Nikon Retreat in Portland Oregon

Socializing, strategy discussions, product unveilings, field trips, and the downing of a pint or two – all of this and more, made up the Nikon Birding ProStaff retreat in Portland this past weekend. I was thrilled to be a part of the group, which included well-known field trip leaders, editors, authors and others who are crazy enough to try to make a living birding! Mike Frieberg, Nikon Birding Specialist, and Kristin Hunt of Chevalier Marketing/Advertising put on a wonderful show, with the help of local ProStaffer’s Shawneen Finnegan and Forrest Rowland. I thoroughly enjoyed catching-up with old friends, and meeting new ones.

The weekend itinerary featured, among other things, the unveiling of the new Nikon EDG Fieldscope, which provides the ultimate in optical performance. Talk about super clear and a wide field of view! We got to showcase the new optics during outings to local hotspots Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach. On the beach, our conspicuous group of official-looking staffers toting expensive-looking gear attracted a curious crowd. All of the eager onlookers were impressed with the scope views of gorgeous Tufted Puffins perched atop the landmark Haystack Rock.

One of my assignments on the retreat was to talk about the 50mm ED Fieldscope in front of a video camera. It wasn’t hard, as I truly love it’s compact, lightweight style which is great for traveling. Others also discussed their favorite equipment for the camera, making promotional footage for Nikon to use in marketing and advertising. The photo shoot took place in the expansive 725-acre Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, part of a vast complex of open space, wildlife corridors, lowlands and uplands. Wandering the trails, we found Spotted Towhee, Bewick’s Wren, Bushtits, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Wood-Peewee, Western Scrub Jay, abundant Cedar Waxwings, and more.

This being my first time in the Pacific Northwest, I was awed by the varied habitats, the swirling mist, and the lush green forests that characterize the area. Our morning field trips to Larch Mountain and Saddle Mountain, respectively, brought us breathtaking views while we searched for Sooty Grouse and other species. These upper-elevation forests (approx. 4,000 feet) are dominated by Sitka and Engelmann Spruce trees, along with lichen-covered Red Alder, dripping with moss. Our montane list included Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Hutton’s Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Varied Thrush, Evening Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, Hermit Warbler, Steller’s Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, Oregon Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. Our target Sooty Grouse was heard-only, as was a Northern Spotted Owl.

Back down on the scenic shores, we enjoyed time at Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach. The rocky coastline hosted Tufted Puffins, Black Oystercatchers, Pelagic and Brandt Cormorants, Pigeon Guillemots, Heermann’s Gulls, and more than thirty-thousand Common Murres. A few Rhinoceros Auklets flew by, while Glaucous-winged and Western Gulls milled around the car park.

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief but memorable weekend with Nikon in Portland. I’m already looking forward to next year’s ProStaff retreat!