Lake County >> The April 16 Redbud Audubon Society program meeting features Lyle and Deanna Madeson who will share with us their recent trip to Japan featuring their photography of the Snow Monkey, Red-Crowned Crane, Stellar Sea Eagle and the Snowy Owl.
In order for the Japanese snow monkeys to survive the cold, snowy environment, they spend the majority of the day in a natural hot springs (about 108 degrees). Photos will include family units interacting, the Alpha males and the antics of the babies.
Of the total of 2,700 Red-Crowned Cranes thought to remain in the world, about 1,000 of these endangered species reside on the island of Hokkaido, Japan.
Other birds the Madesons photographed include the black-tailed kite, white-tailed sea eagle and the magnificent Stellar Sea Eagle, which is on average the heaviest eagle in the world. Several owls will also be featured in their program, including the beautiful snowy owl.
Lyle and Deanna moved to Lake County in 1976. Lyle first started taking pictures while photographing his gladiola hybrids for identification. It soon became apparent that he was interested in capturing more than the gladiolas on film. He branched out to the hummingbirds that frequented the gladiolas in the field, then on to a wider variety of birds. He has continued to expand his interest in macro, panoramas and landscape photography with a special interest in sunrises and sunsets. Deanna has also taken up photography and between the two of them their outstanding images have won numerous photography prizes both in Lake County and statewide in California.
Redbud Audubon programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments begin at 7 p.m. followed by the program. The meeting will be held at the United Methodist Church Social Hall, located at 16255 Second St. in Lower Lake.
