About Me

Stanislaus Audubon Board Member since 1988, I serve as Webmaster, StanislausBirds Listserve Administrator, eBird Reviewer, & Stanislaus Bird Records Committee member. I was until recently, a teacher and administrator with Modesto City Schools. I taught Biology, Earth Science and Spanish for 20 years before serving as the District's Instructional Technology Supervisor for the past 14 years. My expertise was in Digital Instructional Practices and Online Learning. I have served as past President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer for Stanislaus Audubon Society as well as Program Chair and Field Trip Chair. I was also one of the early founding Board Members of the Central Valley Bird Club, participating in every Bird Symposium since its inception.

I admit that I am as much a Bird Photographer as I am a Birder. Birding came first, but my passion for seeing birds was soon equaled by a passion to capture their beauty. My photography mentor, Bob Corey, introduced me to the Modesto Camera Club where I participated in their monthly slide competitions in their beginners group. I currently have over 5,000 images on my https://jimgain.smugmug.com/ site. My images have been featured on Audubon Field Guide, Birds of the World, All About Birds, Merlin Bird App and numerous websites.

THE SPARK

My birding spark came while pursuing my BA in Life Science at CSU Stanislaus. Due to scheduling complications, I had to take Ornithology lab at the exact same time as my Organic Chemistry lab. To make up missed hours in the Ornithology lab I attended a local field trip led by Stockton Audubon Society member, David Yee, at Caswell Memorial State Park. As we were walking into the park, David drew everyone's attention to the bird (Olive-sided Flycatcher) on a wire that was calling, "Hic three beers", followed shortly thereafter by another bird calling chur-bit. The chur-bit bird, when seen, was a Western Tanager with brilliant yellow belly and A flaming orange head. David introduced me to "Birding by Ear" which sparked my life-consuming passion.

MY BLOG

REFLECTIONS OF THE NATURAL WORLD BLOG

Through my lens and prose I hope to instill a greater sense of awe, compassion and inspiration as I discover new creatures, explore interesting habitats, and gain wisdom about the natural world that’s all around us. It is my hope that readers are motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation.

Contact me by email at jimgain@sbcglobal.net