Entertaining visual treats presented by DAVID CROMACK which will appeal to birding and non-specialist groups alike

“You’ll be pleased to know that yours was rated one of our best talks!!” – SE Herts RSPB group

DURING 20 years as Editor of the market-leading Bird Watching magazine, I have forged links with many of Britain’s leading bird photographers and their work is featured in all my talks, which can be tailored for specialist bird clubs, RSPB groups or for organisations such as camera clubs, the Women’s Institute and University of the
Third Age.

Since joining the lecture circuit I have received many commendations from group leaders for the outstanding quality of the images and for the fact that the themes of my lectures are ‘very different’ from the usual travelogue approach.

I am now concentrating my efforts on editing Birds Illustrated magazine, published quarterly, and expanding the range of birdwatching site guides and other publications produced by my wife’s company, Buckingham Press.

I offer a range of talks: three are based on my experiences on bird magazines, while others look at garden birds and birding in Arizona and California. I am just about to create a new talk about contemporary bird artists and this should be available for the 2007 season.

All talks can be tailored to your group’s own requirements (40 minutes to 90 minutes), both for evening and daytime presentations.

Do call me if your group is let down by a booked speaker. If I’m not otherwise engaged, I will be happy to step in at short notice.

David Cromack
55 Thorpe Park Road, Longthorpe, Peterborough PE3 6LJ
Please call: 01733 566 815
Or e-mail: editor@buckinghampress.com

WORLD CLASS BIRD IMAGES
“That’s the most outstanding set of slides we’ve ever been shown,”
– vote of thanks, East Grinstead RSPB Local Group.

The title of this talk makes a mighty bold claim but when you’ve seen the winning and shortlisted images from the International Wildbird Photographer competition (organised jointly by Bird Watching magazine and Warehouse Express), I’m sure you will feel the hyperbole is justified.

During the talk I explain why some pictures are winners and others are not. The work shown is just the cream of more than 6,000 entries. Version 1 covers the 2003 and 2004 competitions. Version 2 covers the 2005 competition..

WILD WEST BIRDING
For the generation that grew up watching John Wayne and other cowboy heroes, the landscapes of Arizona and California are both familiar and evocative. For birdwatchers of all ages, these two states hold boundless possibilities and in this talk I marry the two elements together.

I begin by taking the audience on a journey along California’s coastal highway to Monterey Bay and its famous blue whales, sea-lions and myriad bird species.

From there it is across to the spectacular Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and then, in the second half of the programme, I explore Arizona’s Apache country, Mount Lemmon and finally the Grand Canyon. I am endebted to Los Angeles-based photographer Joe Fuhrman for many of the memorable bird images in this show.

MAGAZINES AND THE ART OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
This talk, again filled with many aesthetically pleasing images, is my tribute to the men and women whose photographic work has lifted British bird magazines to new heights in recent years.

The talk explores how magazines are put together and what the editors are looking for when selecting images and ends with a selection of the best pictures from the first International Wildbird Photographer competition.

THE JOY OF BIRDING
Just why do three million British people find birdwatching irresistible? In this talk aimed at non-specialist audiences, I endeavour to show the appeal of this gentle (usually) pastime that now claims adherents from all walks of life and to provide a basic guide to choosing binoculars, telescopes, clothing, fieldguides and other equipment.

The second half of the show looks at the best places to see birds and takes the audience through the birdwatching year. Packed with good advice throughout.

FOCUS ON GARDEN BIRDS
This talk has been created to introduce non-birding groups to the pleasures of watching birds in gardens and
encouraging audiences to take active steps to help the birds survive.

Basing the talk on my booklet The Garden Bird Survival Guide, I give advice on choosing the best feeders and other equipment; the best times to provide food; keeping feeders clean; and the best foods for all the common bird species.

There will also be a discussion of interesting bird behaviour and the opportunity for the audience to ask specific questions about things they’ve seen in their own gardens.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PAY
The advent of digital technology and digiscoping has opened up the world of bird photography but how can you ensure that you are taking the right sort of pictures to be published in magazines and books?

Having edited Bird Watching magazine for 20 years and now Birds Illustrated magazine, I can reveal the thinking that lies behind editorial planning and how photographers can build links to the creative team that puts it all together.

The talk reviews the editorial differences between British bird and nature magazines and how that shapes their picture requests; how to present work; plus plenty of do’s and don’ts.

Though primarily aimed at camera clubs, the selection of bird images from leading photographers ensures the talk will appeal to a general audience too.

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