In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are switching the format of our 9th Laredo Birding Festival to a virtual format and will be bringing the birds to you! Join us for our 9th LBF and bird the border with us via high-quality birding videos at ranches and along the Rio Grande, keynote and guest speaker presentations, interactive workshops, an online bird art gallery, and more. Our virtual festival promises to be the next best thing to an in-person festival. Register now and join us SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021!! Birders can expect an exciting virtual birding experience at our 9th Laredo Birding Festival! The virtual festival includes high-quality birding videos of our most popular LBF destinations. Take in the stunning birds and landscape of our South Texas region as we take you on an exclusive journey to bird by boat, on historic ranches, and local birding hot-spots! Join us for Holly Merker's presentation "Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul" as she shares with us why birdwatching is not only fun, but good for you too! Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to birds, how to practice Ornitherapy for optimal benefits, and learn about the latest research in the power of nature for overall wellbeing. You won't want to miss our keynote speaker Richard Crossley's thrilling presentation "There and Back." Told in a thick Yorkshire accent, with a sense of humor, and a disdain for PC, Richard will talk about his 16,000 mile adventure to the Arctic ocean, Northern Alaska. Living out of his truck, Richard chats about the incredible places he travelled and the inspiring people he met who changed his thoughts. In addition to his keynote presentation, Richard will also host an interactive Bird ID workshop with trivia. This mystery photo quiz will be full of guided hints and anecdotal comments. Entertaining but instructional, it will help you understand and see birds as Richard does. Come and work out the answers like the experts do it! As always, our 9th annual Birds of the Brush art contest will be a festival highlight. Experience the talents of local artists celebrating the biodiversity of birds found in our region in our first ever online art gallery! Register today for just $25 with the following link: bit.ly/lbf_register For more info, email manuel@rgisc.org.