Birding info: Mt. Diablo Audubon Society Vice-President Jerry Britten will report highlights of the 2019 Christmas Bird Counts.

Main Program: Feathers and Flight: A Journey to the New World Tropics

Masked Trogon. Photo by Benjamin Jacobs-Schwartz

International bird guide, naturalist and wildlife photographer, Benny Jacobs-Schwartz will share his dazzling bird photos, captivating videos, and animated storytelling to bring a slice of the tropics to California.

Touching on topics of migration, speciation, and biodiversity, this media rich journey will share some of the fascinating and unique birds that inhabit the new-world tropics. Sure to both educate and entertain, this presentation will leave you with a deeper understanding of tropical ecology, and knowledge about where some of our backyard birds spend their winters!

Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz owns and operates a bird guiding business and lifestyle brand called BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus). Working seasonally as a naturalist guide, expedition trip leader, and international bird guide, Benny works in a variety of locations. Most recently bringing him to such exotic places like coastal Alaska, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Ecuadorian cloud forest.

When not trip leading or following birds across the world he is at home growing his business. BIRDS by BIJS, initially begun in response to many requests for urban birding outings, the business has now grown to encompass a nature inspired clothing line, bird photography and wildlife documentaries, and of course local and international bird watching tours.

Seasonally Benny or BIJS, is based in Los Angeles, where he leads public and private birding adventures to urban hotspots. He is also a passionate photographer, specializing in birds. He uses his impressive collection of content to leverage his prolific social media presence. Benny hopes his love of the natural world will inspire others to conserve the open spaces around them and look up more often from their phones!