Fields Pond crew schedules youth, adult programs Paddle Smart planning progresses

I hope you got out for a little fresh air Wednesday night and watched the lunar eclipse. I wondered how many others might be out in their backyards lying on the rock-hard snow trying to aim a camera at the fading orb.

As I delicately balanced my little digital camera on its tiny tripod atop the picnic table, I wondered how long it would take for my backside to get frostbit or my fingers to seize or the camera batteries to quit (about the same time, I figured).

I managed to push all the right buttons, the camera worked and I wound up with this tiny little speck of light in the middle of the LCD. By the time I blew it up 10 times it wasn’t much more than a fuzzy blob about the size of a quarter. But that’s OK, I know what it is!

At least I remembered to venture forth. I’d written the event on one of my calendars, the one I carry back and forth to work. That’s not always a sure bet, though. By the time I get home from work, I’m ready to crash and burn. But Wednesday evening was also a planning session for our upcoming Paddle Smart Safety Symposium.

As we get further along and cement the specifics, I’ll fill you in on the details. But for now this is all you have to remember: April 12. That’s a Saturday. This year’s event is the eighth one, and it’ll be at the Y on Second Street. In years past we’ve presented our paddling safety seminars and pool demonstrations and exhibits on Friday nights. But this year it’s going to be different.

Part of the reason for the change is because the Y on Hammond Street no longer has a pool. The Y on Second Street has two, although we’ll be using only one.

And Saturday was chosen partly because the Y’s schedule allowed for us to have the facility to ourselves for the evening from 5 to 10 p.m. and partly because we wanted to see if a Saturday night was more convenient for folks to attend our presentations.

If you haven’t participated in the past, come on down and check out the great displays from such groups and organizations as the Marine Patrol, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Island Trail Association, the Maine Association of Sea Kayak guides and Instructors, Epic Sports and Castine Kayak Adventures to name a few of the 25 or so who will be represented (a complete list is not yet available).

New this year is a series of talks and demonstrations for folks interested in running the Kenduskeag Stream race the following weekend. What better way to get mentally tuned up than to hear from the experts who’ve run the race. And you’ll learn firsthand just how to outfit your canoe for a safe run. And there’ll be some tall tales from the river runners.

As in the past, we’ll have great information on kayak safety, boat selection and paddling as well as pool demonstrations on rescue, safety and boat characteristics.

Best of all, it’s free. And stay tuned for information on this year’s sea kayak raffle. Old Town Canoe has provided us with a Necky Elaho sea kayak. It could be yours for only a few bucks!

Speaking of calendars, I got a notice from Audubon the other day about upcoming events. Here are just some of the programs and outings on tap at the Fields Pond Audubon Center, 216 Fields Pond Road, in Holden. For registration and details or a complete list, call (207) 989-2591.

For children

Nature Time for Children: Spring Session – A nature-based program with stories, creative play, hands-on activities or a nature/art project. Parents participate in the program. Be prepared to be outside for at least a portion of each program.

It’s for children ages 2 to 4 with parent, 11 a.m.-noon every other Thursday, March 20, April 3, 17, May 1, 15, 29, June 12. Leaders are Tina Roberts and Holly Twining, and the cost is free for parents and $24 for the series for children of members and $28 for children of nonmembers. Advance registration required for series. Call 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org.

Wild Poetry for Adults and Children -Explore and reveal the wonders of nature at Fields Pond. Enjoy a nature walk, try some fun writing exercises, hear some great poetry (feel free to bring your own favorite sample), write your own and perhaps share your writing (sharing your writing is optional). The session runs 1-4 p.m., March 8, and the leader is Holly Twining. The cost is $18 for members, $22 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required. Call 989-2591 or e-mail htwining@maineaudubon.org.

For adults

Field Trip to Schoodic Point: Part of Acadia National Park, Schoodic Point is spectacular in winter. It protrudes far into the ocean, surf is high and many birds ride the high waves: eider ducks (common, and possibly king), red-necked grebes, scoters, great cormorants, loons (common and possibly red-throated), red-breasted merganser and long-tailed ducks. Look for crossbills, too. There’ll be a winter picnic at the point, in cars, watching the surf, and the tour goes around the whole point, making short stops to keep warm. Bring binoculars, lunch and a hot drink. The trip begins at 8:30 a.m., March 1 (storm date March 2). Leaders are Leah Culp, wildlife biologist, and Judy Markowsky, director of Fields Pond. The cost is $10 for members, $18 for nonmembers. Register and pay in advance. Call 989-2591 or jmarkow-sky@maineaudubon.org and meet at Fields Pond Audubon Center to carpool.

Penobscot Valley Chapter Program: Invasive Plant Species – Noted horticulturist and master gardener Reeser Manley will talk about invasive plant species, including tips for dealing with problems and native plantings that can substitute for undesirable exotics.

The talk is at 7:30 p.m., March 7. There is no charge.

Birding Field Trip and Slide Show: Trip leader Jerry Smith will have scouted select areas in Greater Bangor to, hopefully, find the wintering birds. After three hours in the field, you’ll return to Fields Pond Audubon Center for refreshments and a one-hour slide show of Smith’s photos of the birds you’ve just seen, or missed. The outing begins at 8 a.m., March 8, and the cost is $5. Advance registration required. Meet at Fields Pond to carpool.

Penobscot Valley Field Trip, Winter birds of Sunkhaze: Travel by 15-passenger van around the refuge and along the Stud Mill Road in search of boreal residents and late winter specialties such as bohemian waxwings and pine grosbeaks. The afternoon departure also presents the chance to find owls that frequently perch along this road near twilight. This trip is limited to 10 people and will cancel in the event of bad weather. Sign up through Fields Pond at 989-2591. Meet at the headquarters of Sunkhaze Meadows NWR. Directions are available at signup. The trip runs 1 p.m.-5 p.m., March 15, and the leaders are Bob and Sandi Duchesne. The cost is $10 and advance registration is necessary.

There are several other outings on tap from Maine Audubon including Wings of Winter: Rangeley Boreal Species; Owl Prowl; Plum Island for Winter Specialties. Advance registration is necessary for these trips. For registration and details call (207) 781-2330, ext. 215.

If you plan on being in the southern part of the state in the coming weeks and months, remember there are a host of Audubon program offered at the Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth. For registration and details, call (207) 781-2330, ext. 215.

jstrout@bangordailynews.net

990-8202