Thailand is For the Birds

Local birder, photographer, and amateur naturalist Forest Tomlinson will share highlights from his recent journey through Thailand in a presentation that takes audiences on an exploration of the country’s extraordinary biological diversity.

This program is for anyone interested in birds, wildlife, photography, travel, or the natural world. Whether you are an experienced birder or simply curious about the extraordinary creatures of Southeast Asia, Forest’s photographs and stories promise an entertaining and visually rich journey into the wilds of Thailand.

His presentation will feature photographs and stories from the field, with special attention to some of the region’s most sought-after birds—including pheasants, broadbills, and pittas—as well as the remarkable reptiles and colorful butterflies encountered along the way. For birders, few sights are more exciting than a pheasant disappearing into the forest or a brilliantly colored pitta emerging from the shadows of the understory. Forest will share the challenges, surprises, and rewards of searching for these elusive species, along with the landscapes and people that madethe journey memorable.

“Thailand is one of those places where you never quite know what you’re going to find around the next corner,” says Forest. “You can be searching the forest for a pitta or pheasant one moment and find yourself completely distracted by a spectacular butterfly, an unusual reptile, or some other creature you’ve never seen before. That sense of discovery is what makes traveling for wildlife so rewarding.”

Forest is a retired school teacher who started birding in 1986. He has traveled extensively in Central and South America and many places in the southwestern Pacific and had a camera at his side for the past twelve years. Forest has presented programs for many local bird groups as well as two earlier for the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance. He is well known for producing professional programs to show his spectacular photographs and illuminating stories.

Please join your friends on October 27, Tuesday, at 7 pm at the Campbell Center, 155 High Street in Eugene. Doors open at 6:30; the program begins at 7. It can also be viewed over a Zoom link which will be available on the CCBA website about one week before the event. It will be recorded and viewable on our website about a week later.