Monthly Meeting – March 14, 2019 – Birds of the Southern Hemisphere: Antarctica and Easter Island

Joe Tucker, Photographer

From November 15 to December 7, 2018, Joe and his wife took a nine day trip to Antarctica, followed by three days in Santiago, Chile, and 3 days on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). It was a trip he had been planning for three years to fulfill a lifetime ambition. They saw amazing wildlife – Leopard Seals, Crab-eater Seals, Weddell Seals, Orcas, Minke Whales, Fin Whales, and Humpback Whales. Joe added 30 birds to his life list. Come and share in his experience through his many wonderful photos.

Joe Tucker grew up in Tennessee where his family helped him develop a love of photography and travel at an early age. Before moving to Arkansas in 1995, he also lived in South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska and Texas. Joe earned college degrees in Chemistry and Education while honing his photographic skills in the hills, caves and mountains of Tennessee. After attending the New York City School of Modern Photography in the 70s he taught photography classes at public schools and scouting programs. After retiring from a 35-year career in commercial casualty risk, claim and litigation management he is now exploring more of our planet. He has traveled to every US state and Canadian province, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.  He and Linda, his wife of 49 years, recently returned from Antarctica, rounding out their visits to all seven Continents. Next year he hopes to visit South Africa to round out his Southern Hemisphere bird collection. Joe is a certified Arkansas Master Naturalist, and volunteers with Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas, Arkansas Game and Fish, Hospice and the Red Cross. He now concentrates his photography on birds.

Meeting is at Fletcher Library at 7 PM.