Wildlife and Nature Photography by Tom Pawlesh

Slide Presentations Galleries

"Metamorphosis to Mexico" : Tom will discuss the life of the Monarch butterfly from egg to caterpillar to the adults incredible migration to the trans-volcanic mountains of central Mexico. The highlight will be breathtaking images from Tom's trek high into the Mexican mountains to photograph millions of Monarch butterflies. Tom will also discuss "Monarch Watch", a tagging program conducted by the University of Kansas. Six Monarch butterflies tagged in Tom's backyard have been recovered in Mexico, a distance of 1870 miles!! This is the most popular presentation.

"Metamorphosis to Mexico"

"Land of the Ice Bear" : Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay, the Canadian town of Churchill is known as "The Polar Bear Capital of the World". Each fall the bears come together near Churchill to wait for the Bay to freeze. Once the Bay is frozen the bears will head out on the ice to hunt their favorite prey, seals. Normally solitary, the bears are forced together for a short time, providing many photo oportunities.

"Land of the Ice Bear"

"Butterflies and Dragonflies of Pennsylvania" : This presentation will highlight the common butterflies and dragonflies of Pennsylvania. Skippers moths and damselflies will also be discussed. This program may be combined with a day of field work in butterfly identification.

"Butterflies and Dragonflies of Pennsylvania"

"How to Photograph Wildlife and Nature" : Toms wildlife images have been featured in calendars, magazines, screen savers and greeting cards. Learn some simple techniques and "tricks of the trade" to produce stunning wildlife photographs.

"How to Photograph Wildlife and Nature"

"African Safari" : "Safari", the word alone brings to mind images of elephants, lions and endless African plains. This program highlights some of the National Parks and animals of Kenya and Tanzania.

"African Safari"

Field Work : An afternoon in the field is the perfect compliment to a slide presentation. Field work may be combined with the "Monarch" or Butterflies of Pennsylvania" programs. Field work for the "Monarch" program consists of catching, tagging and recording of data during the fall migration. This is excellent hands on science for children and adults. A field day for the "Butterflies of Pennsylvania" program consists of dragonfly and butterfly identification, as well as caterpillar, host plant and habitat identification. This field experience will center around butterflies and dragonflies, but we will be open to any surprises nature sends our way.

Field Work

Wildlife and Nature Photography by Tom Pawlesh