'Pachyderm Intrigue' on tap with Science Club

In 1965, Don Miller was on a science trip with naturalist and nature photographer Jim Anderson.

"Jim noticed I was trying to repair my point-and-shoot camera with chewing gum," Miller recalls. "He generously loaned me one of his SLR cameras for the remainder of the trip - and provided some tips on creative photography."

The two have been friends ever since, making Miller's upcoming lecture as the first Jim Anderson Chair speaker especially meaningful.

On Tuesday, November 28, Miller will speak on "Pachyderm Intrigue & Elephant Lessons" at The Belfry for the Sisters Science Club "Frontiers in Science" series.

Miller's lecture, co-sponsored by the Friends of the Sisters Library and supported by FOSL's Jim Anderson Chair endowment, will explore the sophisticated nature of elephant society and communication. A conservation photographer, Miller has a special interest in elephants, prompted when he first photographed them in 1983 at the Washington Park Zoo (now Oregon Zoo) in Portland. In addition to his photography, he has volunteered for desert elephant conservation work for Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) in Namibia, Africa.

A life-size replica of an elephant foot will accompany Miller when he visits Sisters Middle School on Monday, November 27. Elephants use their feet to convey information by sending and receiving seismic transmissions, Miller explains, enabling communication that extends among widely separated family groups.

A selection of Miller's photos will be available for purchase at The Belfry event, with part of the proceeds supporting the Sisters Science Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with light fare, beer and wine available. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $5; Science Club donors, teachers and students are admitted free.

The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters.