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Expand consciousness!

by Jesse Speer

by Michael Hodges

by Rocky Mountain National Park

Field Seminars, Classes and Talks

Rocky Mountain Nature Association and Rocky Mountain National Park offer a wonderful series of talks and seminars each year. The Park schedule will fill in as the time draws near.

Introduction to Outdoor Photography: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Digital cameras have become very user-friendly and affordable. If you have a new digital camera of any type, or are planning to get one soon, this course is for you. Find out how to get the best pictures possible with... [more]
Identifying Birds: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Refine your personal knowledge of birds and the ability to identify them. Learn how to manage large volumes of complex information, to find specific birds on purpose, and to develop a disciplined observation protocol. Weather permitting, all instruction will be afield... [more]
Rhyming' and Rappin' in the Rockies: How do we capture our experience of nature and the outdoors in words? This seminars will give children and adolescents the chance to explore the woodlands and meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park, then write about it. Students will expand their observation skills and learn some basic tools... [more]
Birds and Birding for Longtime Beginners
Wild and Wonderful Wetlands: Do you know what a wetland is? This field experience will give you firsthand information about Rocky Mountain National Park wetlands. Wetlands are the link between land and water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, nutrients and the sun's energy create a unique ecosystem identified... [more]
Landscape Photography: The best landscape photograph is true to its subject and yet, somehow, larger than its subject in that it captures something universal in a specific image. It portrays a moment and creates a sense of timeless beauty. This seminar will help beginning and intermediate photographers take the next... [more]
Longs Peak: Journey to Jim's Grove: Discover the history and natural wonders of Longs Peak during a hike with Dougald MacDonald. Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Animal Detectives: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Identifying Trees and Shrubs: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
As part of the Core Curriculum, this seminar emphasizes skills development. Participants will learn how to manage large volumes of complex information, to purposely find specific trees or shrubs, and to develop a disciplined observation protocol. This development process leads to... [more]
Mushrooms: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Watercolor Painting: Basics of Landscapes: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
This will be an exciting and practical watercolor class focusing on watercolor techniques to depict the beauty of water within a landscape. One of Mark;s favorite subjects to paint in watercolor is the reflective and luminous quality of water. We will... [more]
Colorado Cat Tales: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
The cat family is uniquely adapted for survival in a variety of climes. Colorado is fortunate to have three wild cat species. This course will discuss the adaptations of cats, both in anatomy and physiology, focusing mainly on the mountain lion... [more]
Rocky Mountain Flora: This is an introduction to the flora of the Rocky Mountain National Park region and the techniques used to identify plants. It will include excursions to a diversity of the Park's ecosystems and life zones (montane to alpine). Participants will learn the primary characteristics of many plant families and individual... [more]
Fly Fishing? Stream Ecology: Customized fly-fishing seminars focusing on aquatic insect life cycles, matching the natural hatch with artificial fly selection, streamside stealth, casting techniques, and ethics for preserving Rocky's pristine stream ecology. Custom Seminars--scheduled upon demand
Wildlife Photography: Truly great wildlife images connect with a viewer and elicit a variety of emotional reactions - humor, joy, excitement, reverence, apprehension, a sense of wonder, and much more. Creating a wildlife photograph with the power to connect is the result of a unique combination of skills, including knowledge... [more]
Winter Snowshoe Hike for Anglers: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
This course is an outdoor, winter adventure that will explore favorite fishing locations in Rocky Mountain National Park. Participants will learn how winter ecology affects the hatch and will examine aquatic ecosystems. The course will also include discussion on preparing for outdoor recreation... [more]
The Amazing Manipulators: A Wildflower Hike to Lake Isabelle: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Exploring with Map and Compass: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Among the essential skills needed for travel in the backcountry are map reading, an understanding of the compass, and the ability to use both of these tools together. Learning how to stay found is fun, interesting and can result in greater confidence for... [more]
Capturing Winter: A Weekend of Photography/Snow Shoe: Do you like to snowshoe in the woods and enjoy the quiet beauty of frosty streams and frozen waterfalls? Escape for a weekend at the Wild Basin Lodge with stunning views of towering peaks and the beauty of the St. Vrain Creek. Come join us as we capture... [more]
