Western Wild

Dave Showalter's Conservation Photography Weblog

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Events

Events, Photography
New “Aspen Color” Photo Workshop!
April 3, 2013 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Exciting news! We’re ready to launch a new photo workshop in the heart of the Rockies – Aspen, Colorado. Let’s see, why is it named Aspen? It could be because of the amazing aspen forests in the White River National Forest all around the city – which makes for a remarkable fall color display. We’re teaming up with Aspen Meadows Resort, a wonderful full-service venue that’s perfectly situated for our field excursions around Aspen. The workshop dates are September 26-29 and the cost is $695 with a 10% discount if you book by May 15. Please contact me at (720) 351-0386 or email: dave@daveshowalter.com if you’re interested.
Events
2013 Sandhill Crane Workshop – Space Available
January 9, 2013 | Permalink | 2 Comments

We still have space available for a few more photographers at the Zapata Ranch Sandhill Crane Workshop. The dates are March 11-15.

I’ll be back with acclaimed photographer Michael Forsberg at one of the best venues in the land and we’ll photograph sandhill cranes in the San Luis Valey at the peak of the spring migration – when up to 27,000 cranes visit the valley! We’ll also explore the Zapata Preserve, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and more. It’s a great photo experience in a supportive environment – and Chef Mike’s meals are pretty awesome too. Click the link above if you’re intersted in joining us or just call (719) 378-2356 – 888-5-zapata (toll free) e: cowboy@zranch.org
Events, Prairie
Presentation At CSU Pueblo
October 12, 2012 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Coiled Western Rattlesnake : Prints Available

A western rattlesnake shows his displeasure with me by coling and rattling to let me know he means business. A 600mm lens enabled me to keep a safe distance. Crotalus viridis

I’m proud to announce that I’ll be presenting at Colorado State University Pueblo on October 25. The talk will focus on Colorado’s remarkably diverse shortgrass prairie and grassland conservation. I’ll present images from my Prairie Thunder book project, ongoing conservation outreach work, with both historical and new imagery. This free program is an All Pueblo Reads event. This year’s book is Plainsong by Kent Haruf – I plan to bring this excellent fictional novel to life. We hope to see you there!
Colorado, Events
Gunnison Sage-grouse Festival Photo Workshop
March 28, 2012 | Permalink | Post a Comment

New Event!
I’ll be teaching a new half-day photo workshop at the Gunnison Sage-grouse Festival from 6:30-10:30 on April 14. The cost is only $25 and proceeds go to the fesival for Gunnison Sage-grouse conservation. The workshop will be at Hartman Rocks Park, just a few miles from Gunnison.

Gunnison Sage-grouse Fight : Prints Available

Male Gunnison Sage-grouse fight on a lek during mating season. I was photographing from a blind on a private ranch as a guest of the Gunnison Sage-grouse working group. Centrocercus mimimus are one of the most endangered birds in North America and designated "warranted, but precluded" from protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Events
Sandhill Crane Workshops
February 29, 2012 | Permalink | 2 Comments

Greater Sandhill Crane In Flight, San Luis Valley near Monte Vista, Colorado

The spring sandhill crane spectacle will arrive in Colorado soon – 27,000 greater sandhill cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley on their way to nesting and brood rearing grounds in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Monte Vista NWR and surrounding area is a stop-over point on the journey. These majestic birds spend several weeks from early March re-fueling before flying north by the end of the month (or sooner). I’m teaching two workshops: The Monte Vista Crane Festival happens from March 9-11 with a full schedule of events including my workshop on Saturday, the 10th at 8:30 a.m. You can sign up for this half-day workshop for just $25!

