July 02, 2008

Starry Nights and Real Raptors Programs debut in Vail this Summer

"Vail's Starry Nights" and "Real Raptors and Their Stories" are free programs held in July and August for everyone and will enable participants to learn something new each week in an exciting environment.

Vail's Starry Nights, featuring the CU Boulder Fiske Planetarium, takes place at the Vail Nature Center each Saturday from July 5 - Aug. 30. As sunset varies, during July the program will take place from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m. During August, it will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. Guests at Vail's Starry Nights will learn the science and tales of the infinite mountain sky from faculty members and graduate students from the Department of Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder, all while indulging in s'mores by the camp fire. Participants will also pinpoint stars and planets via lasers. Call 970-479-2291 for details on the Vail Nature Center.

Starry Nights Schedule…

Date             Presenter                   Topic
5   July        Dr. Suzanne Metlay      Celestial Alignments
12 July        Julia DeMarines            Astrobiology
19 July        Adam Ginsburg       Star-Forming Regions
26 July        Dr. John Bally         Birth of Stars and Planets
2   Aug       Matt Benjamin             Celestial Navigation
9   Aug         Dr. John Stocke       Native American Star Knowledge
16 Aug          Nicholas Nelson           Getting to Know Your Galaxy
23 Aug          Bonnie Meinke             Native American Constellations
30 Aug          Gwen Eccles                Stories in the Sky

Real Raptors and Their Stories takes place on the Gore Creek Promenade, just east of the International Bridge each Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 2 through August 27. Guests will be able to see Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and Great Horned Owls and hear their stories, courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. This, family-fun evening of learning and exploration will captivate all ages. On Gore Creek's grassy promenade, guests can experience these rare creatures in their natural habitat and have a chance to take photos. In case of inclement weather, the rain location will be noted on signs at the International Bridge. Subjects and birds will change weekly. Please leave dogs at home.

Real Raptors Schedule…

July 2: Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle
      The Great Bald Eagles of Colorado
July 9: Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Barn Owl
      Raptor Tools & Habitat is Where it's At
July 16: Owls (Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl)
      Myths, Legends and Folklore
July 23: Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel
      Niche Switch - Day & Night Birds Share the Resources
July 30: Falcons (American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon)
      Falcons of Colorado - Built for Speed
Aug. 6: Hawks (Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous
        Hawk)Hawks of Colorado - Soar Above the Rest:
Aug. 13: Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl
      The Secret World of Owls
Aug. 20: Rocky Mountain Raptors -Golden Eagle, American Kestrel,
      Turkey Vulture Raptors of the Rocky Mountains
Aug. 27: Bald Eagle, Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk
      Season of Migration

Visit http://www.vailrec.com for more information about the Nature Center’s activities and programs.