About Me - Jim Gain

MY COLLEGE YEARS

My interest was especially piqued by my Biology teacher, Joe Medeiros and my Sierra Nevada teacher, Harold Basey. It was on one of the Great Valley Museum's field trips with Joe that I saw my first Greater Roadrunner in Del Puerto Canyon. Mr. Basey challenged me to get an A in his class, which was a grade he had only given out once or twice in the previous 3 years (and I did). It was because of these two teachers, that I changed my college major to Biology. While at CSU Stanislaus I pursued a concentration in Flowering plants, but Ornithology became my passion. After getting my BS in Biology with a minor in Physical Science, I applied for and was accepted to Cal Poly to work on master's in Zoology. Unfortunately due to some unexpected challenges, I was unable to pursue that goal.

CONNECTING WITH STANISLAUS AUDUBON

Since I did not live in San Joaquin County, David suggested that I get in touch with a teacher from Modesto, Harold Reeve, and see about joining the Stanislaus Audubon Society. After attending several chapter programs, I wanted more. I asked Harold if there could be a possibility of participating in the Board meetings as a non-board member. Shortly thereafter in the summer of 1988, I was invited to become an actual Stanislaus Audubon Society Board Member.  In addition to meeting Harold, I got to know Eric Caine, Dave Froba, Paul Illick, Jean Hackamack, Neil Selover and Bill Amundsen. Harold invited me to join him and his wife, Sharon, to go birding in the county.

CENTRAL VALLEY BIRD CLUB

In early 1995 some of the valley's most active birders discussed forming a Central Valley bird club to promote birding and to facilitate the social aspect of the activity. In 1997, the club hosted the first ever Central Valley Birding Symposium at the Delta College campus in Stockton. I attended that rainy first event and have participated in every symposium since that time. I was invited to become a Board Member of the CVBC.  In addition to David Yee, others such as Frances Oliver, Jim Rowoth, Kirk Mize, Cheri Pillsbury, Joanne Katanik, John Sterling, Tim Manolis and Waldo Holt went out of their way to help teach me to become a better birder.

MODESTO CAMERA CLUB

In the late 1990s, my bird photography friend Bob Corey, invited me to join the local Modesto Camera Club. He was adament that listening to the judges at the monthly competitions would give me a better understanding of image composition. And he was so correct! When Bob passed away, I stopped going to the club, but after I retired in 2019, I resumed my particiation. I took over as Newsletter editor and did a year's stint as club president. Club members Sam and Barbara Shaw and Bob Shroyer were especially patient and helpful as mentors.

Breakdown by Country Below