Back to Brinkley!

I love being at the airport and I love traveling. I had a conversation with a freelance writer friend who warned me to be careful what I wished for. He said it was hard being on the road in a cramped plane, sleeping in an unfriendly hotel and just trying to get things done. So far I have found the opposite to be true. I tend to get a lot of work done catching up on phone conversations (with my hands free headset at left) and doing some emailing while waiting at the gate. Once on the plane I get a surprising amount of writing accomplished whether it be blog related, catching up on emails, an article for Birding Business or something for Eagle Optics. No distractions. This trip I used the time on the plane to go over the packing list of product that will be waiting for me in Brinkley. I tried to make sure that I not only knew what was packed but try and memorize the weights, prices, etc.

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved airports, I love watching the people and I love the buzz of everyone off to destinations. You can see how excited some are to get to a vacation spot and other just off for work. I just like the energy. When I touched down in Little Rock, I got into my rental car and headed straight for the festival:

Welcome back to Brinkley! Okay, for the record, I am a safe driver, I do not snap photos while going down the highway, but about 15 miles from Brinkley one nasty traffic jam came into formation. When I got off the exit, there was a police officer directing traffic! Who knew? Could this be a sign that the festival is jammed packed full of participants? I was shocked. I was also a little concerned with the officer started using his cell phone while directing traffic. Call me crazy, but I want someone's full attention when they are directing vehicles of various sizes off of and onto highways.

Typically a traffic jam is not my first place to be, but there were so many snow geese moving that it was fun to watch swirling and descending onto the nearby fields as I sat in the highway parking lot. It was bird rush hour! As I got closer to Brinkley, I noticed hoards and hoards of red-winged blackbirds. I hadn't seen flocks like that since I was a kid in Indiana. I estimated one flock to be at least 2 million birds (that's a conservative estimate, not an exaggeration). I was super excited to notice that the flocks were heading towards the Brinkley exit like I was. Here is a photo of a flock (note traffic in the lanes heading away from Brinkley are moving quite fast):

When I arrived at the convention center, there was a young man with fireworks taking aim at the red-winged blackbird flocks attempting to roost in the trees (kind of like that scene early on Steel Magnolias when they boys are trying to get the birds out of the trees before Shelby's wedding--although in the movie they look to be rock pigeons with house sparrow calls dubbed over). The birds would land, and make the trees look like full foliage, the fireworks would zoom in the center, the flock would rise and then descend down into the trees again. I mentioned to the crowd watching that this a bird festival, the birds should be left alone. I was told, "This isn't a blackbird festival!" I was also told that we would want the birds gone because of the all the droppings the birds leave behind. I mentioned that birds tend to "evacuate" more when scared so all the fireworks were doing were just encouraging the birds to poop. At this point there was a loud bang, and the flock zoomed our way--we all hightailed it into the convention center.

Inside I found all the merchandise had been shipped, figured out where my booth was to be set up. The boxes were large so Steve Moore and Amy Hooper helped me move them. Boy, WildBird Magazine really is out to help! My boxes are in place, so I went to grab an Ivory-bill Cheese Burger and call it a night. Back at the hotel I fine tuned my presentation for Saturday: Birding 101. I love titles like that because it's open to interpretation, I can go several different directions...I just need to keep in mind that I only have 30 minutes.

Tonight, my booth looked like this:

Tomorrow, it will be a buffet of fine binoculars!

How to Buy a Duck Stamp

I've gotten quite a few responses on where to buy a duck stamp. I went online and found that the official duck stamp site reads that I can buy a stamp, but the link isn't working. So I found this site that carries the stamp. You might also contact your local post office to see if they are carrying the stamps (not all of them do). I think when I get back home, I might do an entry on how to purchase a duck stamp.

Thank you to all the birders who are willing to buy a duck stamp. The top reason I thank you is that you are helping to buy wetlands for a host of bird species. The other reason is that you are helping to break down the stereotype that birders are cheap and want others to pay for conservation--we need to get rid of that, almost as badly as we need to get rid of the notion that birders aren't cool.

Holy Cow!

Check out this unbelievable looking pileated woodpecker. Interesting, this bird was found in the same area I searched in Arkansas with Cornell in December. It mentions Tom Snetsinger, he was our team's leader. Cool looking bird. I think I can say without causing a stink that we did not see that bird while our crew was there. Boy, I wish I had, that is a nifty looking pileated.

Off to Arkansas--again!