I’m also teaching with Michael Forsberg (one of the top conservation photographers in the world) at Zapata Ranch from March 12-16. This is the second year for the Zapata crane workshop and it’s full; so it’s not too early to get on the list for next year. Click HERE to learn about the Zapata workshop. Zapata is a remarkable ranch and venue for a workshop, right next door to Great Sand Dunes National Park. An on-site chef prepares all of our meals too!
Colorado, Events, Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
Secretary Salazar ~ America’s Great Outdoors
June 6, 2011 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Secretary Of The Interior Ken Salazar Speaks At Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR’s (CO) “Gateway To Conservation Event on May 26, 2011

Secretary Salazar detailed a grand vision for America’s Great Outdoors at the May 26 opening of the new Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR LEED Gold visitor center. Rather than paraphrase, I thought I’d publish the speech in it’s entirety here:

Secretary Ken Salazar
05/26/2011
Denver, Colorado

Good morning.
Thank you, Governor. It’s great to be here with you and with so many friends.

It is fitting that here, today, in Colorado, we are opening a premier example of an America’s Great Outdoors urban park and wildlife area. This truly is the gateway to conservation.

This gateway marks the transformation of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal from a toxic dumping ground to the home of bison, birds, and native prairie; from a chemical weapons depot to a spectacular, eco-friendly visitor center that will welcome more than 200,000 families, kids and outdoor enthusiasts each year.

The visitor center will be the gateway to a new effort to create a Rocky Mountain Greenway System that, over time, will connect these 27 square miles to the crown jewel of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Across America, an army of citizens is doing all they can to leave our land, water, and wildlife better than we found it. (more…)
Events, Sagebrush Sea
Sage Spirit Fund-Raiser
April 18, 2011 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Sunset from the top of Pacific Butte, Oregon Buttes Wilderness Study Area, Red Desert, Wyoming

My amazing wife, Marla has organized a fund-raising event that will happen this Saturday, 4/23 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Indian TreeGolf Club in Arvada. We’ll have a silent auction, appetizers, beverages, and a slide show with new images from the “Sage Spirit” conservation project. Patagonia, Mountainsmith, and many others have generously donated great items for the auction. There’s still time to come out on Saturday – here’s the scoop:
Please join us as we celebrate the beauty and the wild of the American West at a fundraising event on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. We will have a silent auction and a presentation of Sage Spirit. If you are unable to join us at this event, you may make a donation via Paypal. Use dave@daveshowalter.com and select the gift option. If you would prefer to send a check for your donation, please make the check to “Laramie Audubon Society” and note “SageSpirit” in the lower left portion of your check. Everyone will receive a receipt via email. The address is: Dave Showalter, 6640 Moss Court, Arvada, CO,. 80007.
Events
Sandhill Crane Photo Workshop *
November 8, 2010 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Twenty seven thousand cranes pass through Colorado’s San Luis Valley in March, and the Medano Zapata Ranch is perfectly situtated for the migration. I’ll be assisting renowned photographer Michael Forsberg at a new photo workshop from March 23-27 at Zapata Ranch, which also happens to share a border with Great Sand Dunes National Park. I could go into great detail about Mike’s work with cranes throughout North America for his book On Ancient Wings, or the amazing accomodations at Zapata, the wonders of Great Sand Dunes N.P. and more… Or you could just check it out here and join us!

* I just learned that the workshop is full! With this kind of response, I’m sure it will become an annual event – please stay in touch.

About the attached image: I photographed these cranes along the Upper Green River in Wyoming. They travel the migration route that passes through the San Luis Valley en-route to their spring and summer nesting grounds in Wyoming.
Events
An Evening With Audubon
October 25, 2010 | Permalink | 2 Comments

Audubon asked me to be the guest speaker at their celebration of Great Outdoors Colorado victories in the legislature. The invite says “Celebrating Grouse, GOCO & Good Friends.” The celebration will feature a special tribute to Colorado Conservation Heroes with Hor d’ oevres, wine and beer, and Audubon door prizes. The venue is the Tattered Cover Bookstore in LODO, 1628 16th Street at Wynkoop in Denver. The program on November 4 starts at 6:15 and doors open at 5:30. The suggested donation is $25.

My presentation is: Sage Spirit: Colorado Conservation Photography. I’ll be sharing images from from grassland and sage, while discussing conservation in Colorado.