the need for environmental
sustainability during this 21st century. |
Big Bluestem
Audubon - Ames Public Library |
Feb
9th
10:30am & 12:30pm |
Raptors of the
Midwest |
While most Iowans may
recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s
Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many
other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with
many other species that pass through on migration. Join us for an
interesting presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons,
eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through
on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss
their physical traits as well as identifying the prey they seek,
and the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young.
You’ll also learn tips for identifying these birds of prey,
when you spot one sitting or on the wing. And of course there will
be many colorful photos to help with identification! |
Des Moines Eagle
Days - Fellowship Baptist Church, Adjacent to SE 6th Bridge. |
Feb
10th
2:00pm |
Raptors of the
Midwest |
While most Iowans may
recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s
Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many
other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with
many other species that pass through on migration. Join us for an
interesting presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons,
eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through
on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss
their physical traits as well as identifying the prey they seek,
and the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young.
You’ll also learn tips for identifying these birds of prey,
when you spot one sitting or on the wing. And of course there will
be many colorful photos to help with identification! |
Woodbury Co.
- Briar Cliff University, St. Francis Center meeting room |
Feb
12th
6:30pm |
Voyage to the
Bottom of the World |
In December of 2014,
I spent almost a month exploring the southern reaches of the globe
on the Expedition ship Ortelius. The first stop was the Falkland
Islands, the site of the largest Black-browed Albatross colony in
the world, numbering 220,000 breeding pairs. In addition, Rockhopper
Penguin pairs were breeding in various places among the albatross.
Next stop was South Georgia Island, the diamond in the Southern
Ocean's crown jewels of Sub-Antarctic islands, a spectacular glaciated
landscape home to some of the greatest wildlife densities found
anywhere on earth. I will take us ashore to visit the huge Fur Seal
Colonies and to witness the titanic struggle between bull Elephant
Seals, each battling to become beach-master. We will visit King
Penguin colonies numbering 335,000 pairs or more. We’ll see
and hear their struggles to survive in a challenging climate, where
some of the roughest seas in the world meet. This island, just 100
miles long and with 100 million birds, is the most wildlife-rich
island on the planet! Along the Antarctic Peninsula, we will visit
dazzling blue icebergs in shapes that defy the imagination. This
stunning landscape hosts several penguin species and the leopard
seals that hunt them - framed by a backdrop of endless glaciers
and spectacular mountain scenics. Join us for this educational and
visually stunning presentation about this beautiful and wildlife-rich
part of the world. |
Wesley Acres
- 3520 Grand Ave, Des Moines |
Feb
18th
Noon |
The Return of
Iowa's Bald Eagles |
Join Iowa author/photographer
Ty Smedes for a slide presentation and lecture which will reveal
many incredibly interesting discoveries about Iowa's Bald Eagles
and how they go about their every-day lives in Iowa and the Midwest!
See eagles eating fish while on the wing, photos which illustrate
the plumage evolution of younger eagles, an eagle nest diary, eagles
flying with icicles on their toes, eagles diving, catching fish,
and much more. Learn how researchers track bald eagle movements,
and where eagles come from that winter in Iowa. And listen to the
many anecdotes about Iowa’s Bald Eagles. The presentation
will also reveal many highlights of the 2nd edition printing of
“The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles”, including
updated nesting and wintering statistics, Bald Eagle rehabilitator
updates, more than 70 new photos, and many exciting new action sequences.
The book will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
|
Ames Rotary
Club Luncheon- Gateway Hotel, Ames |
Feb
22nd
6:30pm |
Hawks, Falcons,
Eagles, and Owls of the Midwest |
While most Iowans may
recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s
Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many
other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with
many other species that pass through on migration. Join us for an
interesting presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons,
eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through
on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss
their physical traits as well as identifying the prey they seek,
and the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young.
You’ll also learn tips for identifying these birds of prey,
when you spot one sitting or on the wing. And of course there will
be many colorful photos to help with identification! |
Country Inn
- Prairie duChien, WI |
March
2nd
2:00pm |
Raptors of the
Midwest |
While most Iowans may
recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s
Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many
other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with
many other species that pass through on migration. Join us for an
interesting presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons,
eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through
on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss
their physical traits as well as identifying the prey they seek,
and the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young.
You’ll also learn tips for identifying these birds of prey,
when you spot one sitting or on the wing. And of course there will
be many colorful photos to help with identification!
|
Praire Heritage
Center - O'Brien Co. - Eagle Days, 4931
Yellow Ave, Peterson |
| March
7th 1:30 - 3:00pm |
South Georgia
Island - Nature's Masterpiece |
In the Atlantic Ocean,
nestled about half-way between the tips of South America and Africa,
a 100 mile long mountainous island towers above the sea. It’s
beaches are a wildlife paradise, crowded with battling bull Elephant
and Fur Seals, all vying for space with several species of penguins,
which number into the hundreds of thousands! This British protectorate
(former headquarters for the South Atlantic whaling fleet) is now
managed as a pristine environment. Home to more than 100 million
birds, including several species of Albatross, these protective
measures are expected to push the population to 300 million birds.
Come see and learn about this magical place, as we ply the scenic
bays, aboard the Ortelius, an expedition ship, built to navigate
some of the roughest seas in the world. Prepared as an educational
and stunningly beautiful presentation. |
Senior College
- Urbandale Public Library |
March
16th 9:00am
|
Wood Ducks in
Iowa |
Slide presentation and
lecture about the Wood Duck in Iowa, which will include interesting
facts about their life history. Will also disuss Wood Duck nest
box construction plans, along with knowing where to place them so
they will attract nesting Woodys. The slideshow will include plenty
of photos of Wood Ducks going about their everyday lives, eating,
attracting a mate, selecting a nest box, and with young. And of
course I'll have plenty of Ancedotes, having built and maintained
nest boxes for more than 30 years.. |
Purple Martin
Workshop/Seminar - CAM Iowa Clothing Center - 1005 Netmeg
Avenue, just northeast of Kalona. |
March
26th
6:30pm |
The Return of
Iowa's Bald Eagles |
Join Iowa author/photographer
Ty Smedes for a slide presentation and lecture which will reveal
many incredibly interesting discoveries about Iowa's Bald Eagles
and how they go about their every-day lives in Iowa and the Midwest!
See eagles eating fish while on the wing, photos which illustrate
the plumage evolution of younger eagles, an eagle nest diary, eagles
flying with icicles on their toes, eagles diving, catching fish,
and much more. Learn how researchers track bald eagle movements,
and where eagles come from that winter in Iowa. And listen to the
many anecdotes about Iowa’s Bald Eagles. The presentation
will also reveal many highlights of the 2nd edition printing of
“The Return of Iowa’s Bald Eagles”, including
updated nesting and wintering statistics, Bald Eagle rehabilitator
updates, more than 70 new photos, and many exciting new action sequences.
The book will be available for sale and can be signed by the author.
|
Toledo Public
Library - 206 E. High Street, Toledo |
| July
13th 6:00- 9:00pm |
Nature Photography
101 |
Slide Presentation and
lecture, with examples of what constitutes good nature photography.
We will cover technique, composition, and the things that make a
subject interesting to your viewer. We will also see and discuss
examples of what constitutes a good vs poor specimen, whether it
is a plant or animal. Scenic photography techniques will also be
covered. Lighting and exposure will be discussed, as well as camera
and lens choices, tripods, tripod heads, and other equipment.. Differences
between RAW and JPEG images will be explained, along with the advantages
of each, and a primer on post-processing on the computer, for optimum
results. This is a great class for those who want to get started
with nature photography as well as those who are already experienced
and want to pick up some new ideas and techniques. Best for those
with 35mm DSLR cameras utilizing interchangeable lenses, but will
be helpful to those with point-and-shoot cameras as well –
especially those wanting to upgrade to DSLR. |
Jester Park
Nature Center- JJester Park, Granger |
September
3rd - 11:00am
|
Raptors of
the Midwest
|
While most Iowans may
recognize our more common raptors, like the Red-tailed and Cooper’s
Hawks, along with the Great-horned and Barred Owls, there are many
other raptors that only occasionally nest in our state, along with
many other species that pass through on migration. Join us for an
interesting presentation where you will learn about the hawks, falcons,
eagles, owls, and vultures that live in Iowa or migrate through
on their way to nesting or wintering areas. We’ll discuss
their physical traits as well as identifying the prey they seek,
and the habitat they prefer for nesting and rearing their young.
You’ll also learn tips for identifying these birds of prey,
when you spot one sitting or on the wing. And of course there will
be many colorful photos to help with identification!
|
OWLS -
McFarland Park - Story County (must pay for lunch if interested)
|
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|