Join BCAS for social time with light refreshments before this program! Doors open at 6:30.
NOTE: This program will be offered in person and on Zoom, but it will not be recorded.
This program will concentrate on the six falcon species found in North America, with details on their natural history and evolution and wonderful photographs to accompany the stories. Many of the details to be shared come from Perry’s experience with captive raptors and various aspects of training the birds for falconry and school presentations. This allows for a very intimate view into many aspects of individual birds and their behavior. Perry will share these experiences, which allowed him the opportunity to learn a great deal about the birds’ behavior, habitat needs, and natural history. This also made him begin to question whether the Peregrine Falcon really is the fastest bird on earth....more on that in the program!
Gyrfalcon, photo by Perry Conway.
In the 5th grade, Perry wrote to TV host Walt Disney and Marlin Perkins and asked them how to become a wildlife photographer. He never heard back from Disney, but he did receive a handwritten postcard from Perkins essentially telling him to get an education. That answer didn’t suit Perry so well, as he wanted to travel to wild and wonderful places in search of animals. He did follow Perkins' advice however, and eventually received two university degrees centered around wildlife and education. His fascination for falcons began in graduate school, when he learned to trap and properly mark and band American Kestrels. Their beautiful markings and athleticism had him hooked.
Perry Conway with Peregrine Falcon. Photo courtesy of Perry Conway. NOTE: Federal and state permits are required to handle birds of prey for education, rehabilitation, or falconry.
Perry eventually left a secure teaching position and came to Colorado to begin his lifelong dream: a new career in wildlife photography and conservation education. In time he received the title Adjunct Conservation Lecturer for the Department of Education at the Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife). During that time, spanning several decades, he gave live presentations to well over a million students, teachers, and members of the public.
Perry won awards at national film festivals several times. In addition, his images and articles have been published in many textbooks, calendars, and magazines including National Geographic, Audubon, and various newspapers. As a guest lecturer aboard the 7th icebreaker to ever reach the North Pole, he managed to capture the first image of a bird at 90 degrees North Latitude. This summer, he will lead his 20th African safari, to Namibia.
In-Person Gathering - BCAS welcomes everyone back to in-person programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 PM for socializing and the program begins at 7:15. While the church is no longer requiring masks, we encourage you to wear your favorite high-quality mask, and we will provide free surgical masks for anyone who needs one. Please stay home if you feel sick, and watch the program on Zoom.
Online Gathering - The meeting room will open at 7:10 PM, and the program starts at 7:15 PM. Questions for the speaker will be taken from the chat feature of the Zoom session.
Online access info will be posted here by the day of the program.