Art Adventures
Publishing Your Photography: Would you like to get your photographs published and make some money, too? This course teaches you how to approach editorial markets such as magazines and calendar and greeting card companies. Learn the insider's secrets for getting your work into print. This seminar is appropriate for digital or... [more]
Western History and Heritage Weekend at Wind River: Learn about the colorful history of the Estes Valley in an atmosphere of rustic elegance, great accommodations, delicious food, and a wonderful setting for equestrian touring in Rocky Mountain National Park.Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Wildflower Ecology and Photography
Acrylic Landscape Painting: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Explore the basics of painting in acrylics while having a focused and fun day. The session will begin with a demonstration. Then participants will be guided through the process of creating acrylic landscapes. By the end of the day,... [more]
Wake up to Spring: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
The transition from winter to spring offers insights into the natural history of organisms and function of ecosystems that are not often appreciated in summer visits to the field. Spring Ecology is a survey of physical and biological processes as snow-covered... [more]
Landscape Painting: Landscape Painting - Water Color and Gauache
Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Learn to create an amazing landscape painting with simple, easy-to-apply methods. In this studio-based seminar, learn a plein-air painting method that you can take to the Park. With this method and your "kit... [more]
Winter Landscape Photography: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar Winter provides landscape photographers with both unique opportunities and special challenges. This course will help photographers of all abilities understand Rocky Mountain National Park's turbulent winter weather, and it will show photographers how to plan shoots to be in the right... [more]
GPS: Navigation: This course is geared toward the recreational traveler who has little or no experience using a GPS and the GPS owner who would like to gain a greater understanding of his/her GPS. Emphasis will be placed on using the receiver with a topographic map. Topics to be covered... [more]
Plein-Air Paining Without Fear: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
Alpine Flowers: What may look like an unkempt lawn to the casual observer is actually an ecosystem of surprising diversity. Small changes in alpine topography and climate factors allow for a variety of plant communities and species. The alpine climate, with its cold temperatures, fierce winds, heavy snows, and rugged... [more]
Becoming a Naturalist: As the last program in the Core Curriculum series, this seminar will focus entirely on blending all the previously covered skills to achieve a specific harmony of intellect and spirit that fosters a natural "outdoor presence." Best expressed as a certain way of being outdoors that transcends status... [more]
Wilderness Exploration and Encounters (Wee!): Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
These one- or two-day seminars designed for 8-12-year-olds and interested parents. Parent participation is not required but is encouraged, especially with younger children. Wii enthusiasts spend their time in front of a screen; "Wee" participants spend their time in beautiful Rocky... [more]
Identifying Ecosystems: A Symbiosis Approach: As part of the Core Curriculum, this seminar provides an opportunity for participants to apply the identification skills acquired in preceding Core Curriculum seminars. Specifically, participants will be challenged to view landscape areas and interpret species composition and natural processes that collectively sculpt the character of that... [more]
Photographing Elk and Aspen: Autumn is a truly magical time to be in the high country. This seminar will focus on two seasonal events that will offer photographers an outstanding opportunity to capture memorable moments on film - fall colors and bugling elk. Lectures, fieldwork, and critiques will encompass this photographic experience... [more]
Mountain Lion Research: This two-day seminar focuses on Rocky Mountain National Park's top predator, the mountain lion (Felis concolor). A team of instructors, who are actively engaged in research on mountain lions in the park, will lecture on mountain lion ecology, ongoing research, and human-mountain lion interaction. They will take... [more]
The Elk Rut: High Country Romance: Elk are among the most commonly observed mammals in Rocky Mountain National Park but few people understand the social and sexual interactions occurring during the rut. Although elk are the most vocal deer species in North America, a majority of their communication is through body language. The seminar... [more]
Writing in the Woods: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar... [more]
History of Estes Valley: This course will provide an overview of the region's past by mixing brief lecture and discussion format with visits to historical sites of significance. Site visits will range from an ancient Indian battlefield to early homesteads, from stately resorts to deserted cabins. The course will examine numerous... [more]
