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Click
here to read from the Birder's eye view about
Sedona Verde Valley's Birding and Nature Festival
Sedona Magazine, Spring 2007 edition
Story by James Bishop Jr; Photographs by Tom Vezo
Friday, April 05, 2007
“Verde Independent” by Verde Valley Newspapers, Inc.
Vol. 60, No 27
Ready for take-off
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival
ready to take flight April 26-29
Whether you'd like experience the majesty of a condor soaring over the
Grand Canyon, observe bald eagles from a passenger car of the Verde
Canyon Railroad, catch a glimpse of kingfisher while canoeing down the
Verde River, or take your kids for an afternoon of nature and
conservation activities, this year’s 7th annual Verde Valley Birding
and Nature Festival April 26-29 will have something to whet your
appetite. Live hawks will highlight the festival tent and you can even
get “up clode and personal” with several rattlesnakes at the display
provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
But if you’re interested, you’d better
sign up soon as several of the trips have already filled. “Every
year we just get keep getting bigger and better with more bird trips,
activities for kids, and displays by numerous local and national vendors,”
said Barbie Hart, public interpretative planner for the Arizona State
Parks and festival coordinator.
This year some 70 field trips are being
offered over the four day event, many led by nationally recognized
experts. Last year 171 different bird species were sighted by the over
600 participants. Along with returning favorite activities, new trips
have been added to the schedule including Spotting Sparrows, Fossil Creek
and the Camp Verde Riparian Preserve.
“It doesn’t matter whether someone
just wants to get a taste of what birding is all about or wants to hone
their skills to distinguish between the numerous sparrow species we
have, whatever their level of bird watching they can find something that
will interest them”, Hart added.
Last year’s popular Birding and Wine
trips will be repeated and even those who don’t want to talk will have
an opportunity to learn more about birding. There are several
“luxury” trips offered including the Condor Caper where lunch will
be provided by the world class El Tovar restaurant; riding in the first
calls train car -with attached open gondola- on the Verde Canyon
Railroad to see the nesting bald eagles; and the Cadillac Canoe Brunch
with a catered meal provided at the end.
The festival is not
only about birding. There are geology trips, rock-hounding adventures
and visits to Sinagua Indian cultural sites.
Highlighting the
Family Fun Day Saturday afternoon will be the entertaining and
educational speaker, Denny Olson, transformed into a character for
children, "Critterman," who will be entertaining at the Dead
Horse Ranch State Park Saturday afternoon. There will also be a variety
of educational pro- grams including educator workshops and poster and
essay contests with opportunities for students to win binoculars.
Workshops during the
four days of the event cover a wide variety of topics including nature
photography, basic canoeing, building birdhouses and bird feeders.
Vendors offer all sorts of outdoor supplies and artwork. There's
something for everyone.
This year there has
been the exciting addition of a special keynote program Saturday night
where Olson will portray Professor Avian Guano. Participants will enjoy
the antics of the professor, hear Native American flute music mixed with
bird song performed by Joseph Leal, and indulge in rich desserts for
only $15.
The $10 registration
fee includes park entrance all four days as well as access to the
Exhibit Hall and workshops. There is an additional charge for field
trips, guided walks, and seminars. Field trips include tours to local
birding hot spots: Page Springs, Tavasci Marsh, Oak Creek Canyon, and
the surrounding habitats of Prescott Flagstaff. Gourmet meals are served
on special trips.
For more information,
visit the Web site at www.birdyverde.org
where you can register. You can also stop by or call the Cottonwood
Chamber of Commerce office to register at 634-7593.
For more information, call Hart at
282-2202.
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