Backyard Birds: Seeing, Photographing, and Understanding the Birds Around You (Begins Feb 7)
Backyard Birds: Seeing, Photographing, and Understanding the Birds Around You (Begins Feb 7)
Not sure which to choose? Select Live Series if you want to attend the sessions live, receive feedback on your images, and take part in the discussion. Select Recordings Only if you prefer to watch the sessions on your own schedule.
Want it now? Let us get it for you—without the big-box baggage.
Want it now? Let us get it for you—without the big-box baggage.
Special order through Looking Glass.
We’ll start working on your order the moment you check out—whether it’s something already on the way or something we order just for you.
- Special orders typically arrive in as little as a three days and usually not longer than a week or two. For new releases, we ship as soon as the manufacturer allows.
- Your order puts you earlier in the queue—and your dollars do more than fuel a warehouse.
- Still deciding? Use “Request in-stock alert” and we’ll be in touch soon.
Ordering from Looking Glass means supporting a store run by actual photographers—who value every kind of photographer.
We care about your creativity, not just your cart total. And unlike some major retailers with a history of discrimination, we believe people should come first.
Your purchase keeps an ethical, community-rooted photo shop alive—and says you value more than just fast shipping.
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Description
Description
Backyard Birds: Seeing, Photographing, and Understanding the Birds Around You
A five-week online journey into the birds right outside your door.
Birds are some of the most present—and most overlooked—wildlife in our lives. Backyard Birds Live is a five-week online class series designed to help you slow down, notice more, and build a deeper connection with the birds you already share space with—while also improving your photography along the way.
Hosted by Jen Waicukauski of Looking Glass Photo, this course blends bird identification, behavior, photography fundamentals, and shared observation into a welcoming, curiosity-driven learning experience. Whether you’re photographing with a camera or simply watching with binoculars (or coffee in hand), this class meets you where you are.
Course Format
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Schedule: One session per week for five consecutive Saturdays (February 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7) from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
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Duration: ~ 1.5 to 2 hours per session
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Platform: Live online via Zoom
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Recording: Each live session is recorded
Choose Your Registration Option
🌿 Backyard Birds Live — $249
Limited to 10 participants
Join Jen and a small group of fellow bird lovers live each week on Zoom.
Includes:
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Live participation in all five sessions
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Real-time Q&A and discussion
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Weekly image sharing and feedback
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Access to all session recordings for one month after the final class
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A more personal, interactive learning experience
This option is ideal if you enjoy conversation, community, and learning in real time.
🎥 Backyard Birds — Recorded Access — $49
Prefer to learn on your own schedule? This option gives you access to the weekly recordings without attending live.
Includes:
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Access to each week’s recorded session
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One month of viewing access after the final class
This option is perfect if you can’t make the live dates or simply want the content without the live interaction.
What You’ll Learn
📷 Photography Essentials
Learn how to make stronger bird photographs through better understanding of camera settings, lenses, light, composition, and basic editing. The focus is on practical, repeatable skills—not gear pressure or perfection.
🐦 Bird Identification
Get better at recognizing common backyard birds by shape, size, behavior, and markings. We’ll talk through how to narrow down IDs and what details matter most.
🌱 Bird Behavior & Habitat
Understanding how birds live helps you anticipate moments worth photographing. We’ll explore feeding patterns, seasonal behavior, and why certain birds show up when they do.
🌍 Community Science Tools
An introduction to iNaturalist, eBird, and Merlin—how they work, why they matter, and how they can deepen both your bird knowledge and your sense of connection.
Interactive & Community-Centered
For live participants, each session includes space for:
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Image sharing (favorite shots, mystery birds, moments you’d like help improving)
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Open Q&A throughout the series
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Shared observations from your own backyard—what you’re seeing, hearing, and wondering
This class isn’t about “getting it right.” It’s about paying attention, learning together, and finding joy in the everyday presence of birds.
Why people choose Looking Glass
Why people choose Looking Glass
You could buy gear anywhere. But if you believe photography is personal, you’re in the right place.
At Looking Glass, we’ve spent over 50 years helping photographers feel confident, supported, and inspired—not just stocked up. When you shop with us:
- You get guidance from photographers when you want it, not algorithms
- You support a locally owned store that reinvests in education and community
- You have someone to call, email, or walk in and talk to after the sale—that’s important
- You help ensure that independent, human-centered photography spaces still exist
You already love photography. We’re here to help you unlock what’s next.
