Tannery Pond Center presents: For the Birds
Saturday, June 13 | 10 AM - 8 PM Free
Exhibition - Lobby
June 1 - June 30
Gallery Hours: M-Th 10 AM - 4 PM, Sa 12-4 PM, Reception: June 13, 12-2 PM
We are presenting a special bird exhibition as part of our “For the Birds” day. The exhibit will be on display for the month of June. The display will include art from Tim Sauter (gourd creations), Ken Raiser (carved birds), and Jill Swinton (photography). Additional photographs were provided by Dean Bouton.
Ken Raiser
I started songbird carving 40 years ago this coming June. Inspiration came from my uncle, a bird carver and a carving show on my local PBS station. I have also had a life long fascination with songbirds in particular. My carvings have allowed me to meet so many fellow admirers of our songbirds. A blessing.
Tim Sauter
Timothy (Tim) Sauter grew up in Niskayuna, Schenectady and Lake George, NY. He studied Art and Design (BFA) at RIT and Studio Art (MA) SUNY Albany. He taught art in Amsterdam and Albany schools. After joining the US Army Reserves, he worked at GE as a graphic designer for 17 years. He cofounded Original Works and Square 1 Art, two art-based fundraiser companies working with schools throughout the USA. Throughout his various vocations, Tim continued to be a very active artist. His affiliations included the Oak Room Artists, Schenectady and Albany Artists Group. He received awards at numerous juried art shows in the Capital District, Saratoga and Cooperstown. He continues to show his works throughout the Adirondacks, Saratoga, and Hudson Valley at arts and crafts shows.
Jill Swinton
Jill Swinton grew up in North Creek, NY. She was an elementary teacher in Pine Plains, NY for 35 years and after her retirement she returned to North Creek. She has been interested in nature photography since she was a teenager and especially likes taking photos of the beautiful nature of the Adirondacks.
Workshop - Build a Birdhouse
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Class Fee: FREE but reservation required.
RSVP: call 518-251-2505 or email director@tannerypondcenter.org to reserve your spot.
Max Class Size: 15 (minimum age 5 years old, children 5-8 years old must be accompanied by an adult
Workshop Description: Students will take part in a hands-on workshop where they build a simple nest box designed specifically for Eastern Bluebirds. Using pre-cut wood pieces, students will assemble birdhouses while learning how small design choices—like hole size and placement—help support real wildlife. The activity connects basic building skills with an introduction to local wildlife and how people can help birds thrive in their environment.
Brett Bernhard
Brett is the Technology Education teacher at Schroon Lake Central School, where he works with both elementary and secondary students to deliver hands-on STEM and career and technical education experiences. His courses focus on engineering, woodworking, construction, and computer skills, with an emphasis on practical skills and real-world problem solving. Outside the classroom, he enjoys working on automotive projects, exploring aviation, skiing in the winter, and spending time on the water in the summer.
Southern Adirondack Audubon Society - Information Table
Time: 1 - 4:30 PM
Visit the Southern Adirondack Audubon info table during the afternoon to learn about their latest projects, such as their new bird tracking tower they just installed in the Washington County Grasslands and their Birding Backpacks Library Loan program. Learn what native plants you can acquire to attract birds and pollinators to your garden and what programs and bird walks you can attend for free! We'll be there from 1:00pm to 4:30pm in the lobby!
Tannery Talk - Bird Rockstars: The Wild World of Bird Courtship by Samantha Peck
Time: 2-3 PM with additional Q&A
Cost: Suggested donation $10, Free for Youth 18 & Younger
RSVP: call 518-251-2505 or email director@tannerypondcenter.org to reserve your spot.
Talk Summary
Did you know birds can clap, backflip, tango, and inflate themselves? That some build 14 different nests so their mate can choose the one they like best? That some attract a mate using their armpits? Join us for a lively look at bird courtship as Dr. Samantha Carouso-Peck describes the weird and wild behaviors of birds from around the world when trying to attract mates, sometimes going so far as to risk their lives in pursuit of love. Learn about their elaborate songs and dances, acrobatic performances, over-the-top ornamentation, complex nest constructions, nuptial gift-giving, and more!
Samantha Peck
Dr. Samantha Carouso Peck is an expert in bird communication and cognition, having lived on six different continents in search of interesting birds. She has studied tool use in crows, speech in African Grey Parrots, and vocal learning and development in songbirds. After focusing on Animal Behavior and Communication during her undergraduate studies at Williams College, her doctoral dissertation at Cornell University focused on how young birds use feedback from their parents and peers, in forms invisible to the human eye, to guide their song learning.
Her work has been published in Current Biology, Philosophical Transactions, Animal Behaviour, and Scientific American. She is currently the Head Ornithologist and Educator of the Grassland Bird Trust, a non-profit conservation organization in Fort Edwards, New York.
Movie - The Big Year
Time: 4:30 PM
Suggested Donation: $10, Free for all youth 18 & younger
RSVP: call 518-251-2505 or email director@tannerypondcenter.org to reserve your spot.
Movie Summary: Three men facing different life challenges—midlife doubts, professional stagnation, and a sense of emptiness—decide to pursue a unique quest for revitalization. They compete to identify the greatest number of bird species across North America in a single year. This ambitious goal sparks a hilarious and unpredictable journey of self-discovery and unexpected camaraderie as they navigate the continent and confront their personal struggles.