Happy Black Friday Everyone!

If you're like most of us here in Okanogan Country, you're out somewhere on a trail, walking under an open sky, or cuddled up next to a wood stove in a cozy cabin (OR this is where you wish you were!) Shopping madness isn't really our thing up here, but gratitude and being thankful is a big part of our way of life.So today, we want to extend a huge thanks and warm gratitude to our very own Mary Kiesau, the naturalist, photographer, and bird watcher who has made the Bird of the Week emails something you all look forward to in your inbox.So this Thanksgiving time, we would like to tell you a little bit about the woman behind the "Bird" - Mary!

Meet Mary Kiesau!

Mary Kiesau is a Methow Valley-based naturalist, educator, photographer and life-long learner. She says she "strives to help people be more observant, informed, interested in and connected with the natural world, because when we deepen our relationship to the natural world, we deepen our relationships with ourselves and with others." Mary worked with environmentally-based nonprofits for over 20 years, including 13 years with the Methow Conservancy in Winthrop, WA.

She created Mountain Kind Photography (mountainkindphotography.com) in 2007 starting with just Methow Valley postcards. It has now grown to include a wide variety of art, including wall prints and an annual calendar, as well as natural history classes for groups and individuals.

Take a look and sign up for her newsletter if you'd like!