Celebrity nature photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher open the 20th annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series Thursday, Jan. 9, with their “Portraits of Real Florida” photographic presentation at 1 p.m. in the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center Auditorium on Sanibel Island.

 

The Butchers will speak jointly about their highly admired photography and how it reflects the many facets of Florida — from the wilderness of the Everglades to quaint but quirky small towns around the state.

 

Known world over for his large-format, black-and-white nature photos that take the craft to levels of composed artistry, Clyde Butcher captures the Florida Everglades, coastal islands, and other unspoiled areas around the planet with stunning majesty. Besides showcasing the beauty of the natural world, Butcher champions conservation as he speaks and exhibits across the United States.

 

His wife Niki specializes in hand-painted black-and-white photography glorifying the unique wonders of Florida nature and history. She has made a name for herself capturing the splendor and authenticity of special places and people, finding beauty not only in nature but also in the historical buildings and interesting people who inhabit the landscapes.

 

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) co-hosts the lecture series with the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and through financial support from sponsors Linda and Wayne Boyd. Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.

 

The Butchers’ appearance is part of a six-lecture series, now in its 20th year at “Ding” Darling. Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals for the Butchers lecture can check in after 12 p.m. to obtain an entrance wristband and then can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or risk being reassigned. (All future lectures will feature two presentations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. check-in times.)

 

Below is the calendar of upcoming scheduled lectures. Book-signings will follow all starred (*) lectures. For more information about the lecture series, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.

 

*Jan. 9– Photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher (1 p.m. only) “Portraits of Real Florida” – Sponsors: Linda & Wayne Boyd

Jan. 23 – Psychotherapist/Motivational Speaker Aimee Copeland, “Wellness in Nature” – Sponsors Jim & Linda Winn

*Jan. 30 – Author/Indigenous Native David Rahahę·tih Webb, The Spanish Seminole: The Untold History of the Spanish Indians as Shared by a Descendant – Sponsors: Friends of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society

*Feb. 6 – “Python Huntress” Amy Siewe, “Burmese Pythons in the Everglades” – Sponsors: Susan & Cliff Beittel

*Feb. 20 – Author Charles Sobczak, “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” – Sponsors: Friends of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society

Feb. 27 – Author/photographer Budd Titlow, Bird Brains: Inside the Minds of our Feathered Friends – Sponsor: A Friend of “Ding” Darling

March 13 – Actor Joe Wiegand,  “President Teddy Roosevelt Reprised” – Sponsors: Heather & Bill O’Keefe

 

NOTE: Book signings will follow all lectures marked with an asterisk (*)

 

ABOUT DDWS

As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].