Field Trip Leader Bios
Read all the biographies here.
A special note about Field Trips
Please arrive at the location indicated 20 minutes prior to your scheduled event. This will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. We ask that you follow your field trip leader from the meeting location to the final destination. Anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival.
Weather may change a trip's itinerary, but most trips will be conducted rain or shine. The weather in the valley during January is variable. It is generally cold and sometimes rainy, with daytime highs ranging from 50F to 65F.
Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. Please also check out the Tips & Etiquette below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.
Tips & Etiquette for Bird Watchers
To make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:
- Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
- Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
- Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
- Bring a Field Guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. If you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.
- Be courteous to other explorers. Stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. Walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or damage their habitats (breaking branches, trampling vegetation). Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip. Always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding communities in the eyes of the public.
- Tune up your senses and listen carefully. Scan the horizon and tree canopies. Look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. This will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.
- No dogs or pets allowed on any Snow Goose Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.
Field Trip: Photography along the Sacramento River - Sold Out!
$30 Adult
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024 8:15 am - 11:30 am
Meet at Patrick Ranch Museum (Map)
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat
Description
Bring your camera on a photographic journey to several areas along the Sacramento River in Chico. We will spend a little more time in each area so photographers can 'focus' on getting that perfect shot! The adventure begins at the Pine Creek Boat Ramp, from there we visit Pine Creek Access and get some great views where Pine Creek and the Sacramento River converge. On to Indian Fishery, and if time allows, we will visit the Washout and Big Chico Creek Access. We hope to see Herons, Egrets, Mergansers, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Warblers and so much more! It would not be uncommon to see Otters as well. This entire area is definitely a hot spot! The paths are somewhat level but can become muddy during the winter. Be prepared to walk 2-3 miles. Rainy or windy conditions will cancel. This event will be geared toward photographers but all birders are welcome. Optional items to bring: Water, snacks, hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, binoculars.
Field Trip Leaders
Pamela Waldsmith
Pamela Waldsmith enjoys a variety of interests: birding; hiking; yoga; kayaking; painting; travel; local, national, and world affairs; reading; pickleball; and photography. As an educator of thirty-five years, she most enjoyed teaching science and expanding her young students' educational experience through field trips. Fueled by her passion for science, she coached her students for the annual Nature Bowl, a fun environmental competition, with her students often placing very high in the final state competition. Since her retirement, she misses the youngsters yet has had more time to pursue her many interests, and she continues learning every day in new ways.
Pamela Waldsmith's Events
- Photography along the Sacramento River (1/27/2024)
- Upper Bidwell Park's Yahi Trail (1/28/2024)
Karen White
Karen White has always felt a kinship with wildlife and the outdoors. She has been a backyard birder since childhood, moved to Chico in 1980, and after retirement has taken up photography to further enjoy birds and their behavior. She enjoys visiting the many refuges and birding hotspots in our area.
Karen White's Events
- Photography along the Sacramento River (1/27/2024)