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[Don't forget to check our NEWS page for recent updates and upcoming tour information.] Field Guides leader: CHRIS BENESH“I chose this trip because of Field Guides reputation. I wanted a tour that would be a good introduction to an organized birding trip. It was outstanding—exceeded my expectations. This trip was the success it was due to the skill and caring of the guides, John Rowlett and Chris Benesh. They are world class!” P.P., VIRGINIAS’ WARBLERS 2007
Each tour link leads to a more detailed description. For another guide's schedule, click here. CHRIS' UPCOMING TOURS AUSTRALIA (Part I) September 26-October 16, 2008 (Pelagics pre-tour from September 24) with Chris Benesh & second guide. Begins our two-part tour with Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, southwest Australia, and Alice Springs. PENGUINS, PETRELS & ALBATROSSES: CRUISING NEW ZEALAND'S SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS November 7-27, 2008 with Chris Benesh. Nesting seabirds on dramatically beautiful, misty islands; endemic penguins, shags, shorebirds, and landbirds; and the finest assortment of pelagics on land and at sea, from a comfortable cruise ship. NEW YEAR IN MEXICO: OAXACA & THE PACIFIC COAST December 27, 2008-January 7, 2009 with Chris Benesh & second guide. In addition to our regular Oaxacan haunts and the incredible spectacle of Oaxaca in its Christmas finery, the tour will spend a few days on the Pacific coast for a different avifauna with additional Mexican specialties. COLIMA & JALISCO January 17-25, 2009 with Chris Benesh & Megan Crewe. A popular and comfortable introduction to the Neotropics with many West Mexican endemics and specialties; lovely coastal and montane scenery. May be combined with OAXACA. PANAMA'S CANOPY TOWER III February 28-March 7, 2009 (Canopy Lodge Pre-trip from February 24) with Chris Benesh. A towering introduction to Neotropical birds based entirely in one unique lodge; great birding from the Tower with quick access to famous Pipeline Road and other locations. Limited to 8 participants. May be combined with WESTERN PANAMA. SPRING IN SOUTH TEXAS I & II March 19-27, 2009 & March 28-April 5, 2009 with Chris Benesh. Magnificent Whooping Cranes, lots of South Texas specialties, and spring hawk migration. Limited to 8 participants. BIG BEND, THE DAVIS MOUNTAINS & HILL COUNTRY April 18-27, 2009 with Chris Benesh & second guide. Colima and Golden-cheeked warblers, Montezuma Quail, and other southern borderland specialties in Texas's grand desert mountain landscapes. May be combined with TEXAS COAST MIGRATION SPECTACLE I. SPAIN May 8-20, 2009 with Chris Benesh & Jesse Fagan. To La Mancha, famous Coto Doñana, Extremadura, and the Gredos Mountains for some of Europe’s best birding. ALASKA I (Part I) June 4-13, 2009 with Chris Benesh & George Armistead. Includes the Pribilof Islands and magnificent Denali National Park. ALASKA I (Part II) June 12-22, 2009 with Chris Benesh & George Armistead. Continues our Alaska coverage with Nome, Barrow, Seward, and the Anchorage area. NEWFOUNDLAND & NOVA SCOTIA June 30-July 10, 2009 with Chris Benesh & Wayne Petersen. Boreal specialties, seabird colonies, and numerous breeding landbirds in the beautiful Canadian Maritimes. ARIZONA'S SECOND SPRING August 1-10, 2009 with Chris Benesh. An ideal time for visiting one of the best birding regions in North America; great for local specialties and Mexican vagrants. Limited to 8 participants. AUSTRALIA (Part I) September 25-October 15, 2009 (Pelagics Pre-trip from September 23) with Chris Benesh & Megan Crewe. Begins our two-part tour with Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, southwest Australia, and Alice Springs. NEW ZEALAND IN SPRING November 19-December 7, 2009 with Chris Benesh. Beautiful landscapes as a backdrop for nearly 50 endemic birds plus a great selection of seabirds. May be combined with CRUISING NEW ZEALAND'S SUBANTARCTIC. NEW YEAR IN MEXICO: OAXACA & THE PACIFIC COAST December 27, 2009-January 7, 2010 with Chris Benesh & Wayne Petersen. In addition to our regular Oaxacan haunts and the incredible spectacle of Oaxaca in its Christmas finery, the tour will spend a few days on the Pacific coast for a different avifauna with additional Mexican specialties. Click a link or photo below to view the upcoming schedule of any guide. Contact our office by e-mail in Austin, Texas at fieldguides@fieldguides.com.
Field Guides Incorporated, 9433 Bee Cave Road, Building 1, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78733 Copyright © 2008 Field Guides Incorporated Field Guides is a registered trademark of Field Guides Incorporated. |
Chris Benesh grew up studying natural history in California, where he was inspired by his father to take up birding as a teenager. After earning a degree in zoology from UC Santa Barbara in 1987, Chris moved to Austin to join the Field Guides staff. Since then, his life has undergone a wonderful transformation. The intervening years at Field Guides have taken him to many corners of the world and across both the Arctic and Antarctic circles! Chris takes an interest in nearly anything that flies, and you might catch him sneaking a peak at a passing aircraft or stopping to examine a butterfly or odonate. You might also notice him getting especially excited at the sighting of a rare or wonderful mammal (heck, he can get excited about a squirrel). Chris recently began a third term on the Arizona Bird Committee, and additionally his passion for education has led to his ongoing work on a photoguide to North American flycatchers (can you say “glacial pace?”), as well as the occasional workshop or birding convention presentation. These days, most of his “down time” is spent at home in Tucson watching his two wonderful kids, Sean and Linnea, grow.
