Join Us at Wildwood! -- Collaboration with Public Television Continues

You've got to love YouTube . . . of hundreds of discrete images to choose from in a 4:00+ video segment, this is the one that is selected as a teaser to WGTE's recent production. I look like I've just gotten away with something, but in truth, this was just a candid interview through our UTV's rear view mirror. And it was just a small part of a very enjoyable evening we spent with the public television production crew back on June 15th.

As I explained then, the raw footage may serve a variety of functions. But for now, the several minute segment above will be one of three used to setup a speaking panel that I'll be a part of this Thursday and Sunday at Wildwood Metropark. It is all part of WGTE's premiere of Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark. These are free events and are open to the public.

Here are some more details and a few of my favorite photos from this unique National Geographic project. Hope you can join us either Thursday night or Sunday afternoon!

DESCRIPTION:

Join WGTE for a special preview of the first episode of the three-part series Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark, learn more from local experts about how you can create habitats to preserve and conserve our own endangered species, pick up a free packet of native plant seeds, win door prizes and more! Light refreshments will be provided.

Experts from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Standing Rush, and Metroparks Toledo will be hand to share tips on creating habitats and answer your questions.

Rare is on the mission to save the world, one species at a time, through the lens of renowned National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. Joel captures intimate portraits of some of the world's most fascinating endangered animals - building a connection between these animals and the people who can save them.

NILE CROCODILE -- Animal portraits © Joel Sartore

DATES/TIMES:

Thu, July 13, 2017
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
or
Sun, July 16, 2017
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

TANZANIAN PINK LEGGED MILLIPEDE -- Animal portraits © Joel Sartore

LOCATION:

Wildwood Park - Ward Pavilion
5100 W. Central Ave.
Toledo, OH 43615
Reservations (free)

PERSIAN LEOPARD -- Animal portraits © Joel Sartore

Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark airs on WGTE HD July 18, July 25 and August 1 at 9 p.m.

Welcome WGTE/Public Television

Roy, mid-interview; per usual, his modesty in communicating complex concepts of marsh management
makes the delivery of his message easily digestible and enjoyable

Yesterday afternoon, we were flattered at the opportunity to tour two talented, young videographers from WGTE (Toledo's public media outlet) around the marsh. To their credit, Kaitlyn and Courtney weren't deterred by decent chances of afternoon thunderstorms, unpredictably warm temps (5-10 degrees above the forecast), or a dewpoint that lead to oppressive humidity at times through the late afternoon and evening.

As the skies opened and the rain poured down the heaviest (literally just as their van pulled in the driveway), we were all feeling a bit sheepish about our collective decision to move forward with our plans. But both the weather gods and the wildlife gods ultimately shined upon us. I think our guests were pleased with the amount of activity in front of their cameras, and we were pleased with the opportunity to continue to tell our story to a broader audience.

Cedar waxwing; tough light, dense cover,
still such a cool bird

Good friend Steve Pollick (retired Outdoors Editor from The Blade) was the initial catalyst for this outing. Ever and ally and an advocate of mine, Steve finally approached me with an opportunity to help him on one of his projects. Flight Path: The World of Migratory Birds is a really exciting project being spearheaded by WGTE and the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO). Both are leaders in their respective arenas, and both put an extreme premium on presenting their passions with professionalism. (As a sidebar, northwest Ohio should count both among a shortlist of community gems.)

The video embedded in the link above begins to tell the story of Flight Path, but in essence it's an opportunity to spotlight the critical role of northwest Ohio in the intercontinental migration of literally dozens and dozens of bird species. The creative team has already collected footage in Panama and they are heading into Ontario next week. We were flattered that they were interested in collecting footage at Standing Rush as part of the story in between.

The modest images presented here will pale in comparison to what they captured while we were together. Spoiler alert -- highlights included but weren't limited to: a fairly close encounter with a pair of trumpeter swans and five young (2-week old) cygnets, literally 40+ eagles (mostly juveniles), lots of wading birds (a determined great egret chasing minnows proved to be a favorite), a couple indigo buntings, and of course plenty of other illusive song birds -- including our resident swarm of yellow warblers.

Had to include this candid shot of a yellow warbler;
they proved to be Kaitlyn's nemesis but this one cooperated
with me as Roy was being interviewed by the bunkhouse
(I'm pretty sure this male is guarding a nest in a portable
duck blind near our shop)

The bonus of last night's effort is that in addition to providing b-roll footage for the birding documentary, the visuals and running commentary will also be edited into one or more short video pieces to support a national/international effort called Rare: Creatures of the Photo Ark.

You can learn more about renowned photographer Joel Sartore and his productions by visiting his "visual ark." Our involvement comes with the project's broader goal to take land preservation and wildlife conservation to the local, grassroots level. Our story will join many others, large and small, to help speak to the power of a collective force toward conservation. They may serve as stand-alone pieces, but they will also help promote the broader project. It's a classic example of "think globally, act locally."

We're pleased to be included and will certainly provide updates and links as finished products become available.

Kaitlyn chasing herons and egrets through the southern unit of the West Marsh; breaks in the clouds even allowed for some
blue sky and nice evening light (I was struck by how much greener everything looked compared to just a short week or so ago)

P.S. A flock of eight American white pelicans visited our East Marsh just before the film crew arrived. This is the second time in a week and the third time this year we've gotten to see them. Unfortunately, they didn't stick around to pose for the cameras!