Season of Change: We will look among the last golden leaves and wildflowers; we will listen among the elk bugling and pikas squeaking; and we will watch the insects and birds. Somewhere in all this looking, listening, and watching we will discover in the story of living the answers for the... [more]
Geology of Trail Ridge Road: Become acquainted with the vastness of geologic time and the power of geologic processes through the study of rocks and physical features along one of the highest and most spectacular roads in North America. Look at the ancient metamorphic rocks and granites and learn how they formed. Examine... [more]
Animal Tracking: Tracking is a basic naturalist's skill that will greatly expand your experience, knowledge and understanding of nature. In this fun and intensive workshop, participants will learn a systematic method for identifying tracks and using tracks to better understand animal behavior and ecology. Indoor sessions will focus on mastering... [more]
Bighorn Sheep: The Symbol of Rocky: Bighorn sheep are the living symbol of the wild backcountry of Rocky. Lately, concerns have been raised regarding the diminishing numbers of sheep in certain areas of the park due to disease. This seminar will take place in the backcountry and explore the natural history of bighorn sheep.... [more]
Wildlife Photography: Truly great wildlife images "connect" with a viewer and elicit a variety of emotional reactions - humor, joy, excitement, reverence, apprehension, a sense of wonder, and much more. Creating a wildlife photograph with the power to "connect" is the result of a unique combination of skills, including knowledge... [more]
Colorado Hummingbirds: A Day in the Field: Hummingbirds are among the most instantly recognizable of all birds; yet they are one of the least studied of all bird groups. Their small size, fast flight, and soft vocalizations make it especially difficult to track and observe individual birds, and their complex lifestyle poses continuing challenges to... [more]
Coloring Historic Photos: With an acclaimed local artist, rediscover the old-fashioned method for hand coloring black-and-white photographs on digitally printed images. Each participant will hand color both historical and current photos using Marshall Oils and colored pencils. The course will also include lessons in photo selection, the intricacies of medium... [more]
Write Here in the Rockies: Practice the art and craft of nature writing in an intimate setting near Rocky Mountain National Park. At this indepth workshop, you will refine your skills through drills, writing exercises, discussions of the craft of writing, examination of good writers, and group critique. This is an excellent opportunity... [more]
History of Mining on the West Side: This course is an overview of the history of mining and early pioneer life in the Kawuneeche Valley in what is now the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The time period covered is roughly 1875 to 1886. Silver and lead were discovered in small quantities, and... [more]
A Bird on the Page: Discover the private lives of tanagers, bluebirds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and other feathered creatures that make their homes in Rocky Mountain National Park; then spend the day writing about them! Learn to make thorough records of your observations; then work on a creative piece about what you see... [more]
Rocky Mountain Birds: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
Focus your binocular on birds in the montane, subalpine and alpine life zones, and learn about the diverse habitats of the Rocky Mountain National Park region. This seminar will concentrate on field identification of birds, identification techniques, life histories, behavior, and... [more]
Advanced Digital Photography: Any digital camera can produce wonderful scenic and nature photos. Learn how to use your digital point-and-shoot, compact, or SLR digital camera to do just that in Rocky Mountain National Park. Travel and photograph with a professional to digitally capture wildflower fields, high mountain peaks reflected in alpine... [more]
Cougar Clues and How to Read Them: Discover amazing facts about mountain lion, lynxes and other members of the cat family. Participants will learn and practice what to do if they encounter a mountain lion. They will learn how to look for lion signs in nature. The afternoon will be spent looking for lion signs... [more]
Identifying Wildflowers: As part of the Core Curriculum, this seminar emphasizes skills development. Participants will learn to manage large volumes of complex information, to develop a disciplined observation protocol, to use classification in various productive ways, to find wildflowers on purpose rather than by serendipity, and to derive more... [more]
13 Creatures You've Never Seen: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
... [more]
Identifying Mammals: As part of the Core Curriculum, this seminar emphasizes skills development, particularly as these skills apply to refining personal knowledge and ability. Participants will learn how to detect the presence of various seldom-seen mammals which are nearly invisible because of small size and cryptic behavior. Emphasis will... [more]
Ferns in the Granites: How Botnany and Geology Connec: Rocky Mountain Nature Association Field Seminar
This seminar, co-taught by a biologist and a geologist, will give participants a new perspective on how rocks and plants combine to form unique landscapes. Learn why a beautiful a specific fern grows only on south-facing granite slopes. Explore how rocks... [more]

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