AlumaFiesta and the Sonora Desert Museum
©Bert Gildart: Let’s call this brief posting “Nature News Notes” realizing that they symbolize the incredible programs offered at the Sonora Desert Museum located just outside of Tucson, Arizona.
Harris's Hawk as presented at Sonora Desert Museum during "Freeflight" Program
I don’t mind touting the museum as about four years ago, herpetologists helped me with information and with photo ops for a story I was writing on Gila Monsters for National Wildlife Magazine. Biologists spent hours explaining to Janie and me the complicated biology of America’s only poisonous lizard.
So that explains why I’m more than happy to focus on the museum, but it doesn’t say why we are here in Tucson, and that is to provide an Airstream gathering called AlumaFiesta with a program on photography. The program will recall my interest in Airstream Travel and my years as a photographer. Back dropping my photo presentation will be our interest in national parks all of which began in Glacier National Park.
L to R: Barn owl, Raptor Free Flight enthusiasts gather to watch flights of hawks and owls, barn owl, showing that sometimes subject must be made part of overall scene.
Putting the program together has required much time, which means that something must give and that has been my blog writing, which also helps draw attention to my two recent books, detailed below.
We’re looking forward to AlumaFiesta and also to a few more visits to the Sonora Desert Museum, which provides a host of learning experiences that no one here should overlook. One of those is the Raptor Free Flight Program and hopefully the images included here will justify my enthusiasm. All of these images were MADE during our visit to the museum less than a week ago! The birds and the program are still there and various programs, such as the Raptor Free Flight demonstration, are offered daily.
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THIS TIME THREE YEARS AGO:
BOOKS FOR SALE:
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Sometimes the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
February 5th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
We attended your slideshow and talk tonight at Alumafiesta and were mesmerized by your spectacular photos and travel tales. We are encouraged to continue our dream of visiting as many national parks as we can in this wondrous land that we are fortunate to live in. Many thanks for your inspiration!!
February 9th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
And thank you so much for your comment. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate your taking time to express your thoughts.