James H. McCommo ns is a professor emeritus at Northern Michigan University and a veteran j ournalist\, specializing in ecology\, environmental and travel topics. His writing has appeared in the New York Times\, the Los Angeles Times\, the Minneapolis Star Tribune\, Audubon\, < em>Discover among other publications. He is the author of Waiting on a Train: The Embattled Future of Passenger Rail Service\, and Camera Hunter: George Shiras III and the Birth of Wildlife Photography.
\nThe Feather Wars is an entertaining and expansive wor k of American history\, an incredible story about how disparate characters &mdash\;progressive politicians\, free-thinking society belles\, nature wr iters and artists\, bird-loving U.S. presidents\, gunmakers\, business tit ans\, and brave game wardens&mdash\;came together to save hundreds of spec ies of birds. Heroes\, martyrs\, villains\, and conflicted do-gooders&mdas h\;the early bird conservation movement had them all. Together they transf ormed how Americans thought and cared about birds\, forever altering the A merican landscape.
\nRagan Sutterfield &
nbsp\;is a priest in the Episcopal Church and serves a parish in his nativ
e Arkansas. His writing has appeared in a variety of places\, including
Birding can nourish our spiritual lives. Birdwatching is a delight\, a deepening. It puts us in t ouch with the ineffable\, and it draws us toward self-denial for the sake of love. Birding brings us close to hope\, abundance\, and joy. In fact\, it looks a lot like prayer. From having his vision opened by a rare flycat cher\, to learning the power of naming while watching shorebirds\, to forg ing friendships on a Christmas Bird Count\, naturalist\, birder\, and Epis copal priest Ragan Sutterfield delves into how birdwatching shapes our sou ls. He writes of turning yards into refuges for birds on their long migrat ion. Even as we reckon with the inconsolable grief of habitat loss and spe cies decline\, he writes\, birds can give us hope amid the desolation.
\nReaders of Margaret Renkl\, Drew Lanham\, and Terry Tempest Williams will find a kindred spirit in Sutterfield as he explores\, in verdant and lyrical prose\, the spirituality of birding over a year of watching\, wait ing\, and wondering. In each chapter\, Sutterfield names a particular way in which paying attention to birds shapes our souls and draws us toward aw e. Twelve virtues and practices rooted in the Christian tradition--includi ng joy\, attention\, slowness\, kenosis\, and friendship--are nurtured wit hin us as we wait and watch and wait some more. Watching birds\, we move t oward sacramental sight: looking at the visible to find the holy hidden be hind it. Winged wonders that delight and sometimes disappoint\, birds are ever within and beyond our vision. Whether you are a serious birder with a n extensive life list or a casual observer of hawks along the highway\, th is book is an invitation to wonder and awe. It only takes paying attention .
\n\nSponsored by the Alan Ross Kumpe Memorial E ndowment
\nASL interpretation will be provided for all Six Bridges sessions held in CALS Ron Robinson Theater. ASL inter pretation for sessions at other CALS locations and Six Bridges venues (inc luding CALS Main Library) will be provided by request. To request ASL inte rpretation\, please submit an ASL Interpretation Request form.
\nCALS will validate parking in the CALS Library Square surface lot and the CALS Parking Deck. The entrance to the surface lot is located on 2nd \ ;Street near River Market Ave. The entrance to the parking deck is located on Rock Street and can be accessed from President Clinton Ave. Street par king is also available throughout the River Market District (free after 6p m and on weekends).
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