Education and Inspiration through the ancient art of storytelling!
Invite John James Audubon, naturalist and artist, to your community for performances, workshops and guided birding. Storyteller and author Brian “Fox” Ellis, in the persona of Audubon, brings history, ecology, art and literature to life in this meticulously researched program that celebrates the life work of one of America’s greatest artist and naturalist!
This program was recently honored by the Illinois Humanities Council Roads Scholar Program and they will pay for any public performance in the state of Illinois!
Each performance is custom tailored. Here are two slightly different programs if presenting twice at the same conference:
A) Spend an hour in the studio of one of America’s greatest naturalists and wildlife artist. Listen to tales of his adventures as he finishes something no one had every accomplished before: drawing every bird in North America. Audubon will enchant you with stories of his travels and travails in the wildest places on the planet. He will celebrate the natural history of the North America as he saw it in the early 1800s.
B) In this second performance Audubon will bring to life bird behavior, focusing on the birds you are most likely to see as you go bird watching in this area. Audubon followed the annual migrations of birds throughout North America in the 1820s and 1830s, keeping meticulous journals on the birds he saw. With lessons on field ecology, the scientific method, art history, and bird migration, the audience is invited to imitate birds and discuss the life histories of their favorite feathered friends.
Performances can be geared towards professional ornithologists, family audiences, school groups, or the general public!
Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays Audubon in these entertaining and meticulously researched monologues drawing from Audubon’s journals, essays, and letters to his friends and colleagues. This program was developed with a grant from the USFWS as part of their celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Fox has performed as Audubon in museums, nature centers, schools and libraries across the United States, including Audubon’s home in Henderson, Kentucky.
Eagle Optics, the leading on-line source for binoculars and spotting scopes is now sponsoring Fox's tour as John James Audubon. Check out their excellent selection and you will find both great deals on first rate optics and something quite rare in on-line shopping, excellent service and advice on the best equipment for your needs.
Workshop:
BIRD IS THE WORD: Journaling, Poetry, Non-Fiction Writing, and Ornithology
A poet’s eye and gift for language is very similar to the detailed observation and ability to communicate complex ideas required of field ecologists. In this participatory workshop you will learn some tips for effective journaling. You will learn to use haiku to focus your eye and ear. You will learn to use poetry to write clearer more exciting essays and turn your field notes into publishable articles. Come to celebrate the voices of nature and find your voice in the natural world.
Let’s Go Birding with Audubon!
Join Mr. Audubon on a unique bird watching adventure as he regales listeners with his in-depth observations of the species we happen to see along the trail. Long before Stokes and Sibley, Audubon published several pages of field notes, an “Ornithological Biography,” for all 435 species of birds that he painted.
Read additional reviews and recommendations.
To view Lesson Plans for Adventures with Audubon follow the link.
For further Audubon lesson plan ideas or
To read an article Fox wrote for Green Teacher Magazine follow this link InTheFootstepsOfAudubon
To read some of Audubon's Essays click on the title: The Prairie, The Runaway, The Squatters of the Mississippi
To learn more about the life of John James Audubon visit these two web pages for brief biographies: Audubon Society and Princeton Audubon.
PLEASE CALL 309-689-8000 OR Contact Fox TO BOOK A PERFORMANCE OR WORKSHOP!
Learn about Booking a Show.
