I stumbled upon this Townsend Bat colony purely by accident while cave hunting. I was as surprised to see them as they were to see me! I stayed less than two minutes, not wanting to upset them further. I took this quick video so you all can enjoy seeing them in their natural environment.
Townsend Bat Colony
I stumbled upon this Townsend Bat colony purely by accident while cave hunting. I was as surprised to see them as they were to see me! I stayed less than two minutes, not wanting to upset them further. I took this quick video so you all can enjoy seeing them in their natural environment.
My First Bat Rehabilitation Patient
Defiance Cave Preserve: Drapery Den is Trashed
Last month, we headed to Drapery Den with Rob McFarland, Ken Headrick, Mike Frazier. We were armed with garbage bags and gloves, but were unprepared for what we found. We had expected to clean up trash that one person left behind. Instead, thigh high mountains of trash greeted us. Only multiple probably mentally ill people over a long period of time could have accumulated so much refuse. Old cans, bottles, wrappers, clothing, drug containers, broken furniture, camping equipment, magazines and more. It will take a small army to clean out this cave and make it habitable for bats again. We loaded and carried many bags to the surface of the cave, but were only able to carry a fraction down the mountain. We anticipate spending many weekends starting next spring on this project.
Photos
Colorado Bat Crew at Vampire Fest
Tonight I joined in my first event with the Colorado Bat Crew at the Ft Collins Vampire Fest. We handed out educational materials on bats, showed some videos, answered questions from party-goers. Thanks always to Kathy Estes for her support in getting me closer to my goal of earning my Bat Rehabilitation Specialist License! For more info on the Colorado Bat Crew: http://www.coloradobatcrew.com/
via GIPHY
Bat Exodus
Defiance Cave Preserve/Cave of the Clouds: Gate Project
In order to reduce vandalism to Cave of the Clouds and create a more secure area for bats, we are installing a gate. We have hauled 4000 pounds of cement (15-50 pounds at a time in backpacks) up the side of the mountain. Today, we undertake the brutal task of carrying up one of the steel gates.
Defiance Cave Preserve-Hauling the Final Gate
Thanks to all the volunteers who have jumped in and helped carry 4000 pounds of cement, steel and a very heavy generator to Cave of the Clouds. (add volunteer list) The following videos, showing a single steel gate being slowly dragged up the mountain, will give you an idea how difficult and dangerous the project has been at times.
Videos
Videos
Defiance Cave Preserve-Our First Visit
Mike and I and several caving friends (Patricia Malone, Layla Borgens, Dan Sullivan, LP Lawrence and Ken Headrick) visited Cave of the Clouds today. There is a possibility that the land owner may want to sell the property and we were curious to check it out and discuss making an offer on it.
Photos
Bat Show at Denver Museum of Science and Nature 2016
Autumn and I had a chance to see Rob Mies of the Organization for Bat Conservation today. Lots of cool bats. I especially enjoyed seeing the technology for studying bat calls. Try to catch him next time he's in town!
museum article
photos
via GIPHY
museum article
photos
via GIPHY
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