JUNGLE JAUNT Eagle Eye Tours operator Cam Gillies will be screening highlights from a recent trip to Costa Rica for one of the evening presentations during the Wings Over the Rockies festival. Photo submitted
By Wings Over the Rockies
While the Wings Over the Rockies Festival focuses mainly on the Rocky Mountain Trench, the interests of local scientists and naturalists extend far beyond the bird life of the Columbia Valley.
In evening presentations at Pynelogs Cultural Centre, they will share pictures, stories and music about their studies and travels from the forest floor to the life of minerals, from Patagonia to the Arctic and from Costa Rica to Himalaya.
On Monday, May 4th, Bryan Kelly-McArthur, naturalist and photographer from the northern end of the Columbia Valley, will introduce us to 26 species of orchids native to our area.
At the same event, Cam Gillies, Windermere ornithologist, photographer and tour operator, will screen highlights from the recent Eagle Eye Tours/Wings Over the Rockies tour to Costa Rica. Tour participants speak in awe of amazing tropical biodiversity and colourful birds.
On Tuesday, May 5th in his presentation, Minerals and Life, locally-raised geologist and photographer Mark Mauthner will explain how minerals are part of every cycle in the universe.
Wednesday, May 6th will be a captivating evening of music and storytelling by the Wardens: Scott Ward, Bradley Bischoff, and Ray Schmidt, a trio whose performance is inspired by 30-year careers in the wilderness of Banff National Park.
Kimberley wildlife biologist, wilderness guide, author and photographer, Dave Quinn, has followed the migration of the Arctic Tern from Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic to Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. On Thursday, May 7th hell have us vicariously kayaking and trekking at the ends of the world.
On Friday, May 8th in a multimedia presentation, Heart of the Himalaya, Pat and Baiba Morrow will share 33 years of experience in the Himalayan mountain range. Beyond the majesty of the landscape, the Morrows treasure climbing with Sherpas, sipping tea with nomadic herders, and lifelong friendships with Tibetans and Bhutanese.
Prepare to be inspired by our local experts. Register at www.wingsovertherockies.org, or fly by Pynelogs to register in person on any of these days up until May 1st: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