Last week, after spending over eight hours in windy single digit temperatures we had dinner at Clay’s house. While warming up and enjoying a hearty meal I smiled and announced how happy I was to finally have the hip and adventurous lifestyle of an optics rep--a childhood dream. All the other guys at the table looked at me like a chicken with my head cut off. Hip?? Adventurous?? Apparently, I was the only person who got that memo.

Okay, maybe it’s not exploring the Arctic, but it’s still fun and challenging. Non Birding Bill thinks all I do is talk about birds all day and sing karaoke all night while on the road, but there is a lot more to it than that and I love every moment of it. Since the Call of the Ivory-bill Celebration will be my first solo trek running a booth, I will chronicle what all an Eagle Optics employee has to do on the road. Here I am with my suitcase loaded with clothes, binocular demos and my traveling office. I'm opting for my camo jacket this trip, because it seems to help you blend in with the locals in Brinkley, AR.

Whoever is going to this festival is going to meet a bevy of who is who in the birding world: Pete Dunne, Amy Hooper, Greg Butcher, Bobby Harrison, Tim Gallagher, Marie Reed, Gene Sparling, David Lunneau...I wonder if there will be a skeptic crowd there? Boy, it sure would be a good opportunity to ask questions. Should be interesting stuff.

Duck Stamp Discussion

So, I was at a “Duck Stamp” meeting today—or rather a meeting for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Program. It was held at the Minnesota Valley NWR Visitor's Center next to the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport. There were feeders outside our windows so I had to work very hard to focus and not bird (note all the woodpeckers at left).

I was surrounded by people involved with Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR, guys who work for Congressman Kennedy—all types of big wigs and all very interested in preserving wetlands and the species associated with them.

The group got very excited when a sharp-shinned hawk flew in and landed on top of the feeders. All the birds were gone at that moment and it moved on. Twenty minutes later a flock of house sparrows moved in. Like a blue blot from the sky, the sharpie dropped straight in and sent all the sparrows in every direction--some flew into the window. It looked like the sharpie nailed one of the sparrows and then flew off with its meal--cool! Of course, always having a camera ready for a blogable moment, I did get a photo of the sharpie on one of its passes (right).

Hey, here's a question for ya':

Did you know, approximately 98 cents of every duck stamp dollar goes directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchase wetlands and wildlife habitat for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System?

Why aren't more birders (scratch that, make it people) buying this stamp?!?!?

We were trying to figure out how to increase the sales of duck stamps or at least how to increase the revenue from the stamps. Eagle Optics was invited so I was there representing the company and trying to find ways to be more supportive, because let’s face it, if there are no wetlands, there really aren’t much birds to watch and no one will need binoculars and I’m out of a job. It behooves me to pay attention and encourage others to buy duck stamps for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Program.

There’s genuine concern about the heritage of duck hunting disappearing. If duck hunters want to hunt they must purchase a stamp, something that birders do not have to do in order to go out and enjoy birds. For those folks who have never cared for hunting to begin with and are grateful for fewer hunters—you should be worried, very worried. Fewer duck hunters, fewer stamps purchased. Fewer stamps purchased, fewer areas of habitat for birds we enjoy and watch to thrive in.

There’s an idea in the legislature to increase the current stamp price from $15 to $25. Will there be some backlash from people who already purchase stamps and maybe this will be enough to make them stop duck hunting? Another idea is try to get non hunters to purchase the stamp. There’s been a push the last few years, but birders aren’t buying. I wonder what the reason is there? One is that most birders have the idea of “I’m not killing anything, so why not let hunters carry the burden on this?” or “I don’t need to worry about it, someone out there will make enough of a fuss so I don’t have to?” The comment was also made over and over again by both hunters and birders involved in the meeting that birders are cheap. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to be stereotyped that way. Birders and other frequenters of National Wildlife Refuges purchase a $15 Federal Duck Stamp each year in order to gain free admission to refuges. Conservationists buy Federal Duck Stamps because they know that the stamps are, dollar for dollar, one of the best investments one can make in the future of America’s wetlands.

I'm encouraged by the ideas that were generated today and hopeful we will see success with them in the future. There are some real movers and shakers invovled with this so there is reason to be hopeful. The bottom line, however, is that more non hunters need to invest in the stamp, it's one of the best tools for habitat preservation out there.

(At the end of the meeting I sat by the window and watched the feeders a little to unwind and low and behold a possum trucked right on through.)

