For the City-Times

Steve Matherly will present a photographic tour of “Birds and Wildlife of Uganda” at the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society’s program on February 19th at the Lincoln Center, 1519 Water Street in Stevens Point. The program begins at 7 pm.  

Uganda is a superb place to see birds and wildlife. Despite being landlocked, the country boasts a bird list of over 1000 species, comprising nearly 10 percent of the world’s bird species. Animal highlights include the endangered mountain gorilla as well as chimpanzees.  Although Uganda lacks the massive herds of neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, its national parks do have good populations of antelope species, giraffes, elephants and zebras. In addition, butterfly enthusiasts can feast their eyes upon the more than 1200 species of butterflies found in Uganda.

Steve was raised near Des Moines, Iowa, but has lived in Houston, Texas since graduating from Iowa State University with a chemical engineering degree. Although now retired, he spent his “working” career in the energy industry, but his “real” passion has always been outdoor activities.

Steve’s birding career began around the age of two. While watching the spring waterfowl migration with his parents in southwest Iowa, he uttered one of his first words – “tintail!” From his roots in Iowa, Steve has now expanded his birding range to all the continents.  He is an avid traveler, has birded in 38 countries, and is “zeroing in” on having seen half of the world’s bird species.

During the past ten years, Steve has mixed his passion for birds, travel to exotic places and love of photography.  He has photographs published in the British magazine “Birdwatch”, has won the grand prize in “Wild Bird” magazine’s photo contest and has two bird photos on display at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.

Please join us for a fascinating Ugandan safari. ALAS programs are free and open to the public and families are encouraged to attend.