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programs, tours and events

AT ROOKERY BAY RESERVE

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and offers a two-story visitor center, art
gallery, gift shop and nature trail with viewing platform. Themed naturalist programs offered daily on topics such as manatees, sharks, sea
turtles, marine life touch tank and more. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6 – 12, and free for kids under six and
Friends of Rookery Bay members. Located at 300 Tower Road, one mile south of the intersection of US41 and Collier Boulevard. Learn
more, or register for events, at rookerybay.org.

Guided Boat and Kayak Tours January 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Two-hour guided kayak tours let you explore backwater bays and Nature Festival Keynote Presentation: “My Big Year Birding Adventure”
mangrove tunnels while learning about your surroundings from an South Florida author Sandy Komito is the only birder in North
experienced guide and naturalist. Tours provide opportunities to see America who's ever done two record-setting "Big Years," each of
wildlife such as wading birds, osprey, fish and dolphins. Tours include which exceeded 700 bird species observed. His experience helped
free admission to the Environmental Learning Center on day of trip and inspire the book and movie "The Big Year." Admission to the evening
proceeds support the non-profit Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc. Kayak and keynote presentation is $15.
boat tours are offered Tuesdays - Fridays from November - April.
January 17, 12 – 1 p.m.
January 9 - 13, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lunch & Learn Lecture: Tom Potts, Aquarius
Portraits in Graphite Program at Florida International University
Join our Artist in Residence, Lee Learn about an environmental topic and
Hammond, and learn how to realistically enjoy lunch in our auditorium. The January
draw portraits in graphite. In 5 days, you will lecture welcomes Tom Potts with Florida
learn everything you need to draw anything International University’s Medina Aquarius
proficiently in pencil. Hammond has been a professional artist and art Program, who will discuss the incredible 23-
instructor for more than 30 years. She has published more than 35 art year journey of living and working underwater aboard the Aquarius
instruction books. Cost is $395 (supplies are not included). undersea laboratory.
Lecture is $15, or $10 for Friends of Rookery Bay members,
January 11, 6 – 8 p.m. includes lunch.
Tales from the Coast: Clyde Butcher
Pre-eminent photographer Clyde Butcher will January 21, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
share experiences and images from more than Birds of the Beach
50 years spent creating exquisite black and white Southwest Florida is a critical stopover site for thousands of
photographs of untouched natural landscapes migrating and wintering shorebirds. In this class, Adam DiNuovo of
of North America. Clyde's life experience has Audubon Florida will discuss the life history of these birds and the
reinforced his sense of dedication to use his art form, photography, amazing journeys many of them make annually. Learn how to use
to show people that there is a unity between all undisturbed natural plumage, size, and behavior to help with identification. The classroom
place. The evening will include beer, wine and appetizers. Admission session will be followed by a trip to Tigertail Beach, one of the most
is $25 ($20 for Friends of Rookery Bay members.) important winter shorebird sites in Florida, where we will see many of
the birds discussed. Cost is $40.
January 13, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Birding Basics January 23 – 27, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Enjoy this fun and informative class designed to help you identify Portraits in Colored Pencil
birds around you. Oriented toward the beginning birder, the classroom In five days you will learn everything you need to know to draw
session explores how to use birds’ plumage, shape, behavior and proficiently in colored pencil with no experience required. This class
habitat to recognize various species. It also covers the effective use of will make you a master at various colored pencil techniques, and
binoculars and field guides. During the second part of the class you capturing things realistically. Hammond has been a professional
will learn more tricks of the trade during a field trip to a nearby park artist and art instructor for more than 30 years. She has published
where you can enjoy practicing new skills. Cost is $40. more than 35 art instruction books. Cost is $395 (supplies are not
included).
January 13-15
Southwest Florida Nature Festival February 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Explore the local environment through guided field trips to World Wetlands Day BOGO
wildlife hot spots around Southwest Florida and lectures at the RB In celebration of the birthday of evolutionary biologist Charles
Environmental Learning Center. Field trips, including birding walks, Darwin, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center offers
buggy rides and kayak tours, are offered in conjunction with partners “buy one, get one free admission.” Higher price prevails. Cannot be
such as Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Big Cypress National Preserve combined with other offers.
and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Field trip prices range from
$15 - $135.

Life in Naples | January 2017 69