A night at the drive-in is for the birds

Two programs, both Vashon bird-centric, will be shown on the big screen on Tuesday.

By Elizabeth Shepherd • September 10, 2020 1:30 am
The magnificent wildlife of Fern Cove will be on display in a special presentation by Jim Diers at the Night Light Drive-in on Sept. 15 (Jim Diers Photos).
The magnificent wildlife of Fern Cove will be on display in a special presentation by Jim Diers at the Night Light Drive-in on Sept. 15 (Jim Diers Photos).

Vashon Audubon will present a special night at the Night Light Drive-in, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, on the great lawn of Open Space for Arts & Community. The gate to the drive-in opens at 7 p.m.

The double-feature program is free, but donations to the organization are welcome. Concessions can also be purchased in advance of the event at vashonthreatre.com.

Two programs, both Vashon bird-centric, will be shown on the big screen on Tuesday.

First up is “Four Seasons at Fern Cove,” a photographic tour with Jim Diers, who is one of the island’s most prolific photographers of birds and wildlife. According to Diers, his 27-minute, narrated photographic tour contains 463 images.

“But don’t let that scare you,” he said, acknowledging the huge number of photographs in the show. “It is quickly paced, with slides including a beaver, salmon, frogs, seals and all kinds of birds including some that are rare for Vashon: American Dipper, Black Turnstone, Dowitcher, Greater White-fronted Goose, a pair of Peregrine Falcons, and so much more.”

Diers added that his narration of the program is accompanied by bird song.

The second film, “The Hope Nest,” is a new short by Emalia Hinden that documents the island’s new Audubon bird mural, painted by Britt Fida in the Heron Meadow, behind Vashon Center for the Arts. The film captures footage of Judd Creek and the climate-threatened birds on the mural and touches on the story of the larger island ecosystem.

Safety protocols apply to the drive-in event. Face masks are required during check-in at the gate. After being directed to a parking slot, attendees should stay in their vehicles and keep car windows rolled up (or cracked a bit for fresh air). Use your car radio or bring along an FM radio to hear the show. Use the bathroom before leaving home to avoid a trip to the porta-potties on site.

For more information about all the programs and resources offered by Vashon Audobon, visit vashonaudubon.org. The website is a trove of information about island birding hot spots, birds at risk, ID tools and other resources including classes to learn more about island birds.