Copper River Shorebird Festival

I have the excellent fortune to sit on the board of Audubon Alaska, in my opinion, one of the finest and most effective environmental groups currently working in the state. Twice a year I join the rest of the board and we discuss the progress, direction, and of course, the less glamorous inner workings of the organization. It’s a great group of people, and the science-based conservation efforts are notably effective, (a welcome change from the usually unsuccessful, emotional pleas that come from other environmental groups). So please, send them some love.

The annual meeting this spring was in Cordova, Alaska. And not accidentally, the timing corresponded to the peak of the shorebird migration through the Copper River Delta. The vast mud flats, and wetlands of the delta each year host the entire world’s population of Western Sandpipers. Some 4-6 million strong. Hundreds of thousands or millions of Least Sandpipers, Dunlin, Dowitchers, Whimbrels, Godwits, Surfbirds, Knots, Oystercatchers, and other shorebirds also pay the place a visit.

In my three days there, I got a few hours of good shooting, (meetings or snotty weather interrupting all too often). It was but a taste of the photographic potential. I think I’ll be making the journey to Cordova a yearly tradition.

(Plus with an excellent photographer like Milo Burcham to host and show me around, I got the best scoop right from the start. Thanks Milo!)

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