2026 Keynote Speaker
Experience Nature Like Never Before at Wings Over Water.
Join award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Bannick at the 21st annual birding festival that transforms how you see the natural world.
Meet Paul Bannick, one of North America’s most celebrated wildlife photographers and conservation advocates. As an award-winning author specializing in North American birds and their habitats, Paul creates stunning visual narratives that bridge the gap between human hearts and the wild spaces around us. His breathtaking photography doesn’t just capture moments—it forges lasting connections that inspire education and fuel conservation efforts. Through his lens, every feather tells a story, every habitat reveals its secrets, and every image becomes a call to protect what we might otherwise take for granted.
Paul brings decades of keynote speaking experience to audiences worldwide, sharing his passion at prestigious events and institutions across the globe. His internationally acclaimed work has graced exhibitions from coast to coast, including the remarkable “Owls of North America: Spirit of the Lands” showcase at Taiwan’s renowned Chi Mei Museum. His ability to weave together art, science, and storytelling has made him a sought-after speaker who transforms complex conservation concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with birders and nature lovers alike.
We’re thrilled to welcome Paul back to this year’s Wings Over Water Birding Festival, where his infectious passion for wildlife photography and conservation will inspire a new generation of nature enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a master—your perspective on birds and their habitats will never be the same.
Ready to be inspired? Plan now to attend this year’s 21st Wings Over Water Birding Festival and discover the magic that awaits when art meets conservation.
Featured Artist 2025
Forrest Chel, Pyrography Artist
Based in Birch Bay, Washington, Forrest Chel designs each woodburned scene with whimsy and intention, drawing inspiration from details and patterns found in nature. Each piece is an original drawing, transfered or drawn on wood, and hand burned, with a preference for local wood canvas.
Birds and their habits is of particular interest to Forrest Chel. Birds are featured in the art, carrying out tasks and caring for their young in natural habitats. Forrest Chel’s designs seek to share reverence of birds and their important lives, and ask the question: what sacred secrets do they know that we can not yet see?