Kenn Kaufman at RTPI

Kenn Kaufman spent the evening talking to many guest and members of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) in Jamestown, New York. Kenn is the fourth author who has been invited to speak at the Distinguished Speaker Series at RTPI (funded through the Johnson Foundation). Kenn is best known as the author of the book Kingbird Highway and his Kaufman Focus Field Guides. Tonight was the official release date for his newest Focus Guide on the Insects of North America and it looks like a very useful guide for any nature enthusiast (I know its going in my library).

During the “meet the author” reception; Kenn spent some time talking about his new guide and we had the opportunity to ask him questions like “how did you decide what insects to use or not use in your book? He kindly answered all of our questions and then some. I know that his Butterfly Guide to North American Butterflies is currently the best field guide that has ever been produced in identifying butterflies out in the field. This new bug guide should be equally as easy to use out in the field and I hope that in the future a moth book is also added to this great series of field guides.

I first learned about Kenn through his numerous articles published in Bird Watchers Digest and many other magazines. The first opportunity for me to hear him speak was in 1996 at RTPI for another book release. Just after that talk, I purchased the “Kingbird Highway” and gained a great deal of respect for Kenn after reading about his adventures across North America. I couldn’t wait to hear him speak again at the Federation of NYS Birdclubs meeting in Rochester, New York (late 1990’s). Recently when they announced the first few distinguished speakers this winter, I only prayed that Kenn would return to RTPI and speak! The rumors were correct and he was added to the great list of speakers already scheduled.

I found this evenings lecture to not only be educational but very entertaining and inspiring to all birdwatchers in the room. The way Kenn was able to share his experiences through a famous person and a child (who everyone in the room could relate to) was very inspirational to me. Young Naturalist J leaned over to me and whispered “wow – he is such a wonderful speaker”! With that said, both Kenn and his wife (who is also a bird bander) were so kind to each and every person that approached them. I asked Kenn if he could pass along a message to all of my blogging friends who were unable to attend the talk (see message below):

Kenn and Kim, thanks for being so supportive of RTPI and everything you are doing for children and birders across North America. I only hope to hear the “chickadee poem” that you told us back in 1996 for your next return to RTPI.