Eagle Optics Helps with Cuban Sandhill Cranes

Here's another way we're helping out at Eagle Optics.

In the United States, the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) is the most abundant crane species. However, in Cuba, the Cuban Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis nesoites) is classified as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Found only in Cuba, this crane population’s survival is dependant upon open grasslands and savannas. Eagle Optics recently had the privilege to help the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in their efforts to help the Cuban Sandhill Crane or the la grulla cubana.

The ICF has sponsored seven expeditions over the last ten years to aid Cuban colleagues with research and educational efforts. Mrs. Xiomara Galves, who completed her PhD studies with the support of ICF in 2003, has spearheaded these efforts. Some of the accomplishments include surveying and identifying 12 populations of 650 of Cuban Sandhill Cranes, fitting radio transmitters on ten cranes to follow their seasonal movements, and educating the local communities on the importance of habitat conservation and creating activities and festivals centered on the cranes.

In 2006, a group of formal and non-formal educators want to travel to the Isle of Youth, Cuba to build upon activities and conservation education started ten years ago. In the Isle of Youth is the Los Indios Ecological Reserve that hosts the largest known population of Cuban Sandhill Cranes (about 170 birds). The education work centers on a week long Cuban Sandhill Crane Festival, where communities, government officials and schools surrounding significant crane areas celebrate the presence of cranes and other endangered and endemic species. There will be student and teacher workshops, presentations and an international art exchange. In 2004, a record of 680 American students from 14 schools across five states contributed crane artwork that was sent to their Cuban counterparts. Cuban children on the Isle of Youth created artwork, which was presented to the participating American school, creating the art exchange.

The ICF team of educators also shares resources, donations of school supplies and information on the cranes. Cuban school children and educators share activities and performances with the IFC team helping to create a sense of civic responsibility and stewardship towards natural resources like the cranes and their habitat.

To help support the Cuban efforts with the crane research and education, Eagle Optics donated ten binoculars and a spotting scope with a tripod. Cuban biologists, researchers, educators and students to observe the cranes and other endemic species and their nesting habits will use these. Some of the optics sent include Eagle Optics Denalis, and an Eagle Optics Raven Scope with a tripod.

Duck Stamp Meeting

Here is the lovely Amber with Sam the light morph great horned owl at KARE 11, yesterday. I made a point to bring a bird with me, it's my last time working with Brad Woodard, he's off to Houston, TX next month. I wanted to bring a bird because he a HUGE animal lover and he's always done such great animal stories (and is such a good time to work with). He will be greatly missed. Although, if he's in Texas I do have a chance to visit him when bird festivals blow me that way.

Today I am off to a duck stamp meeting and how to improve the sales. Why aren't more birders buying duck stamps? We know we should but we aren't. I must say, this is my kind of all day meeting. No being locked in the lower level meeting room in an office building for eight hours. This meeting is at the Minnesota River Valley Headquarters. Finally, a proper place for a meeting.

Owls On The Move - Northern Owl Symposium

Last winter, over 5,000 owls descended on northern Minnesota, setting records and drawing bird enthusiasts from across the country to this region. This March, a weekend symposium celebrating the mystique, natural history, and ecology of northern owls will be held in Duluth, Minnesota. Featuring owls, art, a poster session, and speakers from as far away as Finland, this one of a kind event will appeal to a wide range of owl enthusiasts. Proceeds will be used to further owl research and conservation.

Here is the info on The Northern Owl Symposium going on in Duluth, MN that I talked about on KARE 11 this morning. I wish I could go, but I will be in Nebraska at the Rivers and Wildlife Celebration for Eagle Optics, but if I weren't going out to see 40,000 sandhill cranes and a million snow geese, I would for sure be going to this.

After doing a few emails and blogs posts when I got off the plane yesterday, I was overwhelmed by my whining and decided to go straight to bed. I wasn't doing anyone anyone any good. I had the BEST experience! I woke up naturally at 4:35am, I was at the half way point: I could easily get up and meet the day or snuggle back into Non Birding Bill for two more hours sleep. I went with the latter. I love that, waking up and realizing I can sleep two more hours and easily be up in time to get to The Raptor Center to get the bird with Amber and then do to KARE 11! After so many hours of sleep I feel refreshed and ready to face the week. I sitll have a few moments, so I'm going to listen to Julie's NPR commentary on blogging--I hear ya', babe.

