Sunday, September 20, 2009

Back from the Midwest Birding Symposium

Late this afternoon we got back from the Midwest Birding Symposium, and let me tell you, we had a blast! I have so many pictures to share, so I still need a little time to get images and stories arranged for presentation.

But what I can tell you right now is that while the Midwest Birding Symposium is about the birds...


flocks of Canada Geese


left: Great Blue Heron at East Harbor State Park
right: Hatchling-year female Northern Cardinal being banded at Black Swamp Bird Observatory

... it's also about the people:


Bill Thompson, III, giving the welcome address.


Author and sound recordist Lang Elliott, sharing sonograms of his recordings.


Julie Zickefoose and Bill Thompson, III, preparing to sing us a song at the end of her Letters from Eden talk


... and the sights and vibe of the whole event and area where it was held:


left: Lovely flower in someone's yard along the Lake Erie coast
right: Lighthouse at Marblehead State Park


MBS welcome sign at the pavilion in front of the pier.


Hoover Auditiorium, empty because it was lunch time.


A bird-themed vanity plate, which was quite a common sight.


Dave and I had so much fun, we're already talking about going to the next MBS in 2011. Stay tuned to future posts for some of the reasons why!

4 comments:

Kelly said...

...love the photos! I have so much floating around in my brain, I don't even know where to start... It only took me 4 hours to get home. Jill the GPS Girl took my down 4 through Columbus (a much easier drive than the way she brought us up...). Looking forward to your posts.

Ginnymo said...

Sounds like you girls had a real good time there. Great photos Heather. I'll be looking for more. I'm sure you have so many that you don't know where to start..Ha!

Richard King said...

I'm glad you put 'it was lunchtime'on the last pic, otherwise the symposium may need a huge members drive! ;)

Heather said...

Kelly - I know what you mean... it's a lot to process. I've got the basic framework of what I want share in my head, though. That's great you got home so quickly! You took the same route we did (4 down through Columbus).

Ginny - It was indeed a good time! Sometimes taking lots of pictures makes for a challenge in figuring out what you're going to share and how!

Richard - Oh dear, how sad it would be if the auditorium were always that empty during the weekend. Seriously though, the event was well-attended, with estimates ranging from 800-900 birders showing up!