Paul Bannick is an award-winning author and wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and habitat. Coupling his love of the outdoors with his skill as a photographer, he creates images that foster the intimacy between viewer and subject, inspiring education and conservation.

Paul is both the author and photographer of two best-selling bird books, "Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls" (Braided River 2016) and "The Owl and The Woodpecker, Encounters with North America’s Most Iconic Birds" (Mountaineers 2008).

In his new book, "Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers" (Mountaineers September 1, 2025), Paul delves into the natural and cultural history of woodpeckers from the boreal forest of northern Canada to oak woodlands and conifer forests in the United States to the wet tropical forests of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Erro Lehnert is a wildlife biologist from Michigan. She especially loves birds, but her passion for all wildlife has taken her all over the world. Erro got her master's degree in ornithology from the University of Central Oklahoma before she started with the California Condor Recovery Program in November of 2021. Erro has worked for various federal agencies as a biologist since 2009, and her travels have taken her to 13 states to work with birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles! But birds are her passion and working with Condors has been a dream job come true. Erro wants to protect the wild areas of the world and hopes that through research and science she can contribute to conservation practices for birds and all other wildlife. She hopes that by sharing enthusiasm for the natural world, those that she encounters will also find a love for nature and the world around them.

Jon L. Dunn has authored or co-authored many papers on status, distribution, and identification of birds. He was chief consultant or co-author on all seven extant editions of the National Geographic's "Field Guide to the Birds of North America" (from the 3rd to the 7th with Jonathan Alderfer) as well as "Birding Essentials" (2007) and co-authored with Kimball L. Garrett, "Warblers"(1997) and "Birds of Southern California, Status and Distribution" (1981). Jon has been a member of the AOU's (now AOS) Committee on Classification and Nomenclature (NACC) since 2000. Jon has led tours for Wings since 1977. Jon was a charter member for Western Field Ornithologists and has served for nearly two decades on their board, currently as Past President.

An esteemed birder, photographer and presenter, Ed Harper was a long-time educator before taking up bird photography. He and his wife travel extensively, viewing and photographing the world’s wildlife and scenery. Ed also spends much of his time in his beloved home state of Montana. Ed traditionally kicks off the Symposium with one of his stunning photography presentations. He also creates and directs the challenging Bird ID workshops at the Symposium and at Western Field Ornithologists conferences.

Keith Hansen grew up in a family where nature and art were a pivotal part of his becoming a Bird Artist. Keith has illustrated birds since he was a teenager. His works have included over a dozen bird books and countless illustrations for various scientific organizations, publications, and logos. Keith and his wife Patricia enjoy leading tours to various countries from Mexico to Panama. His studio, "The Wildlife Gallery", is in Bolinas California.