Best Parts of a Bird Festival

Here was the most accommodating eagle sighted at the festival. It was nice of it to walk right in front of the scopes so people were sure to see it up close. With a bird that size, there is no doubt that it is female.

One of the best parts of a bird festival are the people you meet. I almost always discover that I'm talking to someone who I have either admired their photography or writing. Other times you may meet someone that has several of the same friends or just has an interesting life. When a festival is wrapping up, people who had booths, or were speakers, organizers or helped keep traffic flowing usually congregate to a local public house for a beer and good conversation. When we were finished in Connecticut we headed to a cozy tavern in the Griswold Inn. I ran into Jim Zipp again (did I mention on top of taking tons of bird photos he runs a bird store in his spare time--where does he get his energy?) and I met a friend of his named Jerry Connelly who runs The Audubon Shop (pictured with me on his lap, below).

Jerry is a character, he's a musician who runs a bird store--and has a very easy going wife. She didn't seem to mind a bit when I sat in his lap for a photo. Jerry has had a store since 1986 and didn't know much about birds when he started, but through running the store has become hooked. He said I needed to put his photo in my blog, which made me think he must not have read some of the July and November 2005 entries and saw the embarrassing karaoke...be careful what you wish for my friend, or you could end up in photos like these. If you're ever in Connecticut be sure to look up the stores for Jim and Jerry. Something interesting about these bird stores is that both carry a variety of binoculars--not something you see in many bird stores.

A Little More About Connecticut

Warning: more whining ahead.

There he is, the man of the hour, Mr. Steve Ingraham who is the Zeiss rep and purchased a case of Hot Hands for all of us to use on Sunday at the Connecticut Bald Eagle Festival. Saturday the weather was in the low twenties and teens with super high winds--not ideal conditions for an outdoor booth--especially when the snow moved in. Sunday when we arrived to set up in the morning, it was six degrees but sunny and no wind. Ben announced that he was wearing every article of clothing he packed in his suitcase. I was five layers with what was left with my supply of Hot Hands tucked in every available part on my body. They wore out but Steve was the man to supply us with more. All hail Steve! I'm sure I'm going to have to owe him a favor of some sort in the near future--hopefully not involving anything in waste management.

I did have a surprising birding incident on Sunday. The river boat that took people down the Connecticut River to see the eagles had an extra space so I hopped aboard hoping to escape the cold. I did not, because to really enjoy the birds, you have to be on one of the upper decks and chugging down the river in single digit temps is by no means warm. However, we saw not one but TWO golden eagles on the trip. Not only that, the birds started fighting and talon grabbing while they flew about eye level, above the trees along the banks of the river. That really made up for a lot. Everyone on the boat was excited--some were so excited, four letter words were flowing free and easily among the crowd. It really was pretty cool. Even the guy narrating the trip had to say, "Folks, I'm just going to stop talking because there's nothing I can to this, so just enjoy." He was quite right, words were not necessary to further enhance two golden eagles fighting in mid-air. Who knew, I had to go to Connecticut to see goldens?

We did see some bald eagles. It was interesting to me the number of people who came to this festival for the chance to see 16 to 30 bald eagles (there are three of them in the above photo). In Minnesota we had well over a hundred in the Colville Park Marina in Red Wing. Not to mention all the bald eagles that are found between Red Wing and Wabasha. But I suppose it's all relative. One nice bit of luck the festival had besides the two golden eagles was that a pair of balds were constructing a nest right across the river from where all us optics people were set up. You can see our army of scopes set up in the photo above. If you were thinking of purchasing a spotting scope, it was a great day for that because you could just go down the line and see the difference between all the makes and models on the nest.

The seal that we saw on Saturday morning showed up again in the river on Sunday afternoon. One of the bald eagles constructing the nest made a bee line for it and tried to steal a fish it was eating. That was quite a sight! Watching that big bomber cruise right along and lower its talons and then swoop right down for the seal. The seal ducked under water and the eagle circled a few times waiting for it to resurface. Every time the seal did, the eagle dove for it and missed. The crowd went wild.

I mentioned in the previous post that this was a hipper crowd and the outfits continued to impress on Sunday. I couldn't believe the number of people wearing long fur coats--definitely was the weather for it, but it's just not the type of coat that you see at bird festivals. There's a lady wearing one in the line of eagle spectators on the boat. The crowd was full of younger people too. I even saw a teenage couple having a date on the boat, snuggling each other while watching for birds. It was very cute.