BirdFest: All Things Bird and Beautiful

Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce ramps up the 2nd Annual BirdFest, April 30 to May 3

 — by Margie Doyle —

Kim Middleton with her fine-feathered friend

Lovers of all things “bird” and beautiful can indulge their passion in a multitude of events at the second annual Orcas Island Birdfest – All Things Bird and Beautiful.

The festival runs Thursday, April 30 through Sunday May 3 and celebrates the inspiration of birds and nature in art, writing, music, rambling and observing.

The lead organizer of the festival Kim Middleton, has been a bird lover since her childhood in Alaska. She is also an accomplished artist and illustrator.

Kim has taken to her heart the many ways Orcas Island can show their appreciation for our flying friends. New to the celebration  this year is a Fine Arts Show, which opens at the Historical Museum April 22 and runs to May 16. Internationally acclaimed artists have been invited to exhibit at this juried art show, among them Bart Rulon, from Whidbey Island, who will also offer a bird photography workshop, and Orcas watercolorist Caroline Buchanan.

The past and future of BirdFest. Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Doyle.

The opening reception for the Art Show is Thursday, April 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Historical Museum, with wine and hors d’ouevres served.

The show and sales will also be online at allthingsbirdsandbeautiful.org

Also new this year is a multi-session scientific symposium entitled, “Mayday: the future of Salish Sea Birds.”
Scientists from Canada and the U.S. converge on Orcas for sessions on Apr.30 and May 1 to tell of the plight of birds in the area.

Middleton says, “There will be three separate public conversations on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon for Birdfest attendees: the changing landscape, the changing climate and the changing waters.”

There is also a “No Rules” Birdhouse contest, overseen by Mike Stolmeier, where architects and builders can design a birdbath, a bird house or a bird feeder. Contestants will bring their entries to the Village Green on Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for “special recognition” ceremonies.

Those interested in any aspect or event of the BirdFest should sign up to register for the space-limited events at orcasislandbirdfest.com. With the $20 registration fee for all participants, the public can then sign up for various workshops, walks and presentations, some of which are free. Registration for the festival is necessary to support the annual event, and registration for specific events is necessary, because space is limited according to event. Space reservations are needed even for the free events.

Kim Middleton will “set the stage” for BirdFest on Sunday, April 26 with the Historical Matinee at the Fire Hall, sponsored by the Orcas Island Historical Society. She will offer her thoughts on why Washington is such an important place for birds.

Friday afternoon, May 1, Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, will host a conversation at Random Howse at 3 p.m.

Saturday evening the BirdFest Banquet Hall will take place at the Inn at Ship Bay at 5:30 p.m., with special guest, Dr. John Marzluff, form the University of Washington. Marzluff is renowned for his work with crows, and will be introducing his new book, Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing our Neighborhood with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers and Other Wildlife, about how to live in harmony with nature, an important issue as we keep expanding our suburbs into the wild.

Boat and Kayak excursions will be offered for nature tours specific to Birdfest. Writing  workshops will also be held for the wordsmiths. Sunday afternoon, May 3, Orcas’ Artsmith Salon will feature Frances Backhouse reading from her books, Owls of North America & Woodpeckers of North America  at Darvill’s Bookstore.

All schedule information is available at OrcasIslandBirdFest.com, including special offers from local businesses.

And the public is encouraged to get into their bird brains and don costumes for the parade at when on Saturday; there will also be special Farmers Market activities.

Last year, the first year of BirdFest, about 100 registrants took part, from as far away as Texas and Wisconsin. “It was very successful for the first year, we were quite happy with it, “ says Kim Middleton. This year,  the Fine Art show and the Scientific Symposia were added, in part “to distinguish us from other Puget Sound festivals.”

Kim was asked to help out by the Orcas Island Champber of Commerce, who recognized that, as an ornithologist and professional painter, she was a major player.

Golden Eagle huntress Kazakh people of Mongolia 13 year old daughter of famed hunter, use eagles for foxes, and other prey.

And she loves to help out, especially where nature is concerned. “I was born a scientist. Every childhood memory was of adventure and discovery in nature.” Although her first interests were focused on sharks and whales, she was given finches as a pet when young, and has been “an absolute bird nerd” since middle school. She hesitated to follow her passion into a career because, as she says, “I loved it so dearly, I thought it would ruin it to become work.”

Nevertheless, following her university studies she became a yeast specialist at Georgia-Pacific corporation, studying animal life in fungus. After her Peace Corps work in Botswana she realized, “I needed to follow my passion instead of just having a job.” Her mother convinced her to branch out, and after a few months as a volunteer, she was offered a job at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Sitka, Alska.

“I’m an Alaskan at heart,” she says, describing the independence and self-sufficiency of Alaskans. She also says, “And if you’re Alaskan, you’re always immediately willing to help your neighbor.”

On Friday, May 1, Kim will give a presentation, “Interpreting Birds through Art” at 1 p.m. at the Historical Museum, free to BirdFest registrants.

People who want to help out in BirdFest activities are encouraged to register at the Chamber of Commerce office on North Beach Road, to call 376-2273, or to email info@orcasislandchamber.com

Donations of valuable items to the silent auction at the Art Opening on April 30 and final bids at the Banquet on Saturday evening, May 2 are still welcomed. There will be two opportunities to sign up, and early bidders will be contacted prior to the April 30 banquet for authorization to up their bid.

Working with Kim is her core committee of Michell Marshall, Sue Silvernail, Carol Owen, Mike Stolmeier, Joe Massey, Julie Remington and Jerry Kasparek.