Wildlife photographer and author, biologist Kirsten Hines is the guest speaker Thursday, January 29th at 10AM and 1PM as part of the 21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series in The Roost at the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center on Sanibel Island. The author of nine books, Hines will focus her lecture on her photographic birding guide Birds of Florida.
Designed for birders of all levels, Birds of Florida covers 310 species illustrated by more than 450 of Hines’ photographs taken across the state. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behavior, distribution, habitat, and seasonality. The book also includes insights into some of Florida’s top birding locations with notes on accessibility.
Following her lectures, Hines will sign copies of the book, available for sale in the Refuge Nature Store, along with her award-winning Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey.
“I’ve traveled to every continent, not to check them off my list, but to appreciate the vast and diverse beauty housed on our planet,” said Hines. “I trained as a biologist, getting a master’s degree before realizing that the stories I wanted to tell were not in data, numbers, and statistics. I came to realize that creative non-fiction writing and a camera were my tools.”
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge co-hosts the eight-part lecture series with J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and through financial support from sponsors. Friends of the Refuge sponsors Hines’ lectures.
While the refuge auditorium is undergoing renovations, all 2026 lectures will take place in The Roost outdoor pavilion. Seating is limited on a first-come basis. Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs to ensure a seat. Most of the open-air seating is under cover, however DDWS suggests sunscreen, bug spray, and climate-appropriate attire.
See the complete listing of the season’s lectures HERE. Starred (*) lectures indicate those with book-signings following the lecture.