Hear photographer Paul Bannick speak about value of woodpeckers

Whidbey Audubon Society hosts wildlife photographer Paul Bannick on Thursday to talk about woodpeckers, the quintessential bird of the forest.

Bannick will talk about the value that a diverse forest provides woodpeckers and how animals benefit from woodpeckers. Using photos, sounds and stories, Bannick will describe each species and its effect on the trees and habitats they favor, as well as specific birds that benefit from their work.

The event is part of Whidbey Audubon’s monthly general meeting and program. The public is welcome and the event is free. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the program begins at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Highway 525 north of Freeland.

Paul Bannick is an international award-winning wildlife photographer whose work has been published in National Geographic, the Smithsonian, the New York Times and Audubon Magazine. His first book, “The Owl and the Woodpecker” is one of the best-selling bird books in North America. He will bring a copy of his second book, “Woodpeckers of North America” to the event.